Comments on: More reasons for leaving Singapore

By: Bullied

Bullied — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:36:15 +0000

I am a native Singaporean who grew up with my multi racial neigbours. I have many foreign friends and is happy that they like working here and are contributing to our talent pool. I never understood Singaporean’s unhappiness about FT until recently. In recent years there is an influx of a certain nationality of FT in the IT Industry and it has caused a rampant problem for native Singaporean like me. I am sure I am not the only one who is bullied by FT boss? Is my company the only one that has been taken over by the influx of a certain nationality of FT? Do we really need these FT? Is our government not aware that these FT are coming taking on exec management post or people manager posts and bullying the native Singaporean out of their jobs so that they can recruit their friends from back home? Most of them are taking up PR because of CPF contribution, taking up citizenship for visa free travels? They criticise our political system, they say there is no human rights here, we are being watched by webcams, Singaporeans are stupid and lazy. Then when their sons turns 15, they pack up and head home to avoid national service. Why do we need such FT? Will the government do something about this like recommend X no. of different nationalities in the workplace? Set up some law to protect native Singaporean who are fast becoming the minority in certain companies?

By: Zai

Zai — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:21:44 +0000

“Singaporeans do not like our country to be taken over by foreign talent? ”

Hi, this is my first time commenting on your blog. I would like to offer my humble opinion.

I do not think that this is an issue of foreign talents vs government. These are real social issues confronting the Singaporean society, such as our children being brought up by maids, etc. The shocking truth is that Singaporeans are not having enough children, the rate is 1.29, much lower than a lot of othe developed countries even.

Secondly, these sort of construction work, menial work is shunned by local Singaporeans. We haven’t invented robots yet to clean our trash, look after our children, build our MRT stations, etc. These individuals who leave their homeland and come work for us due to economic conditions in their countries are human beings too. They shouldn’t have to live in slum like areas.

If every foreign worker left Singapore – are Singaporeans willing to start taking on these socially unacceptable jobs? Is it not possible to find some win-win situation. I am very aware of the limitations of our elite government, at the same time, it irks me to see the fundamental “superiority” complex that is a remnant of our colonial masters way of thinking.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:42:31 +0000

Well said, I have been away in Canada for 6 yrs and now that I am back in Spore (my parents are still here), I can’t help but feel trapped.

I don’t see how I can live in Spore,and I can’t wait for the day where I will receive my Canadian Citizenship.

By: 40s

40s — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:49:53 +0000

Racist? I think Singapore chinese is on of the most racist about Indians and Malays.

I’m currently planning to immigrate to Australia, but due to my age, unlikely I will meet the minimum required points.

I wish I’ve done this when I was in my early 30s, at least I know I would have enough points to make it and if things didn’t go well I can always come back to Siingy again.

I also heard many Singapore came back after immigrating to Aust or NZ, but at least they’ve tried

Now seem to be too late for me. Try if you can, you may not able to do so once you reach 40s.

By: SGDaily Roundup: Week 20 « The Singapore Daily

SGDaily Roundup: Week 20 « The Singapore Daily — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:29:55 +0000

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By: mrbiao

mrbiao — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:29:21 +0000

familyman mentions about how the bottom 20% will give up and go on the dole… but what dole? Singapore doesn’t provide much handouts in the firstplace… besides the controversial $260 or so that is hardly enough to survive on.

There is no easy way out in Singapore – one has to work hard to make a living and that is what our society has become of because of a system that pushes everyone to be more ‘efficient’ and ‘effective’ than ever, meaning each person has to work in multiple roles, work OT, etc in order to achieve ‘cost-efficiency’ for their employers.

People can say I like to whine about how the grass is greener on the other side when its not… its alright… its just a matter of different values in life each of us have…

I always respect others’ opinions and it is always healthy to open oneself to opposing views… And its been nice so far to hear so many varying views… so keep them coming.

By: mrbiao

mrbiao — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:19:48 +0000

free summarized it nicely – exactly what I think – its a matter of choice/preference – some people prefer the way Singapore is, that’s fine… others like myself prefer a slower pace of life, better lifestyle and culture… look elsewhere, and there’s nothing wrong – its just a matter of looking in the right place for what you want in the short decades of life you have.

And yes, when we move elsewhere we may be subject to racism and people who dislike FT as much as some people do in Singapore – but, don’t forget there are places in this world that are more diverse and welcoming to immigrants and at the same time able to offer (in my opinion) a better life than in Singapore. Places like Vancouver, San Francisco, Toronto are some of the nicer places for Asians. And probably some parts of Australia too.

And free mentioned about how westerners tend to look less at ‘what you drive and how you dress’… which is true and in my opinion again is a better culture than in Asia where face is important… your status and reputation largely depends on how you dress and kiss ass… and the manifestation in the workplace where one can seldom challenge/question his superior because he will get into trouble for making the latter lose face.

By: free

free — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:50:19 +0000

To be frank, guess we see alot of singporean coming back after emigration to another country, but alot of singaporean stil have the singapore “kiasu’kiasi” mentality lor. Face value is important, but the Ang Moh dun care about what you drive, what you wear or how rich you are. They still treat you as a normal person. At work you can actually challenge the manage and more open door. I have been workiing with Australian since I moved, so far all the Ang moh bosses are good.
Everyone looks at their objectives in life differently and I strongly agree that this whole world is a musical chair, some foreigners like singapore because safe to work at nite, educations system is far better, especially some of my Ang Moh friends like singapore because they got Maid, here in Australia no maid, but not the education system, that is why they have Australia international school in Spore

Guess life is short, make full use of it, if those people think spore is good for them, then stay on. but those who want to exchange for lifestyle , then should look into elsewhere, we have many singaporean friends emigrated to UK, Canada , and no regrets.

me and my family – also no regret leaving. If you think that is Ang Moh racist , i think we sporean also racist about Indians and Malays. So if are humble and dun show off, i think you can live better elsewhere.

By: vinyarb

vinyarb — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:18:33 +0000

Actually.. it may be a little extreme in wanting the government to implement every policy the citizens want by saying its a democratic country.

You said “Our economy may not perform as well if we choose not to allow that many foreign talent to come in, however, if we made that choice, we will be responsible for the consequences”.

You may well agree to this point, but if this really happens, i’d be willing to bet that half the country will say “If the govt knew it was a bad choice, they shouldn’t have implemented it and let us suffer the consequence.. isn’t that what a government is for? to govern the country?”

Then how?

By: familyman

familyman — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:55:53 +0000

the comments posted do make a lot of sense. My sister migrated to NZ so that her kids have an easier time with their studies. However, many China, Hongkong and even Korean citizens migrate over here cos our education system is ‘easier’. Personally yes, I wish we would have a Union that pushes for a minimum wage system, instead of one that allows for China dishwashers to work 14 hour day, 2 days off a month and paid $1200. We ask Singaporeans to upgrade, but the lower 20 percent will probably just give up and go on the dole. Tough, and if there is a minimum wage system, these exploitations will cease, and maybe our filipinno maids and Indonesia maids will also have a better deal.

But our govt does not have the backbone to see this thru. See how they waiver over a simple seat belt issue for buses.