SINGAPORE: Following the announcement that the Singapore Turf Club (STC) will retrench all 350 of its employees in phases, the Singaporean community has voiced concerns on social media.

Many are worried about the impact on workers who are already in their mid to late career stages, questioning whether the job fairs and skills-training courses provided will be sufficient to help them secure new employment.

As reported by Singapore state media Channel News Asia, the first batch of 90 employees will be gradually let go between November 2024 and April 2025.

To support the affected workers, the STC has identified over 300 training courses, with about 95% of the employees having taken advantage of these opportunities.

On average, each worker has completed approximately 42 hours of training.

Additionally, the STC will hold two exclusive job fairs in September, offering more than 1,800 job opportunities across the hospitality, healthcare, and government sectors to its employees.

The timeline for the retrenchment of the remaining employees is still being finalised.

In a separate development, around 700 horses will be exported, and the final race at the Singapore Racecourse will take place on October 5, 2024.

In June last year, The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) announced the STC’s impending closure, citing a decline in local horse racing spectatorship and the need to repurpose the land for the city-state’s growing infrastructure needs.

The approximately 120-hectare land parcel in Kranji, where the Singapore Racecourse is located, will be redeveloped for housing and other potential uses, including leisure and recreation.

The land is scheduled to be returned to the government by 2027.

As reported by CNA, retrenched workers from the Singapore Turf Club expressed mixed emotions about the impending closure.

Mr Subramaniam, who spent 45 years at the club, reflected on his deep personal connection to the racecourse, having started his career as a painter and later taking on various roles.

Ms Sandy Yong, who worked in the membership and rewards department for five years, lamented the loss of a supportive work environment but is preparing to transition to an administrative role.

“It’s hard to find a job that has good colleagues and good bosses,” she said.

Mr Samsudin Rakidin, with over 45 years of service, plans to rest before taking on new work, possibly in a hospital.

Concern Over Multiple Retrenchment News and the Impact on Workers in Their Mid to Late Careers

There was concern about the high number of retrenchments news reported recently, with comparisons drawn to other companies like Qoo10 Singapore, which also announced significant staff cuts.

Some comments noted the challenges faced by older workers, questioning whether the management could guarantee suitable job placements for them, given their age and the potential difficulty in finding new employment.

It was pointed out that retrenched staff nearing retirement age might struggle with lower-paying jobs or even pay cuts due to their specific skill sets and limited job market opportunities.

Nostalgia was also a common theme, with users recalling their personal connections to the Turf Club, including memories of growing up in the club’s quarters, underscoring the deep emotional impact of the closure on both current and former employees.

SINGAPORE: A video showing a long queue at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) in Woodlands has been circulating on Facebook.

The video, originally uploaded on TikTok a week ago, was re-uploaded on the Singapore Road Accident Facebook page on Sunday (8 Sept) with the caption, “What are they queuing for at Singapore Safety Driving Centre?”

The footage shows people lining up from inside the SSDC building to the outside.

According to netizens, the long queue resulted from recent changes made by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regarding the application criteria for a heavy vehicle licence.

Many of those queueing already hold Class 3 licences, and a recent announcement allowed these drivers to apply for a Class 4 licence, which is required for heavy motor vehicles exceeding 2,500kg.

Initially, applicants could do so without a company letter, prompting many drivers to visit SSDC.

However, due to the overwhelming crowd, SSDC reportedly reversed the rule and reinstated the requirement for a company letter.

Netizens express concerns over road safety and government policies on foreign drivers in Singapore

Netizens have since shared various opinions under the post, with concerns extending beyond the long queue to road safety and government policies related to foreign drivers in Singapore.

Many criticised the government, particularly in relation to the perceived leniency towards foreign drivers on the roads.

Some netizens highlighted the reckless driving behaviour of foreign workers, with one stating, “I saw some of these guys drive lorries. Damned reckless, some of them. LTA, I hope you know what you are doing.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, accusing the authorities of not taking enough interest in enforcing road safety measures for foreign drivers.

They argued that while locals are penalised for speeding with fines and demerit points, foreign drivers seem to avoid such consequences.

There were also calls for closer monitoring of foreign drivers. One user urged the Traffic Police (TP) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) to assess the competency of foreign drivers, especially during early morning hours when they are rushing to work sites.

Another commenter criticised the Singapore government, claiming it prioritises revenue over citizens’ safety.

Reflecting on their experience as a former bus driver, the user lamented the rigorous process locals must go through to obtain a heavy vehicle licence, compared to what they perceived as more lenient requirements for foreign workers.

Questions have also arisen about the government’s stance on balancing foreign and local employment.

Some netizens expressed frustration over the large number of foreigners applying for driving licences, arguing that despite government assurances, foreign workers seem to dominate certain sectors, including driving.

Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential dangers posed by foreign drivers on Singapore’s roads.

One commenter warned, “Our roads will see all these reckless lorry drivers killing everyone in their speeding path.”

They criticised the authorities for not collaborating effectively to assess the competency of foreign drivers, alleging that many licences obtained overseas are not properly vetted for authenticity.

Debate over foreign workers highlights their role in essential jobs and wage disparity concerns

Amidst these concerns, others pointed out the essential role foreign workers play in filling jobs that many Singaporeans are unwilling to take on.

One user noted that foreign drivers have been part of the construction industry for many years, asking who would drive lorries and trucks if not them.

Another user urged Singaporeans to stop resenting foreigners, reminding them that these workers are contributing to the economy by taking on jobs that locals do not want.

However, others argued that foreign workers are taking jobs that locals are willing to do but are being underpaid.

They called for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to set higher salary requirements for foreign workers to ensure that companies hire more Singaporeans instead.

In relation to the points raised by the netizens. It might be worthy to refer to the thoughts of a former Singaporean trailer driver who turned to hawkering.