Having one of the strongest economies in the world
and being renowned for its rapid economic growth, it is not hard to see why Singapore is one of the top locations for businesses. However, given the current situation caused by Covid-19, businesses based in Singapore are facing challenges around employment and business activity. As a result, many people have lost work and businesses are at a standstill.
To attempt to overcome this, the Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has released new government advice encouraging temporary work. In this article we are going to discuss the new advice and look at the key considerations businesses need to take into account when hiring temporary workers in Singapore.
New Covid-19 Temporary Work Guidelines
In regard to temporary work in Singapore, the Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has stated “Jobs must be immediately available to help people who need to get back to work quickly. About 80% of the vacancies are for temporary jobs of up to one year, adding that the pay range of jobs on offer is $1,700 to $5,800 a month. Although job seekers may prefer a permanent role, the initiative helps those who need to find a job immediately as they have children, mortgages, elderly parents, or other money commitments. Getting back to work quickly also puts workers in a better position to continue their career when the economy recovers to which employees resumes continue to build up as they continue to be trained and continue to have relevant work experience.”
(www.straitstimes.com)
What is Temporary Work?
Temporary work is a contracted work assignment that specifically lasts for a period of time, which could be from a few weeks to few months. As an employer you can turn an employee’s contract into permanent, full-time position as once a contracted assignment period is finished successfully, the employee can essentially move on to a new project.
- As an employer you will find that there are numerous reasons as to why employees use a temporary contract, whether that’s to maintain an income flow while looking for permanent work, find permanent positions through their temporary assignments or it may just suit their lifestyle better than a permanent job.
- They are also useful for recent graduates who may want to experience a variety of jobs in different industries before settling on a suitable career path.
So its important for you to understand when hiring temporary workers what their motivation is. As an employer you will find that temporary employees who are successful in their career welcome changing work environments and assignments to which they can adapt quickly to new jobs with a willingness to learn.
The Singapore Employment Act
The Employment Act is Singapore’s main labour law which addresses employment specific regulations regarding the basic terms and conditions of employment and the rights, duties and responsibilities of employers and employees covering temporary and contract workers. Most employees in Singapore are familiar with the Employment Act and understand their rights and protection that is offered to them under various legislations.
Work passes and permits for Contracted Employees
All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore short term or long term must have a valid pass known as a work visa before they begin work. If you are engaging foreigners to work in Singapore, you must ensure that they hold a valid pass beforehand. There are numerous work passes for foreigners which are subcategorized into professionals, skilled & semi-workers, trainees & students, family members, exemptions and working while on a visit pass.
Benefits of Temporary Workers
Temporary Workers or Contractors normally have a specific skill set which allows them to make an instant impact within a short period of time. As an employer you don’t need to worry about training or development, as temporary workers are typically used to ever changing environments and projects. Typically, the hiring process is a lot shorter compared to those who are permanent employees and often working hours and holidays days can be negotiated as temporary workers are a lot more flexible. Essentially temporary workers will show you whether there is a demand for that specific skill set in your company and bring an overall fresh perspective to the project.
To find out more about the recruitment and PEO support we can offer in Singapore whether it is for employing contracted or permanent workers please contact our team on: +65 3163 9353 or email us on [email protected]
