Getting economically inactive Singaporeans back to work

SINGAPORE: In a written reply to a question in Parliament, Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan—Jin said the Manpower Ministry does not keep a record of all economically inactive Singaporeans.

Nominated Member of Parliament Mr Teo Siong Seng asked Mr Tan if the Manpower Ministry keeps a record of economically inactive Singaporeans and what measures are there to help this group of Singaporeans join the workforce to address the manpower shortage faced by local enterprises.

In his reply, Mr Tan said that based on the Labour Force Survey, it is estimated that in June 2012, around 418,000 residents aged 25 to 64 were economically inactive.

Out of these, four in five, or about 336,000, were women. The same survey also showed that 90,000 of all economically inactive residents aged 25 to 64 intended to seek employment within the next two years.

Many have other responsibilities and often cite family and care—giving duties as reasons keeping them out of the workforce.

The government has put in place measures to help remove and minimize the barriers facing those who wish to return to work.

These include funding support to help employers redesign jobs, put in place flexible working arrangements and hire the economically inactive.

Meanwhile, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) provides funding for all individuals, including the economically inactive, to upgrade their skills and improve their employability.

— CNA/fa