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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Tough times, so hire S'poreans first
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I decided to write in after reading the report titled 'Job-seekers in finance sector finding it tough', in The Sunday Times last week.
At the start of the year, it was reported that six in 10 jobs created last year had gone to foreigners - the first time in at least six years they had outstripped Singaporeans.
Your report indicates that job cuts will be inevitable.
Singaporeans are losing jobs to foreigners. This might not be because they are more talented than Singaporeans. It might simply be because they are cheaper to hire. Even skilled workers and professionals are affected.
Lower-income Singaporeans cannot afford to have their wages depressed further or lose their jobs. Many do not earn enough to meet their monthly expenses and are in danger of defaulting on their housing loans. Yet, the cost of living continues to rise.
Foreigners come and go. They come to Singapore to work and many will leave if they get a better offer elsewhere. The choice is purely utilitarian.
I strongly urge the Government to provide more incentives for companies to hire more Singaporeans citizens, rather than permanent residents.
The Manpower Ministry might also need to consider if too many employment passes are being given out to foreign talent, at the expense of jobs for Singaporeans.
Singaporeans are already feeling vulnerable in the face of globalisation, more liberal immigration policies and recession. Policies need to be revised every now and then, so they can better meet the needs of citizens.
Perhaps we can start a 'Home-grown Talent: Second Chances' campaign to encourage all Singaporeans to start believing in themselves.
Edmund Lin
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I decided to write in after reading the report titled 'Job-seekers in finance sector finding it tough', in The Sunday Times last week.
At the start of the year, it was reported that six in 10 jobs created last year had gone to foreigners - the first time in at least six years they had outstripped Singaporeans.
Your report indicates that job cuts will be inevitable.
Singaporeans are losing jobs to foreigners. This might not be because they are more talented than Singaporeans. It might simply be because they are cheaper to hire. Even skilled workers and professionals are affected.
Lower-income Singaporeans cannot afford to have their wages depressed further or lose their jobs. Many do not earn enough to meet their monthly expenses and are in danger of defaulting on their housing loans. Yet, the cost of living continues to rise.
Foreigners come and go. They come to Singapore to work and many will leave if they get a better offer elsewhere. The choice is purely utilitarian.
I strongly urge the Government to provide more incentives for companies to hire more Singaporeans citizens, rather than permanent residents.
The Manpower Ministry might also need to consider if too many employment passes are being given out to foreign talent, at the expense of jobs for Singaporeans.
Singaporeans are already feeling vulnerable in the face of globalisation, more liberal immigration policies and recession. Policies need to be revised every now and then, so they can better meet the needs of citizens.
Perhaps we can start a 'Home-grown Talent: Second Chances' campaign to encourage all Singaporeans to start believing in themselves.
Edmund Lin
