Daily Lessons from Life 03 October 2009

"Sat, Oct 03, 2009 The Star/Asia News Network - Wanted: Non-Singaporean

AN ELECTRONICS firm that advertised last week for a 'preferably non-Singaporean' engineer has added fuel to a worsening controversy in this migrant city.


It particularly stipulated that 'permanent residents are welcome' to apply for this 'mid-career job (salary negotiable)'. A copy of the advertisement found its way onto the web. Applicants should have a diploma or a relevant trade certificate, with 3-5 years' work experience, and 'preferably non-Singaporean (PR welcome),' it added.

This provoked strong reactions from Singaporeans who are already upset at the large number of foreigners allowed to work here.


One writer said: 'Now we know where we stand. The policy has downgraded Singaporeans to below foreigners.' Archilles said: 'I feel left out by my own government, which is desperately trying to attract foreign talent (and) overlooking our own 'local talent'. It's sad, very sad!'

A similar storm broke some years ago when another company told a fresh Singaporean graduate during a job interview that his chances were slim if he had to report for annual reservist duty.

This is not just another act of public whining. The fact is many Singaporeans are no longer sure about their own role or entitlement in society.


In recent years, the rate of entry has increased sharply as the economy flourished. Every year some 100,000 foreigners have been arriving, putting pressure on what was already one of the most competitive and over-crowded cities in Asia.

Political leaders are now working hard to reassure embittered Singaporeans that their interests would always come first.


Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced last week that his government would reduce the inflow of foreign workers to maintain the 'tone' of society. He gave no numbers.

At the same time, his Community, Youth and Sports Minister assured polytechnic students: 'You have a birthright. Everything we do is for your long-term benefit. Foreigners are here to help make Singapore more viable and competitive.'


'Companies have been coming to us to ask 'where are the workers, we can't get them',' a government official said.

Singaporeans, being descendants of immigrants themselves, have never been antagonistic to the presence of foreigners here ' until now. What they resent is not their coming, but the overwhelming numbers, which they feel are threatening their jobs and education opportunities.


They are also angry with uneven policies that benefit foreigners more than locals, especially national service (compulsory two years) and the subsequent annual reservist call-ups, a burden not borne by foreigners.

Not having to meet reservist call-ups and cheaper wages are powerful attractions for employers to hire foreigners, particularly in a weak economy.


Complaints have increasingly come from older or mid-career Singaporeans who have been replaced by lower-cost younger workers from China or India.

The foreigners, hungrier and without family responsibility here, generally work longer hours for less pay ' something that married Singaporeans with a home mortgage to pay cannot possibly match.


This intensity of public feeling has been too sensitive to be reflected in the traditional media, which has toned down the coverage. On the Internet, however, where Singaporeans can air their grievances, the mood is more sombre. It probably requires more than mere government assurances to placate."

A very serious and grave issue for Singaporeans and its government to deal with.

Lessons for me are:

1. we need FWs and FTs, the question is: could this have been planned and executed better by a government that prided itself of paying TOP dollars for TOP talents to run this tiny little red dot - that work! Is this situation considered 'out of control' or not? If not, stand easy and don't worry! If yes, why given the best talent in the country is at the helm? Anyone taking responsibility for this?;

2. FWs and FTs are here to make Singapore viable and competitive is VERY dangerous, and insensitive, comments to make when the employers are saying: hiring non-Singaporeans are cheaper. Also, with the foreigners being hungrier and can live and work in condition that 'normal Singaporeans' could not, it actually made Singaporeans UNCOMPETITIVE. Yes? So, we have BIG disconnect where the government is to be paid TOP dollar to keep things in order while the industries are encouraged to hire the CHEAPEST or lowest price/value performers!;

3. Some industries that CLEARLY need high skill, that Singaporeans CANNOT learn or do not have or not enough Singaporeans for the available spaces, the highly skilled FWs and FTs must continue to be hired. However, I think we are seeing very low skilled FWs and FTs that made an otherwise 'reasonably paid' Singaporeans uncompetitive as the FWs and FTs cost much less with the same or similar performance! There is no win here!!

I am just glad that I don't have to compete in that sphere though I cannot say for my kids and their children.

Singapore government is losing the ability to deliver what it promised to the majority of Singaporeans with the recent development. They need help from outsiders that can think outside the successful box that the incumbent government had constructed for themselves!

May Singapore lives forever!!