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Fewer foreigners, more locals at offices

Employers in Singapore are hiring more locals and fewer foreigners as foreign manpower curbs continue to take effect.

Here are the current labour trends, according to press reports:

- Growth of foreign workers slowed to 27,000 in the first half of the year, down 34,100 for the same period last year. This is the lowest growth since the first half of 2010.

- Construction workers and maids make up the bulk of new foreign workers.

- The growth in the number of Employment Pass and S Pass holders was the lowest since the first half of 2009, while local employment rose to 34,100 between January and June this year, up from 22,800 compared to the first six months last year.

- Although employment continues to grow, unemployment also rose to 2.1 per cent in the second quarter of the year, up from 1.9 per cent of the first quarter.

The ministry said that the labour market for the rest of the year is expected to remain tight as the Government will not let up on its curbs on foreign workers.

"We will continue to take progressive steps to reduce the inflow of foreign workers, and urge companies to adopt practical productivity improvement strategies, as we move towards a manpower-lean economy", says Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.

Full story: http://business.asiaone.com/sme-central/news/employers-are-hiring-more-locals-and-fewer-foreigners-mom