WHY ARE SINGAPOREAN MALAY WORKERS SHUNTING CONSTRUCTION TRADES?

Abstract

Singapore’s construction sector has always been known for relying heavily on foreign workers. The over-reliance on foreign workers in Singapore’s construction industry has negatively affected the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic as it has caused the industry to experience a sudden manpower crunch due to the strict quarantine during the circuit breaker. This is therefore a wake-up call for the construction sector to reduce being too dependent on foreign workers, highlighting an urgent need for the construction sector to reduce dependency on foreign workers, and one alternative in doing so is to hire local construction workers to maintain its productivity especially during times of crisis. But, it is apparent that it has always been difficult to attract local talents. In this dissertation, I would like to further analyse the reasons as to why it is difficult for Singapore’s construction industry to attract local talent for construction trades, focusing especially on the Malay community in Singapore.

This dissertation therefore attempts to examine the Malays’ perceptions towards construction trades in Singapore and to analyse on several reasons as to why the Malay community in Singapore are hesitating to work in construction trades but rather choose to work in other industries which offer a similar, or even lesser stable income.