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https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...esses-issues-like-race-at-dialogue-with-youth
On immigration, SM Lee was asked how to give Singaporeans priority for jobs while remaining fair to foreign workers.
He said Singapore brings in foreigners when there is an economic need and not enough Singaporeans to perform these jobs.
There is a fair employment practice framework – Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices – to protect against discrimination in the workplace and ensure Singaporeans are not disadvantaged.
“The question is: What can I do to maximise the chances for Singaporeans to have work? And the answer is: To allow in a controlled flow of foreign workers, foreign talent, foreign experts and specialists, and they will complement us.”
He added that while Singapore welcomes foreigners who want to make this their home, they have to acclimatise to its culture, values and rules.
“When they come, they must know that this is Singapore. And this is how you are supposed to behave in Singapore... and the way Singapore is, this spirit, this ethos and this sense of identity and national belonging.”
SM Lee said Singapore’s unique multiracial identity is something that not all foreigners understand. He recounted an incident when he was trying to explain to a foreign leader that “Singapore Chinese” people are different from “Chinese Chinese”, similarly with “Singapore Indians” and “Indian Indians”.
“But Singaporeans understand, and that is what makes us one nation. And that is also why when immigrants come in, they have to make an effort, and we have to make an effort, in order to bridge that gap and make them adapt to Singapore society.”
SM Lee brought up a recent incident over a National Day banner put up in Tanjong Pagar GRC, which featured a non-Singaporean girl.
“There was a bit of a kerfuffle because somebody made an issue of it, and then said why do you have this non-Singaporean for National Day?” said SM Lee, without naming the person.
Opposition politician Lim Tean had shared a Facebook post put up by the girl and asked why a non-Singaporean was featured on the banner, drawing nasty comments from netizens.
“I think it is a small-minded, foolish, nasty approach,” said SM Lee. “They want to be friends with us. Why should we not want to be friends with them? They want to celebrate with us. We should open our hearts, welcome them; that is the way to behave as a Singaporean.”
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On immigration, SM Lee was asked how to give Singaporeans priority for jobs while remaining fair to foreign workers.
He said Singapore brings in foreigners when there is an economic need and not enough Singaporeans to perform these jobs.
There is a fair employment practice framework – Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices – to protect against discrimination in the workplace and ensure Singaporeans are not disadvantaged.
“The question is: What can I do to maximise the chances for Singaporeans to have work? And the answer is: To allow in a controlled flow of foreign workers, foreign talent, foreign experts and specialists, and they will complement us.”
He added that while Singapore welcomes foreigners who want to make this their home, they have to acclimatise to its culture, values and rules.
“When they come, they must know that this is Singapore. And this is how you are supposed to behave in Singapore... and the way Singapore is, this spirit, this ethos and this sense of identity and national belonging.”
SM Lee said Singapore’s unique multiracial identity is something that not all foreigners understand. He recounted an incident when he was trying to explain to a foreign leader that “Singapore Chinese” people are different from “Chinese Chinese”, similarly with “Singapore Indians” and “Indian Indians”.
“But Singaporeans understand, and that is what makes us one nation. And that is also why when immigrants come in, they have to make an effort, and we have to make an effort, in order to bridge that gap and make them adapt to Singapore society.”
SM Lee brought up a recent incident over a National Day banner put up in Tanjong Pagar GRC, which featured a non-Singaporean girl.
“There was a bit of a kerfuffle because somebody made an issue of it, and then said why do you have this non-Singaporean for National Day?” said SM Lee, without naming the person.
Opposition politician Lim Tean had shared a Facebook post put up by the girl and asked why a non-Singaporean was featured on the banner, drawing nasty comments from netizens.
“I think it is a small-minded, foolish, nasty approach,” said SM Lee. “They want to be friends with us. Why should we not want to be friends with them? They want to celebrate with us. We should open our hearts, welcome them; that is the way to behave as a Singaporean.”
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.
.
.
.
.
.
In other words...:
