Migrant Labor in Singapore: Impact, Recruitment, and Recommendations

MIGRANT LABOR IN SINGAPORE.
Migrant labor in Singapore
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MIGRANT LABOR IN SINGAPORE.
Introduction
According to the International Organisation of Migration, there has been an increase in the
number of migration across borders in the world today. Migrant labor in Singapore is in high
percentages. Most people come from other countries in search of employment in the construction
industry in the country’s economy. This is mostly due to the shortage of skilled labor in the
country thus the needy to welcome skillful labor to fill the employment gaps in the various
sectors of the country (Caprotti, 2014, p.13). This report analyzes the impact of migrant labor on
the lives of workers, major reasons for migrant labor recruitment into Singapore, the benefits to
the social and economic development of the country and the recommendations to the adopted by
the government to improve the lives of the workers.
Interview questions were used to gather the information. Where members interviewed either one
friend or a family members on the type and nature of employment, the roles played in the
organisation, labour on wages, debates about potential displacement of Singaporeans by migrant
workers, the benefit to Singapore, level of decent work to migrants workers, motivates of
recruitment of migrant workers and how to improve the vulnerability of migrant workers.
Findings
Most migrant workers in Singapore are employed by the Multi-National companies. The
companies are in constant search for more workforces to fill the gaps that are found in their
workplace. Mostly the foreign workers are employed in the construction companies. In any
sector, the foreign workers may take up roles as junior employees for the routine works or as
senior employees to facilitate operations of the organizations. People feel intimidated if they

MIGRANT LABOR IN SINGAPORE.
work under foreigners and this may cause chaos which may lead to foreigners being harassed for
occupying top jobs in the host nations (Huang, et al. 2012, p.204). Junior positions in different
organizations attract low pay and residents of Singapore are not willing to take up the roles
because migrant labor has led to reduced wages because labor supply exceeds demand.
The high recruitment of migrant workers is noted to be due to skills shortage where locals
especially fresh graduates do not wish to work for jobs with low pay. Also, most locals make
choices on the type of work they wish to do. For instance, most of the local employees are not
willing to work at the construction sites in the country. This makes these companies look for
employees from other countries to fill the existing gaps (Wise, and Velayutham, 2014, p.417).
Graduates from different universities are always looking for white collar jobs and there is a
perception that educated people should not work in construction sites because that is not their
area of specialization. This notion forces many organizations to make the good use if foreigners
who are willing to perform the roles which are looked upon by Singapore citizens.
It is realized that welcoming foreign employees to Singapore will result in brain gain through
new skills acquisition in the organizations. The interaction of locals and foreign works will bring
about the exchange of ideas at them, as a result, more innovations in the economy (Lorente,
2012, p.201). Skill and labor shortage will be addressed in the country since there will be more
skilled people to add to the available local employees thus increasing organizational
productivity. Singapore developmental goals will be achieved easily due to the availability of
labor and an increase in innovations. Availability of labor will increase industrialization in the
country and this will boost the export sector. Exports in return will help in the balance of trade as
more revenue will be realized.