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BELIEVE IT OR Not? - Comments to a joint statement on "Fair Hiring and Employment Practices" issued by 29 Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) under the TAC Alliance.+ on Tuesday, 19 January 2021.
1. This statement was made in the Trade Associations' website and was copyrighted. That means it cannot be republished without permission. That means it is not intended for widespread distribution freely. That means it is meant for only a limited number of people to read, e.g. the Government.
2. Why did they felt the need to gang up together as a large body in a concerted effort to make such a statement? Is it because unity is strength? The larger they are the more people will take their words seriously? Or is it because they ganged up together as a force to challenge the government and the people?
3. Words are cheap. Especially words coming out of business people's mouth and from business people's brains. Actions speak louder than words. They claimed that 99% of them have abide by the fair hiring and employment practices and only 1% of businesses are the culprits who are unfair. Can any person with a little bit of common sense honestly believe that?
4. The fact that many, too many, Singaporean PMETs and graduates have lost their jobs to foreigners cannot and must not be brushed aside, trifled and trampled with. We all not only know but can really feel that many Singaporeans have been unfairly perceived, assessed, treated and sidelined by employers over the last ten years, at least. There is no need to use statistics to prove otherwise.
5. If the employers are truthful and sincere to treat Singaporeans fairly, there is no need to come out and make such a statement. Words will spread by mouths of your employees and people will know automatically.
6. In fact, by coming to join force and make such a statement, it only proves that employers fear a backlash coming and therefore are trying to pre-empt it by making a strong collective statement. Not only that. Such a statement is counter-productive to what the employers are trying to achieve. Because people can see that it is merely a political window-dressing exercise.
Think harder, think deeper.
1984 George Orwell.