Why Singapore: Work Ethics and Government

To understand how a nation runs or what it would be like to work with the people of a country, a close examination of its work ethics and morals is important and when it comes to a business considering a venture in a certain country, these traits and characteristics become even more important to comprehend. Many people tend to overlook this work ethics of a place and this may ultimately lead to their downfall.
In order to be successful, anywhere, the owners of a business must keep their employees satisfied. In this day and age, with multiple companies flocking to Singapore—the Mecca of the technological world—the work ethic of the nation as a whole must be looked into. An understanding of how their society functions and what motivates its people can serve as the key to success.


Singapore is a giant melting pot—some would argue more so than the United States. People from all walks of life—Chinese, Indian, American, and African (to name a few)—can be found pursuing their passions in the country. And though Singapore has an amalgamation of cultures and work ethics in its society, it is heavily influenced by Chinese cultures and morals. For example, in Chinese culture it is rude to be disrespectful towards elders and superiors. This moral has carried into Singaporean society. They treat their bosses and supervisors with the utmost respect and expect foreigners to do the same.
Foreigners looking to migrate their business or look for jobs in Singapore must come to expect longer work days than they may be used to. An 8-12-hour workday is not unheard of, but beyond that, employers must have legitimate reasons to keep an employee on the clock.
Similar to Chinese ideology, the people of Singapore tend not think in terms to I but in terms of we; collective gain is given higher value of personal gain; it is the group and not the individual that is given attention. According to Anglo Info Singapore, unemployment in the nation is at a low of 4 percent and the working conditions are fair, though rigorous.
Coinciding with the notion of the collective wellbeing of the state, recently the government of Singapore enacted measures to ensure that older citizens, those that have surpassed the retirement age of 62, remain economically independent. “Formed under the aegis of the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers (“TriCom”), the Tripartite Implementation Workgroup (TIWG) aims to help companies put in place the necessary processes and systems for re-employment to work” states the Guidelines on the Re-Employment of Older Employees, which is available for download on Ministry of Manpower, Singapore website. The government of Singapore also provides maternity leave to its female employees, which includes a guarantee of eight weeks of payment.
Overall, the work ethic of Singaporeans is an honest and hardworking one. This idea is reflected through the Ministry of Manpower’s website and their statement that “Good employment practices will not only ensure the welfare of the workers, but also inspire optimal performance. The basic employment interests of employees should be safeguarded, such as the timely and accurate payment of wages, as well as the provision of leave and retrenchment benefits”.
Clearly, Singapore is heading towards an economic revolution. They are leading in the world of development and technology and are very economically stable. With unemployment rates low and worker satisfaction high, Singapore is a sure investment for any businessperson looking to move their doors to the East. Not only is it a prosperous nation, its people seem to be delightful to work with as well. And, aside from some much-needed business profit, what more could we, as businesspeople, ask for?