Expats are not snatching up plum executive jobs, says Manpower Minister

PMET unemployment is low and incomes are increasing.

Minister for Manpower and Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin dispelled widespread notions that expats are snatching up plum executive jobs from Singaporean PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians).

In a blog post, he noted that the unemployment rate of Singaporean PMETs remained low at 2.9% in 2014, while real median incomes grew by about 2% per year between 2009 and 2014.

"With the economy continuing to grow, there will be more jobs for Singaporeans if firms are able to get the talent they need to invest or expand their operations here," he wrote.

"the assumptions that more foreign PMETs = more Singaporean PMETs unemployed and in lower paying jobs are not borne out in numbers. Singaporean holding PMETs jobs, like any other occupations will face challenges as businesses restructure. What matters at the end of the day is whether one has the necessary skills required to perform the job," he added.