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PROFILE: Boosting the Singaporean core
Profile of the Singapore worker: Older and better qualified, with higher incomes, more in unions
As Covid-19 takes a toll on the labour market, there have been calls to protect and strengthen the Singaporean core and help locals level up amid competition from foreign talent. How has the profile of the Singapore worker evolved over the years? What are his core strengths, the concerns over his capabilities, and the challenges he faces? Insight reports.
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Singaporeans make up about 85 per cent of the resident labour force.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
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Singapore's labour force has grown substantially over the past two decades, from 2.2 million in 1999 to 3.7 million last year.
This comprises people who are employed - also known as being in the workforce - as well as those who are unemployed, that is, not in a job but want to and are able to work.
