It reveals this in response to challenge from PAP MP Seng Han Thong
By Sue-Ann Chia
ALL the town council staff in opposition-held ward Hougang are Singaporeans, the Workers' Party said on Friday in response to a challenge from MP Seng Han Thong of the People's Action Party.
However, the WP was quick to add that it recognises the contribution of foreign workers and is not against their employment.
For instance, Hougang town council does not object to its contractors deploying foreign workers in the estate, it said in a statement signed by the party's organising secretary Yaw Shin Leong.
The town council is run by the ward's MP Low Thia Khiang, secretary-general of the WP.
Mr Seng, assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, had on Thursday taken the opposition party to task for its May Day message.
The WP had questioned if Singaporeans 'truly benefitted' from the job boom as six in 10 new jobs went to foreigners.
Rebutting the WP, Mr Seng told reporters on the sidelines of the May Day rally: 'We should take a pragmatic approach on this foreign worker issue.'
He also challenged the WP to match its words with deeds, by ensuring the Hougang Town Council did not hire any foreigners.
On Friday, the WP reiterated its views on foreigners.
'The issue here is not of foreign workers' employment per se but rather how the Singapore Government and the labour union will ensure that the dignity and societal position of Singaporean workers are not compromised,' the party said.
The Government's attitude, it added, should be to put Singaporeans first and 'resist any erosion of Singaporeans' societal standing'.
'It is the Government's responsibility to show compassion for the plight of the workers facing the pressure of high inflation,' the WP said.
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well said!
�建人有�,�港人更有�
!
its only a matter boleh or tak boleh.
Europe does not need overwhelming number of IT staff from asia to replace its european staff working in europe. Its cheaper to hire from Asia. Why are they still paid the highest in the world?
Because Europe Boleh. they never give excuse for not hiring asians.
Japan also does not require overwhelming number of cheaper labor to be 1st world.
S.Korea also.
They all BOLEH!
Malaysia Boleh, Singapore Tak boleh, all labour MPs, go fly kite . You are good for nothing !!!
our unions lagi jialat....we pay $$$ for them to support FTs.....a bunch of ECHOes!! ![]()