Comments on: Let’s welcome foreign talent, but… http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/ Alternative proposals for a better Singapore Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:59:13 +0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Anonymous Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:26:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-27 I hope im not too late for comment, the problem is that Singapore goverment is long run by ethnic Chinese since it got its independence from Malaysia. No doubt that Lee Kuan Yew lead Singapore to prosperous. The local Singaporean Chinese community is dropping every year due to emigration and family prefer not to have any child. And since the goverment is Chinese run since the start until now then they probably believe that is is their contribution which bring Singapore to its today. So do you actually think they will let go their country to other race? They know in the future their own local Singaporean Chinese population will drop to its lowest point where they will become a minority, so thats why they keep increase the immigrant from PRC. Its all about blood. They're same blood. If you say PRC citizen create problems in Singapore, but think twice if you accept more islam people, it will create a even more wider issue. PRC assimilation is more easier compare to other races as they're the same skin, that make marriage easier and in the long run, these problems will probably be solved. I hope im not too late for comment, the problem is that Singapore goverment is long run by ethnic Chinese since it got its independence from Malaysia. No doubt that Lee Kuan Yew lead Singapore to prosperous. The local Singaporean Chinese community is dropping every year due to emigration and family prefer not to have any child. And since the goverment is Chinese run since the start until now then they probably believe that is is their contribution which bring Singapore to its today. So do you actually think they will let go their country to other race? They know in the future their own local Singaporean Chinese population will drop to its lowest point where they will become a minority, so thats why they keep increase the immigrant from PRC. Its all about blood. They’re same blood. If you say PRC citizen create problems in Singapore, but think twice if you accept more islam people, it will create a even more wider issue. PRC assimilation is more easier compare to other races as they’re the same skin, that make marriage easier and in the long run, these problems will probably be solved.

]]> By: Anonymous http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Anonymous Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:07:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-26 Some of these foreingers are just here for the short term. I know a lot are just waiting for their H1b Visas (USA). With the property market skrocketing and the salaries not increasing very much, a lot of these FTs will be moving to other countries. <br/>Also, some of these FTs can't compete with other people in their countries that's why they leave and move here. Maybe Singaporeans will just have to do the same....migrate to another country(?) Some of these foreingers are just here for the short term. I know a lot are just waiting for their H1b Visas (USA). With the property market skrocketing and the salaries not increasing very much, a lot of these FTs will be moving to other countries.
Also, some of these FTs can’t compete with other people in their countries that’s why they leave and move here. Maybe Singaporeans will just have to do the same….migrate to another country(?)

]]> By: mapledude http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-25 mapledude Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:21:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-25 I think that foreign talent may cause competition among Singaporeans for job opportunities, compete with Singapore sportsman/sportswomen for glory and fame in national competitions. However, they made contributions to Singapore. Singapore should extend our hands in welcoming foreign talents and recognize them for their contributions to our economy and our society. I think that foreign talent may cause competition among Singaporeans for job opportunities, compete with Singapore sportsman/sportswomen for glory and fame in national competitions. However, they made contributions to Singapore. Singapore should extend our hands in welcoming foreign talents and recognize them for their contributions to our economy and our society.

]]> By: peace. http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-24 peace. Sun, 18 Mar 2007 14:32:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-24 i still feel that foreigners are not made totally welcome and not well intergated into our society. we should do more to make them feel at home. i still feel that foreigners are not made totally welcome and not well intergated into our society. we should do more to make them feel at home.

]]> By: Anonymous http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Anonymous Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:10:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-23 hello Uncle Gerald. I think your blog posts are very well thought of. I specifically like this piece on immigration. hello Uncle Gerald. I think your blog posts are very well thought of. I specifically like this piece on immigration.

]]> By: Gerald http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Gerald Sun, 27 Aug 2006 11:51:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-22 anonymous - You brought up a good point about contributing to the brain drain in developing countries. <br/><br/>While this is a moral concern, practically Singapore is too small to significantly brain drain our neighbours. We're looking at 80 million population in Vietnam, 70m in Philippines and 250m in Indonesia. And in any case, these "talents" leave because they can't maximise their potential in their homelands. By working for a few years in S'pore, they could pick up our skills and work culture, and eventually go home and contribute to their own country. Even if they don't, at least we have improved the living standard of one family.<br/><br/>Perhaps you'd like to explain more why you think it is to our advantage as Singaporeans for the Govt to be opaque on its immigration policies?<br/><br/>I fully agree with you that we should properly integrate new immigrants. anonymous – You brought up a good point about contributing to the brain drain in developing countries.

While this is a moral concern, practically Singapore is too small to significantly brain drain our neighbours. We’re looking at 80 million population in Vietnam, 70m in Philippines and 250m in Indonesia. And in any case, these “talents” leave because they can’t maximise their potential in their homelands. By working for a few years in S’pore, they could pick up our skills and work culture, and eventually go home and contribute to their own country. Even if they don’t, at least we have improved the living standard of one family.

Perhaps you’d like to explain more why you think it is to our advantage as Singaporeans for the Govt to be opaque on its immigration policies?

I fully agree with you that we should properly integrate new immigrants.

]]> By: Anonymous http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Anonymous Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:20:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-21 I think Singapore should only get citizens of ASEAN countries that are economically developed. They should not contribute to the brain drain happening in their less developed ASEAN neighbors.<br/><br/>Race is such a sensitive issue ... If the S'pore gov't wants to be opaque in its immigration policies then so be it ... being transparent in its immigration policies would still give rise to social tensions, the more immigrants you let in, without them properly integrating into S'pore society, the more social tensions will be created in the future. I think Singapore should only get citizens of ASEAN countries that are economically developed. They should not contribute to the brain drain happening in their less developed ASEAN neighbors.

Race is such a sensitive issue … If the S’pore gov’t wants to be opaque in its immigration policies then so be it … being transparent in its immigration policies would still give rise to social tensions, the more immigrants you let in, without them properly integrating into S’pore society, the more social tensions will be created in the future.

]]> By: Gerald http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Gerald Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:43:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-20 I also know many Filipino professionals who needed many tries to get their PR, but the ethnic Chinese Filipinos always get it in a snap. So even within a particular nationality, there is also a differentiation.<br/><br/>I think our govt has a Uniquely Singapore definition of "transparent" and "open and inclusive". Just like how GIC is has enough checks and balances because MM Lee is the chairman and he scrutinizes its accounts. I also know many Filipino professionals who needed many tries to get their PR, but the ethnic Chinese Filipinos always get it in a snap. So even within a particular nationality, there is also a differentiation.

I think our govt has a Uniquely Singapore definition of “transparent” and “open and inclusive”. Just like how GIC is has enough checks and balances because MM Lee is the chairman and he scrutinizes its accounts.

]]> By: teck soon http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-19 teck soon Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:21:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-19 I think the suggestion that the government be transparent in assessing citizenship or PR applications is an excellent one. I suspect that keeping the selection criteria secret allows the government to make race-based decisions without scrutiny, while claiming publicly that all applications are given "thorough consideration". I know a very well educated and highly qualified Korean national who had tried many times to obtain PR. Each time it was unsuccessful. But I know many Chinese nationals with much lower qualifications who obtained PR the first time they applied! How can the government prove to me that they are not discriminating based on race, ethnicity, language, etc. when they do this kind of thing in front of my eyes and then offer no RATIONAL explanation? Indeed, they keep it all a secret. And the Singapore government dares suggest that it is one of the most transparent in the world! I think the suggestion that the government be transparent in assessing citizenship or PR applications is an excellent one. I suspect that keeping the selection criteria secret allows the government to make race-based decisions without scrutiny, while claiming publicly that all applications are given “thorough consideration”. I know a very well educated and highly qualified Korean national who had tried many times to obtain PR. Each time it was unsuccessful. But I know many Chinese nationals with much lower qualifications who obtained PR the first time they applied! How can the government prove to me that they are not discriminating based on race, ethnicity, language, etc. when they do this kind of thing in front of my eyes and then offer no RATIONAL explanation? Indeed, they keep it all a secret. And the Singapore government dares suggest that it is one of the most transparent in the world!

]]> By: Gerald http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/08/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Gerald Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:20:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/let%e2%80%99s-welcome-foreign-talent-but%e2%80%a6/#comment-18 Anonymous - I believe that more social assistance and welfare should be provided to jobless S'poreans who face difficulties making ends meet. But shutting off foreign workers is not going to help their situation much, because the pitiful wages we pay to our foreign workers will barely cover a poor Singaporean family's public transport costs. (Actually my article was about foreign talent [i.e., employment pass and s-pass holders], not foreign workers [i.e., work permit holders].)<br/><br/>lunatic_fringe - Thanks for pointing out about the enclaves. I wasn't aware of it. Anonymous – I believe that more social assistance and welfare should be provided to jobless S’poreans who face difficulties making ends meet. But shutting off foreign workers is not going to help their situation much, because the pitiful wages we pay to our foreign workers will barely cover a poor Singaporean family’s public transport costs. (Actually my article was about foreign talent [i.e., employment pass and s-pass holders], not foreign workers [i.e., work permit holders].)

lunatic_fringe – Thanks for pointing out about the enclaves. I wasn’t aware of it.

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