Recent months, I see PAP gahment working very hard to make a greater difference between Sinkies and PRs. But from what I see they just increase the Price of everything for the PRs and Sinkies remain the same...
Citizen-PR distinction has sharpened: MM
But S'poreans urged not to forget foreigners' contributions
By Clarissa Oon
SINGAPORE citizens and permanent residents (PRs) receive very different treatment in government policies, and this distinction has sharpened further in recent months, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday.
As the Government slows down the inflow of foreign workers, he urged Singaporeans not to forget the contributions that foreigners have made to the economy.
However, should the foreign worker tap be turned down too much, it could lead to a 'deflating economy', he warned, in a speech that also dwelt at length on the importance of boosting productivity.
MM Lee is the latest government leader to reassure Singaporeans who are unhappy over the influx of PRs and foreigners. Together, these non-citizens make up around one-third of the population, with PRs forming about 10per cent.
The surge in their numbers has been blamed for all manner of social ills - from a rise in home prices to a shortage of jobs for Singaporeans.
But citizens receive numerous perks not available to these non-citizens, he told about 1,800 guests and residents of Tanjong Pagar GRC attending a dinner to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
The latest perk came yesterday when polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education announced fee hikes for new and existing students, imposing a bigger increase on new PR and international students than Singaporeans.
Two months ago, the Education Ministry said that by 2012, PRs would pay three times more in school fees for their children than citizens.
Also, during balloting for Primary1 places, PRs will continue to get one ballot while citizens will be given two to improve their chances.
In health care, it was announced last month that subsidies for citizens would be raised further, widening the gap with PRs to 20 percentage points.
These changes are on top of several incentives, like those for Singaporeans to marry and start a family.
Only citizens qualify for the baby bonus and childcare subsidy, Mr Lee noted.
In addition, they get such tax benefits as the parenthood tax rebate, where each baby born allows them to claim a specified amount to offset the income tax they have to pay.
Public housing is another area in which distinctions are made between citizens and non-citizens, Mr Lee pointed out.
For example, Singaporean couples who are first-time buyers can buy a new HDB flat at below market value, or buy a resale flat with a Central Provident Fund (CPF) housing grant of $30,000.
This grant goes up to $40,000 if they buy a resale flat near their parents.
Other citizens-only incentives include CPF and Medisave top-ups, Edusave scholarships for students, New Singapore Shares and financial aid for low-wage workers, like the Workfare Income Supplement.
On foreign workers, MM Lee explained why the influx was being moderated now and not earlier.
The reason: They were needed for the building of the two integrated resorts, which will create more jobs for Singaporeans, draw tourists and boost the economy.
Without foreign workers in sectors like construction, 'the two IRs would not have been built. All the schools, all the buildings would not be here', Mr Lee said.
'When you grumble about the workers, remember they do the heavy work for us. Without them, we would not be here.'
He also acknowledged the side effects, saying trains and buses are more crowded. But if the Government were to reduce the flow too much, the economy would slow and this would lead to property prices and incomes going down.
He called on Singaporeans to bear with the inconveniences or competition for space on buses, MRT trains, even in schools, as growth is the right path to take.
But, he added: 'We always give preference to our own citizens.'
Tanjong Pagar residents interviewed agreed that foreign workers are vital to the economy, but felt it should not be at the expense of finding employment for Singaporeans.
'I'm fine with foreigners as long as I have a job,' said Mr Muthu Kumar, 32, a workplace safety and health officer.
[email protected]
Citizen-PR distinction has sharpened: MM
But S'poreans urged not to forget foreigners' contributions
By Clarissa Oon
SINGAPORE citizens and permanent residents (PRs) receive very different treatment in government policies, and this distinction has sharpened further in recent months, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday.
As the Government slows down the inflow of foreign workers, he urged Singaporeans not to forget the contributions that foreigners have made to the economy.
However, should the foreign worker tap be turned down too much, it could lead to a 'deflating economy', he warned, in a speech that also dwelt at length on the importance of boosting productivity.
MM Lee is the latest government leader to reassure Singaporeans who are unhappy over the influx of PRs and foreigners. Together, these non-citizens make up around one-third of the population, with PRs forming about 10per cent.
The surge in their numbers has been blamed for all manner of social ills - from a rise in home prices to a shortage of jobs for Singaporeans.
But citizens receive numerous perks not available to these non-citizens, he told about 1,800 guests and residents of Tanjong Pagar GRC attending a dinner to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
The latest perk came yesterday when polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education announced fee hikes for new and existing students, imposing a bigger increase on new PR and international students than Singaporeans.
Two months ago, the Education Ministry said that by 2012, PRs would pay three times more in school fees for their children than citizens.
Also, during balloting for Primary1 places, PRs will continue to get one ballot while citizens will be given two to improve their chances.
In health care, it was announced last month that subsidies for citizens would be raised further, widening the gap with PRs to 20 percentage points.
These changes are on top of several incentives, like those for Singaporeans to marry and start a family.
Only citizens qualify for the baby bonus and childcare subsidy, Mr Lee noted.
In addition, they get such tax benefits as the parenthood tax rebate, where each baby born allows them to claim a specified amount to offset the income tax they have to pay.
Public housing is another area in which distinctions are made between citizens and non-citizens, Mr Lee pointed out.
For example, Singaporean couples who are first-time buyers can buy a new HDB flat at below market value, or buy a resale flat with a Central Provident Fund (CPF) housing grant of $30,000.
This grant goes up to $40,000 if they buy a resale flat near their parents.
Other citizens-only incentives include CPF and Medisave top-ups, Edusave scholarships for students, New Singapore Shares and financial aid for low-wage workers, like the Workfare Income Supplement.
On foreign workers, MM Lee explained why the influx was being moderated now and not earlier.
The reason: They were needed for the building of the two integrated resorts, which will create more jobs for Singaporeans, draw tourists and boost the economy.
Without foreign workers in sectors like construction, 'the two IRs would not have been built. All the schools, all the buildings would not be here', Mr Lee said.
'When you grumble about the workers, remember they do the heavy work for us. Without them, we would not be here.'
He also acknowledged the side effects, saying trains and buses are more crowded. But if the Government were to reduce the flow too much, the economy would slow and this would lead to property prices and incomes going down.
He called on Singaporeans to bear with the inconveniences or competition for space on buses, MRT trains, even in schools, as growth is the right path to take.
But, he added: 'We always give preference to our own citizens.'
Tanjong Pagar residents interviewed agreed that foreign workers are vital to the economy, but felt it should not be at the expense of finding employment for Singaporeans.
'I'm fine with foreigners as long as I have a job,' said Mr Muthu Kumar, 32, a workplace safety and health officer.
[email protected]
