Does Sporean care about his citizen rights?
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Concern over cracks
With hundreds of thousands of settlers arriving in Singapore, ill feeling appears to be rising among some Singaporeans. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Nov 24, 2007
ILL feeling towards foreigners is beginning to surface in this most unlikely of places – cosmopolitan Singapore – attributed to the record influx of immigrants.
By tradition, Singaporeans with their own migrant history have been open about foreigners from east or west, which has led to a recent mass arrival of settlers and visitors.
More than a million have arrived, mostly during the past decade, and although they have brightened the economy, they are also starting to incur a social cost as well as increasingly sparking friction with locals.
Despite land reclamation, Singapore remains a small city, one of the densest in the world.
The pressure is testing the tolerance level of Singaporeans, who are struggling to cope with a widening income gap and rising prices.
Already one third of the 4.68 million people here are foreigners, not to mention the nine million tourists who arrive annually.
It has prompted warnings from leading figures, the latest from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
According to him, cracks are already appearing between Singaporeans and the new settlers who have come as permanent residents “not just between different ethnic groups, but also within races.”
People are showing less trust towards one another. Goh said “the new residents did not mix easily with Singaporeans” and the latter, in turn, “tended to leave the new-comers alone.”
Earlier, retired and respected civil servant Ngiam Tong Dow said if he had his way, Singapore would think twice before pushing for a 6.5 million population.
Questioning the rationale, Ngiam said in an interview published in the governing party newsletter that Singapore does not need numbers but talent.
The 70-year-old said: “If we do it wrongly, it will change our economic and social system.”
He stressed the need to appeal to people’s hearts. “Otherwise, Singapore will become just a six-star hotel where guests stay in good times and flee when times are bad. We will never become a nation,” he said.
SingaporeÂ’s mainly middle class, stressed by a widening wealth divide, is deeply worried about the large inflow.
“Foreigners are viewed as threats to locals’ livelihoods, they are viewed with suspicion and envy,” a surfer posted.
A pivotal part of immigration is the successful luring of wealthy foreigners to settle here. It is doing wonders for the economy, but is also aggravating inflation and widening the income divide.
If Singapore were not careful, it could split into two or three parts, warns Foreign Minister George Yeo.
“And that third Singapore is the big chunk of people squeezed in the centre, between the poor and the rich,” he said.
“This group is the most vulnerable. If they feel the high life is out of their reach, frustration can set in. And being more mobile than the lower-end group, they can be tempted to vote with their suitcases. That is an option the other group doesn’t have.”
These warnings show growing government awareness that the speed to expand the population, if not the strategy itself, may threaten social harmony.
Several incidents between foreigners and locals have stirred emotions, reflecting the current sensitivities.
These are minor everyday happenings in a crowded city that would have gained little attention if they had involved only locals, but were blown up into hot issues because foreigners were involved.
In the latest case, Singaporean Michelle Quek said a Caucasian and his wife or girlfriend attacked her and her friend after her schoolbag “accidentally hit the woman”.
She said a quarrel ensued, which resulted in the Westerner holding up her friend by the arms, lifting her off the floor and dropping her onto the floor. She herself was punched on the nose.
A couple of angry bystanders confronted the Westerner and stopped him from leaving, nearly causing more mayhem.
Singaporeans were also enraged when three young British tourists mocked an elderly rickshaw rider because he couldnÂ’t pedal fast enough for them, then posted a video of the struggling old man on You-Tube.
Titled “The Slowest Taxi in SE Asia” it showed the trio squeezing into the small rickshaw, poking fun at the 76-year-old rider throughout the 10-minute trip.
One remarked, “God, he’s in fifth gear” and every one laughed. They ran off without paying.
Scores of Singaporeans bombarded the visitors, expressing what they would like to do to them.
“Don’t come back to Singapore,” wrote one. “We will be waiting for you.”
Westerners are, of course, not the only people who are affected. In fact the bigger issue is the tens of thousands who have flocked here from China and India.
Last year a record 70,000 foreigners were admitted; this year the figure is set to be higher.
Verbal insults have become a frequent phenomenon on the Internet between Singaporeans and some of the better-educated permanent residents.
So far there have been no major incidents but the underlying resentment has given rise to fears that a small incident may one day flare up into big trouble.
Some aliens find it difficult to find accommodation; others get a cool reception from office colleagues.
The government and community representatives have organised citizenship ceremonies and social gatherings to make the newcomers feel welcome. Leaders often extol the role of foreign talent in nation building.
Respected blogger redbean wrote of a growing potential for xenophobic tension.
“For those who have to face the foreigners daily in all his living activities, when every citizen has to fight for his space and the air he breathes, tension is likely to build up and break out.” -
what is YOUR view on this?
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Found that my job wages getting depressed as the next china worker, what you think?
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well, that's happening everywhere in the world..
they will outsource to the cheapest possible vendor which can satisfy their specs...
and in order to get the contract, the vendor will squeeze his own people...
that's what you get in a free market...Originally posted by Catknight:Found that my job wages getting depressed as the next china worker, what you think? -
Open question to all : Gauge the long-term sustainability (>15 years) of such a system, and short-term impact of an unmediated situation discounting the time gap between structural reform of the major economic engines in our economy (5-15years).
It still doesn't look good. -
I agree with some of the points brought up. I feel the filtering process is not stringent enough, mainly due to the fact that the govt is trying to build up the numbers. I think having a system, that is somewhat similar to the one the Australian Govt uses(modified to suit our needs) would probably increase the standards. Quality vs quantity approach.
Also, I feel that citizens should be given a much higher hiring priority that what is it at now. Employer should be able to justify not being able to higher a resident, before hiring a foreigner. I was in a local IT firm, speaking to the HR manager some years back. There was a project starting in a couple months, the HR manager just say, we are sending a team to the Phillipines and Malaysia to do hiring. "Thats just going to spoil our labour market that push down wage levels" was the first thing I thought. -
Welcome to the real world..... feel free to plan your exit from S'pore..... like most of the ppl here.Originally posted by Catknight:Found that my job wages getting depressed as the next china worker, what you think? -
I first time got listen a company sending their recruitment officer to neighbouring countries to get new staff.Originally posted by Jontst78:I agree with some of the points brought up. I feel the filtering process is not stringent enough, mainly due to the fact that the govt is trying to build up the numbers. I think having a system, that is somewhat similar to the one the Australian Govt uses(modified to suit our needs) would probably increase the standards. Quality vs quantity approach.
Also, I feel that citizens should be given a much higher hiring priority that what is it at now. Employer should be able to justify not being able to higher a resident, before hiring a foreigner. I was in a local IT firm, speaking to the HR manager some years back. There was a project starting in a couple months, the HR manager just say, we are sending a team to the Phillipines and Malaysia to do hiring. "Thats just going to spoil our labour market that push down wage levels" was the first thing I thought. -
I dun think thats unique to the company that I mentioned tho. But the way the HR manager said it, kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Its like she didn't even wanted to consider hiring locals first. Its white collar IT personnel we were talking about. We needed a couple dozen at that time.Originally posted by will4:I first time got listen a company sending their recruitment officer to neighbouring countries to get new staff. -
I felt that there r plenty of foreign professionals in Spore, why would ur HR manager has to send people all the way to the neighbouring countries toOriginally posted by Jontst78:I dun think thats unique to the company that I mentioned tho. But the way the HR manager said it, kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Its like she didn't even wanted to consider hiring locals first. Its white collar IT personnel we were talking about. We needed a couple dozen at that time.
do recruiting? All the HR manager has to do is to place a recruiting advertisement in the ST. -
I know my future company does that, got from Vietnam and Malaysia.Originally posted by will4:I first time got listen a company sending their recruitment officer to neighbouring countries to get new staff.
Anyway, if you have been to Paris, you will also noticed a lot of blacks walking around. Immigrants? Of course... they may be either first or 2nd generation there only....
in addition, why would you want complain about foreigners if you cannot compete with them and win? This happens in many countries in the world. It is the basics: the best and the cheapest win.
However, some of the immigrants to Singapore are really cannot make it one.... Can be extremely rude and uncouth... But some are really polite... Depends on who you meet and the working environment you are in. -
Exploitation, IMO, but thats just my opinion. The idea was to bond them for 2 years there and then. Even before they stepped into SG. They didn't want to pay PRs or Citizens CPF.Originally posted by will4:I felt that there r plenty of foreign professionals in Spore, why would ur HR manager has to send people all the way to the neighbouring countries to
do recruiting? All the HR manager has to do is to place a recruiting advertisement in the ST. -
Speaking about the CPF matter, no doubt that a portion of the salary will be credited to the CPF account but $90000 will be locked up to buy annuityOriginally posted by Jontst78:Exploitation, IMO, but thats just my opinion. The idea was to bond them for 2 years there and then. Even before they stepped into SG. They didn't want to pay PRs or Citizens CPF.
compared to the foreign profesional who need not get employer's CPF contribution, they still better off compared to local who cannot get to touch their moeny upon reaching retirement. -
our money?Originally posted by will4:Speaking about the CPF matter, no doubt that a portion of the salary will be credited to the CPF account but $90000 will be locked up to buy annuity
compared to the foreign profesional who need not get employer's CPF contribution, they still better off compared to local who cannot get to touch their moeny upon reaching retirement.
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Our CPF money which need to buy annuity but for foreigners who although need not get CPF contribution, no matter how long they work in Spore, theyOriginally posted by eagle:our money?
will still be able to touch their full monthly salary. -
I refer to the Thread Title;
... can we even defend our Rights as Citizens? In facts, does our Rights even exist, in the first place?? -
The problem is SG is a small country...there's only so much you can do...
SG has no natural resources...so it has to survive on FTs...and foreign investments...
Moreover coupled with the increasing population & limited land space i fear SG may end up being like HK or even worst...probably not now...but in future...
If SM Goh is already voicing concerns...i think it's time to start worrying...
Honestly i do not know where its all gonna end... -
My fren also mentioned that Spore's situation is becoming similar to HK.Originally posted by In_Between_Days:The problem is SG is a small country...there's only so much you can do...
SG has no natural resources...so it has to survive on FTs...and foreign investments...
Moreover coupled with the increasing population & limited land space i fear SG may end up being like HK or even worst...probably not now...but in future...
If SM Goh is already voicing concerns...i think it's time to start worrying...
Honestly i do not know where its all gonna end...
Many foreigners either white collar or blue collar started to go to HK to work. -
The last 50 years have passed. Does Sporean care about his citizen rights?Originally posted by Catknight:Concern over cracks
With hundreds of thousands of settlers arriving in Singapore, ill feeling appears to be rising among some Singaporeans. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Nov 24, 2007
ILL feeling towards foreigners is beginning to surface in this most unlikely of places – cosmopolitan Singapore – attributed to the record influx of ..............”
What do you think? -
Given more time, it will become harder & harder, for despotics like these to rule this country....Originally posted by reddressman:The last 50 years have passed. Does Sporean care about his citizen rights?
What do you think?
New blood citizens, are not apathetic... I repeat, NOT apathetic. -
Hey the PAP can teach you valuable lessons - you just have to see it in a different perspective to understand it properly :
1. Skills shortages : get a skill that is in worldwide demand and have global mobility for yourself.
2. Foreign talents : be a foreign talent elsewhere and gleam the FT benefits in another country . If anyone calls you a "quiter" , just tell them to look at the "foreign quiters" in Singapore.
3. Globalisation and wages : other countries are willing to fish for people with experience and willing to pay competitive (higher, not lower) rates if you are willing to take a step towards globalising yourself.
That also goes for the "get out of your comfort zone" lesson. -
agreed 100%.Originally posted by fymk:Hey the PAP can teach you valuable lessons - you just have to see it in a different perspective to understand it properly :
1. Skills shortages : get a skill that is in worldwide demand and have global mobility for yourself.
2. Foreign talents : be a foreign talent elsewhere and gleam the FT benefits in another country . If anyone calls you a "quiter" , just tell them to look at the "foreign quiters" in Singapore.
3. Globalisation and wages : other countries are willing to fish for people with experience and willing to pay competitive (higher, not lower) rates if you are willing to take a step towards globalising yourself.
That also goes for the "get out of your comfort zone" lesson.
i remembered during the late 80/early 90 when the govt control and restrict the intake of people into tertiary education so as to maintain the social stratifications of the graduates and the non-grads. elitism in another word.
an extremely short foresight and now we are paying the price. the people around my age aren't dumb and these are the survivors from my era, they can put in the sweat and labour when they are given the opportunity, but no. -
So I suppose the average Brit, American and Swiss employed in menial jobs are drawing wages that commensurate with their Chinese and Vietnamese counterparts in the same job?Originally posted by the Bear:well, that's happening everywhere in the world..
they will outsource to the cheapest possible vendor which can satisfy their specs...
and in order to get the contract, the vendor will squeeze his own people...
that's what you get in a free market...
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I think that function was to control wages so that more foreign investments would come in , not to maintain social stratification or elitism. That's to be fair to the government.Originally posted by fishbuff:agreed 100%.
i remembered during the late 80/early 90 when the govt control and restrict the intake of people into tertiary education so as to maintain the social stratifications of the graduates and the non-grads. elitism in another word.
an extremely short foresight and now we are paying the price. the people around my age aren't dumb and these are the survivors from my era, they can put in the sweat and labour when they are given the opportunity, but no.
Back then China and India were coming up with cheaper labor. The government saw it coming so they controlled the local wages to compete. In doing so , they didn't factor in inflation and Singaporeans were not willing to settle for less ( not after what they paid for their education) .
Then Australian education system was a way out for many affluent middle class families keen to push their kids into further study. So an influx of degree holders.
For example nursing, one of my Singaporean lecturers once said that there was no degree in nursing because they wanted to control the wages of nurses. Nurses form a bulk of the hospital system and if you pay them higher - you get a larger loss. So the compromise was a diploma.
Unfortunately for Singapore, they didn't see how mobile their nurses are . So each time a new batch of nurses are trained , they go overseas to work or study and most don't come back unless for family reasons. I think they found us out - we go overseas to study for the degree - get the registration overseas and say bye bye singapore. My PR visa was a better qualification than my nursing degree.
Singapore didn't count on that to happen - Nurses going out of Singapore.
The solution to fix the problem of migrating nurses is to create a nursing degree in NUS. That way most nurses, will flow into NUS and not see the world.
In their way the government did recognise that nurses are very valuable workforce that can run internationally , and the Bachelor course in nursing was that recognition of the valuable profession which is in short supply internationally. Even if they imported a whole lot of FTs , they know those FT nurses will just run to the next country who offers an even higher pay. -
Looking at this. Damn. I need to learn another foreign language and escape somewhere else...
Time to rechart my route, probably...