Differentiate bet Citizens and FT

[longbow]

Bringing FTs is ok provided the government differentiate the benefits gotten by FT vs Singaporeans.

Singaporeans feel left out. Many spent years tightening their belts and cajoled to work hard for a better tomorrow. However when we reached our goal, the fruits of our labor is not shared with those that did the sowing.

At the moment difference between PR and Citizens is just the purchase of HDB. Mind you male Citizens must put in close to 3 to to 4 years of these lives for NS. If you place a value on 3 to 4 years of $3K per month x 48 months =$144K. Pretty much difference between new flat at sengkang vs new resale. That does not factor in disruption with work schedule and the dangers of being in the army.

If government can make citizens feel wanted, special then i think there is less of an issue with more FTs.

They can bring in FT to do the menial jobs but then they should top up annuity scheme of the elderly citizens that do not have enough money and probably need to do the menial work at the hawker center.

 

[scroobal]

Generally the approach by advanced countries is not to differentiate across the spectrum but on national security based issues such as govt jobs where access to information is a concern and the right to buy landed property because you do not want your land owned by foreigners.

The approach that is applied is to ensure that locals are gainfully employed before transiet workers and migrants are allowed. Citizens gainfully employed in vocations that commensurate with their qualifications and skills will have very little concern about other things.

The advanced country approach allows genuine migrants who are needed for growth to have access to almost everything except govt jobs. You thus attract the right talent and there is incentive to migrate.

The PAP approach is to open the flood gates and let everyone compete. The playing field however is unfair as every employer knows that he has to pay CPF for citizens and PRs but nothing for Employment Pass and other transient categories. Only a silly empoyer will pass up an opportunity to save 14.5%. Another incentive to hire foreigners is that they do not have reservist liabilities.

Bringing FTs is ok provided the government differentiate the benefits gotten by FT vs Singaporeans.

 

[Leongsam]

The advanced country approach allows genuine migrants who are needed for growth to have access to almost everything except govt jobs. You thus attract the right talent and there is incentive to migrate.

There are no GENUINE recent migrants in Singapore. They're all there to use Singapore as a stepping stone to their ultimate destinations in the West.

Let's be realistic. Why would ANYONE want to settle permanently on a titchy island that isn't even a real country.

 

[vincenttan]

Foreigners will constantly look out for greener and cooler place to settle down. Once Singapore loses her attraction - they will leave for a better place, leaving us to clean up the mess.