Yesterday, newspaper reported that the head coach of the Singapore table tennis team, Mr Liu Guodong is not renewing his contract and will be leaving the team by the end of the year. Many supporters of the table tennis team will be saddened by the news, especially when he is deemed to play a large part in getting us our 2nd (I would dispute that, when we got out "1st" medal, Singapore is not a nation yet) medal of the Olympics games.
From my previous posts, many people would come to the conclusion that I am not one that supports foreigners. Unfortunately, that could not be further away from the truth. I truely believe that Mr Liu is a one with talents we need, and ALL countries in the world with no exception will need SOME talents from outside of their country. If you are truely a talent, then Singapore needs you.
However, what I am unhappy about is the situation in Singapore. Firstly, the use of the blanket term Foreign Talent (FT). The government seems to be happy to abuse the term talents. Any tom, dick, and harry that comes in with a degree seems to be a talent in their eyes. However, is that true ? Of course not. A talent should be someone who posesses certain quality and skills that normal people lacks. Although that's subjective, but one thing you can't do is to call a technician or engineer that fills a job which 5000 local people can easily do, a foreign talent. THAT is something I would call a gross misrepresentation of the term.
Secondly, what is happening in Singapore is that we flood the work market with foreign "talents". I would hestitate to say that these people displace Singaporeans, but I think they certainly depress the wages of the work force. In a nation that takes an interest in controlling most things, Singapore has surprisingly taken a rather liberal attitude towards admitting foreign "talents" or workers into the country. Although the government seems to have some kind of quota that only allows a percentage of workers in a company to be foreigners, that seems to be frequently abused of simply not enforced.
As a consequence of the above, we may be faced with many social problems in the years to come. These people bring along with them their own culture and attitudes, and some of these conflicts with our own views and attitudes. Unless these people can be assimulated into our cultures and society, they will sooner or later be a social problem.
Laugh it off as you might, but while we have not felt the full effects of the things to come, I have no doubt that things will come to a head very soon. Currently, we have over 1 million foreigners in our country, making up approximately a quarter of the whole population. Of course, with these figures, I do not differentiate PRs from foreigners, as that is what they are, no matter what the government prefers to call them. Few other countries in the world have such a large percentage of foreigners amongst them, and we know little about what impact this will bring to society as there are few parallels that can be drawn.
Thirdly, the government places too much emphasis on these people and fails to recognize the importance of our own populance. The government seem to be eager to drill into everyone's minds that the very existence of the country depends on these foreigners. Without them, we will sink into the sea and into oblivion. THAT, I think is a tad too much. Yes, it is true that we do need the talents of a few, those that we cannot find amonst our own people. But, is there really a need to praise them to the heavens and harp on it everyday that we DEPEND on them ? That's a defeatist attitude. The only reason why we need 10,000 engineers from third world countries is simply because they can do the jobs at a much lower cost, and NOT because they possess some out of this world skills that our local engineers lack.
The government may not realize this, but the frequent brain-washing of the plebian poplulance has a reverse effect. Now, many of these very foreign "talents" a.k.a. posers, really think that Singapore will really sink into the ocean without them. Many a times have I seen a "I'm better than you" look from these posers on the streets. Ptui. Like what Mr Lee KY said to a HK SCMP journalist, these people are mostly mercenaries. They are not going to stick around when Singapore fails, they will be off in the first plane.
Lastly, I am very against the "buying" of sports medals by using foreign "talents". Sure, many of these sportsmen and sportswomen are truely talents, which Singapore unfortunately lacks. However, we must also understand that when a sportsman represents his country in a sport, this is not something that we can delegate to a mercenary. Most of our "FT" sportsmen/women are here because they either have the opportunity to forward their career, or that they are paid obscene amounts of money. Do any of them have geniune love for this tiny piece of land ? For most of them, I can dare say the answer is NO. By using these people to win medals, is no different from using money to BUY these medals.
Some in the sports council may argue that we are simple using these people to train our younger generations. Yah rite, that must certainly be true when none of our medal winning trio is born in Singapore. Perhaps some Singaporeans can still say they are proud that we have won a medal. Sadly, I cannot concur. For the very spirit of sportsmanship is that there is fairness in the game. For countries to "buy" over atheletes and win medals, this works against the very principle of sportsmanship. So, till Singaporeans start growing a spine, I shall wait for the day when a Singaporean brings home our first Olympic medal.
From my previous posts, many people would come to the conclusion that I am not one that supports foreigners. Unfortunately, that could not be further away from the truth. I truely believe that Mr Liu is a one with talents we need, and ALL countries in the world with no exception will need SOME talents from outside of their country. If you are truely a talent, then Singapore needs you.
However, what I am unhappy about is the situation in Singapore. Firstly, the use of the blanket term Foreign Talent (FT). The government seems to be happy to abuse the term talents. Any tom, dick, and harry that comes in with a degree seems to be a talent in their eyes. However, is that true ? Of course not. A talent should be someone who posesses certain quality and skills that normal people lacks. Although that's subjective, but one thing you can't do is to call a technician or engineer that fills a job which 5000 local people can easily do, a foreign talent. THAT is something I would call a gross misrepresentation of the term.
Secondly, what is happening in Singapore is that we flood the work market with foreign "talents". I would hestitate to say that these people displace Singaporeans, but I think they certainly depress the wages of the work force. In a nation that takes an interest in controlling most things, Singapore has surprisingly taken a rather liberal attitude towards admitting foreign "talents" or workers into the country. Although the government seems to have some kind of quota that only allows a percentage of workers in a company to be foreigners, that seems to be frequently abused of simply not enforced.
As a consequence of the above, we may be faced with many social problems in the years to come. These people bring along with them their own culture and attitudes, and some of these conflicts with our own views and attitudes. Unless these people can be assimulated into our cultures and society, they will sooner or later be a social problem.
Laugh it off as you might, but while we have not felt the full effects of the things to come, I have no doubt that things will come to a head very soon. Currently, we have over 1 million foreigners in our country, making up approximately a quarter of the whole population. Of course, with these figures, I do not differentiate PRs from foreigners, as that is what they are, no matter what the government prefers to call them. Few other countries in the world have such a large percentage of foreigners amongst them, and we know little about what impact this will bring to society as there are few parallels that can be drawn.
Thirdly, the government places too much emphasis on these people and fails to recognize the importance of our own populance. The government seem to be eager to drill into everyone's minds that the very existence of the country depends on these foreigners. Without them, we will sink into the sea and into oblivion. THAT, I think is a tad too much. Yes, it is true that we do need the talents of a few, those that we cannot find amonst our own people. But, is there really a need to praise them to the heavens and harp on it everyday that we DEPEND on them ? That's a defeatist attitude. The only reason why we need 10,000 engineers from third world countries is simply because they can do the jobs at a much lower cost, and NOT because they possess some out of this world skills that our local engineers lack.
The government may not realize this, but the frequent brain-washing of the plebian poplulance has a reverse effect. Now, many of these very foreign "talents" a.k.a. posers, really think that Singapore will really sink into the ocean without them. Many a times have I seen a "I'm better than you" look from these posers on the streets. Ptui. Like what Mr Lee KY said to a HK SCMP journalist, these people are mostly mercenaries. They are not going to stick around when Singapore fails, they will be off in the first plane.
Lastly, I am very against the "buying" of sports medals by using foreign "talents". Sure, many of these sportsmen and sportswomen are truely talents, which Singapore unfortunately lacks. However, we must also understand that when a sportsman represents his country in a sport, this is not something that we can delegate to a mercenary. Most of our "FT" sportsmen/women are here because they either have the opportunity to forward their career, or that they are paid obscene amounts of money. Do any of them have geniune love for this tiny piece of land ? For most of them, I can dare say the answer is NO. By using these people to win medals, is no different from using money to BUY these medals.
Some in the sports council may argue that we are simple using these people to train our younger generations. Yah rite, that must certainly be true when none of our medal winning trio is born in Singapore. Perhaps some Singaporeans can still say they are proud that we have won a medal. Sadly, I cannot concur. For the very spirit of sportsmanship is that there is fairness in the game. For countries to "buy" over atheletes and win medals, this works against the very principle of sportsmanship. So, till Singaporeans start growing a spine, I shall wait for the day when a Singaporean brings home our first Olympic medal.
6 comments:
October 16, 2008 4:20 PM
1) You may need 6000 engineers, so you need to get that 1000 from oversea. Sometimes, without having 6000 engineers, MNC won't come here to setup company.
Even though you just need 5000 engineers, there is nothing wrong to get 1000 from oversea if they are better than the lowest 1000 local engineer. This is an open global society, everyone must fight for their survival based on merit.
Anyway, the sg gov already give many protections to its citizen, e.g. housing grant, GST rebate, blah blah blah share. Even 4 months materity leave, where to find these in other countries?
2) What quota you want? Like malaysia, need 60% or more to be malay? Come on... do you think that is the right way?
If you can't fight with FT, then just lower your pay or increase your skill. Do you know why USA can maintain its advanced in technology? Because they value FT. In one lab I worked, 10 ppl in a group, only 2 are USA citizen, the rest from EU, Asia. What is wrong with that. I can assure you, half of their top brains scientist are not USA citizen (or at least not yet).
So what you should do is to make this a better place, so that more people like to come here to work, and like to settle down and become singaporean.
3) Other countries in the world won't buy your product at a higher price because you are a small country or because you hire LOCAL workers so at a higher cost. Sg gov can only protect you in your home, but you need to fight when with the rest of the world.
4) I agree that the sport should not use FT. As they are representing the country.
October 16, 2008 4:52 PM
1) True, but we are not getting 1000 BETTER engineers, or just 1000 out of 6000. We are like getting 3000 of 6000 engineers from overseas and they are not better, they are just CHEAPER.
You are deviating, this is not about what benefits a country gives its citizens, this is about the foreigner policy.
2) You are comparing apple to oranges. What Malaysia is implementing is a RACIAL policy which discriminates its own citizens.
The quota is for protecting ALL its citizens. This is common in developed countries.
High tech jobs is different. High tech jobs requires skills which most countries own population cannot fulfill. You try looking for a normal engineer's job in US, that'll be much more difficult. Singapore probably also needs many foreigners for its research industry, that's unavoidable, but what we are discussing here are normal jobs that normal local people can do.
Anyway, most of the foreigners are not interested to become Singaporeans. The government probably have a higher chance of success persuading Singaporeans to produce more children, then them staying true to Singapore.
3) That's true to a certain degree, and I'm not disputing that. But there's a limit as to how liberal your foreign employment policy can be. If its too liberal, then ultimately your citizens suffer.
October 20, 2008 9:18 AM
those who gave negative comments I am very sure they are not singaporeans. True singaporeans won't use the pathetic benefits dished out by the government as something to be proud of. Maybe those from poor asian states working in singapore thinks this place is paradise, but when u ask them to become citizens they balked at it. They rather go USA, why? Becoz they saw how Singapore gahmen treat her own citizens like no class. They rather stay as FT with better benefits than one that has so much liabilities e.g. NS
October 20, 2008 3:14 PM
So Critic
You actually the one using anonymous to comment on your own hah.
You are tracked down. Bong Kang! The government will be calling on you soon.
Belligerent
October 21, 2008 10:27 AM
Well, I post anonymous is not because I'm scared that the government will come after me. Its for other reasons. Anyway, they probably know who I am, so theres no point hiding from them. Also, I write FACTS, not gossips, allegations or seditious articles. If they wanna witch hunt, there's a thousand blogs out there that have much more reach and anti-government than mine. :)
July 20, 2009 6:08 AM
Here’s a story about a husband and wife:
Husband: Why are you inviting so many men from outside into our house?
Wife: I need them to pump labor into me and give me money.
Husband: But I work hard to do that too.
Wife: That is no good. We need better seeds from more talented people outside. Yours is not good enough. These outside men are smart graduates, strong construction workers, handsome road sweepers, young and vibrant students. They are better than you.
Husband: I am your faithful husband. I love you, lived with you, protect you, stay with you in times of trouble. Doesn’t that count for something? Those men will come and go. Once they see someone better, they will leave you.
Wife: Since some of them will leave eventually, I must invite even more men to our house. I need them. If more men come, maybe, just maybe, if I am lucky, some will stay
Husband: I can fill our house will happy little ones too. Give me a chance.
Wife: You? That will take too long. Even if we have kids, when can they work to give me money. The men from outside are different, they can work and pay me lots and lots of money immediately. When they grow old, they will leave our house and we don’t need to even support them. On the other hand, we need to support our little ones when they age and are too old to be productive.
Husband: Trust me. Life will be better. Don’t invite these men over. I will work hard, and we can afford a nice room in our house if we save for 8-10 years.
Wife: It is no use. By the time you save up, the room prices would be much much higher. Only the men from outside can afford to pay for rooms in our house…you cannot.
Husband: Do you still love me?
Wife: Stay on if you want. It is better you leave. Go to another house. I don’t care. I doubt other houses would even want you. There’s the doorbell……HELLO!!! WELCOME !!! PLS COME INSIDE ME!!
Post a Comment