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- Aug 14, 2009
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I HAVE known this friend from China, a nurse, for many years.
We have always communicated in Mandarin, although my command of the language is oftentimes lacking.
A few days ago, we communicated through e-mail for the first time - in English.
The reply to my message of a few lines stunned me: The long e-mail was written in perfect English - the grammar was faultless, the choice of words apt and the sentence construction, fluent.
The reply, written by someone educated in China, put me to shame.
It was also a wake-up call, making me realise that there are many foreigners who are more competent than us fighting with us for a job.
It was wise of the Government and companies to bring in foreign talents to help build Singapore into a First World city. Many have suggested that in the present severe recession we should keep whatever jobs there are for Singaporeans. Foreigners and even permanent residents, they claimed, are robbing us of jobs.
From the employer's point of view, it is what gives him the best value for the money he pays in salaries that matters, never mind if a worker is a Singaporean or a foreigner.
Also, there are many job vacancies for which there are no Singaporean takers.
It was reported that at a recent job fair, people were interested mainly in jobs offered by the integrated resorts. Interest in the childcare, teaching and nursing sectors was low although there were many vacancies.
Perhaps the perceived glamour of working in the leisure industry was a major pull factor.
There are also many jobs at construction sites, but few Singaporeans take up such work.
Should we send all foreign workers home overnight, the whole construction industry would come to a standstill.
My present company, which has a policy of hiring only SINGAPOREANS also has difficulty in recruiting people. "Dirty", "Work Secrecy", "Socially Shun Upon", shift work and rotating days off are some of the many grouses.
Different countries have different talent pools and it is through 'importing' talent we need that we learn and progress.
It is through tapping such expertise that we can expedite projects. Thanks to the genius of a few of them, we have chalked up many achievements.
Besides, all our forefathers were 'foreigners' when they came here, as are present-day Singaporeans who venture overseas.
Are the latter not 'foreigner workers' competing with citizens of those countries and 'robbing' them of jobs?
Let us not accuse others of depriving us of jobs. Instead, we should focus on how best we can adapt and retrain to meet the challenges ahead.
We have always communicated in Mandarin, although my command of the language is oftentimes lacking.
A few days ago, we communicated through e-mail for the first time - in English.
The reply to my message of a few lines stunned me: The long e-mail was written in perfect English - the grammar was faultless, the choice of words apt and the sentence construction, fluent.
The reply, written by someone educated in China, put me to shame.
It was also a wake-up call, making me realise that there are many foreigners who are more competent than us fighting with us for a job.
It was wise of the Government and companies to bring in foreign talents to help build Singapore into a First World city. Many have suggested that in the present severe recession we should keep whatever jobs there are for Singaporeans. Foreigners and even permanent residents, they claimed, are robbing us of jobs.
From the employer's point of view, it is what gives him the best value for the money he pays in salaries that matters, never mind if a worker is a Singaporean or a foreigner.
Also, there are many job vacancies for which there are no Singaporean takers.
It was reported that at a recent job fair, people were interested mainly in jobs offered by the integrated resorts. Interest in the childcare, teaching and nursing sectors was low although there were many vacancies.
Perhaps the perceived glamour of working in the leisure industry was a major pull factor.
There are also many jobs at construction sites, but few Singaporeans take up such work.
Should we send all foreign workers home overnight, the whole construction industry would come to a standstill.
My present company, which has a policy of hiring only SINGAPOREANS also has difficulty in recruiting people. "Dirty", "Work Secrecy", "Socially Shun Upon", shift work and rotating days off are some of the many grouses.
Different countries have different talent pools and it is through 'importing' talent we need that we learn and progress.
It is through tapping such expertise that we can expedite projects. Thanks to the genius of a few of them, we have chalked up many achievements.
Besides, all our forefathers were 'foreigners' when they came here, as are present-day Singaporeans who venture overseas.
Are the latter not 'foreigner workers' competing with citizens of those countries and 'robbing' them of jobs?
Let us not accuse others of depriving us of jobs. Instead, we should focus on how best we can adapt and retrain to meet the challenges ahead.