Companies seek alternatives as workers from India, Bangladesh dwindle

Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, had acknowledged that this will have an impact on industries such as construction, and that many small- and medium-sized enterprises in Singapore and contractors will be affected.to bring in workers from China, among other support measures.

This daily rate includes costs such as housing, levies and insurance for the worker, which the company has to pay. The daily rate for workers from India or Bangladesh is about S$120 to S$150 now, up from S$70 to S$80 in the past.Mr Kenneth Loo, COO of Straits Construction, said that the situation is "very tight", and manpower was short before the travel restrictions kicked in. He estimates that there is a 30 to 40 per cent shortage of workers currently.

"I think we have no choice, we are still looking," he said in response to a question on whether they are sourcing for workers from other countries. Ms Christine Sun, OrangeTee senior vice president of research & analytics, said that the shortage is likely to be in the short to mid-term. "We are not looking at alternatives for the time being. Our present solution is to adapt with the limitation in resources. We are working with service buyers to extend project timelines," he said.

Workers from India and Bangladesh do essential work such as grass cutting and tree works, he said. He thinks there will be a 15 to 20 per cent shortage of workers in the coming months.Assistant Professor Laavanya Kathiravelu from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Social Sciences, whose work has centred around migrant labour from South Asia, said that a few other industries might be affected.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Malaysia to repatriate citizens from some parts of India as COVID-19 cases continue to climbKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will repatriate its citizens from the northern and western regions of India amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and fatalities ... Wa online citizens sure no give chance say Malaysia racist Muhammad Qasim has seen dreams for over 30 years now, and in 2014 he started sharing for the first time after being asked by Prophet Muhammad SAW. Muhammad Qasim’s dreams are important for Islam, and the future to come for Muslims. Learn more at
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Pleas for help in India as Covid-19 leaves children without carers
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Commentary: My harrowing brush with COVID-19 in New Delhi as India is ravagedIt was harrowing to be sick from a notoriously unpredictable virus knowing that drugs, hospital beds and oxygen were scarce, says the Financial ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

COVID-19 pandemic drove 230 million people in India into poverty: StudyMUMBAI: About 230 million Indians fell into poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year with young people and women the hardest hit, and the ... Being cancer-stricken and begging CPF Board to repay overdue debt; that which in any case cannot be done as the money had been commingled and funneled to private entity Temasek Holdings for Ho Ching to wager on unviable, untenable and ultimately, invariably doomed gambles Qasim’s dream of 2015 – Prophet Muhammad SAW said, Qasim convey this message to the whole Ummah, whoever stands with you is just like a person standing with me, and whoever supports you its just like they support me. More at
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

UN raises serious human rights concerns over Australia’s India travel banThe office of the UN high commissioner for human rights has questioned whether Australia's controversial temporary measure is consistent with the country's human rights obligations.
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »