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SINGAPORE: The number of workers going on shorter work weeks or temporary layoffs continues to rise.

Speaking at the Industry Forum for Attractions, Tour and Travel Services on Thursday, the assistant secretary general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Josephine Teo, said some 18,000 workers are now on shorter work weeks or temporary layoffs, as compared to 15,000 last week.

Though most of the affected workers are from the manufacturing sector, Mrs Teo noted that workers in the services sector are also vulnerable to the economic crisis.

Many companies are said to have frozen headcount and not replacing staff who have resigned. As such, the unions are already in active talks with the companies to explore cost—cutting measures to save jobs.

Mrs Teo said the labour movement is also keen to help tourism industry players tap on the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).

This is mainly to assist them in issues like managing excess manpower while boosting competitiveness and productivity.

Mrs Teo said now that SPUR has been expanded to cover some 800 courses, she is positive that the services sector will be able to take advantage of the training initiative.

Looking forward, Mrs Teo said a better skilled and more capable tourism workforce will only speed up the recovery process within the industry when the upturn comes.

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Source: CNA