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Examines four recent employee relations issues in Singapore. These include dependency on foreign workers, an ageing workforce, impact of companies relocating their labour‐intensive industries to other countries, and problems related to privatization of government‐linked companies. The employment of foreign workers is constrained by an imposed levy and quota. Extending the retirement age provides jobs for older workers. However, employers perceive them as less productive and more expensive unless the wage system can be modified. Workers made redundant by company relocation are the less skilled. Proposes that the solution lies in retraining and upgrading the skills of workers.

The Singapore Public Sector Divestment Committee has recommended
privatization of public enterprises, including profit‐making monopolies
such as Telecom, airport, port authority and broadcasting. Reviews
preparation to privatize Singapore Telecom. Examines Telecom′s
diversification strategy to enhance its visibility and international
competitiveness. By maintaining its impressive profitability record,
Telecom can be assured of a favourable reception by domestic and foreign
investors when its shares are floated in 1993. Being the first statutory
board to be privatized, its transformation is closely observed by others
in the pipeline.

AbstractDuring the past two decades, the Singapore economy has performed remarkably well. Its achievement has often been cited as an economic miracle for a 600‐square kilometre city nation without resources except its three million inhabitants. Public enterprises have contributed much to this achievement. They have been so successful in competing with the private sector that there have been some criticisms against the dominance of government in business. Several major government companies have been privatized and listed on the local stock exchange.Preparations have been made for commercially viable statutory boards to become private enterprises. The government will play a catalytic and supportive role and refrain from local competition. Its new emphasis will be on internationalizing the economy through joint ventures in informational technology and telecommunication industries where the local private sector lacks the resources.