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- Oct 30, 2014
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One year back, “oxygen” and I raised the alarm regarding the ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC) or Asean FTA for short.
The key issue with regards to the Asean FTA is “FREE FLOW OF SKILLED LABOUR”.
Economically speaking, this is good. This means that companies and businesses have a wider labour pool to tap upon.
But……..when things sound very good to be true, take a step back and think whether it is really good or not.
Whether the Asean FTA will work will depend on the following.
1) We need all the member countries to be on par with each other economically. But seriously, are our neighbours on par with each other?
2) Before we can consider foreign labour, we must ensure that our own people are given ample opportunities first.
But seriously, are our laws and regulations working in our favour in the first place?
3) As of now, we are seeing what happens when we open the floodgates to foreign labour. Imagine what happens if the AEC kicks in? Are we going to get more talents? Are we going to get more thrash? Are we going to get more people such as Edz Ello, whose facebook postings have hit a raw nerve on us fellow Singaporeans?
Focusing on the economy, to provide jobs for the people is of course important. But there are other intangible stuff that should not be ignored. Stuff such as social cohesion, integration, culture and traditions define the meaning of being a Singaporean. It is also to ensure that we continue to exist for generations to come.
Yet, we risk diluting our Singaporean identity. It is more so with the Edz Ello saga, who indicated on facebook to kick out Singaporeans and make Singapore a new state of the Philipines.
Perhaps we should raise the AEC issue to our MPs. Perhaps we should flood Pinky’s email. Or should we learn from the Sengkang West DareDevils and do something?
(Reference to the heroes who made “Lam Pah” look like an idiot)
Personally for me, I did a quick search on the internet. Seems that ASEAN FTA will kick in pretty soon.
You can google around and read the various articles on it.
I have a dark feeling that election could be close. That’s is why we should be vigilant and be ready for any surprises.
http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/01/13/the-asean-fta-and-the-edz-ello-link
The key issue with regards to the Asean FTA is “FREE FLOW OF SKILLED LABOUR”.
Economically speaking, this is good. This means that companies and businesses have a wider labour pool to tap upon.
But……..when things sound very good to be true, take a step back and think whether it is really good or not.
Whether the Asean FTA will work will depend on the following.
1) We need all the member countries to be on par with each other economically. But seriously, are our neighbours on par with each other?
2) Before we can consider foreign labour, we must ensure that our own people are given ample opportunities first.
But seriously, are our laws and regulations working in our favour in the first place?
3) As of now, we are seeing what happens when we open the floodgates to foreign labour. Imagine what happens if the AEC kicks in? Are we going to get more talents? Are we going to get more thrash? Are we going to get more people such as Edz Ello, whose facebook postings have hit a raw nerve on us fellow Singaporeans?
Focusing on the economy, to provide jobs for the people is of course important. But there are other intangible stuff that should not be ignored. Stuff such as social cohesion, integration, culture and traditions define the meaning of being a Singaporean. It is also to ensure that we continue to exist for generations to come.
Yet, we risk diluting our Singaporean identity. It is more so with the Edz Ello saga, who indicated on facebook to kick out Singaporeans and make Singapore a new state of the Philipines.
Perhaps we should raise the AEC issue to our MPs. Perhaps we should flood Pinky’s email. Or should we learn from the Sengkang West DareDevils and do something?
(Reference to the heroes who made “Lam Pah” look like an idiot)
Personally for me, I did a quick search on the internet. Seems that ASEAN FTA will kick in pretty soon.
You can google around and read the various articles on it.
I have a dark feeling that election could be close. That’s is why we should be vigilant and be ready for any surprises.
http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/01/13/the-asean-fta-and-the-edz-ello-link
