Forum: Offer more support to those who were retrenched

As a Singaporean who is turning 44 this year, I can relate well to the stories of those featured in the article “

Job jitters: Why do some worry about jobs when the S’pore labour market is strong?

” (Feb 8).

I applaud the effort and dedication of those who were retrenched and found new jobs or started their own business after a long job search, such as Mr Christopher Lim and his wife, Ms Lim Geok Keng; and Ms Masni Goh. 

I have a few friends in their mid-40s and early 50s who were retrenched in the past few years. They managed to secure another full-time job only after at least six to eight months of job-hunting and sending out hundreds of job applications. 

It was a taxing and stressful period for them because of their many financial commitments and responsibilities, such as housing loans, school-going children and caring for aged parents as well as managing their household finances. 

At the same time, however, a few of my friends who are business owners and those in human resources shared that many local job applicants trying for positions at their companies seek unrealistically high salaries and job benefits, even though their qualifications, skills and experience may not match the job requirements. 

I feel that any form of job that can bring food to the table is better than being unemployed for several months and hope that those facing difficulties in getting full-time employment are trying for part-time jobs, especially in retail, food and beverage, and healthcare support.

I am glad Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is concerned about job security and that it will be a focus of this year’s Budget statement.

I hope that more assistance will be provided to workers, such as increasing the qualifying gross monthly income for the Workfare Income Supplement scheme and enhancing the CDC Vouchers Scheme, which has been well-received by Singaporean households.

Muhammad Dzul Azhan Sahban