Foreign workers constitute about a quarter of the total labour force in Singapore, which is probably one of the highest in terms of proportion in Asia. Foreign workers in Singapore has been closely associated with our economic development, and the demand has progressively grown with increased industrialisation and globalisation.
In Singapore, foreign workers can be categorised into semi-skilled / unskilled and professionals. The former work mainly in the manufacturing, construction and domestic services sectors. The majority of them come from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Thailand and China. The latter are foreigners with professional qualifications working at the higher end of Singapore’s economy.
Of the 236,600 new jobs created last year, 144,500 (or 61%) went to foreigners. Some Singaporeans have commented that the presence of foreign workers have raised competition in the job market and deprived them of better paying jobs. However, if we look at it objectively, amidst this booming economy with a tight labour market, Singaporeans alone will not be able to meet the high manpower demand. In addition, there are many unskilled / low-skilled jobs where Singaporeans are unwilling to take up. If we adopt a “protectionist” mindset and forbid companies to hire foreigners, we may not be able to attract big companies and MNCs to invest and set base in Singapore. This in turn will result in less job opportunities for our own Singaporeans.
Quoting what PM Lee said in his May Day Rally this year: “It’s because we have the foreign workers here, that’s why our economy has grown, that’s why the employers, …companies are here, and that’s why Singaporeans have jobs. You send away the foreign workers,… a few hundred thousand (of them), Singaporeans (won’t) go into those jobs, the companies will close or leave. I think the Singaporeans unemployment will go up, and hardship will go up”.
This is fundamental and many countries are vying and competing for top talents to contribute to their economic developments. Interestingly but expectedly, in the Worker’s Party (WP) May Day message, they think otherwise and questioned the benefit of the surge in jobs created as a result of this foreign worker policy. Is the WP fair in making this statement?
Mr Seng Han Thong, Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC even challenged Mr Low to lead by example by hiring only Singaporeans in Hougang Town Council to prove that what they have advocated is feasible and the right way forward. Will the WP ”match their words with deeds” ? Let’s wait and see…
Posted by Lam Pin Min
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