By Kor Kian Beng

SEAGATE'S decision to lay off 2,000 workers at its hard-disk plant is a stark reminder to Singaporeans that 'we must not be prematurely optimistic' about an economic recovery, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong on Wednesday.

But at the same time, Singaporeans need not be 'disheartened' by the news, he added, pointing to 25,000 job openings yet to be filled and the hiring blitz by the two integrated resorts in the coming months.

Mr Gan's comments come 24 hours after the American multinational announced that 2,000 workers will be retrenched by end-2010 when its Ang Mo Kio plant is closed.

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