Associated Foreign Press.

Sunday March 14, 11:46 AM.
Door narrows for foreign workers in Singapore

Construction workers from Bangladesh, hotel staff from the Philippines, waitresses from China, shipyard welders from Myanmar, technology professionals from India -- Singapore has them all. For years the rich but worker-starved city-state, built by mainly Chinese immigrants, had rolled out the welcome mat for foreigners, whose numbers rose drastically during the economic boom from 2004-2007.

But with one in three of the five million people living on the tiny island now a foreigner and citizens complaining about competition for jobs, housing and medical care, the government is taking a fresh look at its open-door policy With the grumbling getting louder and general elections expected to be called before they are due in 2012, the government has unveiled measures to reduce reliance on foreigners and assure citizens they remain the priority.

\"There are social and physical limits to how many more we can absorb,\" Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam told parliament in February. He said the government will make it costlier for companies to hire foreigners by raising the levies they must pay for every non-Singaporean or non-resident they hire. The government also earmarked 5.5 billion Singapore dollars (3.9 billion US) over the next five years to upgrade Singaporean workers' skills to boost their productivity, make them more competitive and raise incomes. It imposed measures to cool down rising home prices, also blamed on foreigners buying into the property market, and pledged it will further tighten the process of accepting permanent residents and new citizens.

Of Singapore's population of nearly five million last year, 533,200 were permanent residents and 1.25 million were foreigners on employment passes, along with their families, official statistics show. \"I think it is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues in Singapore today,\" political commentator Seah Chiang Nee told AFP. Economist Song Seng Wun of CIMB-GK Research said that apart from helping local companies rise up the value chain, the new measures will also address potential election issues. Singapore's last elections, held in 2006, saw the ruling People's Action Party returned to power for six years, continuing its uninterrupted rule over the island since 1959. \"The government has to be seen doing something in areas that are potential flashpoints,\" Song said.

Disenchantment over foreign workers gained momentum during a severe economic slump that began in the third quarter of 2008, when trade-reliant Singapore became the first Asian economy to slip into recession. Drastic job and salary cuts were implemented, affecting many white-collar workers. In coffee shops, Internet forums, letters to newspapers and sessions with members of parliament, citizens became more vocal about the rapidly growing numbers of foreigners in their ranks.

The most common complaint is that Singaporeans are losing jobs to foreigners who are willing to accept much lower salaries. \"Foreigners are a damn pain in the butt. I seriously wonder if they are here to work or just snatch jobs from our locals,\" said one posting on the popular online forum sammyboy.com. \"The country is fast becoming an unfamiliar place to many Singaporeans. The sense of national pride is disappearing by the day,\" said a posting by Nur Muhammad on The Online Citizen. Seah, who runs the political website http://www.littlespeck.com, said much of the resentment comes from Singaporeans who have to compete directly with foreign engineers, accountants, hotel managers and IT professionals. \"Most Singaporeans do not feel angry against low-skilled foreign workers... It is more aimed at those who come in as white collar workers and get the jobs that Singaporeans can do,\" he said.

Citizens have also complained about having to share space in crowded trains with a large number of foreigners, or compete with them for places in government schools and public housing. Foreign labourers are accused of loitering, spitting in public and leaving litter behind. Another sore point for locals is dealing with waitresses and sales people who can hardly understand English. Some employers have argued they do not hire Singaporeans for certain jobs because locals are choosy and often lack the natural social and communication skills in service professions like manning hotel front desks.

In some ways, Singapore is a victim of its own success. A campaign in the 1970s for families to have only two children was so effective that the country is now well below the 60,000 babies needed per year just to naturally replace the resident population. Efforts to reverse the trend have failed as increasingly affluent couples marry at a later age and opt for just one child or none at all. Officials, economists and business executives admit that with Singaporeans procreating less, the country will need foreign workers in the long term, while making sure citizens' interests are addressed.

Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who advises the cabinet of his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said in January that \"we've grown in the last five years by just importing labour.\" \"Now, the people feel uncomfortable, there are too many foreigners,\" Lee said. \"The answer is simple: We check the flow of foreigners, raise your productivity, do the job better, so that instead of two workers, eventually you'll do it with one worker, like the Japanese do.\"

The Star

Saturday March 27, 2010
4,500 - and still counting
INSIGHT: DOWN SOUTH
By SEAH CHIANG NEE
[email protected]


Even as Singapore continues to attract expatriates from all over the world, its home-grown skilled professionals and graduates are leaving for bigger nations at a worrying rate.

WHILE Singapore is busy attracting talents from abroad, some 4,500 of its own better-educated citizens may be heading for New Zealand.

This is the other side of the immigration coin that is costing Singapore more dearly in skill losses than larger nations that are losing talents to it.

In a period of just six weeks, New Zealand has succeeded in luring this large number of Singaporeans to sign up to work or settle down there.

Such a large number has come as a surprise for two reasons. One is that the New Zealand is not even a top choice and, secondly, Singapore is said to be recovering from the economic crisis.

“Yet it has got 4,500 Singaporeans to sign up. Imagine what the response would have been had it been offered by Australia or Britain?” a company executive commented.

The under-populated Pacific country with more sheep than people had launched a global drive in January to attract more foreigners to work, study or settle down there.

Between end-January and mid-March, some 4,500 Singaporeans had registered – a whooping 78% of the total world responses. This is roughly 12% of the 39,000 babies born here annually.

It does not necessarily mean that all will go, let alone be given PR there, but even if the majority does, the loss to this small city will be substantial.

The outflow of people has long upset leaders like its founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who once openly wept when he spoke about the subject.

Some 1,000 of Singapore’s highly-educated youths are giving up their citizenship every year to settle elsewhere.

In addition, about 1,000 Singaporeans a month have been applying for a Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, which is a prerequisite to getting PR overseas.

In 2002, Singapore was ranked as having the second highest migration rate in the world (next to East Timor) – 26.11 migrants per 1,000 citizens.

This would have meant that some 20,640 of its 3 million people were emigrating at the time, an informed source estimated.

(As a percentage this figure would have dropped significantly because of the large foreign intake pushing the population to five million.)

While hundreds of thousands of foreigners are making a beeline for Singapore – Southeast Asia’s richest city – an opposite flow is also happening.

It is losing its skilled professionals and graduates – a declining force that has undergone military training to defend the nation – to bigger nations at a worrying rate.

The New Zealand blow is particularly heavy because, until now, it has relatively limited appeal for Singaporeans compared with Australia, Britain, Canada or the US.

Its economic growth is lower and so are job opportunities, yet we are facing a possible deluge.

For example, only 114 Singaporeans went as permanent residency (PR), and 245 had permits to work in New Zealand last year. Total PRs in the past 10 years was 2,484.

For many years, the republic has been trumpeting its success in attracting skilled foreigners.

Less heralded compared to its immigration success is its own brain drain.

As I was writing this, a news headline read: “Singapore retains its top spot for Asian expats to live in.”

It is apparently a game others are playing just as effectively.

A New Zealand government message beamed here says: “We are looking for young Singaporeans interested in the challenge, experiences and fun of living in a country that offers you brilliant work and study experiences plus a relaxed lifestyle!”

It offers people a nine-to-five working day, four weeks of paid leave a year, and cheaper housing, things that are attractive to people here.

It is not alone. Canada has also been head-hunting Singaporeans with some success.

Some 26,100 Singaporeans have applied for economic visa, for skilled workers and business class, Canada announced. The family category is excluded, but is estimated to number another 40,000.

About 150,000 Singaporeans are today studying or living overseas, according to officials.

Last year, 2,703 Singaporeans emigrated to Australia, and about 1,000 each to Canada and the US, according to news reports. More than 10,000 Singaporeans are living in Hong Kong.

The future can expect no let-down. Almost one in four top students in Singapore end up working overseas, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

A recent survey of teenagers said 53% would want to move abroad if they had the chance.

There is hardly a middle class family that does not know someone who has emigrated.

One blogger wrote recently: “I have had friends leaving Singapore over the years but last week was the first time I had to say farewell to two who are going off for good – one for New Zealand, the other for Australia.”

Some Malaysians are puzzled by this phenomenon. “Singapore is one of the most competitive economies in the world and it strives constantly to be a great global city with gleaming towers ...,” one said.

“It is a great city to work in and is attracting expatriates from all over the globe,” he said.

“Yet many of its own youths are abandoning it.”

Critics say there are several reasons for the exodus, including high stress level, a high cost of living (one of the world’s 10 most expensive cities), over-crowdedness and too much government control.

Singapore is losing the flower of its youth. Many who are seeking opportunities abroad are young people.

“Some of my young friends have left.

“They go early because they fear that once they hit 40, their chances of being accepted by a developed country may drop,” a surfer said.

Thousands of Singaporeans work in China, Indonesia, Middle East, Vietnam, etc, enjoying good pay & benefits. Hardly anyone of them would settle down in the host country, regardless of the number of years they work and live there. Most of them would eventually bring their family & savings back to Singapore.


When foreigners practice this in Singapore, it is widely regarded as negative and unacceptable or even condemned.

We want foreigners to bring their skills, knowlege & experience to Singapore & help grow the economy. But when local talents leave for greener pastures, we call them quiters.

If this is not double standard? What is it?

tamarind:

Just for information :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination

tree nymph:

We are not bias against PRs! I think we welcome PRs and we welcome PRs to become citizens - so you can enjoy the citizen's benefits...

Agree. I was born a PR So how can I be bias against PR ?

Is hard to believe you if we listen to the sweeping statements & stereo-typing you made against PRs!

tamarind:

The PRs nowadays are not the same as our parents' generation. All my Malaysian colleagues have no intention of becoming citizens, or let their sons serve NS. The reason is because they want to earn money here, then retire back in Malaysia where they can live like kings. There are no official figures, but I believe that not many PRs actually become citizens.

tamarind:

Most PRs from China will eventually return, because the amount of money they earned here will enable them to live very comfortably back in China.

tamarind:

Most PRs will work in Singapore until they saved up enough to retire comfortably back in their home countries. By then, their kids would have completed university in Singapore, and will continue to work in Singapore as PRs. The old PRs bring all the money back to Malaysia, China, etc and live like kings, while their children PRs stay in Singapore and repeat the same cycle.

The only problem I have with PRs, is that when times are bad, do you think that they will stay back and help rebuild Singapore ?

tamarind:

Staying in Singapore to work does not mean \"giving back to society\". They are milking the benefits from our economy, earning high pay so that they can bring back the money to their own country and retire comfortably.

tamarind:

I know many PRs studying in local universities and polytechnics. I think it is possible for the sons of PRs to continue to study here without serving NS.

Please check your facts.

tamarind:

I have no problem with PRs taking whatever job.As I wrote before, I am only worried that in times of war or disaster, who will be left behind to rebuild Singapore ? Looks like most Singaporeans think that our good times will last forever. Is there anyone else who worries about bad times in the future ?

Ask the Singaporeans who left for greener pastures.

tamarind:

Staying in Singapore to work does not mean \"giving back to society\". They are milking the benefits from our economy, earning high pay so that they can bring back the money to their own country and retire comfortably.

Cheval:

I guess Singaporeans should have more open attitude toward PRs. Some come and stay but some others leave. THere's nothing unusual with it. With foreigners, at least for one thing: they bring different ways of thinking. This is an asset not a fault.

As to 'benefits', what benefits are you talking about? They make a living with their skills and pay everything from their pocket.

tamarind:

Parent1:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]I think the kids of PRs can continue to study in Singapore from primary school up to universities and still remain as PRs. This is what I know from my ex-colleagues who are Malaysians.

How many parents would leave their kids with baby sitters, daycare centre, or expensive boarding schools in Singapore & go back to Malaysia to \"live like a King\" ?

Would you?

Do you actually know any PRs ?

I mean they will go back when they retire, not when their kids are still young. Note that most people will retire at 60 and live until 80 to 90 years old, so that is a very long time.

Most PRs will work in Singapore until they saved up enough to retire comfortably back in their home countries. By then, their kids would have completed university in Singapore, and will continue to work in Singapore as PRs. The old PRs bring all the money back to Malaysia, China, etc and live like kings, while their children PRs stay in Singapore and repeat the same cycle.

The only problem I have with PRs, is that when times are bad, do you think that they will stay back and help rebuild Singapore ?

For example, if a major earthquake or tsunami hit Singapore and wipe out the major infrastructure, do you think that PRs will stay in Singapore instead of going to another country that can offer them a high paying job ?

Or if there is a war. How many PRs do you think will pledge their loyalty to Singapore ?

My son will be going to National Service. I have nothing against NS. In fact, I will send my daughter to NS if the government asks me to. I am only worried that there are not enough loyal Singaporeans to fight together with them.

Please do not expect Singapore to always enjoy the good times.[/quote]Would you prefer the foreigners to come here on employment pass (EPs)to fill the jobs that we don't want, \"don't qualify\" or don't have enough citizens to fill, and go home after completing their job contracts?

The EPs & the SPass holders will come & go like our domestic maids, labourers, etc. Would they become loyal citizens & keep their savings here? In the mean time, some of them live like kings and their kids go to intenational schools, with little interaction with the locals.

At least, PRs tend to stay on, give back to the economy & society. They send their kids to local schools. Many PRs end up marrying Singaporeans & sink their roots here. PR sons must serve NS in order to stay on. PR kids must work in Singapore for at least 3 years after going to local Polys & Universities.

insider:

Adam has many things that he should be proud of himself (his childhood, his failures, successes, etc) and I think it is a good thing that he can share those (though his fees are steep). However, Adam himself should know that his success rate probably is less than 1 to 2% among the children whom he is trying to inspire. So, the decision then lies on the parents as to see whether they want to pay that kind of steep price for that less than 1 to 2% chances of success in seeing their children realizing their inner self and thereby be internally motivated (child wants to achieve coz he/she thinks she wants to do it for herself and not for anybody else nor for any external carrots dangling in front of them…)

I am not here to promote what Adam Khoo is selling. Just to share his article which is quite thought provoking.

In fact, we can pick up many good parenting tips from his website and radio talk show, without sending our kids to his expensive talk/camps. It's probabaly cheaper to get a book on parenting !

Cheval:

I guess Singaporeans should have more open attitude toward PRs. Some come and stay but some others leave. THere's nothing unusual with it. With foreigners, at least for one thing: they bring different ways of thinking. This is an asset not a fault. As to 'benefits', what benefits are you talking about? They make a living with their skills and pay everything from their pocket.


A side question: why nobody complains about Ang Mohs? They make big bucks and get away soon after, not to mention the way they are entertained.

Like other Asians, it is sad that some Singaporeans tend to be deferrential, if not kow tow, to Ang Moh.

Many rich Indonesians & other SE Asians park their wife, kids & money in Singapore but run their buisness in their home countries. With F1, IRs, high-end housing & malls, Singapore appears to be positioning itself as a playground for the well-off, a wealth management centre & a financial hub (like London, New York, Switzerland or Monaco?). In time, there will be more & more this type of PRs.

May be the AngMoh PRs and rich PRs are OK to many Singaporeans, as long as they don't compete with us for grades, schools, jobs, promotions, public tansport & HDBs?

tamarind:

I think the kids of PRs can continue to study in Singapore from primary school up to universities and still remain as PRs. This is what I know from my ex-colleagues who are Malaysians.

How many parents would leave their kids with baby sitters, daycare centre, or expensive boarding schools in Singapore & go back to Malaysia to \"live like a King\" ?

Would you?