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<TABLE class=forumline border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top width=150 align=left>Mick
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 3236
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:07 am Post subject: PM Lee: More foreign workers = Benefit S'porean workers</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>Quote:</TD></TR><TR><TD class=quote>The Straits Times
Aug 29, 2010
PM'S NATIONAL DAY RALLY
Inflow of foreigners to slow
THE Government is taking steps to slow down the inflow of immigrants, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, acknowledging the side effects of having too many foreign workers in Singapore.
While foreign workers have supplemented the local ranks and enable Singapore to build successful companies, a more cosmopolitan city and a more vibrant economy, he said their swelling numbers in the last five years have also led to overcrowding and social fictions.
'There is a sense that that somehow society is changing too quickly,' said PM Lee in his National Day speech, as a result of the inflow of foreign workers, new citizens and permanent residents. 'We will consolidate, slow down the pace. We cannot continue to take in as many as we have been doing.'
With a booming economy, Mr Lee said more foreign workers will still be needed to create more jobs in Singapore. But the numbers will be smaller - about 80,000 more this year and not 100,000 as previously announced.
Mr Lee said this is a trade-off Singaporeans must accept: Higher growth to benefit Singaporean workers but that also means accepting more foreign workers.
He acknowledged that immigrants and foreign workers are a hot topic in Singapore, as such concerns have been voiced in many dialogue sessions with grassroots leaders, letters to the media and feedback to union leaders.
'I understand these sentiments. They are legitimate concerns, which we take seriously,' assured PM Lee, as he went on to explain that Singapore is not the only country grappling with the issue which poses very real political and social challenges.
Singapore can manage these if the benefits are substantial, added PM Lee, stressing that it is important for Singapore to stay open to attract talent.
Said Mr Lee: 'Talent makes a tremendous difference for us, for doing critical work in our economy and helping Singapore be an outstanding city.'
Although Singapore has very good people, there is never enough, so Singapore will need to draw talent from all over the world to supplement the local pool, he added.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 3236
</TD><TD class=row1 height=28 vAlign=top width="100%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:07 am Post subject: PM Lee: More foreign workers = Benefit S'porean workers</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>Quote:</TD></TR><TR><TD class=quote>The Straits Times Aug 29, 2010
PM'S NATIONAL DAY RALLY
Inflow of foreigners to slow
THE Government is taking steps to slow down the inflow of immigrants, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, acknowledging the side effects of having too many foreign workers in Singapore.
While foreign workers have supplemented the local ranks and enable Singapore to build successful companies, a more cosmopolitan city and a more vibrant economy, he said their swelling numbers in the last five years have also led to overcrowding and social fictions.
'There is a sense that that somehow society is changing too quickly,' said PM Lee in his National Day speech, as a result of the inflow of foreign workers, new citizens and permanent residents. 'We will consolidate, slow down the pace. We cannot continue to take in as many as we have been doing.'
With a booming economy, Mr Lee said more foreign workers will still be needed to create more jobs in Singapore. But the numbers will be smaller - about 80,000 more this year and not 100,000 as previously announced.
Mr Lee said this is a trade-off Singaporeans must accept: Higher growth to benefit Singaporean workers but that also means accepting more foreign workers.
He acknowledged that immigrants and foreign workers are a hot topic in Singapore, as such concerns have been voiced in many dialogue sessions with grassroots leaders, letters to the media and feedback to union leaders.
'I understand these sentiments. They are legitimate concerns, which we take seriously,' assured PM Lee, as he went on to explain that Singapore is not the only country grappling with the issue which poses very real political and social challenges.
Singapore can manage these if the benefits are substantial, added PM Lee, stressing that it is important for Singapore to stay open to attract talent.
Said Mr Lee: 'Talent makes a tremendous difference for us, for doing critical work in our economy and helping Singapore be an outstanding city.'
Although Singapore has very good people, there is never enough, so Singapore will need to draw talent from all over the world to supplement the local pool, he added.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
