I am feeling helpless. Why did I sign the contract when I was taken advantage of. They do not want to agree to my terms and they did not say how and what they are going to provide me to get the new tasks done.
I am angry with them for taking advantage and for all I know they are feeling smug about it.
I feel even more angry with the employment law in this so called first world country governed by first world govt who did the minimum to prevent abuse of workers by employers. This is the self righteous govt who like to preach to its citizens of putting "national interest" first. Interest of businesses. All the claims that their policies are for the good of the citizens. Who are these citizens, the rich landlords and those who enjoy wealth and power, therefore, supporting the policies? What about citizens who come from a less privileged background, have to incur debt to get an Uni education, with uncontrolled competition from foreign manpower...the so called "Singaporeans first" policy by our elite government has considered the impact of their policies on ordinary people.... Or they are just trying to serve the interest of the rich businessmen?
I have a choice and to leave at the end of the contract 1.5 years, but I have study loan to repay and little savings, do not have much family support struggling mental issues that make me vulnerable to pressure.
If I do not sign, they are going to pressure me, say awful things like I am going to outsmart the company and threw accusation that I was trying to withhold info and couldn't trust me.
Foreigners who are not putting best effort get the good end of the stick and disrespecting locals. While I tried to put in the best effort and still taken advantage of by the unappreciative and money grubbing businesses.
Is this a society that only rewards people who couldn't care less about others, protecting their own interests even if it sacrifices others.
Will any people in government ministry dare to do the right thing and not just the "legal" thing.
I have written to Ministry of Manpower but will they be standing by the so called integrity and principles, they loudly espoused, and will just get a template reply, which is common nowadays from those in office.
Saturday, 31 January 2015
Friday, 30 January 2015
Probably losing it soon, see no way out of this predicament, where our employment laws do not protect the welfare and rights of workers.
This is a country where the rich and powerful have the ultimate say.
Where can an ordinary people like me get help. From the government, I have tried, they will just say companies have the rights to set contract terms or will say because they do not have details of my situation so cannot advise. Once you signed the contract, you are bound by it.
I can only say this elite government of ours are out of touch or they couldn't care the least about the struggles of the man on the streets.
After note: My manager has agreed to my request of getting the necessary tools to get the work done. Was feeling exasperated due to the inefficiency and monotony in carrying out one of the "new" skill the company is developing me in the name of an extended contract without "increase in benefits".
Hail the Almighty government and their pro capitalist policies.
This is a country where the rich and powerful have the ultimate say.
Where can an ordinary people like me get help. From the government, I have tried, they will just say companies have the rights to set contract terms or will say because they do not have details of my situation so cannot advise. Once you signed the contract, you are bound by it.
I can only say this elite government of ours are out of touch or they couldn't care the least about the struggles of the man on the streets.
After note: My manager has agreed to my request of getting the necessary tools to get the work done. Was feeling exasperated due to the inefficiency and monotony in carrying out one of the "new" skill the company is developing me in the name of an extended contract without "increase in benefits".
Hail the Almighty government and their pro capitalist policies.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
In a bad state of mind today, all the past negative experiences come to mind. A Singaporean in his own country, yet has to be treated like a 2nd class subject in his own country.
Has to integrate with "foreign talents" instead of the other ways.
Has to swallow hook and bait the pro business policy of this govt who does not take the feedback of the working Singaporean class seriously.
A every man for himself working culture and a management still using archaic style of running the business.
Has to integrate with "foreign talents" instead of the other ways.
Has to swallow hook and bait the pro business policy of this govt who does not take the feedback of the working Singaporean class seriously.
A every man for himself working culture and a management still using archaic style of running the business.
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Human resource management in Singapore
I feel human resource management in Singapore is a fraud, there is no such thing at least in the companies I have worked.
The HR cannot be independent, they will have to listen to the owners. However there are a difference between a good and professional HR and a bad one.
A professional HR will try to relay the concerns of employees to the owners and not just simply dismiss them for fear of incurring the wrath of the owners.
This type of HR is just trying to protect their rice bowls. Doing HR studies because of the comfortable and less challenging workload if they do not go against the owners.
The HR cannot be independent, they will have to listen to the owners. However there are a difference between a good and professional HR and a bad one.
A professional HR will try to relay the concerns of employees to the owners and not just simply dismiss them for fear of incurring the wrath of the owners.
This type of HR is just trying to protect their rice bowls. Doing HR studies because of the comfortable and less challenging workload if they do not go against the owners.
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
A lot of unhappiness
Feeling a lot of resentments about the management style of my company... Was cursing verbally while doing watering of the plants (an additional task given). Just feel that the company is trying to take advantage. Saying it wants to develop my technical skills, in fact, they just want to tie me with a contract ( 6 months salary penalty if terminated early), of low benefits, with empty promises as they do not put it down in black and white
This is what local Singapore males get for serving 2.5 years of national service in my time.
Really hate the government pro business stance too.
This is what local Singapore males get for serving 2.5 years of national service in my time.
Really hate the government pro business stance too.
I feel bad about affecting the group I am in with my negative thoughts on the govt and work.
Everyone is having their own issues, I have to refrain from burdening them with my issues.
Work wise I am facing pressure to sign an extended contract without any pay increase, and the so called career development chances are also vague.
When I delayed signing it, the CEO started to hint me that he will make life difficult to me, and doubted me when I omitted unintentionally some info on a matter.
Coupled with the lack of processes and info needed to get the work done has frustrated me, and have been posting negatively in the group.
Someone in the group, who is facing his battles, told me I have to manage my emotions, and he left the group, somehow I feel I was the cause of him leaving because of my negative posts.
But I wonder even if our country has good systems and processes, what about the people who drafted the policies and those who executed them? Can they really feel and understand the worries and struggles of the man on the street from different backgrounds?
An one size fits all approach and generalisation of the situations on the ground, will lead to more distrust and unhappiness, and result in more backlash.
I am not talking about the fare increase but the disillusion resulting from a system that rewards those with the wealth and resources more than the common people who have to work hard just to support the business owners and do not get appreciated.
Everyone is having their own issues, I have to refrain from burdening them with my issues.
Work wise I am facing pressure to sign an extended contract without any pay increase, and the so called career development chances are also vague.
When I delayed signing it, the CEO started to hint me that he will make life difficult to me, and doubted me when I omitted unintentionally some info on a matter.
Coupled with the lack of processes and info needed to get the work done has frustrated me, and have been posting negatively in the group.
Someone in the group, who is facing his battles, told me I have to manage my emotions, and he left the group, somehow I feel I was the cause of him leaving because of my negative posts.
But I wonder even if our country has good systems and processes, what about the people who drafted the policies and those who executed them? Can they really feel and understand the worries and struggles of the man on the street from different backgrounds?
An one size fits all approach and generalisation of the situations on the ground, will lead to more distrust and unhappiness, and result in more backlash.
I am not talking about the fare increase but the disillusion resulting from a system that rewards those with the wealth and resources more than the common people who have to work hard just to support the business owners and do not get appreciated.
Singaporeans' grouses about foreign workforce
In a group, I know, which consists of foreigners and Singaporeans were talking about living in Singapore. I was saying that our government being first world did not list out the air transport regulations online like what UK, USA and Canada did.
One person replied that we are not in a position to question why it was not listed, reason being we are not in their position to understand why they did not do so.
Probably I do not understand why they cannot list the regulations but I do know to purchase the regulations will cost 300 SGD and I suspect that is the reason why a reference was not provided.
The conversation went on to about how it was good to be a foreign expat in Singapore as some feel expats are valued more than locals.
There were discussions on living in different countries, about how other countries have more liberty like Thailand although the people there were less affluent. I feel besides freedom, in these countries, the pace of life may be slower, and the competition is less strong as people there can afford to move away from the cities to the countryside.
Singapore is small with little resources and hinterland, in addition, we are facing more competition from other cities. In this respect, I do agree, that there are some merits in the government's liberal foreign manpower policy.
On the other hand, one could understand the worries of Singaporeans in area of jobs, education, healthcare and housing. For local males, there are additional burden of 2.5 years/2 years national service.
Added to that is the perception that most foreigners are here for the benefits and the standards of their qualifications are questionable (this I can attest personally) while locals are told by our government to welcome and integrate with them.
One of the foreign member mentioned that Singapore has good city planning, compared to her country.
I could understand why she feels so, being from a middle income family in her country, she is somewhat privileged, and our country has provided her with the opportunities which means locals were deprived a chance.
However, I agree that compared to other cities in SEA, people here enjoy relatively comfortable and safe living environment, and we should treasure it.
One person replied that we are not in a position to question why it was not listed, reason being we are not in their position to understand why they did not do so.
Probably I do not understand why they cannot list the regulations but I do know to purchase the regulations will cost 300 SGD and I suspect that is the reason why a reference was not provided.
The conversation went on to about how it was good to be a foreign expat in Singapore as some feel expats are valued more than locals.
There were discussions on living in different countries, about how other countries have more liberty like Thailand although the people there were less affluent. I feel besides freedom, in these countries, the pace of life may be slower, and the competition is less strong as people there can afford to move away from the cities to the countryside.
Singapore is small with little resources and hinterland, in addition, we are facing more competition from other cities. In this respect, I do agree, that there are some merits in the government's liberal foreign manpower policy.
On the other hand, one could understand the worries of Singaporeans in area of jobs, education, healthcare and housing. For local males, there are additional burden of 2.5 years/2 years national service.
Added to that is the perception that most foreigners are here for the benefits and the standards of their qualifications are questionable (this I can attest personally) while locals are told by our government to welcome and integrate with them.
One of the foreign member mentioned that Singapore has good city planning, compared to her country.
I could understand why she feels so, being from a middle income family in her country, she is somewhat privileged, and our country has provided her with the opportunities which means locals were deprived a chance.
However, I agree that compared to other cities in SEA, people here enjoy relatively comfortable and safe living environment, and we should treasure it.
Working life in SME
Today was a tiring day, spending the whole of the afternoon, trying to figure out the air transport regulations. Checked with Colleague and was told to ask my department foreign colleague. Was unclear in my text message and there was a miscommunication. She was offended and I apologised through text. Guess everyone was just too over-stretched to help or just could not care more?
Called the Civil Aviation Authority and could not get through on 3 times.
The lack of info on their website also did not help me to get the work done.
The latest air transport was from 2003 publication and the guidelines were outdated.
Called the Civil Aviation Authority and could not get through on 3 times.
The lack of info on their website also did not help me to get the work done.
The latest air transport was from 2003 publication and the guidelines were outdated.
Monday, 26 January 2015
Mental healthcare system and support in employment for the mentally ill patients
Does our mental healthcare system have a good support system for patients in particular in employment matters? Do the health care professionals respect, care and believe in the ability and determination of patients to recover and lead a fulfilling life. Is the social service support adequate and treat clients with respect?
On the question of support for patients, I found that the doctor-patient relationship is one that when you go for a visit to the doctor and the first question is how are you feeling? I will like to think that even if you share your problems, the doctors especially the locum sometimes just brush it off as normal. Is this the standard of our mental healthcare system?
When you approach the job club in IMH, the first concern they have is not whether you can adapt to the work but if you will be able to commit to the job. In addition, the job selection they have are limited to F&B service jobs.
The front desk staff at the job club, I observed, did not view clients as their equals, speaking in a condescending tone.
On the question of support for patients, I found that the doctor-patient relationship is one that when you go for a visit to the doctor and the first question is how are you feeling? I will like to think that even if you share your problems, the doctors especially the locum sometimes just brush it off as normal. Is this the standard of our mental healthcare system?
When you approach the job club in IMH, the first concern they have is not whether you can adapt to the work but if you will be able to commit to the job. In addition, the job selection they have are limited to F&B service jobs.
The front desk staff at the job club, I observed, did not view clients as their equals, speaking in a condescending tone.
In Singapore, employer-employee relation is not balanced, employers have the legal right to set contract terms. Although a jobseeker can also choose to reject the contract but this will mean another round of job search which in itself is a tiring process.
While in a job, the employer could have legal ways to make an employee abide to his or her wishes by making critical remarks over his or her work or any other legitimate but unreasonable demands.
The employment laws in Singapore will only step in if there is a default in salary payment and left benefit negotiation to trade unions.
This leaves a question, do trade unions have much bargaining powers? With the influx of foreign manpower, will employers heed the calls of trade unions or is NTUC trade union, besides calling for skills upgrading, be effective and willing to do more for workers?
Yes, with a new skillset, you will be able to have a higher bargaining power, but if the employers do not support your skills upgrading, how will a full time worker go for the oft-mentioned upgrading, having to juggle a hectic work demand and his studies?
While in a job, the employer could have legal ways to make an employee abide to his or her wishes by making critical remarks over his or her work or any other legitimate but unreasonable demands.
The employment laws in Singapore will only step in if there is a default in salary payment and left benefit negotiation to trade unions.
This leaves a question, do trade unions have much bargaining powers? With the influx of foreign manpower, will employers heed the calls of trade unions or is NTUC trade union, besides calling for skills upgrading, be effective and willing to do more for workers?
Yes, with a new skillset, you will be able to have a higher bargaining power, but if the employers do not support your skills upgrading, how will a full time worker go for the oft-mentioned upgrading, having to juggle a hectic work demand and his studies?
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