Social Commentary 2: Tough balance between growth and foreign talent

My neighbours who live next door are from Belgium and France, and have been living in Singapore for three years. They are approachable people who never fail to host us in their house. In school, at least two classmates from China are currently Singapore Permanent Residents. They certainly do not lag behind our standards. Foreigners are not alien to me in my life. In fact, they have enriched my life as a Singaporean, and I accept their presence.

No doubt, acceptance of foreigners, particularly the foreign workers and talents, is a controversial issue in Singapore. Some Singaporeans feel uncomfortable having to live alongside these outsiders and compete with them for jobs; others feel that foreigners bring about healthy competition and strengthen the workforce in Singapore.

Discomfort is inevitable when foreigners join fellow Singaporeans. When plans for a foreign workers’ dormitory in Serangoon Gardens first made the news, residents raised an uproar, collecting more than 1600 signatures from among 4000 households in the estate, protesting against the plans. Many were worried that allowing large numbers of foreign workers into the estate could lead to increases in crime and disorderly behaviour. If such foreign behaviour were allowed, Singaporeans worry it may influence the character and values of the Singapore society.

Foreign workers typically cost less to a company than local workers, mainly because the locals have higher wage expectations. Also, local workers may not possess the skills and experience needed for the job, while foreign workers do; thus, for the same pay, companies would prefer to hire the latter. As a result, there is job competition between local and foreign workers. In 1998, there were 640 000 in the foreign workforce; currently, the figure has increased to over a million. This number is 35 per cent of the 2.86 million-strong workforce in Singapore. When foreign workers are preferred to local workers, the locals would feel as though they have not been protected, leading to discontent.

Competition is often necessary to raise standards. If this mindset were accepted by Singaporeans, they would constantly seek areas for improvement to ensure they are employed. Singapore only takes in immigrants who increase the level of competence of Singaporeans, thus keeping competition alive. The array of cultures and skills introduced due to the influx of foreigners also benefits Singapore – with diversity, comes talent. According to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the progress of each country is dependent on the number of talented people it has – both indigenous and immigrants. Indeed, with these talents, a country can then progress forward.

The flow of foreigners into Singapore has contributed to Singapore’s labour force. Where there are jobs Singaporeans choose not to work in, foreigners take their place. One instance is in retail – Singaporeans typically prefer not to work on weekends, work till midnight or spend ten hours standing. As a result, retail companies need to resort to foreign workers willing to do the job. Singapore is also experiencing a shrinking labour force, simply because Singaporeans are not replacing themselves. More than 30 per cent of those 25 to 40 years old are single and childless. Demand for services is also increasing, especially in the medical field – with 1500 hospital beds added to the current 11 500 as four new hospitals open in the next five years, Singapore would need to double the number of doctors it currently has, from one doctor per two beds to one doctor per bed. In order to achieve this, the Ministry of Health is working to recruit foreign medical talent. Without the foreigners, growth would be staggered.

All in all, in order to achieve growth, welcoming foreigners is unavoidable. In this age of global commerce and communication, open-mindedness is important – the more you appreciate other cultures and skills, the more you connect with the outside world and the more influence you can possibly have. To improve Singapore’s standing in the world, Singapore must first understand the outside world. All these start at home, given the flow of foreigners into Singapore. Let us embrace this opportunity to relate with the foreigners, compete with them and befriend them, such that Singapore may progress onwards.