"Singapore protesters attack immigration, jobs policies - The Business Times 01 May 2014
[SINGAPORE] Hundreds of Singaporeans rallied Thursday to denounce the government's immigration and labour policies amid a fresh wave of anti-foreigner sentiment in the city-state.
Protesters, estimated by an AFP reporter to number around 400, wore black headbands with the words "Protect Singaporean Rights" in red as they chanted slogans against the long-ruling People's Action Party.
Protest leader Gilbert Goh, an employment counsellor, said the rally was intended to display Singaporeans' continued dissatisfaction with the large foreign population in the city-state.
"When we speak up for the country, we are branded as xenophobes, " he told AFP. "I am doing all this for my country, I am willing to die for my country.""
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"CNA 01 May 2014 Reporting
SINGAPORE: A few hundred people gathered for a Labour Day protest at the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park on Thursday.
Several speakers took to the stage, speaking on issues like population, elderly workers, unemployment, foreign workers and ministerial salaries.
The speakers included protest organiser Gilbert Goh, who runs a website about unemployment.
The peaceful protest ended at 7pm with the playing of Singapore's National Anthem over the loudspeakers."
That this TOOK PLACE peacefully is a good thing. It would be even better if we have MORE REPORTING by the MAINSTREAM press.
Lessons for me are:
1. there are obviously people being impacted NEGATIVELY by the FTs (especially the Fake ones) influx. At the same time, there are doubters who contest that maybe the 'out-of-job willing and able' local talents are in such a dire situation due to their lack of adaptability or simply being too picky about the jobs that they want. So, it is important to find out what are the % spread and which points of view are better supported with solid analysed data and information;
2. I dislike, and feel that it is unfair in fact, to label any Singaporean who speaks out about the large presence of foreign population as 'xenophobes'. This is especially so IF the people who spoke out did it in an objective, I know it is difficult to take the emotion out of this topic but we must to have any credibility, manner back with real people and laying out the reasons for their objections;
3. it is hoped that we no longer pursue 'growth for growth' sake. The positive outcome of economic growth must flow to the local population first as Singapore is a nation and NOT a corporation even though it is often referred to as 'Singapore Inc.' You CANNOT fire your citizens! At least NOT in a proclaimed social democratic country. So, when the policies, no matter how good the intention is to benefit the citizens at large, are NOT being perceived that way. When MORE and MORE citizens, who despite being honestly trying hard to adapt and compete, feel that they had been disadvantaged in their own backyard vs. the foreign workforce, something is not right!
If local talents are NOT competitive despite our touted world class educational system, we need to do deeper to understand WHY!
Several speakers took to the stage, speaking on issues like population, elderly workers, unemployment, foreign workers and ministerial salaries.
The speakers included protest organiser Gilbert Goh, who runs a website about unemployment.
The peaceful protest ended at 7pm with the playing of Singapore's National Anthem over the loudspeakers."
That this TOOK PLACE peacefully is a good thing. It would be even better if we have MORE REPORTING by the MAINSTREAM press.
Lessons for me are:
1. there are obviously people being impacted NEGATIVELY by the FTs (especially the Fake ones) influx. At the same time, there are doubters who contest that maybe the 'out-of-job willing and able' local talents are in such a dire situation due to their lack of adaptability or simply being too picky about the jobs that they want. So, it is important to find out what are the % spread and which points of view are better supported with solid analysed data and information;
2. I dislike, and feel that it is unfair in fact, to label any Singaporean who speaks out about the large presence of foreign population as 'xenophobes'. This is especially so IF the people who spoke out did it in an objective, I know it is difficult to take the emotion out of this topic but we must to have any credibility, manner back with real people and laying out the reasons for their objections;
3. it is hoped that we no longer pursue 'growth for growth' sake. The positive outcome of economic growth must flow to the local population first as Singapore is a nation and NOT a corporation even though it is often referred to as 'Singapore Inc.' You CANNOT fire your citizens! At least NOT in a proclaimed social democratic country. So, when the policies, no matter how good the intention is to benefit the citizens at large, are NOT being perceived that way. When MORE and MORE citizens, who despite being honestly trying hard to adapt and compete, feel that they had been disadvantaged in their own backyard vs. the foreign workforce, something is not right!
If local talents are NOT competitive despite our touted world class educational system, we need to do deeper to understand WHY!
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