For concerning Immigrant Workers,
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that in tandem with increasing globalisation, many countries now host significant foreign or immigrant populations. While acknowledging the accompanying difficulties and challenges, he highlighted some of the benefits that Singapore could reap from maintaining an open policy.
* Firstly, Singapore can draw talent from the world to supplement our local pool.
* Secondly, foreign talent is needed to grow our economy and create jobs for Singapore.
* Thirdly, PM noted that immigrants are needed to make up for our population shortfall, since measures to produce more babies have not yielded results.
Pointing out that Singaporeans are all descendants of immigrants who have shaped today’s Singapore, PM stressed that Singapore must remain open, so that Singapore can continue to be thriving and prospering generations from now.
Comments for this.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that in tandem with increasing globalisation, many countries now host significant foreign or immigrant populations. While acknowledging the accompanying difficulties and challenges, he highlighted some of the benefits that Singapore could reap from maintaining an open policy.
* Firstly, Singapore can draw talent from the world to supplement our local pool.
* Secondly, foreign talent is needed to grow our economy and create jobs for Singapore.
* Thirdly, PM noted that immigrants are needed to make up for our population shortfall, since measures to produce more babies have not yielded results.
Pointing out that Singaporeans are all descendants of immigrants who have shaped today’s Singapore, PM stressed that Singapore must remain open, so that Singapore can continue to be thriving and prospering generations from now.
Comments for this.
1.
* understand the need to be open, there is a few points the PAP government needs to address:
* 1. The unemployment rate in long term What is the unemployment rate that the Government would want to achieve? I suggested a target of 1% (seasonally adjusted).
* 2. Unemployment situation for singaporean above 40, 50 ,60 years old above. Presently, the white collar worker reaching 40 above feels a risk of been retrenched and replaced by FT(=Foreign Talent) due to our open door FT policies, the situation is real and it can be seem.
* How can we control the number of EP been issued? EP does not pay levies and there is no dependency ratio that the WP and SP have.
* 3. Issues on PR (full qualified) not converting to Citizen Example raised in this rally, is the architects that design Pinnacle, they are Husband and wife team, Mr. Khoo Peng Beng is from Ipoh, now a Singapore PR and Belinda Huang is from Selangor, now a Singapore Citizen One of them is converted to Singaporean, not the other is not. Why the other (Mr Khoo) is not? They are definitely considered talents. The government needs to understand why Mr Khoo does not convert to Singaporean and there is many more like Mr Khoo.
* 4. Increase Productivity without increase reliance to foreigner workers
* It is important to make the path to increase productivity looks more attractive than just simply increase the number of foreigner workers. Increase FW levies is one of the ways, and increase FW levies will also indirectly increase the lower income minimum wages. However, government should looks into other ways of increaseing productivity through innovation and process re-engineering through overseas studies and grants to helps companies innovate and re-engineering while increase the levies of FW/SP/EP.
2."Strategically, I, together with many Singaporeans agree with PM Lee's position. Foreigners, PR and would-be-Singaporeans must do their part to integrate into the Singapore culture. I was at the World of Sports recently and almost the entire retail staff were from the Philippines. The retail staff were friendly and helpful. But when a couple of the retail staff began to converse in Tagalog, I suddenly felt overwhelmed and I thought I was in Manila. Why can't they speak English with each other during store hours?"
3.Friends and siblings, who are in the 40-50's age group, are open to foreigners, but they feel overwhelmed by the various languages spoken in MRT, markets and retail shops."
4.Medical practice in Canada, there is a rule that stands out among many other rules. Regardless the different nationalities or ethnic groups of employees in the practice, NO one is allowed to speak their own language, in the presence of any patients, except English. It is considered very rude, disrespectful and inconsiderate. Example, a Chinese nurse is not allowed to speak Chinese to the doctor in front of a patient who is a non-Chinese. An Indian or a Philippino nurse should only speak English to the doctor, let's say, in the presence of an Italian patient. If the patient is Chinese and can only speak or understand Chinese, and there is a Chinese speaking nurse or doctor, then, Chinese would be allowed. This is to prevent misunderstanding or suspicion from the patients that employees or medical professionals are "gossiping", "talking bad", or "criticizing them. Talking in a language that is foreign to others, as in this case in the presence of patients who are of different nationalities or ethnic group can make them feel uneasy, uncomfortable, suspicious and insecure. By respecting our patients (or customers), we speak in a common language that both sides speak and understand - that is English. There is a rising problem here in Singapore where there are so many nationalities here now - Philippino,Indians, China, Thai, Indonesia, Myanmar, other European states, they speak their own languages in the presence of other ethnic groups, this can cause unhappiness, suspicion and insecurity in the local people, who are already unhappy with the foreigners.
5.I do believe most Singaporean agree with PM Lee's position. Before watching the NDR speech, I asked my nephew who has finished his NS about his views. Overall, he agrees with the need for foreigners, but on the ground level, he and his friends who are polytechnic and university graduates, worry about competition for white collar jobs. My friends and siblings, who are in the 40-50's age group, are open to foreigners, but they feel overwhelmed by the various languages spoken in MRT, markets and retail shops. For myself, I agree with the government's overall direction. But I do question the speed and ease at which the government issue its PRs. I have had several conversations with Malaysians and Filipinos who are holding jobs as masseuse, beauticians, accounts executives and interior designers. These permit holders hoped to get PRs in Singapore because they can make a good living here. However, their ultimate aim is to make enough money after several years in Singapore and go home and open a beauty parlor or a business. Unless these would be PRs marry a local, their loyalty are not with Singapore. I do notice a difference - my nephew, friends and siblings, and myself - we will warmly welcome any new immigrants to Singapore if they take up citizenship and contribute to Singapore.
6.Construction site use to pay lifting supervisor for $1600 to $2200 in 1995 And now we got india workers that $700 per month doing it. Construction site used to pay scaffold supervisor $1800 to $2500 dollars in 1995 and now we got India workers that $900 per month to do it. See how the GDP growth benefit from the foriegn workers ? And we know it well because Singaporean are out of job. And we call them foriegn talents.
7.Singaporeans are all descendants of immigrants who have shaped today’s Singapore. Ya, please understand then and now
8.Sure, we then open our gates to anyone declaring their desire to shape the future of Singapore. Then what truly differentiate Singaporeans
from non-Singaporeans, going by the immigrants argument? Why bother to have a flag or national identity?
9.This is the challenge that we all as individual MUST face up to.
While maintaining our national identity at the same time embracing the world. A little Red Dot with a BIG HEART.
If we as individual citizen cannot guarantee that we can face up to this challenge, who is going to guarantee Singapore's future.
10.I agree with Mr PM Lee that Singapore should remain open to foreigners and as much as possible retain these foreigners, making them feel Singapore a viable Home to make. But i have doubts whether there are sufficent checks and balances to ensure this attracttion and integration brings about the lowest social impact. For a policy of such, it will apply across to all nationals and race - Who do we really want to attract? Whats happens to a PR or newly converted foreigner with pink IC when they commit a crime?
11.We certainly do not want to see our marriagable sons enjoying Red Dates in the Red Light of our tiny Red Dot when some immigrants are found to be Red Hot flesh dollies.. whereby vices and crimes thrive in high spirit with great opportunities, in abundance.
12.I certainly applaud the government's efforts to address the immigration issues and attempt to take a more holistic approach by setting up a new government unit to coordinate these issues. However, I noticed that certain key ministries like MND and MOT are absent from this new set up. May be a good idea to include them so that any plans in the pipeline to augment our immigrant population can be done in tandem with expansion in transport and public housing.
13.Not sure if it would be helpful to view the immigrants from several angles: New Citizens: To help build the population/make up shortfall. Form a new "core". For this group, I believe that the controls are there to ensure that new citizens do fit into the society. PRs (the FT kind): Skilled workers who (hopefully) bring some value to the table. In my own experience, those who cannot contribute end up being repatriated anyway. EPs/WPs: Shorter term solution to help Singapore remain competitive. Especially in areas where there are drastic shortfall in manpower. Indeed, some SME business owners I have spoken to decry that there
is too much control over employing WPs - they cannot get enough workers, as Singaporeans tend to avoid certain jobs - or demand a much higher salary for a lot less work - it would not make sense for a businessman to lose money doing business (eg car polishing, logistics, etc), so if he cannot get labor at the price at which he can make a profit, he may close down - lose-lose for everyone. Think that the government is on the right path in trying to balance the issue, despite the inevitable fears and uncertainty that always surround the issue of immigration
14.I think Singaporeans are upset about the sense of inequality/ injustice, that some people want to join the great Singapore Buffet, but doesn't want to pay the price. Are these people here merely to enjoy benefits? Will they stay with us through hardships? Singaporeans worry about giving the goodies/ benefits to foreigners if they don't see reciprocity towards Singaporeans.
15.Please stop ramming down Singaporeans' throats about the need for foreigners or fake foreign talent. Singaporeans are sick and tired of 1 minister after the other, coming up to espouse pro-fake foreign talents policy We are very sick and tired of hearing the same spin that we are descendants of immigrants blah blah blah. Listen to the grounds for goodness sake and stop stuffing down our throats about PAP foreign talent policy. Please, please do something concrete instead of wasting time to think of ways and means to convince us. Pro-Singaporeans.
* understand the need to be open, there is a few points the PAP government needs to address:
* 1. The unemployment rate in long term What is the unemployment rate that the Government would want to achieve? I suggested a target of 1% (seasonally adjusted).
* 2. Unemployment situation for singaporean above 40, 50 ,60 years old above. Presently, the white collar worker reaching 40 above feels a risk of been retrenched and replaced by FT(=Foreign Talent) due to our open door FT policies, the situation is real and it can be seem.
* How can we control the number of EP been issued? EP does not pay levies and there is no dependency ratio that the WP and SP have.
* 3. Issues on PR (full qualified) not converting to Citizen Example raised in this rally, is the architects that design Pinnacle, they are Husband and wife team, Mr. Khoo Peng Beng is from Ipoh, now a Singapore PR and Belinda Huang is from Selangor, now a Singapore Citizen One of them is converted to Singaporean, not the other is not. Why the other (Mr Khoo) is not? They are definitely considered talents. The government needs to understand why Mr Khoo does not convert to Singaporean and there is many more like Mr Khoo.
* 4. Increase Productivity without increase reliance to foreigner workers
* It is important to make the path to increase productivity looks more attractive than just simply increase the number of foreigner workers. Increase FW levies is one of the ways, and increase FW levies will also indirectly increase the lower income minimum wages. However, government should looks into other ways of increaseing productivity through innovation and process re-engineering through overseas studies and grants to helps companies innovate and re-engineering while increase the levies of FW/SP/EP.
2."Strategically, I, together with many Singaporeans agree with PM Lee's position. Foreigners, PR and would-be-Singaporeans must do their part to integrate into the Singapore culture. I was at the World of Sports recently and almost the entire retail staff were from the Philippines. The retail staff were friendly and helpful. But when a couple of the retail staff began to converse in Tagalog, I suddenly felt overwhelmed and I thought I was in Manila. Why can't they speak English with each other during store hours?"
3.Friends and siblings, who are in the 40-50's age group, are open to foreigners, but they feel overwhelmed by the various languages spoken in MRT, markets and retail shops."
4.Medical practice in Canada, there is a rule that stands out among many other rules. Regardless the different nationalities or ethnic groups of employees in the practice, NO one is allowed to speak their own language, in the presence of any patients, except English. It is considered very rude, disrespectful and inconsiderate. Example, a Chinese nurse is not allowed to speak Chinese to the doctor in front of a patient who is a non-Chinese. An Indian or a Philippino nurse should only speak English to the doctor, let's say, in the presence of an Italian patient. If the patient is Chinese and can only speak or understand Chinese, and there is a Chinese speaking nurse or doctor, then, Chinese would be allowed. This is to prevent misunderstanding or suspicion from the patients that employees or medical professionals are "gossiping", "talking bad", or "criticizing them. Talking in a language that is foreign to others, as in this case in the presence of patients who are of different nationalities or ethnic group can make them feel uneasy, uncomfortable, suspicious and insecure. By respecting our patients (or customers), we speak in a common language that both sides speak and understand - that is English. There is a rising problem here in Singapore where there are so many nationalities here now - Philippino,Indians, China, Thai, Indonesia, Myanmar, other European states, they speak their own languages in the presence of other ethnic groups, this can cause unhappiness, suspicion and insecurity in the local people, who are already unhappy with the foreigners.
5.I do believe most Singaporean agree with PM Lee's position. Before watching the NDR speech, I asked my nephew who has finished his NS about his views. Overall, he agrees with the need for foreigners, but on the ground level, he and his friends who are polytechnic and university graduates, worry about competition for white collar jobs. My friends and siblings, who are in the 40-50's age group, are open to foreigners, but they feel overwhelmed by the various languages spoken in MRT, markets and retail shops. For myself, I agree with the government's overall direction. But I do question the speed and ease at which the government issue its PRs. I have had several conversations with Malaysians and Filipinos who are holding jobs as masseuse, beauticians, accounts executives and interior designers. These permit holders hoped to get PRs in Singapore because they can make a good living here. However, their ultimate aim is to make enough money after several years in Singapore and go home and open a beauty parlor or a business. Unless these would be PRs marry a local, their loyalty are not with Singapore. I do notice a difference - my nephew, friends and siblings, and myself - we will warmly welcome any new immigrants to Singapore if they take up citizenship and contribute to Singapore.
6.Construction site use to pay lifting supervisor for $1600 to $2200 in 1995 And now we got india workers that $700 per month doing it. Construction site used to pay scaffold supervisor $1800 to $2500 dollars in 1995 and now we got India workers that $900 per month to do it. See how the GDP growth benefit from the foriegn workers ? And we know it well because Singaporean are out of job. And we call them foriegn talents.
7.Singaporeans are all descendants of immigrants who have shaped today’s Singapore. Ya, please understand then and now
8.Sure, we then open our gates to anyone declaring their desire to shape the future of Singapore. Then what truly differentiate Singaporeans
from non-Singaporeans, going by the immigrants argument? Why bother to have a flag or national identity?
9.This is the challenge that we all as individual MUST face up to.
While maintaining our national identity at the same time embracing the world. A little Red Dot with a BIG HEART.
If we as individual citizen cannot guarantee that we can face up to this challenge, who is going to guarantee Singapore's future.
10.I agree with Mr PM Lee that Singapore should remain open to foreigners and as much as possible retain these foreigners, making them feel Singapore a viable Home to make. But i have doubts whether there are sufficent checks and balances to ensure this attracttion and integration brings about the lowest social impact. For a policy of such, it will apply across to all nationals and race - Who do we really want to attract? Whats happens to a PR or newly converted foreigner with pink IC when they commit a crime?
11.We certainly do not want to see our marriagable sons enjoying Red Dates in the Red Light of our tiny Red Dot when some immigrants are found to be Red Hot flesh dollies.. whereby vices and crimes thrive in high spirit with great opportunities, in abundance.
12.I certainly applaud the government's efforts to address the immigration issues and attempt to take a more holistic approach by setting up a new government unit to coordinate these issues. However, I noticed that certain key ministries like MND and MOT are absent from this new set up. May be a good idea to include them so that any plans in the pipeline to augment our immigrant population can be done in tandem with expansion in transport and public housing.
13.Not sure if it would be helpful to view the immigrants from several angles: New Citizens: To help build the population/make up shortfall. Form a new "core". For this group, I believe that the controls are there to ensure that new citizens do fit into the society. PRs (the FT kind): Skilled workers who (hopefully) bring some value to the table. In my own experience, those who cannot contribute end up being repatriated anyway. EPs/WPs: Shorter term solution to help Singapore remain competitive. Especially in areas where there are drastic shortfall in manpower. Indeed, some SME business owners I have spoken to decry that there
is too much control over employing WPs - they cannot get enough workers, as Singaporeans tend to avoid certain jobs - or demand a much higher salary for a lot less work - it would not make sense for a businessman to lose money doing business (eg car polishing, logistics, etc), so if he cannot get labor at the price at which he can make a profit, he may close down - lose-lose for everyone. Think that the government is on the right path in trying to balance the issue, despite the inevitable fears and uncertainty that always surround the issue of immigration
14.I think Singaporeans are upset about the sense of inequality/ injustice, that some people want to join the great Singapore Buffet, but doesn't want to pay the price. Are these people here merely to enjoy benefits? Will they stay with us through hardships? Singaporeans worry about giving the goodies/ benefits to foreigners if they don't see reciprocity towards Singaporeans.
15.Please stop ramming down Singaporeans' throats about the need for foreigners or fake foreign talent. Singaporeans are sick and tired of 1 minister after the other, coming up to espouse pro-fake foreign talents policy We are very sick and tired of hearing the same spin that we are descendants of immigrants blah blah blah. Listen to the grounds for goodness sake and stop stuffing down our throats about PAP foreign talent policy. Please, please do something concrete instead of wasting time to think of ways and means to convince us. Pro-Singaporeans.
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