Blog 3: The Debate Over Foreign Talent and Labour

Yang Zi

"Do we see them only as construction workers, cleaners and maids? Or as someone’s son or daughter, dad or mum, a brother or sister? Or as people who face disappointments and have aspirations, and individuals who have an ugly side but who also have good points which we can learn from?"

Reference Article: Foreign talent = disposable labour?

The Debate Over Foreign Talent and Labour

Perceived as a “tiny red dot” on the world map and dwarfed by countries many times larger in size, Singapore faces numerous limitations that are simply unimaginable in the eyes of other nations. In a bid to overcome an obvious lack of manpower, Singapore’s government has elected to outsource labour from overseas to compensate for the local shortfall. In the aforementioned article, the author expresses his disgust and disapproval regarding the manner in which government’s outsourcing policies has resulted in foreigners being viewed and treated as commodities in our society. I am inclined to agree with the author’s stand on this issue. It is inconceivable why foreigners should be denied the rights and privileges that are so casually granted to locals.

Firstly, foreigners make significant contributions towards the economic growth of our country. Besides directly contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through their crucial roles in secondary industries such as construction businesses, the presence of foreign labour and talents also ensures competitiveness and stimulation of the economy. The cost of hiring foreign labourers to complete semi-skilled jobs is significantly lower than that of hiring locals, while foreign talents offer valuable expertise and skills that many locals lack, often leading to a price war. With equivalent, if not significantly more contributions to the country’s economy than locals, it is undeniable that foreigners deserve treatment that is at least comparable to that of locals.

Secondly, foreigners make noteworthy contributions towards the social development of the country. The arrival of foreigners warrants the infusion of an entirely new ethnicity into local culture. For example, in the case of Singapore’s multiracial society, social diversification serves to cement our status as the place where the East meets West, where cultures converge, hereby maintaining the attractive multiracial environment that serves to attract investors from all over the world. Perhaps most importantly, this offers locals the opportunity to benefit from inter-racial friendships and partnerships, both economically and socially. Hence, with the arrival of foreigners offering numerous long-term benefits for our nation, the status of foreigners should undoubtedly be elevated to a level much higher than their current standing in the social hierarchy.

Thirdly, Singapore’s foreign talents have truly placed Singapore on the world map, earning glory for the nation. The success of Singapore’s Foreign Talent Scheme has been manifested in the numerous achievements of foreign talents on the global sporting arena. Most recently, Singapore’s women’s table tennis team, consisting of three Chinese talents, ended Singapore’s agonising 48-year wait for an Olympic medal, adding on to their previous successes in the SEA games and Asian games. Even though Singapore has come to rely on the efforts of foreign talents to achieve sporting success, the fact remains that such talents are still unable to stand on the same pedestal as the locals. Why should this be the case? There is no satisfactory answer.

As increasing numbers of foreigners flock to our shores with high hopes of better prospects, will they arrive, only to experience anguish and bitter disappointment? This remains the likely outcome, unless there is a drastic change in public attitude, and legislative policies. Until then, the treatment of foreigners will simply remain equivalent to that of commodities – to be purchased, exploited, and then swiftly disposed of.