Wong Kan Seng act blur on high paying Foreign Talents

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Complains are directed at Foreign Talents, but ministers are changing the focus to Foreign Workers.

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20100304/wong-kan-seng.SPH.jpg
-- ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE

SINGAPOREANS are urged to be realistic and more tolerant of foreign workers in their midst and understand their different habits and practices as they come from varied backgrounds and cultures. On its part, the Government has taken steps to educate foreign workers on local social norms to help integrate them better while they are here, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng in Parliament on Thursday, when responding to the Singaporeans' concerns over the dramatic rise in inflow of immigrants here and its impact on the society.

Social differences aside, Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, called on Singaporeans to recognise the value and contributions of these foreign workers, many of them working in jobs that locals do not want to do. Speaking during the debate on the Prime Minister's Office budget, Mr Wong said: 'Singaporeans need to be realistic and fair-minded. While we want foreign workers to do the less pleasant jobs and contribute to our economy, we cannot also expect them to stay away, during their off days, from public places and shopping malls where we frequent, or not to take public transport to work.

'Transient foreign workers are here to work and will eventually go home. Most of them do not sink root. We should appreciate their contributions to Singapore as they have helped us to grow our economy. In turn, with economic growth, we have the resources to develop infrastructure and support programmes which have raised the quality of life for all Singaporeans. 'Economic growth has also enabled us to accumulate reserves in good times, which we have been able to rely on to sustain and support Singaporeans during lean and tough times.'

Having foreigners and newcomers here means having to deal with differences in outlook and social habits, said Mr Wong, adding: 'While we work to make them a part of us, we should also appreciate the little differences that make our social landscape more varied and vibrant.'
He also said that integration of foreigners and new immigrants is an ongoing journey and takes a long time.

'It cannot be rushed. It needs the direct and active involvement of both Singaporeans and new immigrants,' said Mr Wong, reminding Singaporeans that they too shared similar social habits and reflexes 40 to 50 years ago. 'In the coffee shops, you would see spittoon under the tables,' he noted.
However, going forward, Mr Wong said the Government will take steps to moderate the inflow of foreign workers, a change which will require heavy capital investment in automation, training to re-tool the local workforce and raising productivity. There were 1.25 million transient workers as at June last year, out of a total population of about five million in Singapore. They leave when their work permits or employment passes expire.

 

[Jabba]

zhang san feng

 

[IR123]

we recognize the value and contributions of the PAP Government in bringing in such talents

hope there will be an ang mo Minister soon

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

The PAPies are trying to hoodwink us and the 154th is helping them as is expected.

There are a few hundred thousand of FTs in well paid jobs that Singaporeans can easily take on.

Vote the PAPies out in the next GE or expect at least another half a million NEW FTs (not FWs) in the five-year period of te PAPies' rule should they win the next GE.

This is why we, as Singaporeans have to ensure that we vote them out. The PAPies don't see Singaporea as a home but as an ATM machine.

DO you want another 500,000+ new FTs in the next few years? If not then vote out the PAPies.

 

[phouse3]

Let's not also forget the not-so-talented-foreign-talent (NSTFT).

Foreign worker levies up, PAP salary up, why minimum salary of $2,500 for NSTFT not up?

I propose upping it to $3,500. Surely NSTFT deserve more, especially when cost of living like rentals have gone up.

Moreover, with foreign worker levies up, employers may avoid paying them by employing NSTFT to do dirty jobs since $2,500 is so affordable. Hey, let's not degrade the NSTFT. On second thoughts, perhaps we should raise the minimum salary under Work Pass to $4,500.

 

[Watchman]

In Singapore anything below $4000 is marginalised .

 

[scroobal]

It has always being the case. They will never address the issues but sidetrack and talk about something else. We have had transient workers since the the 70s starting with Malaysians in factories, maids, construction workers and those handling our refuse. We also had Malaysians manning security at he airport etc. They have never been the issue.

Opposition parties must help differentiate foreign transient workers and foreign talent taking up jobs from Singaporeans at all levels - retail assistatns, technicians to professional level.

Complains are directed at Foreign Talents, but ministers are changing the focus to Foreign Workers.

 

[phouse3]

It's about time MOM publish the figures for foreigners earning $2,500~$2,999 and $3,000~$3,499.

Have the numbers soared also?

Please include PRs in the figures since they are also foreigners (with permanent residency).