Sporeans playing 2nd fiddle to foreigners despite birthright
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http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=insightdownsouth&file=/2009/9/26/columnists/insightdownsouth/4777881&sec=Insight%20Down%20South
The Star Online, 26 Sep 2009, Seah Chiang Nee
Playing second fiddle to foreigners despite having a birthright
AN ELECTRONICS firm that advertised last week for a “preferably non-Singaporean” engineer has added fuel to a worsening controversy in this migrant city.
It particularly stipulated that “permanent residents are welcome” to apply for this “mid-career job (salary negotiable)”.
A copy of the advertisement found its way onto the web.
Applicants should have a diploma or a relevant trade certificate, with 3-5 years’ work experience, and “preferably non-Singaporean (PR welcome),” it added.
This provoked strong reactions from Singaporeans who are already upset at the large number of foreigners allowed to work here.
One asked if such discrimination is legal. “This sort of ad would have landed this company in heavy trouble in most developed states,” he added.
Another writer said: “Now we know where we stand. The policy has downgraded Singaporeans to below foreigners.”
Archilles said: “I feel left out by my own government, which is desperately trying to attract foreign talent (and) overlooking our own ‘local talent’. It’s sad, very sad!”
A similar storm broke some years ago when another company told a fresh Singaporean graduate during a job interview that his chances were slim if he had to report for annual reservist duty.
“We prefer a foreigner who has no such obligations,” the executive had added. Besides, they are much less costly to hire.
The reservist withdrew his application in disgust.
This is not just another act of public whining. The fact is many Singaporeans are no longer sure about their own role or entitlement in society.
In recent years, the rate of entry has increased sharply as the economy flourished. Every year some 100,000 foreigners have been arriving, putting pressure on what was already one of the most competitive and over-crowded cities in Asia.
The controversy couldn’t have come at a worse time when the country is emerging from a severe downturn and the people’s uppermost concern is getting – or retaining – their jobs.
Last month Seagate (worldwide: 10,000 workers) moved out its manufacturing capacity, retrenching some 2,000 workers. “It is difficult to imagine the impact of Seagate’s loss on our economy,” said commentator Harrison Goh.
Its departure, he added, may have marked the end point of Singapore’s involvement in the global manufacturing market.
“It spells a deepening crisis that most Singaporeans may not yet fathom, thinking that the PAP government has a ready solution.”
It is within this context that the unpopularity of the open door policy becomes apparent.
Political leaders are now working hard to reassure embittered Singaporeans that their interests would always come first.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced last week that his government would reduce the inflow of foreign workers to maintain the “tone” of society. He gave no numbers.
At the same time, his Community, Youth and Sports Minister assured polytechnic students: “You have a birthright. Everything we do is for your long-term benefit. Foreigners are here to help make Singapore more viable and competitive.”
The other side of the coin is equally stark.
With 1.28 babies per couple, Singapore’s birth-rate is one of the lowest in the world and threatens its long-term survival.
Singaporeans are also ageing rapidly, which may require young people to pay higher taxes to look after them.
Both defects are already being felt in a manpower-short economy, which requires immigrants to correct, according to officials.
“Companies have been coming to us to ask ‘where are the workers, we can’t get them’,” a government official said.
Singaporeans, being descendants of immigrants themselves, have never been antagonistic to the presence of foreigners here – until now.
What they resent is not their coming, but the overwhelming numbers, which they feel are threatening their jobs and education opportunities.
They are also angry with uneven policies that benefit foreigners more than locals, especially national service (compulsory two years) and the subsequent annual reservist call-ups, a burden not borne by foreigners.
Permanent residents are exempted, but their children are not.
Not having to meet reservist call-ups and cheaper wages are powerful attractions for employers to hire foreigners, particularly in a weak economy.
Complaints have increasingly come from older or mid-career Singaporeans who have been replaced by lower-cost younger workers from China or India.
The foreigners, hungrier and without family responsibility here, generally work longer hours for less pay – something that married Singaporeans with a home mortgage to pay cannot possibly match.
A small industry has risen to recruit them in large numbers – as indicated by a recruitment agency, with this advertisement: “Do you find it difficult and expensive to hire local staff? Why not consider hiring foreign talents?”
Claiming it was licensed by the Manpower Ministry, the agency said that it had recruited thousands of workers from China, India, Vietnam and Malaysia for Singapore firms in the past five years.
Every time such an ad appears, it cuts into the popularity of the government, which won 66.6% of the popular votes in the 2006 election.
Several months ago, the government ordered its election machinery to prepare for a snap election in case one is called.
With the improvement of the economy, it is widely expected that it will take place next year, instead of 2011 as scheduled. The public discontent against massive immigration promises to be one of the hottest campaign issues if it happens.
This intensity of public feeling has been too sensitive to be reflected in the traditional media, which has toned down the coverage.
On the Internet, however, where Singapo-reans can air their grievances, the mood is more sombre. It probably requires more than mere government assurances to placate.
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Do we need another foriegner, a malaysian to tell us what we should or not should do? Hell, spend some time talking about your own shit in your backyard, food...foodist! ( ha! a new term for discriminations against food by nationalising it! I should own the copyrights!!!)
If anyone comes across any discriminations against Singaporeans by employers, with real evidence and not rumours, please do not hesitate to present it MOM or your friendly neighbourhood MP, ( Potong Pasir and Hougang included)
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Aiyah Malaysia rather be ruling Singapore again lah.
We wanted it in the first place 45 years ago what!
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If PAP is not voted out in next elections, I worry that Singapore might be destroyed by them.
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In Japan, they got fed up with the ruling party that they voted in another. But they remained loyal to Japan. Partly because they mostly can't speak other languages and they do have cultural roots attached.
In Singapore, I've gotten fed up with the ruling party. But I won't stay and will fly at the first option. Because I can leave and I will, no point staying in a land where the local culture is being torn apart slowly by foreigners and locals are treated horribly.
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Originally posted by Agenda:
Because I can leave and I will, no point staying in a land where the local culture is being torn apart slowly by foreigners and locals are treated horribly.
We must vote PAP out in next elections to safe Singapore and protect our culture.
I won't allow PAP to flood us with foreigners and destroy our culture.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
Do we need another foriegner, a malaysian to tell us what we should or not should do? Hell, spend some time talking about your own shit in your backyard, food...foodist! ( ha! a new term for discriminations against food by nationalising it! I should own the copyrights!!!)
If anyone comes across any discriminations against Singaporeans by employers, with real evidence and not rumours, please do not hesitate to present it MOM or your friendly neighbourhood MP, ( Potong Pasir and Hougang included)
Yes indeed. Cos we got a strict state control media which is just like FM class 95. So we need others to tell the truth.Secondly, if we complain to MP. What action will they take or what will the higher state like PM LHL do???
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
Do we need another foriegner, a malaysian to tell us what we should or not should do? Hell, spend some time talking about your own shit in your backyard, food...foodist! ( ha! a new term for discriminations against food by nationalising it! I should own the copyrights!!!)
If anyone comes across any discriminations against Singaporeans by employers, with real evidence and not rumours, please do not hesitate to present it MOM or your friendly neighbourhood MP, ( Potong Pasir and Hougang included)
Complain to MOM or MP got use meh? -
Originally posted by fireng:
Complain to MOM or MP got use meh?
He is a PAP dog. Of Cos he will brush off any PAP accuse with a simple 'complain to yr nearest MP' la.. While praise PAP is god and singapore is the best. Hahaha.. Kids! -
Originally posted by Agenda:
In Japan, they got fed up with the ruling party that they voted in another. But they remained loyal to Japan. Partly because they mostly can't speak other languages and they do have cultural roots attached.
In Singapore, I've gotten fed up with the ruling party. But I won't stay and will fly at the first option. Because I can leave and I will, no point staying in a land where the local culture is being torn apart slowly by foreigners and locals are treated horribly.
Leaving? Just because you believe what some minorities are saying? Have you check out the realities and facts of the situation first, coupled with patience for change?
If you did, and still feel it is best for you, I wish you good luck, sincerly. Just know that if things are no better out there in this cruel globalized world, I am sure our doors will still be open for you.
Better still, get a job first and work as an expatriate, and know the reality there, if you think you can settle for a lifetime on that side, without giving up on anything here..
Still, its your choice.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
Leaving? Just because you believe what some minorities are saying? Have you check out the realities and facts of the situation first, coupled with patience for change?
If you did, and still feel it is best for you, I wish you good luck, sincerly. Just know that if things are no better out there in this cruel globalized world, I am sure our doors will still be open for you.
Better still, get a job first and work as an expatriate, and know the reality there, if you think you can settle for a lifetime on that side, without giving up on anything here..
Still, its your choice.
Nah, I rather stay in a foreign land filled with foreigners rather than my birthcountry filled with foreigners.
This is not a miniorities, even for me. Working part time. Already, 40% foreigners.
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I wonder how long Singapore can last before being totally destroyed by PAP.
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Originally posted by zenden9:
He is a PAP dog. Of Cos he will brush off any PAP accuse with a simple 'complain to yr nearest MP' la.. While praise PAP is god and singapore is the best. Hahaha.. Kids!Ha! Do I warrant that label that you saw fit to tag me upon? Kinda quick on the accusations, arent you?
It's people like you that is why democracy and change will fail, cos you dont even know what it is and its responsibilities. You make a good example why we should give up the country and leave. You and your kind hinder change.
You need to grow up, and fast, if we are ever to see any improvement on our political landscape.
Still, its your vote and the Member of Parliament that you freely elect to represent you or at least the majority who voted for the same guy, in parliament. If you dont excercise it, or if you fail to stand up to be elected after complaining so much about other representatives, hey, who is to be blamed?
Get real and Grow up please,dont just grow old.
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hmm. interesting article, and true indeed.
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This fucking PAP.
Why they want to destroy Singapore?
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Originally posted by Agenda:
Nah, I rather stay in a foreign land filled with foreigners rather than my birthcountry filled with foreigners.
This is not a miniorities, even for me. Working part time. Already, 40% foreigners.
Yeah, I kinda understand how you're feeling. But try to look at it this way - if not for the 40% froeigners, you and many other citizens may not even have a job....cos industrialists goes where the money to profit is... cheap labour filled by foreigners, and higher paying ones by us, unless skillsets we dont have, which we must upgrade...
Patience is needed to find a viable and better solution, aint gonna just drop from the sky immediately despite what here seem to be saying. I sure dont see any solution comming from these folks here.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
Ha! Do I warrant that label that you saw fit to tag me upon? Kinda quick on the accusations, arent you?
It's people like you that is why democracy and change will fail, cos you dont even know what it is and its responsibilities. You make a good example why we should give up the country and leave. You and your kind hinder change.
You need to grow up, and fast, if we are ever to see any improvement on our political landscape.
Still, its your vote and the Member of Parliament that you freely elect to represent you or at least the majority who voted for the same guy, in parliament. If you dont excercise it, or if you fail to stand up to be elected after complaining so much about other representatives, hey, who is to be blamed?
Get real and Grow up please,dont just grow old.
Another typical method deploy by PAP lapdogs who will accuse non PAP supporter with claiming its we who voted in PAP in and we have the right to exercise our right.
Tell me, how can I vote when my zone is not even contested becos of the GRC constitution policy introduced by PAP??
Actually I will not be surprised PAP introduced e-electron election system using computerise method to replace all paper voting in 2011. Then they will claim its the wise singapore of 66.6% to vote them in again(no matter u vote or not is not important, cos as long as they can easily manipulate the voting will do).
Stop wasting yr faith on voting. Do u think it will work?
Btw, U haven answer us what MP will do or PM LHL will do if we complain to them. Tell me leh!
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PAP must be voted out in next elections in order to save Singapore from being destroyed by foreigners and locals reduced to second class citizens.
Fucking PAP traitors.
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Originally posted by angel3070:
PAP must be voted out in next elections in order to save Singapore from being destroyed by foreigners and locals reduced to second class citizens.
Fucking PAP traitors.
What if voting PAP out fails? What if PAP still retain power in 2011. What are u going to do? -
Originally posted by zenden9:
He is a PAP dog. Of Cos he will brush off any PAP accuse with a simple 'complain to yr nearest MP' la.. While praise PAP is god and singapore is the best. Hahaha.. Kids!
I know. Its quite obvious -
Originally posted by zenden9:
What if voting PAP out fails? What if PAP still retain power in 2011. What are u going to do?We have to make a try.
Support all efforts to remove PAP from power.
Spread anti-PAP propaganda.
Tell people to vote for opposition.
If PAP dogs spread PAP propaganda, launch counter propaganda against them, don't let them brainwash people with PAP propaganda.
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Originally posted by Agenda:
In Japan, they got fed up with the ruling party that they voted in another. But they remained loyal to Japan. Partly because they mostly can't speak other languages and they do have cultural roots attached.
In Singapore, I've gotten fed up with the ruling party. But I won't stay and will fly at the first option. Because I can leave and I will, no point staying in a land where the local culture is being torn apart slowly by foreigners and locals are treated horribly.
Something is really going very wrong. Our mr lee told us to embrace the foreigners but nothing said about treating locals well.
This morning i was at cpf building to do some work. my workers n me, we changed passes and waited for the escort. i decided to go to the 2nd storey to check some query.
In a spilt second, two burly guards approached us that we are not allowed to be there and should wait at the loading bay for our escort. of course i know my rights; i told them i holding a pink ic and that i got every right to be at the public place for some query to the customer officers.
The other guard apologised but not the supervisor. My foreign workers had seen through the whole situation and its really a slap in the face as how the local guards were treating the locals.
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A similar storm broke some years ago when another company told a fresh Singaporean graduate during a job interview that his chances were slim if he had to report for annual reservist duty.
WTF is this going on... singaporean man had to protect the country and yet the company discriminate.. i understand they want to earn profits... but then this felt wrong as sgrean serve ns to protect the country which includes his company... i wondered if the company have thought of WHO the hell is protecting them all the time and why they discriminate us so much... i say let those foreigner serve army too.. which include reservist duty... to make it more fairer... dun expect to gain something without losing something of an equilvalent value.........SCREW THE SYSTEM.
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The only way to restore Singapore to locals is to end PAP fucking rule.
Fucking destroying the country, this fucking PAP.
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These few days never see angel7030 coming to support her pap but I see angel3070 coming to critise the pap.
Can she change back her account to angel7030 let us see what she has to say to support the pap.