PAP to spend $10 million to make foreigners feel at home

[temasekreview]

The National Integration Council announced at a press conference yesterday a series of recommendations to promote greater integration between immigrants and Singaporeans, one of which is an eye-popping $10 million Community Integration Fund to help the two groups mingle and interact with one another. (read article here)

The Council was chaired by Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, which included five other ministers and 75 members from the public and private sectors.

The Community Integration Fund will help to sponsor projects such as cultural gatherings, seminars and social outings for the newcomers and Singaporeans.

The grassroots organizations have already taken the lead by hosting tea-parties at HDB void decks and “amazing races” for foreign residents to make them feel “welcomed”.

Read rest of article here:

http://temasekreview.com/?p=13885

 

[Ramseth]

How much do they spend on admin and legal fees repossessing Singaporeans' homes?

 

[presby]

I have spent almost my entire 25 years working life in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Hong Kong. None of the Gov't in these countries have spent a dime making me feel at home. I was there to take jobs from the locals and in several instances my colleagues have hinted I should go home to Singapore as they felt I was taking a position they covet. I have to work much harder to prove my worth to keep my job and earn respect. I have to work hard to get use to the local culture as I don't expect the Thai or HK people to follow Singapore culture

Shouldn't this be the way of being an expat. If the foreigners can't cut it or can't adapt to the Singapore culture, they should leave. It's not our job to learn their culture as there are the minority and they are the guest. The guest should adapt to the host and not the other way around.

This seems ridiculous. The money is better spent on helping Singaporean now unemployed and in financial difficulties. Wonder if the person who decide on this policy often invites a foreigner to stay in his home and pays for everything plus organize a lot of parties to make his guest feels at home.