Quoted from : http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/11/pm-lee-on-minority-race-pm-and-foreign-workers-and-retrenchments/#comment-31389
which quoted from CNA :
On foreign workers and retrenchments:
“If we just send away the foreign workers now, it will do us harm. For example - companies which are already in difficulty and they hire half foreign workers and half Singaporeans and you tell them that foreign workers must go out. And when you take Singaporeans, his cost will go up and the company may close. And if the company closes, even the half who have jobs may lose their jobs.
“So I don’t think it’s that simple. You send out the foreign workers and the Singaporeans will take over the jobs and you get paid more. I think our interest is to protect the Singaporeans and look after the Singaporeans but we must do it intelligently, we cannot just react and do something without thinking.” (Channel NewsAsia)
well, it not something new isnt it?
when the economy is good, they will say we need foreigner to help us growth and many local shun away these low level jobs.
when the economy is bad, they will say, the more we need them to help the company keep the cost low.
my conclusion, maybe singapore economy is low tech, low profitability, labour intensive, low productivity. that why, we need to keep salary low, hire more cheaper workers to survive.
do you believe?
Feel sad to have this type of government.
Like to give lecture to people.
But no one can lecture them.
it is because the govt own all the lecture threater.
-- meaning they control the media. they can talk, everyone hear, we talk, go coffee shop.
They won't allow people to air their views.
Who dares to criticise will be sued.
Use mass media to hit people with state propaganda until brainwashed.
Depoliticise all the people until submit to PAP rule.
"I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn't be here today.
And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn't be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters - who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use.
We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think." - Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Straits Times, 20 April 1987
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Here's the bit that fascinated me :
“And when you take Singaporeans, his cost will go up and the company may close. And if the company closes, even the half who have jobs may lose their jobs. ”
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Hearing this left me with the following questions:
1. Will this give the MNCs a good reason or excuse to hire foreigners instead of locals?
2. Does it indicate that singaporean workers are over-valued or non-deserving of current pay?
3. Does foreigners need to pay for extremely high price HDB, Cars and ERP? Do they need employers to pay mandatory CPF ? Lets say for same position, foreigners earning 80% of local pay. Local spends the extra 20% on HDB . That makes it even. Or should locals accept foreigner pay , that is 20% pay cut and use this salary to pay the HDB?
4. If a problem is mentioned, what is the next needful thing to do? Provide a Solution correct or not?
Today, I am saddened by some words spoken by some man.
Give me another choice and I’ll take it.