Making plans for hire? Consider workers from short term Covid-19 roles.

ManagementMay 26, 2022 09:58

Firms that are facing a labour crunch should consider hiring workers who held short term covid-19 roles, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng. These workers include those previously working as safe distancing ambassadors (SDAs) and vaccination centre workers. The resident unemployment rate has recovered to pre-covid levels.

Around 6400 workers were employed in short term covid-19 roles, and around 1200 workers will be redeployed into longer-term roles but 5200 workers will be looking for new jobs in the coming months. WSG and e2i will provide employment facilitation and employers who are keen to hire these workers should reach out to both organisations.

Many of these workers came from F&B and retail sectors and thus would possess the relevant skillsets and experience. Employers can also consider hiring trainees who have gone through SGUnited Jobs and Skills package. Employers should provide flexible work arrangements to tap into a larger pool of local manpower.

To further support workers and businesses, MOM is working with MOT, MTI, STB and CAAS to provide targeted support for the tourism and aviation industries. Support includes additional foreign work quotas on a time-limited basis and working closely with unions and industry to ramp up local hiring.

Examples include Tourism Careers Hub in Jan 2022, career fairs and a $70 million Food Services and Retail Business Revitalisation Package. NEA has also been working with cleaning companies to adopt technologies to reduce manpower demand for disinfection work. Jobs Growth Incentive will also be extended to Sep 2022 to support the hiring of mature local workers, those who are not in work for at least 6 months, ex-offenders and people with disabilities. SGUnited Mid-career pathways programme can also be tapped upon. Finally, the small business recovery grant will also be disbursed from June this year.

"I strongly encourage employers facing manpower shortages to utilise all the available support to press on with efforts to transform and become more manpower-lean, while tapping on the available sources of local workers that still exist to build up their local manpower core," said Minister Tan.


How is your company dealing with the labour crunch?