Working from home and from basically anywhere are two new macro trends that are developing in our workforce and at our workplaces, according to NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong.
He was speaking in Parliament on 24 February 2021, standing in support of the Budget 2021 announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 16 February 2021.
Mr Yong said: “This ability to work from anywhere is both an excellent opportunity, as well as a serious threat for Singapore and Singaporeans.
“Competition for jobs will increase, and this will be no longer just be limited to talents located in Singapore. Instead, competition can come from literally anywhere in the world.”
He added that to prepare Singapore for the eventuality of global competition, key manpower policies will need to be re-thought, as our conventional system of balancing local and foreign workforce may no longer be relevant in time to come.
According to Mr Yong, there is an urgent need to re-look at the SkillsFuture Credit Programme. Since its launch in 2015, less than 24 per cent of eligible Singaporeans have utilised their SkillsFuture Credits.
“We need to thoroughly review the SkillsFuture Credits programme and tweak the objectives of the programme to equip Singaporeans with future-ready skills,” he said.
Building Larger HDB Flats
He also noted that while COVID-19 has caused a fundamental shift to our workplace culture, working from home has brought along its own set of challenges, relating to space and caregiving needs.
“Without a dedicated area to work, we are easily distracted with our children or by other things in the house that need our attention. Unfortunately, space is increasingly difficult to come by,” he said.
Mr Yong questioned if it was time for the Government to start building bigger HDB flats once again to possibly provide Singaporeans with a study room that can also double up as a home office.
Better Support for Caregivers
Stating that for some, working from home also mean having to juggle work with caregiving needs.
“These informal caregivers are often disadvantaged in their careers and retirement adequacy, but we have an opportunity to change this,” he said.
With this new normal of working from home, Mr Yong said that more employers need to be encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements.
He cited the example of a new Jobs Closer to Home programme by NTUC and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation. The programme has helped residents in Radin Mas find jobs closer to home – more specifically, within a 5km radius.
“This will allow caregivers to concurrently work and care for their loved ones, without having to make the difficult decision to choose one over the other,” he said.
