Govt will help small businesses maximise workers’ contributions: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — The Government will help small and medium enterprises maximise their local and foreign workers’ contributions, amid the ongoing manpower crunch.

This was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s assurance to firms at the Malay-Muslim Business Conference held today (May 7).

He said the Government cannot ease up on the limits it has imposed on foreign worker inflows to Singapore.

However, Mr Lee added that the number of foreign workers in the country is still growing, though not as fast as before.

He noted that small businesses are very worried about manpower and that many of them want more foreign workers. Those unable to find workers have had to turn away business.

Mr Lee’s advice to firms was to offer higher wages and exciting jobs as the best way to attract good people.

He noted that this is only possible if companies raise productivity and climb up the value chain.

Mr Lee said firms can tap the various Government schemes available to do that.

He also encouraged companies to venture overseas, with the Government’s help. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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