Letter from Courts’ CEO Terry O’ Connor to Temasek Review to clarify Courts’ recruitment policy
January 20th, 2010 | 
Author: The Editor
The Temasek Review
Dear Editor,
We refer to your article “Singapore Courts mass-recruiting Malaysians in JB next Monday to fill vacancies based in Singapore” published in your January 15th edition and your article “Boycott Singapore companies putting up job ads to recruit foreigners ONLY!” published in your January 18th edition.
We wish to bring to your attention that your articles are erroneous. We are concerned that this incorrect representation of facts in relation to Courts Singapore’s recruitment policy has already aroused negative sentiments towards Courts.
We view this seriously and ask that you take immediate action to remove the damaging articles from your website and provide us with a right of reply.
Please see below some relevant facts:-
1. Courts is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any nationality, race or gender.
2. 98% of Courts’ workforce in Courts’ Singapore are Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents. Of the balance 2% foreigners, only 1% comes from Malaysia. Amongst retailers, we probably have the highest proportion of Singaporean employees.
3. It is Courts’ HR standing practice to do the following whenever we have job vacancies:-
a. Advertise the vacancies in-house to provide opportunities for internal candidates and/or get referrals from current employees;
b. Post the job vacancies on our corporate website (www.courts.com.sg/careers/) for online applications.
c. Advertise in the newspapers.
4. The sole purpose of our planned recruitment exercise in Malaysia is to fill critical vacancies that we have either been unable to recruit or retain in Singapore. Cost savings are not the key consideration in this recruitment.
5. For the positions referred to in our recruitment ad in Temasek Review, please be informed that prior to the recruitment ad on January 16, 2010 , we had placed three advertisements in the Straits Times – on August 15th, 2009, September 3rd, 2009 and November 21st, 2009 – but the fill-rate was low.
6 We had also participated actively in community job fairs and career reviews, including those organized by grassroot and community organizations as well as trade and government bodies to offer Singaporeans who were retrenched a new career in retail management.
7 In addition to active participation in government initiatives, we work closely with more than six reputable employment agencies in Singapore to fill vacancies as a result of staff turnover.
8 Unfortunately, the drop-out rate of the Singaporean recruits is high. With the recovery of the economy and increased recruitment from other industries, retention is a challenge.
9 From exit interviews, we have gathered that with the improving economy and more companies hiring, there are now new pressures on both staff retention and recruitment. Therefore, Courts has to cast its net wider to fill its vacancies.
In view of the above, we decided to organise a one-off recruitment exercise in Johor Bahru. For the record, this is also the first time we advertised unfulfilled vacancies for walk-in interviews in Johor Bahru.
From the above, it is quite clear that your articles are incorrect. We have to ask you to remove these damaging articles from your online edition immediately and provide us with a right of reply.
Please confirm by today that this will be complied with immediately.
Yours sincerely
[signed]
Terry O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer
Posted in 74 Responses to “Letter from Courts’ CEO Terry O’ Connor to Temasek Review to clarify Courts’ recruitment policy”
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“Courts is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any nationality, race or gender.”
If this is indeed true, why do the salaries for the staff recruited in Malaysia appear to be lower than the salaries of staff in Singapore? This is after taking into account employer CPF contribuitions.
another bullet for the gahmen to use to justify their “singaporeans do not want low-paying jobs” statement?
Can anyone get access to the 3 Straits Times advertisements and find out what they say?
Mr O’Connor,
Are you a singaporean citizen by the way ? Do you understand how hard it is for ordinary singaporean to make a living and most are losing their jobs to so called “foreign talent” ? I guess not, because as CEO of Courts Singapore, your concern is to protect the interest of your company and perhaps your extraordinary huge salary. You live a comfortable life and do not care about the plight of ordinary singaporeans. It is best that you do not treat Temasek Review as a government institution and demand that Temasek Review comform to practice of any sort. While the singapore government might have made provisions to your company to entice your company to do business in singapore, Temasek Review certainly do not have that obligation. Mr O’Connor should know that everyone is entitled to his/her views and no one has the right to demand the removal of articles posted in Temasek Review. As an well-educated person, Mr O’Connor should be familiar with basic human rights. Or is Mr O’Connor is only concern about his own basic human rights and choose to disregard the basic human rights of ordinary singaporeans ?
Dear Terry O’Connor,
Please clarify this.
What is the percentage of PR component amongst your staff.The very reason being this is a chicken or egg situation since employment in SG companies guarantees foreigners PRships .A foreigner cannot become a PR without having a job in SG first.Which means employment comes first followed by PR status.
Please also clarify your scale of minimum wages paid to unskilled labor.Why?Because if say you are paying only S$3 an hour for unskilled labor such as delivery and etc.Locals cannot survive on this rate but a foreigner can since his or her cost of living is much much lower.But of course,the currency exchange rate between Sing$ & Malaysian ringgit goes a great way for Malaysians to decide to take up low paying jobs in SG which locals shun.
I believe you are Irish; the Republic of Ireland’s minimum wage was introduced in 2000, and is currently €8.65(pounds) an hour .I am sure many local Singaporeans would gladly take up jobs in Ireland for half that amount.Do you think your fellow Irishmen would support that?
regards,
wow this is serious stuff. but guess TR will not delete the previous articles huh.
They need to release the salary which they are paying Singaporeans in order to justify what they have said. I would then assume Court offers Singaporeans a miserable salary; a kind of salary which only foreigners in Malaysia will take.
This is really a freaking joke!
Look at O’Conner’s reason #1,
1. Courts is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any nationality, race or gender
I think Singapore is the ONLY country in the world that allowed any Tom, Dick and Harry to get a job in the country, and than claimed they “do not discriminate against “Nationality”.
Go to any company in Malaysia or USA and ask for a job and when the HR tells you:”sorry we cannot employ you if you are not a citizen or PR”. Go sue them for discrimination against your Nationality…..don’t be an idiot Terry.
To CEO Terry O Connor
Is it possible to give the breakdown of Spore PRs you hired vis a vis Spore citizens. That would be much appreciated.
As far as I understand, our ITEs offer retail courses for their students. How many of them are hired by Courts?
As you know, Spore PRs are not citizens as confirmed by our PAP party last year 2009 in an incident involving a China national who participated in her country’s national day parade.
Let us not kid ourselves that PRs are here for the long term.
Netizens are concerned becos what happens when some minority races who are Spore citizens are ousted from their jobs due to pressure on lower pay brought about by lower wages offered to those on work permits and employment passes where there is no CPF involved?
To CEO Terry O Connor
Also, do all frontline retail customer service staff get commissions based on the no of sales transacted that is after they have personally helped a customer thru product queries face to face & finally a sale takes place & the cashier rings it up.
Is the commission comparable to what other service staff get in other retail companies? Is it competitive enough?
Was there a reliable study done by a HR agency specializing in commission studies to see whether all your frontline staff receive a reasonable commission that will justify them getting a decent amount year after year?
Can Courts give a breakdown of the 98% ? What percentiles are for Singaporean & PRs ? Why are they offering lower salaries for the job adv in JB ?
Good reporting by TR!
O’Conner is also an FT so he definitely has different views. I think Courts have many queries to answer from the netizens. Until then, I have decide not to purchase anything from courts.
I think we need employment laws that specify that employers have to look for locals before they can approach foreigners. This will make sure that locals come first and it will prevent suspicion if an employer looks for foreigners. Right now there are no laws that specify this.
Also we should have laws that prevent hiring based on age, sex and race. There are alot of IT professionals in their 40s that are unemployed, but why are employers looking for foreigners that are also younger??
If job retention is a challenge, what makes Mr Conner think that the malaysians will not jump ship after starting work at Courts? hmmmm….
Terry O’Connor,
hear me out!
I will , yes, WILL not buy from you.
eat your heart out!
no one owes no body a living.
Talk to my hands.
Dear Mr Connor
Your statement that 98% of the jobs are filled by Singaporeans and PRs cuts no ice. As True Singaporean has pointed out, PRs are not the same as Singaporeans. Our dear PM Lee has made it clear that Singaporeans come first, not PRs and Singaporeans.
I look forward to your reply, but don’t let me wait too long please. I would like to buy a 42″ plasma before the new year – from Courts or Best Denki.
Thank You.
1. Its hard to believe that there is no Singaporean applying for those jobs. Check with your HR again see how many applications received and rejected.
2. Recruit the mature workers.
3. Change your mindset and not to depend on foreign workers work. Your working conditions must be reasonable and not to exploit the cheaper foreign workers. Most mature and even the younger Singaporeans are willing to accept lower pay for those jobs advertised.
Hold your ground, TR. If Courts can think they can intimidate us into backing off, they have another thing coming. It’s not about Courts VS TR. It’s about exploitative singapore companies VS all singapore netizens.
Why don’t you show us the facts, Courts? Reveal salaries, the ads you put up, the percentage of PRs or new citizens you hire. The net will not discriminate against facts.
“equal opportunity employer ” ???
So, why hire only Malaysians for positions that singaporeans can easily do? Those you advertised are not cleaner jobs. Many are white collar jobs singaporeans can easily fill. Nothing rocket science.
What is so equal when you operate in singapore but hire Specifically from malaysia for that advertisement ?
come back here and explain.
I just hope this news gets into the eyes and ears of all citizens and maybe Terry will be able to learn a thing or 2 from our feedback.
Anyways, my feedback is i not impressed and never bought anything from Courts. How you like that? Can u make me buy?
Terry, i think you should appologise to the citizens of singapore.
I am still contemplating to a king sized bed from either Ikea or Courts.
“Please confirm by today that this will be complied with immediately.”
To correct Courts, Singaporean PR is NOT Singaporean.
Make no mistaken about this.
Equal opportunity my foot.
When you place an advertisement for positions spelling out that you are looking for Malaysians you have already broken the rules on discrimination.
Ang Moh we no dumb dumb we not english but are educated on this from Kingdergarden so please to throw smoke, you made a mistake you made a mistake.
Whether you have broken any laws I dont know and dont care, but you are clearly guilty of discriminating which I can do something about and I am exercising my rights with my wallet.
You wont earn a single cent from my family and me and I will also persuade my friends and relatives as well until you issue a formal apology and retract your discriminating actions.
Courts couldnt have chosen a better time for this fiasco just before Chinese New Year.
Hope Singaporeans will stand up for Singaporeans and vote with their wallets, Dont buy from Courts there is always Others like Harvey Norman, Best or Mustafa.
We cannot teach the gahmen a lesson till elections, even then the impact is limited due to GRCs etc but we can teach these sort of discriminating companies a lesson especially since their survival is dependent on Singaporeans wallets.
At least Courts have the courtesy to respond.
Try asking why Ho Ching is still CEO of Temasek.
Mr. O’Connor
The main reason why you cannot attract Singaporeans to work in Courts is that you are paying them ridiculously low.
It is employers like you that help to suppress the wages of Singaporeans by hiring foreign workers.
The high turnover of Singaporean staffs working in your company is due to the fact that these people realizes they will never see improvement in their lives should they continue to work for Courts.
If you pay them well & with better working conditions do you think you will have these problems?
What a complete bollocks Letter from Mr. O’Connor, certainly not befitting a CEO. He rambles on for more than half of the bullets trying to justify why he has to place the ad in Malaysia instead of focusing on SOLVING THE PROBLEMS of why Singaporean attrition may be high or Courts’ inability to attract more Singaporeans.
If the Government didn’t have such a liberal policy on employing cheap foreign labour, would Mr O’Connor then give-up and close-shop, or would he spend his time trying to figure out ways to solve his resourcing problem intelligently??
Come on!! This is a complete cop-out by a CEO… what is Courts paying you?? Peanuts?
Me too
I have just added this company to my blacklist
Hope to see this company bankrupt
Dear All,
Please note that TR will be more stringent and more active (as a response to feedback from bloggers) about Racists and Vulgar comments.
Please note that we will remove entire blogs with these comments.
Please support TR to be more Credible and Sustainable.
Cheers, Moderator, Temasek Review
Percentage-wise, i bet Courts has more Singaporean as their employee, than TR has ..be it TR’s article contributors or money donators.
but of coz, TR hides in the ‘dark’. so afraid …brrr…. so very very afraiddd…. brrrr.
TR, how can we help to build up your war chest for any legal battle if Cocks want to rough it out with you guys?
Please stay calm. It’s no more TR’s fight. It’s now the TRUE SINGAPORE CITIZENS fight against the bullying foreigners.
Cheers!
Hi All,
Look at the picture. Looks like the angmoh is piggying back or f—king the boy. So now you understand why Singaporeans are classified as animal class in their owned country.
From young, they are already indoctrinated to serve the foreigners
## True Singaporen on Wed, 20th Jan 2010 9:47 am
“What is the percentage of PR component amongst your staff.The very reason being this is a chicken or egg situation since employment in SG companies guarantees foreigners PRships .A foreigner cannot become a PR without having a job in SG first.Which means employment comes first followed by PR status”.
———-
Very enlightening.
No wonder we had a population surge of 1 million in less than 4 years… and FWs / FTs find it easier to get a job in Singapore than Singapore citizens, even in this trying times.
Obviously, this loophole is being fully exploited by companies like Courts.
Fellow Singaporeans.. now that we know, please show your solidarity by boycotting Courts (as well as similar operating Companies)… till they change their employment policy to hiring Singaporeans first.
I believe that there is a fee to employ foreigners hence the lower salary for Malaysians to offset the fee correct me if I am wrong.
Dear Mr O’Conner
Please kindly explains your advertisement of recruitment that stated “only Malaysian needs apply”
The way i see it, if you explained that you had added the statement as it was advertised in a malaysian newspaper, it meant that you are discrimating against Singapore Gahmen as you do not want to hire Singaporeans or Singapore PRs as your side will have to pay CPFs.
If you explained that you are specifically looking for malaysian as Singaporean are not willing to work in Courts, then i believe that is nationality discrimation.
Please confirm by today that this will be replied to immediately.
GO TR. NEVER BACK DOWN!!!
Courts will not be the first or last company to experience high turnovers in their employees.
Singaporeans under high-cost living environment will always be on the lookout for higher pay jobs. A vicious cycle brought about by those freaking Millionaire PAP Ministers and their (highest paid civil service in the world) cronies.
We have the highest indirect taxes in the world where the poor subsidies the rich. GST, Water-Conservancy-Fees, ERP, COE, freaking million dollar pays to all and sunder of the ruling elite, all this sums add up piling on the poor as well as the middle-class.
This vicious cycle will not easily be broken. The freaking PAP Millionaire Ministers will claim time and again that these are jobs singaporeans do not want. The fact is, the pay this kind of jobs pay is far from enough to survive in Singapore.
Dear Mr. Terry,
I trust you will agree with me that in other country, or even your own country, when a company is unable to recruit staffs of their choice with a certain employment package, they revise their package to increase it’s attractiveness.
The company don’t go around shopping for cheap skate.
Your company reputation is at stake here.
@jasontty
good point, Did Courts increase the pay of locals to prevent them from leaving? Probably not. That’s why Courts decided to go to JB.
> 8 Unfortunately, the drop-out rate of the Singaporean recruits is high. With the recovery of the economy and increased recruitment from other industries, retention is a challenge.
From this point we can conclude that Courts does not have a problem hiring locals but they have a problem keeping them. This is not a case of an employer unable to hire a local at all.
Dear Mr Connor, please pay more to keep local talent. You are obviously cutting costs by going to JB.
I’d like to suggest to Court’s Management that the sentiments expressed in TR is not targeted at Court per se. I think it is easy to understand that every employer makes decisions that are in the best interest of the company. In this respect, Courts have done nothing wrong by choosing who it wants to employ.
Unfortunately in this case, it has been unwittingly caught in the unhappiness of many Singaporeans who felt betrayed bu the government it had elected. It should be easy to understand that an electorate would expect its chosen representative to represent them as citizens – real people with real day-to-day needs to eat, drink, be housed, bring up a family, etc.
Unfortunately the perception is that the govt is so bent on improving its GDP to the exclusion of all other goals – including looking after the interests of its electorate. In many western countries where capitalism is the rule of the day, there are minimum wage rules and un-employment benefits. I am not saying they are the best solutions – but they are the evidence that the elected govt understands their responsibility to look after the interest of the electorate.
So, Courts, please do not feel that anyone here has a grudge against Courts.
Sorry hor, I do have a grudge against Companies that operate in Singapore and earns its income from Singaporeans and yet dares to openly discriminate against Singaporeans when there is a large number of Singaporeans without jobs.
I know I cannot expect others to all follow what I do but I will vote with my wallet and ensure that companies like Courts will never earn a single cent from my family and me from now on.
If there are any lawyers from Sinkapore or anywhere else that thinks and believe that TR is doing a good job, then can they please provide PRO BONO consultation to TR on a permanent basis?
This is necessary in light of many large agencies and companies using scare tactics on TR forcing TR to retract this, withdraw that, which will effectively curtail TR’s ability to provide fair news and information.
As long as you are a LEGALLY TRAINED, you need not be licensed or practising to offer advice. If you are a practising lawyer, then TR will be a perfect platform to promote your ‘name’ (not advertise) if you are listed as TR’s Legal Consultant advising them on legal matters and handling all legal correspondance.
I see this as a win-win situation and will only benefit TR’s readers, practically Sinkaporeans.
1) Kindly break down in percentage between native singaporeans and PR.
98% of Courts’ workforce in Courts’ Singapore are Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents
2) Don’t play with words, I am sure as a educated person you know the different between natives and permanent residents.
We Need you to provide us with a right of reply.
Regards,
Give Terry a break…all retailers are probably the same in terms of giving priority to hiring PRs due to lower cost….harvey norman or best denki etc…
Dont pay them in advance anymore , they might just close suddently ( same a the food court at crossway point and the SPA ) . Don’t play play .
TR, i support your stance and please do not back down.
Singapore is probably the only country that allow anyone to come in to get a job at the expense of locals…
STAND FIRM!
“6 We had also participated actively in community job fairs and career reviews, including those organized by grassroot and community organizations as well as trade and government bodies to offer Singaporeans who were retrenched a new career in retail management.”
regarding this point, does that mean our Singapore trade and government bodies are not doing enough? maybe not enough publicity to attract enough people to these agencies or just plain inefficient.
OR
the terms provided by Courts suck, and no one other than desperate individuals are willing work. ( long hours, pay pegged to malaysians/PRs/FTs, etc. ) whereas the the malaysians can have a relatively comfortable life when their pay/savings get converted to ringgit.
Folks,
At least they are willing to have a discourse by replying to TR.
Both parties has to listen and understand each other.
At least give Courts/Terry this much, they do at least engage, talk and clarify.
Remember…if Courts really wants to maximize profits…they can easily go to india and china to recruit…seriously ask yourselves these questions actually how many companies where SINGAPOREANS are in charge that go for the cheapest and easiest option by going to india and china to get their foreign manpower quota [& they find all ways and means to by-pass such quota set]…Courts can do the same, at least they choose not to.
Remember GIC and TH…you see so call “private” companies trying to at least engage but no no…they talk down or try to come across via the finance minister “due to strategic reasons” the public cannot know…
So folks please think and moderate…if Courst explanation and rationale makes sense, accept it and move on.
If you want to ban Courts…remember you are also hurting the Singaporean employees too…if you really want to do it…then ban GIC and TH but can’t right…so if you want to apply such a ruling…do the same to all…don’t become hypocrites or a shallow minded person. You are deep down better individuals then some over rated screw up PAP policy maker/some fat headed PAP scholar who use the laws to keep themselves protected or hidden away. You are not like that.
Remember this…Courts/Terry at least try to engage and have a meaningful discourse and understanding. At least the minimum, we should extend back the same courtesy.
Good day and live life to the fullest!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE-49Bm_DHI&feature=related
He can say what he feels like in a letter.
The fact remains.
In that advertisement, he insist to hire malaysians for jobs created in Singapore and hey, for jobs singaporeans cannot do we can accept but hey, its jobs singaporeans can easily do.
He is not mafia, no need worry.
Terry, i am buying from Ikea. Ikea, any ads lately? huh?
Is his hiring ad not a form of Discrimination?
Is it only tolerated in 1st world singapore?
I wonder how 1st world countries like where he originate will react to such biased hiring?
TR, it is Courts, not the Court. No wolly.
TR needs not delete the previous articles. Because the articles should be kept as a “history” since TR had given Courts “a right to reply”. Let the readers to judge who is right and who is wrong.
What Courts should focus on is to raise the salaries of Singaporean employees. Retention shouldn’t be a problem when you have competitive salaries.
Recruiting in Malaysia or anywhere else is just contrary to supporting Singaporeans.
Use automation to improve productivity. Even physical work can be done by Singaporeans.
I am not opposed to Court hiring in Malaysia IF AND ONLY IF they truthfully cannot find enough Singaporean to fill the positions. But we can never know for sure whether they are telling the truth.
Anyway, I believe it is the government’s responsibility to prevent/regulate such behaviors. We should not put the entire blame on Court because this exactly what the managers are tasked to do: minimize cost. Yes, it is socially irresponsible but they do not have the onus to provide job to Singaporean at the expense of profit.
Do you know that half the price of a 3 room (2 bedroom) apartment in SG can get you a decent semi-d in JB?
Courts is not looking for cleaners, gardeners, bus drivers or jobs that some Singaporeans shun. The jobs that they advertised are decent jobs.
When they said the response to their adverts in Singapore is poor, they are not telling us the whole story. Why is the response poor? Is the pay too low? Are they looking for only young applicants? In other words, are they looking for young & cheap employees? I am very sure a lot of older or even younger Singapoeans would gladly accept these jobs for a decent pay.
What I suspect is that the terms of employment are not decent enough. So after pretending to advertise for a few times, they said, ‘Oh! These Singaporeans are so demanding. Let’s go & get some Malaysian workers’.
Mr Conner.
You could engage TR without the public display of hostility.
The message I get is foreign corporate up against Singaporeans. It is elephant trampling on the little guy.
You will never get my support nor my immediate relatives for your retail business. Hostility begets hostility.
Singaporeans should stand up and be counted in this confrontation.
Hear this from me, we will make elephants dance according to our tune.
Dear Mr O’Conner,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. It was most appreciated even if your arguments hold no water.
If I may retort.
1. If you pay them well, they will stay.
2. If you treat them well, they will stay.
3. If they like you, they will stay.
Regardless of race or citizenship.
Why are Malaysians easier to hire and willing to stay? Because the pittance you are paying them is more than what they would earn back home.
Why are Singaporeans leaving for jobs with better pay? Because the pittance you are paying them would barely contribute to their needs… Unless of course they are living in Malaysia.
If Courts were to pay a healthy salary to workers, do you not think Singaporeans would flock to your banner? If Courts treated its employees well (there are other perks besides high pay that can incite loyalty), do you not think your employees would not jump ship?
Sincerely
Jeff
Dear fellow Singaporeans
Let us give Mr. O’Connor some time to either apologize to Singaporeans or come up with some truths and explanations. He has the two choices.
If he fails to do so, let us bring this matter to Courts plc, the London head-office of Courts and ask the Courts’ Board of Directors if they condone Mr. O’Connor’s method of recruiting in Malaysia to the exclusion of Singaporeans.
We must also ask our Manpower Ministry and NTUC to spell out clearly their employment policies concerning Singaporeans vis-a-vis foreigners. Maybe also the PMO. But I am not hopeful of replies from these erstwhile bodies. They seemed to have deserted the workers.
Time is on our side as far as Courts goes. Mr. O’Connor has reasons to be worried. Singaporeans have choices – Harvey Norman, Best, Audio House, Sim Lim, Funan Centre, etc. Let us continue to boycott them.
Time is also on our side as far as the REAL CULPRIT goes. We will vote them out when the time comes.
wakka on Wed, 20th Jan 2010 4:44 pm,
I can’t catch anything from your comment. Lets guess.
If the top brass is a foreigner, you’re not happy. He’s a big drain (more than 50% of the labour cost? more than all the labour costs of Singaporeans combined?). So, Singaporeans in such companies are better off if such companies leave. I wonder if these Singaporeans agree.
If the top brass is Singapore, you’re not happy. He must be an elite. Period. As simple as that. Later on, you want a more egalitarian society by making the top brass receive less wage.
I don’t know how this is related to my posts. But I’m curious about another question. Are Singaporeans better off if you get your way?
About IP, alternative media and the rest, it’s your call. Whether propaganda or news, the judge is not you. It’s out there.
1. Courts is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any nationality, race or gender.
No mention of age? So they are looking for young and cheap Malaysians?
For everyone’s information, you don’t need to have a job in Singapore in order to become a PR. I have a European friend who is given PR and he is still busy working in his country today!
The CEO’s letter is a PR disaster. It is full of veiled threats and self defense. Whoever drafted the letter [is he/she a PR? foreigner?] should have his position reviewed.
Singaporeans are not going to swallow it quietly! We have had enough of such shits from the pap and we certainly do not need another one from a foreign company whose survival depends on us!
To All,
Terry O’ Connor must be an Irishman. Let him tell us how would he feel if an Irish national beer company Guiness Stout advertise in England recruiting englishmen to work in the company in the economic down times when many Irishmen are employed and have to eat potatoes all the time.
Technically, we treat Court as our national company because many heartlanders buy their household things there. But how can we let such company betray us.
so sorry for courts… now no one wants to buy from them liao.
ask courts to pack up and operate in JB. best interest for courts, cheap labour, cheaper rent and cheapest petrol .
All the joker talking like real cos is free.
if one day courts promotion Super good deal you all don’t buy? Don’t be joker la
That’s it! No more Courts furniture and stuffs in our family from now onwards nor will my extended family of 100+ buy anything from this spineless company!
“2. 98% of Courts’ workforce in Courts’ Singapore are Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents. Of the balance 2% foreigners, only 1% comes from Malaysia. Amongst retailers, we probably have the highest proportion of Singaporean employees.”
As someone mentioned, we need a breakdown of the 98%, as Malaysians can just get a PR to come here to work, so naturally they are included in the 98%. We need to know how many % are actually Singapore citizens.
Well, he tried to get Singaporeans.
WHY MUST SINGAPORE HIRE all the NON-SINGAPOREAN CEOs and CFOs?
As though SINGAPOREANS canNOT do their JOBS?
SHOW us WHAT TALENT these incumbents have to deny SINGAPOREANS of such jobs?
Foreign TOLENTS created problems at their home countries and exported the problems foreignly. All the damages are done Foreignly and the whole WORLD is HURT beyong Redemption….
I don’t think Singaporeans realise how unreliable Singaporeans are. I stopped employing Singaporeans a few years ago and moved all my business outside Singapore. Singapore is like Australia 20 years ago: sick days (MC) are far too common on Mondays, Fridays and the eve of public holidays. After you hire a person, there is less than a 75% chance that they will report for duty on their first day. There is then less than a 50% chance that they will remain after one week. Unless and until Singaporeans change their attitudes, more and more companies are going to seek employees from offshore simply for reliability.
Are the Malaysian paid the same amount as Singaporeans?
Before reacting in a knee-jerk reflexive manner towards this reply, pause to think about how Singaporean attitudes are.
Before I start, I must qualify that I hate the pro-foreigner government but it seems like Singaporeans not doing themselves any favour. My parents’ company wished to employ locals but either the wage asked is unrealistic or the effort put in is dismal. Stop the “Pay them decent and they will work hard” rant. Is 3k basic salary for a salesman not enough? 4 months and not a single sales into the company. Add that to the all-too-favourite Monday/Friday MC and that’s Singaporean for you. In the end, my parents had no choice but to fire all the workers and do the stuffs themselves.
Their choice? No. Before leaping to Singaporeans’ defence, ask yourself, are we really that saintly in the first place? At least Courts bothered to respond. No need to show so much hostility. With your attitudes, it is no wonder that others are laughing at alternative media because it just seems like a Tea Party movement congregation. Too much denouncing and lynching but too little done.
As the King once sang, a little less conversation, a little more action please. Vote wisely next time round.
What a donkey he is. In Singapore, he can do this. He is probably Irish and I am sure he knows that in Ireland, which is a EU country, there are EU laws that protect EU citizens i.e. jobs MUST go to EU citizens first before going outside, AND, there are minimum pay guidelines with EU so that no company can start cheap labour.
Ang Mo thinks this Singapore is still in colonial rule or what.
A load of rubbish that there are no takers for the openings. Of course lah, pay peanuts, you get monkeys. It’ll be the same for him too what. Ask him to be a CEO with a salary of S$5000/– Let’s see if he still wants to remain as CEO.
The reply simply did not help to address the crux of the issue. It only made the matter worse. The reply contradicted the stand of hiring policy. Not able to get locals to fill the vacancies simply means that Courts’ compensation package is way below the minimum wage required for local with family commitment to live decently here, despite hosting a number of job fairs.
I don’t see any erroneous reporting on the part of TR. Instead, Courts should not be beating around the bush. The facts are there. Please call a spade a spade.
Ah Seng on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 8:17 am,
Recurring theme. Unrealistic and no reflection on self.
Anyway, how much do you wish for? If they grant your salary, will you (and enough others) support and promote them for every relevant purchase that you, your family, relatives and friends require?
In other words, will you and your comrades drink $1.50 kopi-o and $5 prawn mee at the coffeeshop that pays their cleaners well? If you can’t, don’t blame them. You’re just part of the problem, because you, as the consumer, refuse to pay more.
You demand, yet you won’t pay. That’s not fair.