By Rachel Chang

GETTING more women back to work is gaining urgency as Singapore aims to reduce its reliance on foreign workers, said National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.

'Singapore cannot have a limitless pool of foreign workers without imposing tremendous strain on our society,' she explained yesterday.

Hence the need to woo more women back to work. The female labour force participation rate here is only 56 per cent, compared to the average of 78.6 per cent in Scandinavian countries. This lower female participation rate pulled down Singapore's position in a global competitiveness ranking - from third to 84th place.

Madam Halimah revealed this at the launch of a new book - Work! Live! Play! The Scandinavian And Singapore Experiences On Enhancing Productivity With Work-Life Innovations. It features 11 companies that have work-life programmes.

At City Developments, more than 30 per cent of the staff are on a flexi-arrangement. They set their own work hours within management-set limits.

And more than 80 per cent of 'neighbourhood postmen' employed by Singapore Post are women. They collect and deliver mail in their neighbourhoods. The proximity to home and flexible hours are perfect for retirees and housewives.

The book also outlines how Denmark, Sweden and Norway achieved a high female workforce participation rate as well as a high fertility rate. Their average fertility rate is 1.9, which is higher than Singapore's 1.3.

But these numbers are the result of state regulations and provisions, which are funded by a high tax environment. There is paid parental leave of up to a year and universal childcare coverage.

In Singapore, paid maternity leave is 16 weeks, and there are childcare subsidies for working mothers.

Still, the authorities here prefer a promotional approach instead of more legislation, said Madam Halimah.

Mr Daniel Blockert, deputy head of the Swedish Embassy here, said it was a mindset issue which most obstructed change: 'There is a tendency here to measure productivity in terms of number of hours worked, not output.'

But studies show a good work-life balance raises productivity in the long run, he said.

American Express senior public affairs and communication manager Loh Wei Ling said change is occurring. She cited the case of an employee being promoted while on maternity leave.