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Talented
Foreigners
02 DEC 08
One
of changes that I noticed in Singapore besides the increase of people
asking for alms is the horde of foreign workers invading the land.
Before I blab on, I would like to clarify that I am not against
ANYONE who travels, to be away from his family and friends to search
for better opportunities abroad. Heck, every one of you Singaporeans
would do the same exact thing and swarm to Malaysia if they have
tons of jobs that pay better. However,
I also notice that this vile FT policy comes with its very own
misconceptions. I don’t know how many times I have to explain
to friends and co-workers on what foreign talent is and what’s
its not.. So let the Evil Bunny break this policy down for all
of you to judge once and for all. |
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I
read an article on the Straits Time way back and the Government
was trying to explain how this foreign talent policy is good for
the country. They tried to give an example of how Einstein was
good for America. (You know the story: he was a German and he
migrated to the US and he came up with a formula that resulted
in the production of a bomb which the Americans dropped on the
Japanese populace and thus ending World War 2.) I was about to
be suckered into this analogy but I stopped short because I know
its not the case on the ground. Honestly, I welcome ANY foreigner
that can fill highly specialized jobs that Singaporeans can’t
do.
If a foreign talent can perform brain surgery while delivering
a baby via C-Section without breaking a sweat, I’ll give
him a hero’s welcome at Changi airport and give him a crash
course on Singlish. If a foreign talent can change sand into drinkable
water, I’ll buy him a cup of Tea tarik and give him a tour
around Toa Payoh. If a foreign talent can change and manipulate
weather with his mind, I’ll give him a back massage and
tattoo his name on my ass. As you can see, it’s always a
good idea to import foreign X-Men with mutant capabilities to
our shores. I support it and you should too.
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*No
problem.
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And
the same goes for foreign workers that do menial jobs. Jobs
that Singaporeans do not want to do like being a domestic helper
(maid), garbage collector etc. etc. All of the above are fine.
But
the reality on the ground is that these foreign workers, talented
or not, are taking every single jobs that are meant for Singaporeans.
From admin to cashiers and even graphic designers! I work in
a company once where they hired a Malaysian. To me, my Singaporean
friend who is jobless for months, can easily take up her spot.
My boss told me that he hired foreigners because he need to
keep cost low cause they are cheaper. He can only afford 1 Singaporean.
If cost is the problem, we should adjust rent/overheads, lower
business tax etc. NOT suppress wages...
Another
statement I heard so many bloody times especially from University
graduates:
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has nothing to do about competition, this is about preserving what’s
rightfully yours to begin with. Listen here, even if you work as
a doctor, programmer, engineer or any high-level white-collar jobs,
there are always professionals from India and China who are just
as qualified and willing to do the same thing you do for a cheaper
rate. That means, YOU CANNOT WIN. |
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And
some people have totally overlooked the “foreign worker
mentality”. When I was working for a local company once,
my foreign worker friends told me to go home instead of doing
unpaid overtime with them together. His reasoning was: |
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this the same way I felt when I was working in the US. My American
co-workers would come in late and leave early and I will be there
in the office alone, not because I wanna kiss some serious boss
ass – it’s just that, you just have no kakis to hang
out with. You get what I mean... Foreign workers are willing to
go the extra mile anytime so that means YOU CANNOT WIN. The Singapore
worker should be protected with a Singapore first policy like any
other country. The US have it. Heck the last time I read, Malaysia
has it too. In
my opinion, the message from this Administration is simple.. If
Singaporeans refuse to bite the bullet and take low-income jobs,
foreigners will take our place. Bravo!
When
will it end,
Evil Bunny! |
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