Is the job market in Singapore improving?

[vik482]

I heard that the govt is taking very effective steps to protect the locals jobs as well as generate more employment for both locals and foreigners. I hope this is true because I loved working in Singapore before i had to move back after my project. My wife is still there and i would like to join her soon. Its it advisable to come to Singapore and search for a job at this point? I do understand that markets are bad everywhere and job security is more important. But from a personal perspective, with me and my wife in different countries it doesnt make much sense to stick on to our jobs.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sadly the market is going south faster and faster. Not looking too good. No matter what the government wants, they are still dependent on the rest of the world as there is no local market to support business. You must remember that Singapore is an Export driven economy. If your trading partners aren't buying you are dead in the water. The only way to survive is downsize, retrench. I don't believe lowering of wages will do the trick although that is what the government is espousing at the moment. Apparently a lot of biggies are doing it though and are planning to retrench quite a lot of staff. SIA is taking something like 17 planes out of the air so that will reduce a lot. Not a good time to try to come to Singapore (I know how the separation thing goes - I worked in the offshore oil industry for almost 20 years) But if you have a job with tenure at the moment, I say sit on it as if you come over here and are lucky enough to secure a job, when the brown stuff hits the fan, it'll be first in, first out. So you might have spent quite a bit to get here and then have it all blow up in your face and nothing to go back to either. Of course the reverse is true and you present position could have you out the door as well. At the moment it's a crap shoot!

[vik482]

Hmmm...Things are that bad huh? Ur right actually....The situation in my present position is not so good either....So its a case of between the devil and the deep sea...
Making a sensible decision in these hard times is soo difficult!!

[ching]

I agree with SMS, it's not a good time to try coming over at the moment, particularly if you don't have a solid job offer firmly in hand.

(And even if you do, you could still find the offer withdrawn or the position made redundant after you get here!)