The FT Perspective

[jw5]

Most of us have expressed views about FTs but has anyone thought about their perspective. This is not to defend them and their actions and behaviour, but I thought it would be interesting to look at things from their perspective.

Firstly, I think we should understand that they are just trying to make better lives for themselves. Whether they are here to work, to live, to bring up their families, to strike it rich, to snare a carrothead husband, to scam, etc etc, they are here for their own benefit, just like any of us would do things for our own benefits. As someone who has worked and lived in other countries, I can see their point of view. It's then up to the authorities to deal with the scammers, and for us singaporeans to make the government accountable for their polices.

Secondly, have you noticed how different FTs have different attitudes? Some china nationals running food stalls for example are very eager to trump up business. Some are indifferent to say the least. Perhaps the former are on a lucrative commission scheme. What I have noticed is that some bangladesh workers for instance are very polite and courteous while some look very aggressive and defiant. Some china nationals will listen and follow if you tell them off for anti social behaviour, while others will turn aggressive. Again, it's up to the different individual's personality, and up to the authorities to deal with the bad hats (including those who spit and litter indisciminately) and for us to make the government accountable. The problem with these government ministars making policy is that they and their families don't get to interact daily with some of these foreign nationals and their bad habits. If they had to, I don't think there would be so many of them here.

 

[scroobal]

Foreign workers have been part of our landscape for decades. We welcomed the Filipino maid, the Indian/Thai construction workers and the Blangladeshi cleaners and were grateful to them for helping us and the country. It made life easier for a Singaporean family where the rising cost of living required both spouses to work to buy a home. That home was built by Indian/Thai workers. Inside that built home was the Filipino/Indonesian maid that cooked,cleaned and walked your kids to school. Outside that home, keeping it clean and taking away the garbage was the Blangladeshi workers.

We know very well what they do for us. Foreigners working in Singapore was never an issue.

It became an issue only recently, when a citizen securing a job became a concern. How would you like it when you see your Dad/Mum losing his/her job at the age of 39 as a draughtsman, retail supervisor, an accountant, IT architect etc.

The PAP is now painting the picture that we are the problem in not appreciating the value of Foreigners. You seem to have the same impression that we are generally thick and xenophobic and cannot appreciate what they do for us.

Most of us have expressed views about FTs but has anyone thought about their perspective. This is not to defend them and their actions and behaviour, but I thought it would be interesting to look at things from their perspective.

 

[jw5]

Foreign workers have been part of our landscape for decades. We welcomed the Filipino maid, the Indian/Thai construction workers and the Blangladeshi cleaners and were grateful to them for helping us and the country. It made life easier for a Singaporean family where the rising cost of living required both spouses to work to buy a home. That home was built by Indian/Thai workers. Inside that built home was the Filipino/Indonesian maid that cooked,cleaned and walked your kids to school. Outside that home, keeping it clean and taking away the garbage was the Blangladeshi workers.

We know very well what they do for us. Foreigners working in Singapore was never an issue.

It became an issue only recently, when a citizen securing a job became a concern. How would you like it when you see your Dad/Mum losing his/her job at the age of 39 as a draughtsman, retail supervisor, an accountant, IT architect etc.

The PAP is now painting the picture that we are the problem in not appreciating the value of Foreigners. You seem to have the same impression that we are generally thick and xenophobic and cannot appreciate what they do for us.

My main point is that we should make the government accountable for their policies that are detrimental to us. And also that the ministars don't get to see the negative impact of some of these foreigners because they and their families don't have the "opportunity" to interact with them.
I don't have the impression that singaporeans cannot appreciate what the foreigners do, but I do have the impression that singaporeans appreciate too much what the ministars do.

 

[lifeafter41]

Most of us have expressed views about FTs but has anyone thought about their perspective. This is not to defend them and their actions and behaviour, but I thought it would be interesting to look at things from their perspective.

Firstly, I think we should understand that they are just trying to make better lives for themselves. Whether they are here to work, to live, to bring up their families, to strike it rich, to snare a carrothead husband, to scam, etc etc, they are here for their own benefit, just like any of us would do things for our own benefits. As someone who has worked and lived in other countries, I can see their point of view. It's then up to the authorities to deal with the scammers, and for us singaporeans to make the government accountable for their polices.

Secondly, have you noticed how different FTs have different attitudes? Some china nationals running food stalls for example are very eager to trump up business. Some are indifferent to say the least. Perhaps the former are on a lucrative commission scheme. What I have noticed is that some bangladesh workers for instance are very polite and courteous while some look very aggressive and defiant. Some china nationals will listen and follow if you tell them off for anti social behaviour, while others will turn aggressive. Again, it's up to the different individual's personality, and up to the authorities to deal with the bad hats (including those who spit and litter indisciminately) and for us to make the government accountable. The problem with these government ministars making policy is that they and their families don't get to interact daily with some of these foreign nationals and their bad habits. If they had to, I don't think there would be so many of them here.

The adage of when in Rome, do what the Roman does, is still valid. Whatever countries these FTs are from, they are here solely for economic reasons and economic reason only, another words, they are here to compete with Singaporean for jobs. I don't think they are here to make Singapore a better place, or for that matter, defend Singapore, when push comes to shove, they will just leave, FTs and PRs.

Singaporeean youth is also now at the crossroad, if they are at the enlistment age or are already serving NS, can see what the FTs policy is doing to their parents, where most of them are in their late forties and early forties, once out of a job, will find it very diffcult to get back into the mainstream job market, except for the cleaners or security jobs.

Do they still think that they are still serving NS to protect Singapore, their family, their parents or the FTs/PRs.

 

[scroobal]

Sorry bro, 2 weeks ago I attended a meeting where the keynote speaker from the establishment had the main content of his speech covering the need for Singaporeans to accept foreigners readily. This has been the theme for the last 2 years - Singaporeans are at fault, Singaporeans have to face reality, etc.Then your thread and your header appears along the same theme.

My main point is that we should make the government accountable for their policies that are detrimental to us. And also that the ministars don't get to see the negative impact of some of these foreigners because they and their families don't have the "opportunity" to interact with them.
I don't have the impression that singaporeans cannot appreciate what the foreigners do, but I do have the impression that singaporeans appreciate too much what the ministars do.

 

[myfoot123]

It is always easier said than done. Should we also look at:

Robber's perspective - why they steal and rob
Drug's addict perspective - why they take drugs and hanged to death
Ah Long's perspective - why they splash paints in HDB
PAP's perspective - why every damned price is increased.
Student's perspective - why they misbehaved in public area
Road bullies' perspective - why they cheong road and beat up others.

By embracing their perspective, we appreciated them and acknowledged they are saint.

Has PAP ever take into account Singaporean's perspective too, after all Singaporeans are the pillars that build this country? It is a BIG NO! As such, Singaporeans learned a great lesson from our leader not to be too charitable or accomodating to anyone that hurts our pocket most. Human by nature likes to take advantages of others when they felt too comfortable. Foreigners have in recent years seen to have displayed such attitude towards Singaporeans.

May be we should take a leaf from LKY's words. Embracing foreigners is hifallutin since we are not yet a nation!!

 

[Areopagus]

It is all about the KPIs

If the KPIs for our leaders are how well Singaporeans are treated, whether each Singaporean enjoys a Swiss Standard of Living, whether Singaporeans enjoy some of the benefits of living in a first world country, then things would be different

we have "chosen" to make the KPIs for our leaders the GDP growth rate - the easiest way to achieve this is to import foreign workers, therefore increasing your denominator and obviously raising the GDP overall

Choose well next time

 

[scroobal]

Good point and good analogy bro.

It is always easier said than done. Should we also look at:

Robber's perspective - why they steal and rob
Drug's addict perspective - why they take drugs and hanged to death
Ah Long's perspective - why they splash paints in HDB
PAP's perspective - why every damned price is increased.
Student's perspective - why they misbehaved in public area
Road bullies' perspective - why they cheong road and beat up others.

 

[halsey02]

The point is not the FT's as human beings we all are angry about, they have a right to live, to make a living..to...

If we go and work in another country, we ourselves become a FT...

It is the way the StINkingapore government is handling this, and their treatment of the people, that makes the people react, to the large influx of unwanted foreign workers...it is not the menial, blue collar jobs, that people are making noises about...

It is the middle level & upwards people, whose RICE BOWLS are being forcibly taken away from them..

Worst of all, the people have to work hard, through their blood, sweat & tears to pay for a political administration that runs into billions of dollars, and what do you think, people's expectations are?

Furthermore, those who are paid billions, always trumpet that they are the best on this planet..


The FT wherever they come from, have more rights & benefits, that any of our citizens...the right of help ( from NGO's, government (theirs), the right to protest...the right of a voice...

Whereas, the workers, are blind, mute & disabled...

Who doesn't know the FT perspective!!..

WE AS THE CITIZENS HERE, MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO SURVIVE!..

 

[tonychat]

The point is not the FT's as human beings we all are angry about, they have a right to live, to make a living..to...

If we go and work in another country, we ourselves become a FT...

It is the way the StINkingapore government is handling this, and their treatment of the people, that makes the people react, to the large influx of unwanted foreign workers...it is not the menial, blue collar jobs, that people are making noises about...

It is the middle level & upwards people, whose RICE BOWLS are being forcibly taken away from them..

Worst of all, the people have to work hard, through their blood, sweat & tears to pay for a political administration that runs into billions of dollars, and what do you think, people's expectations are?

Furthermore, those who are paid billions, always trumpet that they are the best on this planet..


The FT wherever they come from, have more rights & benefits, that any of our citizens...the right of help ( from NGO's, government (theirs), the right to protest...the right of a voice...

Whereas, the workers, are blind, mute & disabled...

Who doesn't know the FT perspective!!..

WE AS THE CITIZENS HERE, MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO SURVIVE!..

YOur right has to fight for it, not just post in the forum and talk cock. Rights does not comes to you in a silver platter or being spoonfed to you. Sinkie ballessness does not deserve any rights at all.

 

[Perspective]

"The FT Perspective"

I'm not FT, I'm a true blood Singaporean.

 

[iamtalkinglah]

Most of us have expressed views about FTs but has anyone thought about their perspective. This is not to defend them and their actions and behaviour, but I thought it would be interesting to look at things from their perspective.

Firstly, I think we should understand that they are just trying to make better lives for themselves. Whether they are here to work, to live, to bring up their families, to strike it rich, to snare a carrothead husband, to scam, etc etc, they are here for their own benefit, just like any of us would do things for our own benefits. As someone who has worked and lived in other countries, I can see their point of view. It's then up to the authorities to deal with the scammers, and for us singaporeans to make the government accountable for their polices.

Secondly, have you noticed how different FTs have different attitudes? Some china nationals running food stalls for example are very eager to trump up business. Some are indifferent to say the least. Perhaps the former are on a lucrative commission scheme. What I have noticed is that some bangladesh workers for instance are very polite and courteous while some look very aggressive and defiant. Some china nationals will listen and follow if you tell them off for anti social behaviour, while others will turn aggressive. Again, it's up to the different individual's personality, and up to the authorities to deal with the bad hats (including those who spit and litter indisciminately) and for us to make the government accountable. The problem with these government ministars making policy is that they and their families don't get to interact daily with some of these foreign nationals and their bad habits. If they had to, I don't think there would be so many of them here.

Everyone here and around this forum have replied to you why too much FTs is not good.

To tell you the truth, I don't hate FTs, I hate Gov't policy to let so many FTs in. Over the years I have some good friends who are FTs. No one in Singapore would want to openly say they hate FTs because they are part of our lives and they probably have good friends that are FTs too.
I don't hate these human beings but I can't say for others. Some people think differently & if this issues con't, that some people may start to hate FTs.

 

[iamtalkinglah]

"The FT Perspective"

I'm not FT, I'm a true blood Singaporean.

You damn funny leh!!!

 

[scroobal]

Great post bro. Well said.

The point is not the FT's as human beings we all are angry about, they have a right to live, to make a living..to...

Who doesn't know the FT perspective!!..

WE AS THE CITIZENS HERE, MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO SURVIVE!..

 

[Sperminator]

Great post bro. Well said.

The RIGHT TO SURVIVE.

In SGP, after reading a little about what is happening, and observing around...

I think what is happening in Singapore is really not unqiuely SGP.

Some Scholar must have copied this idea somewhere...

When we look at the situation in USA, they are facing similar problems of FTs from their neighbouring country like Mexico, and Carribean Sector.

Today, when you go to USA, you'll find many Spanish speaking Mexicans/ Carribean/ Central Americans people.

Using USA as a point of analysis, and discussion, what happened in the past for USA is that, they have outsourced most of their manufacturing base, however have kept their R&D in tact.

The USA people do not want to work as Janitors, Hard Labour, etc... so these jobs were then outsourced to their FTs, which are majority of Mexicans, Central Americanos, and Carribeans Sector.

From the USA FTs' point of view, this is good money, and as a Janitor, they do get paid around USD 1,500.00 per month on average! And some entrepunearial FTs' worked at 2 jobs the minimum and sometimes amazingly at 3 jobs (some don't even sleep 8 hours a day, but around 2 to 3 hours a day)

Now adays, it's so easy to see Hispanics in almost all kinds of Fast Food Restaurants...

Today, most of USA's telephone support services were being outsourced to INDIA.

And if I am not mistaken, NOW, USA is having some kind of restrictions for people to travel to USA... in fear of over-population of FTs...

Last heard 14 million jobs were lost in USA in 2009...

What is happening in USA is not unique...

If Singapore Ministry of Labour is not careful about managing the amount of FTs coming to Singapore, temporarily or for good... the result would be, FTs working in the unwanted jobs by Singaporeans (Janitorial Services, Fast Food Counter Jobs, Kopitiam (Old Town White Coffee as well), Refuse Cleaners, Construction Workers, Painters, Ship Repairs, etc...

And at the same time, with the Government's Policy of ANG MO are better than locals, more importation of ANG MO FTs from Europe / USA etc... would be heading the Government Agencies, or in Private Sectors, Higher Management etc...

Leaving the MIDDLE CLASS JOBS available for SINGAPOREANS...

So, it seems like SGP people are cornered man.

What can we do?

Likewise, I do not blame the FTs, some of the FTs are good people, and could become lifelong friends.

What I don't understand is that with so much brains and money in the government, don't they study the repercussions of having FTs in a country? There are so many sample examples, with USA's example crying out loud.

So, giving me a conclusion that with our votes, we must be certain that we vote for a Government that is for the interest of the PEOPLE of SINGAPORE, but not for the sole interest of SINGAPORE alone.

 

[iamtalkinglah]

...
If singapore ministry of labour is not careful about managing the amount of fts coming to singapore, temporarily or for good... The result would be, fts working in the unwanted jobs by singaporeans (janitorial services, fast food counter jobs, kopitiam (old town white coffee as well), refuse cleaners, construction workers, painters, ship repairs, etc...

:d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d

 

[jw5]

The adage of when in Rome, do what the Roman does, is still valid. Whatever countries these FTs are from, they are here solely for economic reasons and economic reason only, another words, they are here to compete with Singaporean for jobs. I don't think they are here to make Singapore a better place, or for that matter, defend Singapore, when push comes to shove, they will just leave, FTs and PRs.

Singaporeean youth is also now at the crossroad, if they are at the enlistment age or are already serving NS, can see what the FTs policy is doing to their parents, where most of them are in their late forties and early forties, once out of a job, will find it very diffcult to get back into the mainstream job market, except for the cleaners or security jobs.

Do they still think that they are still serving NS to protect Singapore, their family, their parents or the FTs/PRs.

Nobody expects them to defend singapore, but they had better take their scams elsewhere.
It is starting to seem that if the peasants are affected, nothing is done.
I really think that we must make the government accountable for the policies that don't affect them.

 

[jw5]

Sorry bro, 2 weeks ago I attended a meeting where the keynote speaker from the establishment had the main content of his speech covering the need for Singaporeans to accept foreigners readily. This has been the theme for the last 2 years - Singaporeans are at fault, Singaporeans have to face reality, etc.Then your thread and your header appears along the same theme.

Hohoho absolutely not.
It appears that this "keynote speaker" wants to go "somewhere", hence his "keynote" speech.

 

[halsey02]

YOur right has to fight for it, not just post in the forum and talk cock. Rights does not comes to you in a silver platter or being spoonfed to you. Sinkie ballessness does not deserve any rights at all.

I have been fighting for my rights, not just mumbling here....it is my country, my home...why shouldn't I stand and fight for my rights!

 

[bryanlim1972]

as many have pointed, foreign workers have been here for a long time. and as someone else pointed out, it is the PAP's self chosen KPI of Economic Growth that has led us down the path of 1M foreign workers.

the failure lies, not in the policy itself, but the exploitation of the policies by unscrupulous business owners who are bent on maximizing profits. phantom Sg workers on the payroll was one easy exploit of the quota system. redeploying worker permit holders from one industry to another was also a common practice. every ah seng and ah kow knew about this, but the gov took no notice.

how many times have we walked into a restaurant/coffee shop and seen the place staffed almost exclusively with foreign workers? how did they get their quotas?

the problem lies with the ministry of manpower for failing to enforce the quota system, for failing to do their due diligence to ensure businesses are not exploiting the system.

wasn't Ng Eng Hen the minister in charge in recent years of MOM?

The FT perspective is simple - i can't make money at home, i go overseas to make a better life for myself. i don't care if i'm competing against a local, i care only for my own pockets. i hope the locals don't bully me, i will try to keep a low profile. but when i realized how gutless the locals are, i decided to do as i please.