Singapore Unemployment at 10-year low

[Cobra]

Singapore unemployment at 10-year low

Singapore's unemployment rate fell to 1.7 percent in September, the lowest in 10 years amid an economic boom, the government said Wednesday.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment dropped from 2.3 percent in June and was lower by a full percentage point from September 2006 as more workers found jobs in the fast-growing economy, the manpower ministry said.

"The prevailing unemployment rate is the lowest in a decade, having improved to around pre-Asian crisis level," the ministry said, referring to a regional financial meltdown in 1997.

Singapore's economy grew 9.4 percent in the third quarter and is forecast by the government to expand 7-8 percent for the full year, although some analysts say growth could be even be higher.

The economy expanded 7.9 percent last year, one of the highest growth rates in Asia.

[zuoom]

question: how's the unemployment rate figure gathered?

[Cobra]

Defined by wikipedia ..... " Unemployment is the state in which a worker wants, but is unable, to work. The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed workers divided by the total civilian labor force. The unemployment rate is also used in economic studies and economic indexes such as the Conference Board's Index of Leading Indicators (US only)."

[zuoom]

ya. but how is it define in Singapore?

if i recall correctly, over here someone that's more than 6-9 months unemployed gets "bump" off the official figure.

it's interesting when these numbers are announced.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

the most i only unemployed two months in between jobs. :p

[Cobra]

ya. but how is it define in Singapore?

if i recall correctly, over here someone that's more than 6-9 months unemployed gets "bump" off the official figure.

it's interesting when these numbers are announced.

Its not the story you tell , Its how you tell the story ....

[zuoom]

Singapore's jobless rate rose to a one-year high as firms slowed hiring amid choppy financial markets and a weakening global economy, and analysts warned that unemployment may climb in coming months.
 
The jobless rate rose to 2.3 percent in the April-June period after seasonal adjustments, compared to 2 percent in the previous quarter, the Ministry of Manpower said in preliminary data on Thursday.

Employment rose by 70,600 in the second quarter, slowing from a rise of 73,200 in the January-March period.

Economists said the rising jobless rate was evidence that the economic slowdown had extended beyond economic data and was spreading into the real economy, although Singapore's labour market is still expected to remain tight this year.

"The labour market is going to soften as growth...slows," said Irvin Seah, an economist at DBS. "We don't expect a sharp rise in retrenchments but things are going to move along at a slower pace."

Economists said the tight labour market -- the unemployment rate was at a 10-year low in the fourth quarter -- may fuel price pressures in Singapore where inflation is at a 26-year high.

"The labour market is still tight but it is moving towards a more sustainable pace that will soften the margin squeeze on companies," Seah said.

The booming construction industry created a record 22,100 jobs in the second quarter, compared to 14,500 in the first three months of the year, as building deals carried over from last year's red-hot property market -- which has since cooled -- continued to fuel activity.

Services, which includes the key financial sector, added 37,600 jobs in the April-June period, slowing from the first quarter when 46,500 jobs were created.

Employment in manufacturing rose by 10,200, down from an increase of 11,800 in the first quarter.

Retrenchments in Singapore fell to 1,900 in the second quarter from 2,274 in the previous quarter.

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's central bank chief, said this month unemployment rate is seen at 2 percent for 2008.

Economies across Asia are expected to slow this year as growth in the key U.S. and Europe export markets weaken, while demand in emerging markets are not as strong as hoped.

Singapore's trade-driven economy, a barometer for global demand for Asian exports, shrank an annualised and seasonally adjusted 6.6 percent in the second quarter, its biggest contraction in five years.

via : http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=308643

[zuoom]

Singapore's Q2 overall unemployment rate up at 2.3%


  Posted: 15 September 2008 1119 hrs
             Photos  1 of  1     
                                         
     
    SINGAPORE: Singapore’s overall unemployment rate rose for a second consecutive quarter to 2.3 per cent in preliminary estimates for the period between April and June amid economic uncertainties.
 
According to figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the overall jobless rate rose from a seasonally adjusted 1.7 per cent in the last quarter of 2007 to two per cent in the period between January and March to a further 2.3 per cent in the second quarter of this year.
 
A seasonally-adjusted 60,900 residents were unemployed in June, up from 54,300 in March. 
 
However, there was a record number of 144,600 jobs created in the first half of this year, compared to 113,800 in the same period last year.
 
Broken down figures show that there were 71,400 new jobs in the second quarter, a slight decline from the quarter before (73,200).
 
The MOM said the numbers were driven by robust building activities as construction jobs rose by a record 22,400 this past quarter.
 
Retrenchment slowed, mainly in manufacturing, leading numbers to fall to 1,798 in the second quarter from 2,274 in the first quarter.
 
Labour productivity contracted for the third consecutive quarter as growth in employment continued to outpace output.
 
 - CNA/yb


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/375961/1/.html

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2093377

[tags] : unemployment rate

[zuoom]

Tharman says global economic crunch could impact job market



Channel NewsAsia - Monday, October 6SINGAPORE: Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Sunday that the global economic crunch could impact Singapore’s job market, but he is confident that the country has the right fundamentals to sail through the rough patch.

Even as American lawmakers gave their approval for the US$700 billion bailout programme to save the country’s financial institutions, Mr Tharman said US needs to do more to solve the lingering crisis.

After visiting the Toa Payoh East neighbourhood on Sunday, the finance minister sat down for a discussion about the global economic crisis with residents.

He said: "Our confidence in Singapore is very high. Across the board, manufacturing, services, people are confident about Singapore. Our property market is not as overvalued as many other countries, including some others in Asia.

"We have a strong fiscal system. It’s just as well we didn’t spend all our surplus last year. We were conservative. We preserved some for the future and that’s the right approach."

Residents were also concerned about the failure of US banks, insurance companies and money matters — big and small. They questioned the integrity of Singapore’s banking system and insurance companies’ ability to honour their obligations.

Mr Tharman said: "I can assure you that our Singapore banks are well regulated and there is no risk and no reason whatsoever to have a run on our banks. More importantly, the banks themselves have good risk management.

"So frankly, you need not worry about how solid our banks are, your money is safe. We are not in the same situation as the US, we need not panic.

"Our regulations are stricter compared to Ireland, the United States, in fact compared to many developed countries. We have always been old—fashioned in our regulatory approach."

The minister added that Singaporeans can have the same confidence in insurance companies, which also have to abide by strict regulations.

As for Singapore’s full—year economic growth forecast, Mr Tharman said the Trade and Industry Ministry will reveal the numbers on October 10. Singapore’s monetary policy update would also be out by then.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081006/tap-387-tharman-says-global-economic-cru-231650b.html

via : http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=335850

[zuoom]

SINGAPORE : Singapore's economy is expected to grow by only 3 per cent this year.

This falls short of the earlier gross domestic product forecast range of between 4 and 5 per cent.

Given the bleak short-term outlook ahead, Christmas is unlikely to be very merry in Singapore.

Some analysts said retrenchments could hit home as early as December, while others predict the full impact will be felt in the second and third quarter of next year.

42-year-old Ahmad Adnan Dormat hopes to survive the hard months ahead. He starts a new job as a pool cleaner on Monday, earning about S$1,450 a month before contributing to the Central Provident Fund.

Ahmad's wife is a homemaker. The family spends about S$300 every month for household needs.

When Ahmad was unemployed for two months, he applied to six companies for a job. But he only received one call back.

Since then, he has been tapping on what little savings he has to support his family of four. But the fear of losing his job lingers with the poorer economy today.

And while the good news is that Asia is not at the epicentre of this current crisis, it is little comfort to the average worker.

Irvin Seah, economist, DBS Bank, said: "At least for the next four quarters or so, we should prepare ourselves mentally for a slower growth and a softer labour market.

"You would probably see your bonuses not coming in, fresh graduates will probably have difficulties finding good-paying jobs and those who would like to seek for better opportunities will find it extremely difficult. So to put it (simply), we are in for a rough ride ahead."

Mr Seah added: "We have been through some difficult times during the Asian Financial Crisis. And if you compare to those days, the banking sector, the structure of the banking sectors in Asia has certainly become a lot stronger. Banks are much more robust and better capitalised nowadays - I am referring to the Asian banks.

"So we are definitely in a much better position, and I believe that as long as for the US and the Eurozone, (if) they are able to find solutions to the problems, then I guess Asia should be able to ride off this difficult times and emerge even stronger."

Community organisations are bracing to help needy residents. North West Community Development Council is starting a kitchen cooperative, which will be operational by the end of the year.

Teo Ho Pin, Mayor, North West District, said: "This kitchen is basically to provide jobs to our residents. At the same time, it is also a business, where we bake Malay kuehs, pastries to sell and to cater to various functions.

"It will also provide hot meals for needy residents. And one of the kitchens will be located at Bukit Panjang CC, and that will cater to about maybe 100 residents in Bukit Panjang town."

Dr Teo added: "We are expecting more residents to come forward to the CDC for assistance. So what we have done at Northwest CDC is that we have geared up in our various assistance schemes. So in terms of our job assistance schemes now, we are focusing on helping our residents to switch careers or move into (a) new industry, especially the service industry.

"So we have worked out various schemes... recently we had a career exploration scheme, where we actually provide opportunities - working with employers - to give our job seekers opportunities to have a work trial.

"That means going to the company to work for a couple of days, then if the employers and job seekers... find that they can match, then we will support in terms of providing training, subsidies, and they will undergo a proper training course to upgrade their skills, and we will also help them transit into their new work environment."

The CDC also plans to offer hot meals to needy residents. With the downturn, it is expecting the number of applications for social assistance to go up from 600 to 800 a month.

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2123065

[tags] retrenchment retrenchments unemployment

[zuoom]

copied this from the other side
blog here

Quote:
Monday, October 13, 2008
Utah : Final Annoucement

It's fate ..it's fate that we are come together and now we are sending back al together ...
Company just made the final annoucement today, officially retrench 100% of people..haiz..the little hope for them who are staying are gone..gone...
The intend seem quite clear cut, retrench earlier to cut cost!!
Haiz...i had get over of my sadness...but some of my friends still feel very uneasy with this and keep complaining...haiz..haizz...haizzz...
Quote:
Yesterday company board director sent out an email early in the morning to call for a team meeting at 630pm..finally the day had came...
Ya..the start up going to delay again..the plan has been pushed back to Jan 2010..
From initial push back of 6 months to 1 year and now it's close to 2 years..
The reason is simple, the market is really damn bad right now..and company is facing very strong competitive with Samsing and Toshiba which currently having mass production as well..
Well, everyone start to worry about how long are they going to extend in US or is company going to retrench? As of now, the management do not have a concrete plan yet..but there're a few options for us to choose...
1. Whoever needed by mother company in US, they might continue to stay in Utah but with no additional care package ..like $$$ or home leaves..
2. Whoever want to go back singapore, company will allocate them to other fab like Tech, Micron or be in our own company IMFlash to do virtual start up..
3. Resign
Now they are collection all the feedback from us and will come out with a plan within next few weeks..Most probably 50% of peoples will be sending back to sg sart from Oct'08..the objective no doubt is for cost reduction..
Now, i am very confuse..do i want to go back or stay here?
There's only one reason why i want to go back...i just miss you, my friends and family too much..and the reason i want to stay here is can earn more $, more relax, got own car and can travel around...haiz...i wish i do not have a choice..either all go back or all stay...thing will become easier, isnt it?
I will see what's the management plan first and make my decision later...wish me luck!

=====================

URL="http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/viewtopic.php?t=188770&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0"]Link[/url]

Quote:
I heard news that one hugh foreign funded semi-conductor company retrenched 500+ engineers yesterday. Not sure true or not.
Anybody heard more news about retrenchment?
This must be the MOTHER OF ALL CRISIS.
I think I won't have mood to talk c*ck soon
Quote:
I know le, its along TPE when drivin towards changi airport its on ur left, wow that factory bigger than Ikea & Giants man.
Issit rumour or fact?

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2130881
==========

also reported at VRz.

got this info from friend who is in the bus transport company....its true.. not rumour :buai:

Link

blog here

same source.

via : http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=340649

[zuoom]

first shot out..

Oct 22, 2008
[SIZE="5"]20 Merrill staff here let go[/SIZE]
Axe falls in last 2 days on those in the equity, fixed income and energy units
By Gabriel Chen
AT LEAST 20 Singapore employees of investment bank Merrill Lynch have been laid off in the past two days.
The layoffs were met with anger, tears and some confusion among the ranks of 700 or so employees at its Marina Bay offices.

About 10 members of the equity team were axed on Monday - that is about 25 per cent of the unit's workforce. Sources say that around the same number from the fixed income desk and several from the energy trading team were told to leave yesterday.

A banker told The Straits Times that he was told to go on Monday after being asked to see human resources in the morning.

'It still comes as a surprise to me, as I thought I would be asked to go only next month,' he said.

He has also lost out on his Merrill stock. A contractual arrangement arising from Bank of America's takeover of Merrill last month meant shares granted to him had to be 'bought back' by the bank.

But Merrill shares have plunged by over 70 per cent since their peak last year so he is taking home much less.

The average severance package across the board is about three weeks' pay for each year of service, he said.

The banker said before he left yesterday: 'You're seeing half-empty offices and morale is certainly not good.

'A lady who went into the room after me came out with her eyes red, tears rolling down her face. Some of the senior folk didn't even pack their belongings. They stormed out.'

One senior banker said to have been retrenched on Monday was Mr Mark Bowden, head of equities in Singapore.

He apparently came in as usual and was 'ready to do the lunchtime presentation', but never turned up.

'Mark Bowden has already left the company,' said the operator when The Straits Times called Merrill yesterday.

The lunch briefing was taken instead by Mr Yasuhiro Fujiwara, who heads the Pacific Rim equities desk.

'He said that they're done with job cuts for the year,' said a banker who heard about the talk from his colleagues. 'But can you really be sure about that?'

Merrill in Singapore declined to comment on the job cuts.

The axe has also fallen on Singaporeans based in Merrill's Hong Kong office.

'It has been a long day,' said a 28-year-old Hong Kong-based fixed income banker who received her letter yesterday morning.

'I'll have to sort out my rent,' she said, as she ponders how to manage the HK$15,000 (S$2,860) she pays every month for her high-end apartment.

'Maybe I'll move in with a friend. If I don't find a job within the next two months, I think I'll move back to Singapore.'

The Merrill layoffs have sent a chill around the Raffles Place banking zone, with executives discussing the bleak job climate and how global banks are whittling down staff and cutting operations.

At UBS Singapore, two employees from commodities have been asked to go, while the investment banking team has seen reductions, sources say.

'The Asia-Pacific generally, and Singapore specifically, remain key and growing markets for UBS. Against this background, the headcount reductions are small. We also continue to hire selectively,' UBS told The Straits Times yesterday.

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2135892

[zuoom]

Singapore's economy faces further slippage



SINGAPORE, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's economy, which entered a recession in the third quarter, faces "a more advanced stage of weakness" as the global economic slowdown affects the city-state's exports, manufacturing and tourism, the central bank said on Tuesday.

    The Singapore economic growth, whose 2008 forecast has been revised down to 3 percent, will remain below its "potential rate" over next few quarters and a recovery in the later part of 2009 will depend on the world economies, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in a twice-yearly report.

    "As the financial crisis evolves into a broader and more protracted contraction in economic activity worldwide, there will be significant knock-on effects for Singapore, given its heavy exposure to external demand," it said.

    "The balance of risks facing the Singapore economy is currently tilted towards a further slippage in growth," it added.

    In addition, slower growth in Asia will restrain activity in a range of services industries in Singapore such as transport-hub and tourism, said the report.

    Advance estimates indicated that Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.5 percent in the third quarter. On an annualized quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy had seen two consecutive periods of negative growth which meant a technical recession.

    Singapore's manufacturing output, accounting for a quarter of its economy, fell 8.5 percent in the third quarter, the worst performance in seven years and electronics exports have declined for 20 months in a row.

    The central bank reiterated its inflation forecast of between 6percent and 7 percent this year and of between 2.5 percent and 3.5percent for next year.

    In terms of monetary policy, the MAS early this month announced its easing of the Singapore dollar for the first time since 2003. It has shifted its Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate from the gradual appreciation band to "zero-appreciation".

    The report said, "the policy stance will provide support for the economy while ensuring low and stable inflation over the medium term. The slowdown in the Singapore economy will help to cap further escalation in cost pressures."

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/28/content_10265968.htm

via : http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=345400

[zuoom]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/386004/1/.html

SINGAPORE: Amid the current economic downturn, one service sector is reporting good business.

Companies offering outplacement services said they are seeing a phenomenal growth in cases, as businesses begin downsizing.

As the economy takes a tumble, companies – not just those within the financial services sector – are cutting back on salaries and even headcount.

Layoffs are reported in industries as diverse as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and shipping, and although no one is safe, it seems middle and upper management staff are bearing the brunt of the displacements.

One outplacement company, which helps retrenched workers find new jobs, said it has seen a four- to five-fold increase in cases compared to a year ago. Another told Channel NewsAsia that it has seen a 20 per cent rise in the number of cases, compared to a year ago.

Ruby Chen, managing director, DBM, said: "It always starts at the regional offices and then it spreads down to the country level. But we're seeing it across industry, across levels."

"Rightly or wrongly, when it comes to the crunch, many companies take the easiest way out which is to reduce payroll and of course, that means headcount reduction," said Paul Heng, managing director, Next Career Consulting Group Asia.

The latest labour market report by the Manpower Ministry showed that retrenchment numbers are down in the second quarter of this year, compared to the first quarter. After rising for two consecutive quarters, the number of retrenched workers fell to 1,798 in Q2 2008 from 2,274 in Q1 2008.

But human resource experts and Singapore's labour movement expect the numbers to go up due to the fact that the full impact of the current downturn has not hit the job market.

The National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) said some 3,000 unionised workers may be laid off this year. This is about the same as last year's figure of 2,943, but NTUC said "retrenchment may rise probably next year when business continues to deteriorate".

In fact, a recent survey of 218 companies by the Singapore Human Resource Institute and Remuneration Data Specialists showed that 11 per cent of companies polled said they have laid off workers or are planning for a retrenchment exercise this year. This figure is significantly higher than the 2 per cent forecasted six months ago.

Ronnie Tan, managing director, Right Management, said: "The writing on the wall has been freezing of salaries, hiring freeze, so normally these are the tell-tale signs leading to eventual restructuring or retrenchment."

If that is not bad enough, HR experts said finding re-employment for retrenched workers is also getting tougher as jobs are hard to come by.

Ms Chen said: "If you're looking at the financial services industry, obviously there are not a lot of jobs there. There's more displacement than hiring and the future is not that bright at the moment.

"Of course, expectations have to be adjusted, financial services pay very well in the good times, so you might have to consider a pay cut. From one industry to the next, the pay packages can be vastly different and people got to acknowledge that."

As for workers, HR experts said the best way you can protect yourself is to maintain your networks, upgrade your skills and review your strengths to match your company's needs.

NTUC said there could be temporary layoffs or shorter work weeks to tide over this difficult period. It added that companies should also make use of the downturn to upgrade the skills of workers, so that they will be more prepared to bounce back when the economy recovers.

Mr Heng said companies undergoing a restructuring exercise need to be mindful of open communication with staff.

"It's the responsibility of the company to keep the employees updated. In case they need to introduce measures such as pay freeze, pay cut or bonus freeze or whatever, the people will hopefully understand," he said.

Right Management's Mr Tan added: "The good news is, we are also getting more enquiries on not only how to treat these people right when they are leaving the organisation, but companies are also thinking of how to handle their staff morale better, how to be much more selective in terms of who to let go and who they should keep, so that they are better equipped with the talent needed going into 2009."

On a separate note, DBM said the current downturn may lead to the market adjusting escalating pay packages, as well as rising office rentals.

Ms Chen said: "We've got to a point in Singapore that there was a talent crunch – there were too many jobs and not enough people, salaries have gone through the roof, and the cost of employment, retention, was just escalating.

"So if you can call it a silver lining, it would be that the market will correct itself in terms of salary costs. And with some businesses downsizing or ceasing operations, rentals will eventually have to come down because there would be office space available."


- CNA/so

via : http://www.singsupplies.com/showthread.php?t=7926

[tags] downsizing, layoffs, headcount reduction, freezing of salaries, hiring freeze

[zuoom]

copied this from the other side
blog here

Quote:
Monday, October 13, 2008
Utah : Final Annoucement

It's fate ..it's fate that we are come together and now we are sending back al together ...
Company just made the final annoucement today, officially retrench 100% of people..haiz..the little hope for them who are staying are gone..gone...
The intend seem quite clear cut, retrench earlier to cut cost!!
Haiz...i had get over of my sadness...but some of my friends still feel very uneasy with this and keep complaining...haiz..haizz...haizzz...
Quote:
Yesterday company board director sent out an email early in the morning to call for a team meeting at 630pm..finally the day had came...
Ya..the start up going to delay again..the plan has been pushed back to Jan 2010..
From initial push back of 6 months to 1 year and now it's close to 2 years..
The reason is simple, the market is really damn bad right now..and company is facing very strong competitive with Samsing and Toshiba which currently having mass production as well..
Well, everyone start to worry about how long are they going to extend in US or is company going to retrench? As of now, the management do not have a concrete plan yet..but there're a few options for us to choose...
1. Whoever needed by mother company in US, they might continue to stay in Utah but with no additional care package ..like $$$ or home leaves..
2. Whoever want to go back singapore, company will allocate them to other fab like Tech, Micron or be in our own company IMFlash to do virtual start up..
3. Resign
Now they are collection all the feedback from us and will come out with a plan within next few weeks..Most probably 50% of peoples will be sending back to sg sart from Oct'08..the objective no doubt is for cost reduction..
Now, i am very confuse..do i want to go back or stay here?
There's only one reason why i want to go back...i just miss you, my friends and family too much..and the reason i want to stay here is can earn more $, more relax, got own car and can travel around...haiz...i wish i do not have a choice..either all go back or all stay...thing will become easier, isnt it?
I will see what's the management plan first and make my decision later...wish me luck!

=====================

URL="http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/viewtopic.php?t=188770&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0"]Link[/url]

Quote:
I heard news that one hugh foreign funded semi-conductor company retrenched 500+ engineers yesterday. Not sure true or not.
Anybody heard more news about retrenchment?
This must be the MOTHER OF ALL CRISIS.
I think I won't have mood to talk c*ck soon
Quote:
I know le, its along TPE when drivin towards changi airport its on ur left, wow that factory bigger than Ikea & Giants man.
Issit rumour or fact?

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2130881
==========

also reported at VRz.

got this info from friend who is in the bus transport company....its true.. not rumour :buai:

Link

blog here

same source.

via : http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=340649

================

2nd shot out.

IM Flash Technologies lays off 800


Eight hundred people recruited by IMFlash Technologies for its intended plant in Singapore, have been laid off.

Internal sources say the retrenchments were made known to staff early this month.

An affected employee spoke to 938LIVE on condition of anonymity.

"What Intel wants to do is they want to set up a new base here in Singapore, but because of the current market conditions, apparently they tried to postpone the opening of the base, they postponed it for the next 3 to 4 years and they just lay-off everybody."

The company is a joint-venture between technology giants Micron and Intel.

It had planned to build a plant costing nearly $5 billion to make cutting-edge memory chips.

However, construction of the high-tech factory at Bendeemeer Road was pushed back due to the worsening economic conditions.

It's understood that a large percentage of workers that had been recruited were foreign workers.

Some 300 hired as production operators, mostly from India, have already left the company.

They were given either two weeks or a one month layoff notice period.

A large number of staff had undergone training in the US in preparation for the plant's original start-up due to open later this year.

The training period lasted for 3 to 6 months, and for some as long as 1 year.

Officials from IM Flash Technologies could not be reached for comments despite several attempts.

via : http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2087654&page=6