http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_381762.html
Save skilled jobs for locals
Mr Low Thia Khiang (left) urged the Government to state clearly that it will guard the interests of Singaporean workers first. -- ST FILE PHOTO
OPPOSITION leader Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) wants the Government to reserve for Singaporeans some skilled jobs, such as those of safety managers, crane operators and tractor drivers.
He also urged the Government to state clearly that it will guard the interests of Singaporean workers first.
Mr Low was one of five MPs who spoke on Singapore's reliance on foreign labour during Monday's debate on the President's Address.
He said in Mandarin: 'Singaporeans are asking what is the point of being Singaporean.'
Those who have contributed to nation-building resent the fact that as they grow older, they are seen as less tough and more choosy about jobs than foreigners. The Government also gives the impression that it favours foreign talent, he added.
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied GRC) urged bosses in the service sector to hire more Singaporeans, especially retrenched workers who have been retrained for such jobs.
Labour MP Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) was typically wary of the foreign worker quota, asking that it be reviewed. 'There are so many foreign workers even in the services sector that Singaporeans are beginning to feel squeezed out.'
She warned that if foreign workers crowded out Singaporeans in a sector, Singaporeans may lose the skills to work in that sector.
Nominated MP Gautam Banerjee, however, urged MPs and bosses to resist the 'nationalistic mindset' of saving jobs for Singaporeans or laying off foreigners first, regardless of merit. 'Getting rid of foreign talent may be an immediate way to improve your bottom line. But it will be disastrous in the long run, especially if it is done indiscriminately,' he warned.
Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
Save skilled jobs for locals
Mr Low Thia Khiang (left) urged the Government to state clearly that it will guard the interests of Singaporean workers first. -- ST FILE PHOTO
OPPOSITION leader Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) wants the Government to reserve for Singaporeans some skilled jobs, such as those of safety managers, crane operators and tractor drivers.
He also urged the Government to state clearly that it will guard the interests of Singaporean workers first.
Mr Low was one of five MPs who spoke on Singapore's reliance on foreign labour during Monday's debate on the President's Address.
He said in Mandarin: 'Singaporeans are asking what is the point of being Singaporean.'
Those who have contributed to nation-building resent the fact that as they grow older, they are seen as less tough and more choosy about jobs than foreigners. The Government also gives the impression that it favours foreign talent, he added.
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied GRC) urged bosses in the service sector to hire more Singaporeans, especially retrenched workers who have been retrained for such jobs.
Labour MP Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) was typically wary of the foreign worker quota, asking that it be reviewed. 'There are so many foreign workers even in the services sector that Singaporeans are beginning to feel squeezed out.'
She warned that if foreign workers crowded out Singaporeans in a sector, Singaporeans may lose the skills to work in that sector.
Nominated MP Gautam Banerjee, however, urged MPs and bosses to resist the 'nationalistic mindset' of saving jobs for Singaporeans or laying off foreigners first, regardless of merit. 'Getting rid of foreign talent may be an immediate way to improve your bottom line. But it will be disastrous in the long run, especially if it is done indiscriminately,' he warned.
Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
