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02-06-2013, 09:00 PM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
Say No to PRs for Public Service Leadership Programme (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/06/02/say-no-to-prs-for-public-service-leadership-programme/)
http://images.dmca.com/Badges/dmca_protected_sml_120n.png?ID=f11d7371-0ef1-483b-888a-04e8d2ba2e94 http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostDateIcon.png?9d7bd4 June 2nd, 2013 | http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostAuthorIcon.png?9d7bd4 Author: Contributions (http://www.tremeritus.com/author/contributor/)
I refer to the following article about the new Public Service Leadership (PSL) programme.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...rs/684518.html (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/govt-launches-new-public-service-leaders/684518.html)
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl1-576x480.jpg?9d7bd4
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl2-640x120.jpg?9d7bd4
It is timely to increase the pool of civil servants
PSL is a good initiative in addition to the existing Administrative Service Programme (AO). Those who do not qualify for the exclusive AO programme can attempt to qualify for PSL, which provides 4 years on the job learning followed by potential sponsorship for a Masters Programme.
It is timely to increase the cohort of civil servants who are responsible for drafting policies for Singapore through PSL. The Singapore Public Service employs some 136,000 officers, of which 80,000 are in the Ministries, and an estimated less than 1,000 are responsible for drafting policies.
http://www.psd.gov.sg/content/psd/en.../overview.html (http://www.psd.gov.sg/content/psd/en/home/singaporepublicservice/overview.html)
Whereas the population has increased to 5 million from 3 million, the policy branches of the government may not have expanded to keep in pace. Like the transport, housing and medical sectors, the policy teams might be over stretched and find it hard to cope with a flood of issues arising. The recent Population Paper is a case in point.
The devil is in the details
While I agree with the intent of the PSL, I am concerned with the finer details of the PSL. If we look closely at the requirements, citizens (SC) or PR who have intention to become SC can apply.
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl3-640x119.jpg?9d7bd4
http://careers-gov-jobs.jobstreet.co...=0&src=8&itn=0 (http://careers-gov-jobs.jobstreet.com.sg/jobs/jobdesc.asp?eid=1612&jid=91053417&did=103&type=0&its=0&src=8&itn=0)
Currently, PRs can work in statutory boards. However, the PSL seems to suggest that now PRs can also assume positions in the Ministries. My understanding is that only SC can work in the Ministries.
What happened to Singaporeans first?
Since the recent elections, government has stressed that Singaporeans will be given additional priority for housing, education and healthcare. These moves are welcome as needless to say; citizens should be accorded priority access to resources and services, although it is yet to be seen if the government intends to give priority to Singaporeans for COEs.
As such, the move by PSL to accept PRs along with citizens is unsettling. Including PRs who are citizens of other countries in the civil service leadership roles can have negative implications for us.
Problems with PRs in PSL
Some Ministries such as MTI, MOF and MINDEF are responsible for charting the economic and defence strategies for Singapore. Would it not be a national concern allowing PRs to have access to sensitive information in some of these Ministries? It is akin to Apple allowing Samsung engineers to take up part time positions or vice versa. In the event of a breach, what is the government’s plan for damage control? Is it necessary to invite such a possibility?
PSL has not spelt out what if a PR applicant fails to complete the 4 years training or decides not to be SC eventually and therefore drops out from PLS programme, what is the government’s damage control plan? What would be the penalty PRs doing so? Again, why would the government want to invite such a possibility? Even if the government recovers liquidated damages from the PR, would it not be better for the opportunity to be given to a SC from the start?
Is it not better to give unemployed PMETs priority?
Currently Singapore PMETs are facing unprecedented challenge with employment. About 6,000 PMETs were retrenched in 2012. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...om/652548.html (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-workers-laid-off-in-2012-mom/652548.html)
From my earlier post, there are least 18.7% Singaporeans aged 25-64 deemed economically inactive, ie not working. http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/05/25...-minimum-wage/ (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/05/25/unemployment-and-minimum-wage/)
Hence, PMET unemployment or inactivity is a growing problem with no clear solutions in sight. Many of these retrenched PMETs are in their 30s or 40s with family to support. Is it not better for PMETs who are SC to be given priority for PSL? Unless the government has already decided that Singapore PMETs are not qualified?
Ironically, one of the top criticisms of policy-makers is that they lack private sector experience to introduce relevant policies to address concerns on the ground. Is it not a golden opportunity to grab some of the PMETs who have had private sector experience and therefore possess a different policy perspective?
So we end up with PR governing SC?
If the government continue with the plan to recruit PRs into the civil service, SCs need to be mindful of the implications which may arise later. With more PRs helming the civil service, how would future policies be influenced against native citizens? Will the concerns of SCs be neglected in favour of PRs and foreigners? Is it not odd to have a situation where SCs are governed by PRs? What is the logic behind such an arrangement? Is it acceptable?
Level the playing field for SCs
Government has always maintained that Meritocracy is an important principle for Singapore. Any job should go to the most deserving candidate. However, no two candidates are identical and recruitment process can be very subjective. Has the government decided to introduce fair employment laws to protect Singaporeans?
To level the playing field for SCs, PSL should insist that Singapore Citizenship is the first and foremost criteria for application. PRs should become a Singapore Citizen first before they can apply for PSL. After all, PRs already enjoy a 2 year advantage from not having to serve NS. Our NSMEN sacrifice 2 years full-time, and at least 10 in camp trainings and annual IPPT after ORD. The least the government can do for SC (men) is to allow a fair match.
Lastly, PSD should give the public a full disclosure once the recruitment process is completed. The public has the right to know the profile distribution of candidates recruited under PSL, especially the number of citizens hired vis-à-vis PRs. Singapore for Singapore Citizens, is it too much to ask for?
.
Chin Wei
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://singsupplies.com/showthread.php?153518-FAP-to-Groom-PRs-to-For-Positions-in-Civil-Service!&goto=newpost).
Say No to PRs for Public Service Leadership Programme (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/06/02/say-no-to-prs-for-public-service-leadership-programme/)
http://images.dmca.com/Badges/dmca_protected_sml_120n.png?ID=f11d7371-0ef1-483b-888a-04e8d2ba2e94 http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostDateIcon.png?9d7bd4 June 2nd, 2013 | http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostAuthorIcon.png?9d7bd4 Author: Contributions (http://www.tremeritus.com/author/contributor/)
I refer to the following article about the new Public Service Leadership (PSL) programme.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...rs/684518.html (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/govt-launches-new-public-service-leaders/684518.html)
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl1-576x480.jpg?9d7bd4
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl2-640x120.jpg?9d7bd4
It is timely to increase the pool of civil servants
PSL is a good initiative in addition to the existing Administrative Service Programme (AO). Those who do not qualify for the exclusive AO programme can attempt to qualify for PSL, which provides 4 years on the job learning followed by potential sponsorship for a Masters Programme.
It is timely to increase the cohort of civil servants who are responsible for drafting policies for Singapore through PSL. The Singapore Public Service employs some 136,000 officers, of which 80,000 are in the Ministries, and an estimated less than 1,000 are responsible for drafting policies.
http://www.psd.gov.sg/content/psd/en.../overview.html (http://www.psd.gov.sg/content/psd/en/home/singaporepublicservice/overview.html)
Whereas the population has increased to 5 million from 3 million, the policy branches of the government may not have expanded to keep in pace. Like the transport, housing and medical sectors, the policy teams might be over stretched and find it hard to cope with a flood of issues arising. The recent Population Paper is a case in point.
The devil is in the details
While I agree with the intent of the PSL, I am concerned with the finer details of the PSL. If we look closely at the requirements, citizens (SC) or PR who have intention to become SC can apply.
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/psl3-640x119.jpg?9d7bd4
http://careers-gov-jobs.jobstreet.co...=0&src=8&itn=0 (http://careers-gov-jobs.jobstreet.com.sg/jobs/jobdesc.asp?eid=1612&jid=91053417&did=103&type=0&its=0&src=8&itn=0)
Currently, PRs can work in statutory boards. However, the PSL seems to suggest that now PRs can also assume positions in the Ministries. My understanding is that only SC can work in the Ministries.
What happened to Singaporeans first?
Since the recent elections, government has stressed that Singaporeans will be given additional priority for housing, education and healthcare. These moves are welcome as needless to say; citizens should be accorded priority access to resources and services, although it is yet to be seen if the government intends to give priority to Singaporeans for COEs.
As such, the move by PSL to accept PRs along with citizens is unsettling. Including PRs who are citizens of other countries in the civil service leadership roles can have negative implications for us.
Problems with PRs in PSL
Some Ministries such as MTI, MOF and MINDEF are responsible for charting the economic and defence strategies for Singapore. Would it not be a national concern allowing PRs to have access to sensitive information in some of these Ministries? It is akin to Apple allowing Samsung engineers to take up part time positions or vice versa. In the event of a breach, what is the government’s plan for damage control? Is it necessary to invite such a possibility?
PSL has not spelt out what if a PR applicant fails to complete the 4 years training or decides not to be SC eventually and therefore drops out from PLS programme, what is the government’s damage control plan? What would be the penalty PRs doing so? Again, why would the government want to invite such a possibility? Even if the government recovers liquidated damages from the PR, would it not be better for the opportunity to be given to a SC from the start?
Is it not better to give unemployed PMETs priority?
Currently Singapore PMETs are facing unprecedented challenge with employment. About 6,000 PMETs were retrenched in 2012. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...om/652548.html (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-workers-laid-off-in-2012-mom/652548.html)
From my earlier post, there are least 18.7% Singaporeans aged 25-64 deemed economically inactive, ie not working. http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/05/25...-minimum-wage/ (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/05/25/unemployment-and-minimum-wage/)
Hence, PMET unemployment or inactivity is a growing problem with no clear solutions in sight. Many of these retrenched PMETs are in their 30s or 40s with family to support. Is it not better for PMETs who are SC to be given priority for PSL? Unless the government has already decided that Singapore PMETs are not qualified?
Ironically, one of the top criticisms of policy-makers is that they lack private sector experience to introduce relevant policies to address concerns on the ground. Is it not a golden opportunity to grab some of the PMETs who have had private sector experience and therefore possess a different policy perspective?
So we end up with PR governing SC?
If the government continue with the plan to recruit PRs into the civil service, SCs need to be mindful of the implications which may arise later. With more PRs helming the civil service, how would future policies be influenced against native citizens? Will the concerns of SCs be neglected in favour of PRs and foreigners? Is it not odd to have a situation where SCs are governed by PRs? What is the logic behind such an arrangement? Is it acceptable?
Level the playing field for SCs
Government has always maintained that Meritocracy is an important principle for Singapore. Any job should go to the most deserving candidate. However, no two candidates are identical and recruitment process can be very subjective. Has the government decided to introduce fair employment laws to protect Singaporeans?
To level the playing field for SCs, PSL should insist that Singapore Citizenship is the first and foremost criteria for application. PRs should become a Singapore Citizen first before they can apply for PSL. After all, PRs already enjoy a 2 year advantage from not having to serve NS. Our NSMEN sacrifice 2 years full-time, and at least 10 in camp trainings and annual IPPT after ORD. The least the government can do for SC (men) is to allow a fair match.
Lastly, PSD should give the public a full disclosure once the recruitment process is completed. The public has the right to know the profile distribution of candidates recruited under PSL, especially the number of citizens hired vis-à-vis PRs. Singapore for Singapore Citizens, is it too much to ask for?
.
Chin Wei
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://singsupplies.com/showthread.php?153518-FAP-to-Groom-PRs-to-For-Positions-in-Civil-Service!&goto=newpost).