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Singapore had 1.35 million foreign workers as of June 2020, up from around 300,000 in 1991.   © Reuters
Asia Insight

Local jobs or global talent? Singapore faces COVID-era conundrum

Asian hub raises cost of hiring foreign workers it needs for growth

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer | Singapore

SINGAPORE -- The coronavirus pandemic has had far-reaching effects on economies worldwide, both big and small. And those are no more keenly felt than by one Indian engineer whose career in Singapore came to an abrupt and unexpected end.

The man, in his 30s, lost his job at a multinational manufacturer in the city-state in August due to a COVID-19-spurred restructuring. He hoped to land a new job there but found it "quite challenging," mostly due to the limited nature of his specialty.

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