16

the population issue

today wednesday 7 November 2012

17

the population issue

today wednesday 7 November 2012

Foreign diversity: Can we do with less or more?

TODAY sat down with three Singaporean PMETs to get their thoughts on the need for foreign workers in the economy, whether there are other ways to address our population woes and the impact of a more diverse population.
Lets start with how the inflow of foreigners is felt in your everyday life. Hairul: I work at a voluntary welfare organisation where I put together teams of medical volunteers doctors, nurses, etc to do medical missions. More and more, I see among the volunteers foreign medical staff who are as qualified as locals. Its come to a point where we dont find their presence unique. Its a reflection of the times today, when you go the hospital, you see a lot of nurses who are foreigners. They are an integral part of the healthcare industry. I take public transport to work. My typical route is the LRT from Bukit Panjang to Chua Chu Kang, and then to Jurong East. I think I have one of the worst (most packed) commutes because I change trains at Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang. But I dont know if its necessarily because of more foreigners (as some people think) people are carrying bigger bags, and with comfortable living, Singaporeans are getting bigger too! It all adds up. Marc: You notice at quite specific train stations, the train cabin suddenly fills with construction workers. Im not saying its a bad thing, just that its noticeable that there are some areas where a lot of foreigners seem to be living. Lets talk about the calls for foreignworkforce quotas to be tightened. At what industry or level Employment Pass, Special Pass or Work Permit holders? Marc: I wouldnt say it needs to be tightened. My company does a lot of job interviews with foreigners. In F&B, the S-Pass level is where there can be more flexibility. It depends on which segment of the economy the Government wants to grow, which is necessary for the continued growth of Singapore. Its important that they look at that. And F&B is a huge part of our economy. I think it was at the end of 2008 or 2009 when we were bottoming out, there were still about 20,000 jobs available in retail and F&B not taken up. Despite unemployment, people were not taking these up. For companies like ours, foreigners are crucial to our business because they have a certain skill set they pick up in their own countries, like baking, cooking, kitchen skills which Singaporeans dont want to do. We also run food courts, so what about the cleaning? Singaporeans dont want to do the cleaning, and who are relegated to do the cleaning industry as a result but the older workers. Its bit of a shame. We need foreign workers to grow this part of our business. Walter: I have friends who feel, Why are you giving a foreigner this job? But Singapore is a meritocratic country, so you shouldnt really be bothered. There are grouses but you also have to ask Singaporeans, would they take up this job if the Government didnt bring in people to do it? Hairul: We are seeing more foreign doctors who are here on attachment, internships and it says a lot about the standard of our medical industry. With a lot more foreigners coming in generally, I would take it as a compliment we are in a prosperous time in Singapores history and its image is good, so its a good place to come and work. Walter: I wouldnt say this (trend) is good or bad. Australia has been dealing with immigration issues for quite a while and if you look at how immigrants are selected there, its based on skill set before they grant a visa. Marc: Yes, they use a point system there. Walter: Have our policymakers looked at how it can be adapted here? Because in Singapore, I feel that certain industries you do need to bring

Think about it another way. People complain about the bus driver not being able to speak English. But why do we bring in bus drivers in the first place? Because no one wants to do it. But why does no one want to do it? Because parents dont think its a good job.
Mr Walter Loone

Mr Walter Loone, 31
Marketing manager with a multinational company

Mr Marc Das, 31
Commercial manager in the F&B business

Mr Hairul Sukaime, 32
Programmes manager with a healthcare volunteer welfare organisation
Photo Ernest Chua

in talent. Marc: What about specialised industries like the biomedical industry? We needed to expand it and we had to bring in talent. That is one of the economic imperatives for immigration. To keep Singapore economically resilient weve have had to rely on a lot of foreign workers. Construction, for example Marc: Foreign domestic workers as well. Because if not wed have lost a large population of the female workforce. Wed have been in trouble. Do you think these transient workers the work pass holders contribute to the more visible social issues? Walter: I think its fair to say Singaporeans can be a bit demanding. You talk about a person from China, who was brought up in a certain way, and has to take on some mannerisms just because they are in Singapore. Granted, you want them to be act more civilised, we want to have a better society. But sometimes, you have to respect other peoples cultures as well. As a Singaporean, I wouldnt demand that a foreigner has to behave a certain way and speak my lingo. Marc: I disagree with that a little. If I

go to a restaurant, I dont want to be asked in Chinese what I want. Walter: Oh, definitely not. Marc: Im fully able to order kopi and teh in Chinese, but that doesnt mean I can speak Chinese. It doesnt matter if you are a bus driver from China, India, Lebanon, the basic thing is that if you know the countrys main language is English, you got to learn the basics. How else do you integrate into a society or community? Walter: Think about it another way. People complain about the bus driver not being able to speak English. But why do we bring in bus drivers in the first place? Because no one wants to do it. But why does no one want to do it? Because parents dont think its a good job. Marc: Its the same thing when you look at the F&B industry. Every time I ask a manager with 10 or 15 years experience what they paid their staff five or 10 years ago? S$5, S$5.50 or maximum S$6 an hour. What are we paying now? The exact same thing! How are people going to earn more? One of the ministers asked me why this is, and its actually because weve looked at the service line as: If you didnt do well in secondary school you can go do F&B, part-time at McDonalds. But in Europe, being a bartender is

non-resident population
m loy p m
e

a ss nt P

Internation s tu d e n t s a l

a professional job, and if you want to be a waiter in a top-class restaurant, theres a course to take. You are compensated well. Its seen as a profession or a career. Here its a sideshow to something else. Hairul: Right, like before you get a real or proper job.

Resident population Permanent residents New citizens

E
ers

De pe n W dan or t k

48%
Over

38%
1 in 2
Over

of PRs in the last five years granted to working individuals (rest were dependents)

of new citizenships in the last five years were granted to working individuals

Rs/ s/P en rs itiz de f c h ol s o a ss P

ss h

S Pa

12% 9%

6% 15%

DIVERSITY AND MIXED MARRIAGES

One trend is that 40 per cent of marriages in 2011 involved a non-citizen spouse. How do you feel about that? Walter: The number is surprising, but that said if you think that we are bringing in so many foreigners, its not that surprising. Especially when you talk about being non-discriminatory against them. Marc: I used to live in landed property in Bukit Timah and lots of my neighbours were foreigners. Five years ago, I moved into a flat in Holland Road. In the beginning, you saw a lot of expats with their kids in Holland Village. But in the last two years, you see a lot of expats who have married locals with their mixed babies, in the playground with local babies and kids. I think that is wonderful. They have
Continued on page 18

3 in 5
were under the age of 30

old

were under the age of 30

it h o ld

13% 46%

While a calibrated pace of immigration can help to delay the decline and ageing of our citizen population, supporting Singaporeans in getting married and having children is our key priority, and it will continue to be so.
Mr Teo Chee Hean
Deputy prime minister

Foreign Dom workers estic

Wo

e rm rk P

e r s

*as of june 2012. Source: department of statistics

Today file photo