TEMASEK REVIEW
Over the course of my stay in London, I had the opportunity to meet up with some fellow Singaporeans who have decided to relocate to the UK. I realized, after speaking at length with them, that there are a couple of common reasons why Singaporeans leave Singapore.
1. Space
This is the most common reason given by Singaporeans below their 30s. Singapore, an island state of merely 700 square kilometers, is home to over 5 million souls. That’s over 6,800 people crammed in a single square kilometer. In comparison, New Zealand has got 4.2 million people spread over 268,680 square kilometer (15 people per square kilometer).
Even though Singapore has got a reputation to be a ‘garden city’, the greenery is simply not enough go around when all you see are crowds of people everywhere you go. Thinking of bringing your Porsche out for a spin? You wouldn’t even hit 100 km/hr before hitting another traffic light. Likewise, those longing for open spaces will have to get their fix elsewhere.
2. Stress
The typical work day in Singapore is extremely fast paced. Overtime is almost mandatory and 9am – 6pm work is non existence unless you are working in certain service sector but even then, its getting increasing rare. As a result, Singaporeans tend to speak and walk faster, which contributes to the stress.
There is also this chase for material wealth, which is common in most metropolitan society. A while back, there was this talk about 5 Cs – Car, Credit cards, Condominium, Country club membership and Cash. Most families are ‘double income’ – both parents are working. A typical young couple is expected to have a kid (or two), own a flat, a car and employs a maid – all before they hit their 30s. In short, Singapore is not for those who prefer to ‘take it easy’.
3. Education system
As Singapore is branding herself as an educational hub, many Singaporeans, having gone through what they consider to be a rigid system would prefer not to subject their children to the same ordeal and move abroad before their children hits school going age.
Although the primary and secondary education has gone through a much needed revamp and has seek to move away from rote learning, creativity is still generally not fostered. As a result, the Singaporean educational system is able to produce generally high averages but comparatively lesser peaks.
4. Relentless influx of foreign ‘talent’
Of late, Singapore has been welcoming skilled foreigners with open arms. These foreign ‘talent’ are viewed as essential to maintain the relatively healthy economy growth that the city state has enjoyed for the past couple of years. As a result of which, the local populace see an influx of Chinese, Indians and to a much lesser extent, Europeans. Many of whom were subsequently granted permanent residencies.
Generally, Singaporeans view these foreign talents as responsible for squeezing them out of the job market and driving up property prices. A familiar story even to London, I supposed. But to a small island state such as Singapore, the effect is much more profound.
5. Quality family time
As mentioned in an earlier point, the increase in standard of leaving means that most young families see both parents working – just one generation earlier, it was common to have a parent (most probably the mother) to tend to the household.
Although there was a recent effort to increase paid maternity leave to beyond three months, it is still frowned upon in the private sector (not so much in the public sector though) if an employee were to exercise that right. Crèches in workplace is almost unheard of and if there is, is only found in foreign firms that set up branches in Singapore.
With the long working hours, families would have to employ a maid or rely on the grandparents to look after their children during the work hours. Even though a bill was passed to provide a one time financial relief to families for every newborn child, parents would still prefer to spend more quality time with their kids if given a choice.
6. Mainstream society
Like many Asian societies, Singapore’s is still very much conformed to the mainstream. This manifested itself more prominently in education and the choice of lifestyle of Singaporeans.
In school, mathematics and science subjects are immensely more popular compared to those belonging to arts and humanities. In many junior colleges, where the students are first streamed into these two disciplines, the number of students taking the former subjects outnumbers the latter five to one, sometimes more.
This phenomenon can be attributed an entire generation who has grown up during the sixties and seventies when Singapore is still a fledging young nation and thus required people with technical skills. Even as Singapore celebrated her 43rd year of independence earlier this year, there are still much more opportunities for a physicist than a historian.
Although Singapore Tourism Board has been busy chasing the pink dollar for the past decade, alternative lifestyles still belong very much as a sideshow in the daily life.
Homosexuality is still outlawed in the penal code and a recent effort to overturn that was unsuccessful. However, even so, there hasn’t been an instance where person is persecuted by the law for being a lesbian or a gay.
C K, London
leave leave lah, talk so much for what...just make sure those left, dun regret ya.
Migration is part and parcel of human evolution since the begining of human life, even some Brits also took up sg citizenship here
This article is very relevant to my reasons for being in the USA.
Life is much better here. For example, a typical home here is > 3000 sqft and a small backyard is bigger than a 4 room flat. All types of food - crab, crab cakes, lobster, fish, beef, pork, chicken, ice cream, beverages can be enjoyed at a fraction of the prices in Singapore.
The stress level is lesser. The amount of things one can do after work is HUGE. Overtime is frowned upon (if you OT too much, your boss will start to get concerned that you are not productive), and weekends are spent exploring other parts of the country. The pay is better, and I GET to enjoy the seeds I sow.
I am unlike the previous generation, where they think that one must work HARD until they are old before they can enjoy life. Enjoying life when they are young is almost like a sin. I have no qualms being called a quitter and a lazy bum, coz I get to enjoy as I work, unlike in Singapore.
For those who are still ignorant of what's going on in Singapore, be prepared for another influx of foreign labor. I just read in another website that EDB has been secretly going to China to do a mass recruitment of software engineers. Jobs that can easily be performed by locals... The stress level will go nowhere but up, while the salaries will go nowhere but down.
Hi Soul,
I spoken to headhunters and seriously doubt SG can continue to absorb excessive foreigners unless foreigners are leaving at large numbers and they need to be replaced. Anyway I still believe that recruiting PRC is part of social engineering to change the dynamics of singapore demographics so to gear for voters.
I also know that alot of apartments are not being filled.
Singapore businesses are walking towards a cost trap impart they don't innovate. Professional Mgr Exe. Tech, in Singapore as i am finding out. we are being traded at Price Point. Job experiences does not count for salary.
Best of luck to All.
You should be glad. Have you ever be transferred to a Malaysian branch? See how they work? I think you will kill yourself after seeing how lazy they are. I am proud of how efficient Singaporeans are. This is the asset that Singaporeans have.
I hear a lot of Malaysian chinese send their children to private western and private chinese schools because they have no faith in the local government schools filled with lazy young trainee teachers. Be glad.
Originally posted by angel7030:leave leave lah, talk so much for what...just make sure those left, dun regret ya.
Migration is part and parcel of human evolution since the begining of human life, even some Brits also took up sg citizenship here
if singapore so good why you want a PR status in Taiwan. What is so bad about people leaving singapore? So what there are britons here, these are miserably a rare number. Generally, britons will not want to settle down here.
Originally posted by hasene:
if singapore so good why you want a PR status in Taiwan. What is so bad about people leaving singapore? So what there are britons here, these are miserably a rare number. Generally, britons will not want to settle down here.
PR is given by taiwan,...not that i wanted it,...I never said leaving singapore is bad mah...i just want those leaving to make sure they left for good....unlike some peoples who left and then cannot make it and come back here again...as the chinese said..."good horse never return to eat the once eaten grass"
Generally, whether Brick or Brit or Prick,...humans are bore to migrate, even animals, fishes and birds migrate too...the differences is only the distances.
Many singaporeans leave Singapore?
Originally posted by Arapahoe:Hi Soul,
I spoken to headhunters and seriously doubt SG can continue to absorb excessive foreigners unless foreigners are leaving at large numbers and they need to be replaced. Anyway I still believe that recruiting PRC is part of social engineering to change the dynamics of singapore demographics so to gear for voters.
I also know that alot of apartments are not being filled.
Singapore businesses are walking towards a cost trap impart they don't innovate. Professional Mgr Exe. Tech, in Singapore as i am finding out. we are being traded at Price Point. Job experiences does not count for salary.
Best of luck to All.
I believe so too. Recruiting foreigners from impoverished cities is meant to enhance the appreciation levels of such foreigners, so that at least in the few years after they are converted to citizens, they would gladly vote for the PAP in appreciation of giving them a better life.
It is a strategy that I would use as well, if I belong to the MIW - Recruiting foreigners whose living standards are similar to the 70's standards of Singapore (that's when Singaporeans gladly voted for the PAP then)
Innovation, as I have agreed with you, is destroyed when companies choose the easiest way out (getting cheap labor). By blatantly allowing cheap foreign labor to come into Singapore, the govt is silently encouraging companies to hire cheap labor, so as to keep the costs of doing business in Singapore down in the easiest way possible.
Innovation, which is meant to improve productivity and efficiency of businesses, then gets thrown out of the door, coz it's just so much easier to hire cheap people. But then, that also translates to Singapore businesses not being able to compete well in the global market. That's why most SMEs are doomed to remain small for the rest of their lives.
As I have written before, Adam Khoo lamented that Singaporeans should mature and accept cheap labor. I have also mentioned that businesses should mature (and stop blaming the locals about costs) and understand that hiring cheap labor only dooms them to remain insignificant for the rest of their lives.
Anyway, at this moment in time, there's another pro to living outside of Singapore :). I get to watch World Cup without paying an extra cent, unlike in Singapore, where they are charging $90 now :p
i think the most common reason is family
1) unable to start family due to high cost, low wages , lack of social welfare
Originally posted by ☃®:i think the most common reason is family
1) unable to start family due to high cost, low wages , lack of social welfare
Lack of options.....imagine in Singapore if you make 36000 a year or you make 60000 a year....your price base for HDB is still going to be fixed.
unlike overseas if you make less you stayed in a small and cheaper place.
The key word is "Option"
Originally posted by soul_rage:
I believe so too. Recruiting foreigners from impoverished cities is meant to enhance the appreciation levels of such foreigners, so that at least in the few years after they are converted to citizens, they would gladly vote for the PAP in appreciation of giving them a better life.It is a strategy that I would use as well, if I belong to the MIW - Recruiting foreigners whose living standards are similar to the 70's standards of Singapore (that's when Singaporeans gladly voted for the PAP then)
Innovation, as I have agreed with you, is destroyed when companies choose the easiest way out (getting cheap labor). By blatantly allowing cheap foreign labor to come into Singapore, the govt is silently encouraging companies to hire cheap labor, so as to keep the costs of doing business in Singapore down in the easiest way possible.
Innovation, which is meant to improve productivity and efficiency of businesses, then gets thrown out of the door, coz it's just so much easier to hire cheap people. But then, that also translates to Singapore businesses not being able to compete well in the global market. That's why most SMEs are doomed to remain small for the rest of their lives.
As I have written before, Adam Khoo lamented that Singaporeans should mature and accept cheap labor. I have also mentioned that businesses should mature (and stop blaming the locals about costs) and understand that hiring cheap labor only dooms them to remain insignificant for the rest of their lives.
Anyway, at this moment in time, there's another pro to living outside of Singapore :). I get to watch World Cup without paying an extra cent, unlike in Singapore, where they are charging $90 now :p
Anyway, at this moment in time, there's another pro to living outside of Singapore :). I get to watch World Cup without paying an extra cent, unlike in Singapore, where they are charging $90 now :p
I know .....That is so stupid....
A deeper understanding of the “Foreign Talent” issue
TEMASEK REVIEW
By Lawrence Pek
Clearly, there has been a lot of unhappiness on the grounds with the huge influx of foreigners into Singapore in the last 18 to 24 months, even though PM Lee has addressed this issue (well, sort of), I would like to dwell further with a deeper analysis of certain repercussions of these misguided policies.
Value Added – Currently, clearly we have many foreigners in the service sectors, from 7-11 to waitresses to masseurs. The quality of Foreigners is both unclear and not scrutinized. Are they doing work that Singaporeans cannot do (special skills, experience or relationships) – or just competition with locals for local jobs (hawker centre, petrol kiosks and 7-11).
Cheap vs. Cheaper – Even though it is true that foreigners are willing to accept cheaper salaries, please consider 2 things in the long run:
1. Will they continue to accept the same low wages in 3 to 5 years? They will not, for 2 simple reasons – if they 30% cheaper than the local Singaporeans now, they will want to price themselves 5 to 10% cheaper than a local Singaporeans, these foreigners are not stupid, they want to be “cheaper” and not simply just “cheap”
2. What will the government do about the high unemployment rate for the local that was displaced? e.g. If you bring in a cheaper 25 years old PRC girl to work in 7-11 to replace a 35 year old Singaporean woman (or man) – then what will he or she do, once she or he is replaced? Can that local find a higher valued job (higher salary with higher function) – Isn’t it clear that MOM just created a problem by doing this?
Structural Unemployment:
Please allow me to use this to clarify pt 2, this comes about rarely, but it is a bitch to handle for any Minister of Manpower. Simply, there is a job mismatch – there are plenty of job vacancies to go about, but the quality of the people simply cannot perform what these jobs require…the market has changed and companies now require skills and knowledge workers in very specific or niche or high (high is not niche) areas. Then there is a clear and definite for that company to import foreign talent in order to perform the tasks at hand. But locally, MOM and MOE need to look at re-training and re-educating the local manpower to perform these task.
Why? The reason is one of valued added and sustainability. If MOM and MOE can realize that there are no short cuts to structural unemployment, then they need to bite the bullet to retrain locals, because the locals stays and with a higher skilled workforce, Singapore as an economy will be more cutting edge and more competitive.
What happens when the Music Stops?
With 36% foreigners now in Singapore, regardless of whether they are PRs or even New Citizens – will they be there when the going gets tough in Singapore or will they leave for their homeland (China, India, Vietnam…). Singapore is NOT HOME, they WILL LEAVE and then WHAT DO WE DO?
Who will fill the void and what will happen to our economy? There is a further perspective, if you have a small group of 100 and 10 leave, the 90 people should be able to cover and manage, but if you have a group of 10,000 and 1,000 leaves (same 10%), the balance 9,000 cannot and will not want to cover and manage the gap.
The Brain Drain issue
This is not a new phenomenon; there are many Singaporeans (even though they keep their passports) who will never come back here. Artists, Musicians, Scientists and lastly, people like myself, self-made business men. I have so many friends now in US, Europe and China now, they simply will not come back anymore; their reply is very simple, Singapore no longer provides the environment for their (or their kids) development. Their value in these foreign countries is higher than in Singapore. They already feel there is no more reason, no more space for them to come back anymore. Given the new demographics in their homeland now, I doubt if any of them are inclined to ever come back.
Conclusion
In summary, the key message that I would like to convey is that of Sustainability – Yes, it is true that the local bred and born has 2 main issues, which is driving the influx of foreigners. We are not willing to breed, and we are no longer as hardworking or have higher expectations in terms of our employment benefits.
However, we cannot take the short cut route and look at the short terms benefits in terms of GDP growth. Rather than bringing the foreigners and creating a unstable society (trust me, there are many pissed off people), why is it that we cannot bite the bullet and try to brain storm ideas to increase birth rates, to control wages for locals.
Unfortunately, it is true that I am not a full time labor officer at MOM, so I am not privy to lots of internal discussions or data, which I am sure, has led our urban planners to decide on the current course of actions. However, I do not think that I am wrong in my assessment above and I do would like an opportunity to be proven wrong.
As a last word, to these scholars and ministers, I would like to implore your better judgments on 2 fronts. Please trust us to understand your predicament and we will do our best to understand the issues, which we understand is our issues, anyway. Please do not be so insecure in your policy making, talk to us and make us understand, we are your people and responsibility.
not much stress in spore although i was one of 2 people mainly responsible for half a billion dollars in spore dollars product output per year.
its how you know your system at work and whether u want to give yourse4lfmore unwanted stress by getting married n having kids.
so if you get married n have kids then more stress and you dont know systems from robotics systems to iso audit and inspections to production bottlenecks then tough luck in spore.so far in spore...its free and easy for me because i know what im doing and was able to control it in spore all except army atheletic trainings apart from reservist trainings on seperate calender timings every year.i cant run and pass ippt atheletic test for civilians and concentrate and fixing production line that produces S$0.5 billion/year.if i dont attend fot ippt atheletic test and remedial atheletic trainings...i would be jailed,dsciplined and fined $$$$.
the spore army forced me to immigrate....leaving the production line to the other and only guy to take care of it.and the other guy takes 20 mc a year and is a malaysian.
Originally posted by Terminator Hitman:not much stress in spore although i was one of 2 people mainly responsible for half a billion dollars in spore dollars product output per year.
its how you know your system at work and whether u want to give yourse4lfmore unwanted stress by getting married n having kids.
so if you get married n have kids then more stress and you dont know systems from robotics systems to iso audit and inspections to production bottlenecks then tough luck in spore.so far in spore...its free and easy for me because i know what im doing and was able to control it in spore all except army atheletic trainings apart from reservist trainings on seperate calender timings every year.i cant run and pass ippt atheletic test for civilians and concentrate and fixing production line that produces S$0.5 billion/year.if i dont attend fot ippt atheletic test and remedial atheletic trainings...i would be jailed,dsciplined and fined $$$$.
the spore army forced me to immigrate....leaving the production line to the other and only guy to take care of it.and the other guy takes 20 mc a year and is a malaysian.
SO, YOU BROUGHT YOUR WHOLE FAMILY OVER TO OZ
aussies immigration forbids old folks to be sponsored by their kids unlike usa in past.even if u are a medical doctor n immigrated there is no way u could get yer folks into oz.
then somehow assisted by stroke of luck or fate ,everyone managed to immigrate first by me giving them the directions .....as like any good commander i would be the first to go and last to leave.
everyone left spore.its strategy and sacrifice.
Point to note is that there are people that left in the 70s and 80s actually returned to Sg.
Many of those are miserable people.
old already miss laksa and char kuay teow, so come back lor
There are some who left.... but there are many more come here. So long there is dream to pursue
masai,
it is only good for 5 years in spore when you first go there, after 5 years you get very inconsiderate neighbours who make plenty noise daily from 5am to midnight.i have actually thought of killing my neighbours upstairs with their entire family really.
the dream only lasts as long as you are asleep but once you wake up from that sleep you will see plenty of nightmares that u wished u could go back to sleep.
if you are a sporean the army have every law given to them to take your time and life until you are unable to do your own business or even to work properly withput them harrasing you every week or go to jail or get fined heavily.the spore gov uses the spore army to take away whatever valuable time for all spore citizens.
it is alright if u are a foreigner livin n werkin in spore.
sgcommoner,
many who left for overseas in 70s or 80s couldnt bring their old folks to live with them as a family.even today there are south africans,sporeans,malaysians etc who were able to immigrate but unable to bring their folks to live with them.i knew a south african doctor who had his folks not granted a visa due to age and they were not a priority with ox immigration....so he left oz and went back to look after his folks in south africa.he is an european south african.
even if u had a million dollar business , u would still not even be granted a P.R. let alone old folks.so currently u may immigrate but yer folks would be stuck back home.
well...if u cant immigrate be like me befor that...stand outside angrily at istana.....not saying a word.....deal with the thugs in spore....deal with the inconsiderate spore knuckle headed army laws......deal with the thoughtless foreigners from malaysia ,india,phillippines etc in werkplace.,,,then goto parliament house and look angrily at the gates thinking how to get into parliament one fine day.........deal wirh extremely high cost of living as well.....i assssure u spore would be different if i was around.maybe i could be some warlord even.
angel,
man n woman does not live by laksa or bread alone.....they need other things.
I think the only thing i miss about sg is the food and my loved ones, friends included. Everything else is very superficial. Life is more than just that 44 by 32 km of land. The world is out there.
Originally posted by Terminator Hitman:angel,
man n woman does not live by laksa or bread alone.....they need other things.
Please be more specific.
Wait, people's imagination run wild, then no good nei.
devils730,
umm bread, laksa.....and cats whiskers in my fish soup with cat lookin at me with pokey cheeks now and then