National Solidarity Party, 7 Nov 2008
The Government has continuously instructed the populace on the need to upgrade their skills in this ever competitive landscape. On one hand, we were told that should e upgrade our skill sets, opportunities will be plentiful. On the other hand, the Government opens the floodgate to foreign workers by issuing more work permit and allow more PR status, thus creating an unfair competition for Singaporeans. The Authorities need to reevaluate this issue seriously. What are the priorities?
What is more important? Getting more ‘would be Singaporeans’ to help boosting our GDP, or helping local born Singaporeans find jobs? Apparently, the Government is interested in quick fixes. There are reports justifying the need to have more foreign talents – so that MNCs would invest and set up their operations here in Singapore. It is the Government’s foremost responsibility to care for its people first. What’s the point of having more investments in the pipline, when there exists quite a number of citizens who are suffering.
What is the actual breakdown of jobs offered to Singaporeans? MOM has a way to including PRs as Singaporeans. Perhaps, the Authorities could determine how long a PR-aspirant actually stays in Singapore before they leave the country, and how many of these PRs actually commit themselves to become a citizen.
There is a clear distinction between foreign talents and foreign workers. Not all foreign workers are really talented, thanks to the excellent branding our Government gives them. We have just inadvertently told the world that Singaporeans themselves are not good enough. Try telling that to South Korea, a country who truly treasure its own local talent. They have made huge leaps of progress without having to jeopardize indigenous welfare and jobs, and opening the flood gates to foreigners.
Living costs are rising day by day, but salaries have not majority have not increased much to catch up with the inflation. What’s the reason? The influx of foreign talents is the root cause. We may welcome foreign talents, but not to over-embrace them. Which employer would not like to have lower-salary workers? Having an over supply of low-wage workers, is like Economic 101. The salaries will either be maintained or go down. Take a good look at Old Chang Kee, and you have workers from different nationalities. When there are too many foreign workers and insufficient jobs, we create other social problems.
How about the mid-tier jobs? You slogged through 16 years of schooling only realize that you have to compete with thousands of foreigners for the same job. With the ratio, it is hardly surprising that all the good jobs would have already been snapped up. India alone produces over 400,000 computer science graduates every year. How many China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam? By making Singapore a haven, the situation is only going to get worse. When will the Authorities know that enough is enough, and put a stop to this deteriorating situation – until we hit a population of 7 or 8 million? What jobs are then left.
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