From a well-run government to tales well spun! Is this the kind of transformation we are seeing in Singapore? Even as foreigners are stealing varsity seats and jobs from Singaporeans, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday talked of how “there are countries like China, Vietnam and India which are hungry and anxious to steal the lunch from us.” Whether Singaporeans are ready to work 24×7 or not, nothing can prevent businesses to make inroads into those countries as they will always look for avenues to prop up their coffers. If the government is so sure about how those countries are out to scuttle Singapore’s growth why is it so desperate to bring in people from there in troves in the guise of foreign talent? Isn’t the government letting not just lunch but breakfast and dinner as well to be stolen from Singaporeans? The context in which he cautioned Singaporeans to be wary of their lunch being stolen makes me wonder if the government is taking the country downhill in terms of the quality of life. The overpopulation and overcrowding everywhere is already taking its toll on life here! A Loose Threat?: The pronouncement (in fact, it sounded more like a loose threat) came with reference to Singaporeans’ desire for work-life balance. I find it shocking as it was much more than an implication that by seeking a better quality of life the people are risking losing their lunch! Developed countries and multinationals are serious about giving employees a good work-life balance as they seek to enforce the idea that good work should not be at the cost of quality time with the family. It is not as if people clamour for a 9 to 5 job irrespective of what the demands of work are. I see people work even round the clock without a murmur when deadline-driven tasks warrant that. It is just that long hours at the workplace are not expected to be routine. The comment about work-life balance is something PM Lee could have avoided as it presents Singapore in bad light – as a place where it is right to expect workers to sacrifice the personal time they deserve! What Labour Crunch!: Then what is this persistent talk of the country facing a labour crunch? I know of Singaporeans who have been without a job for more than a year after graduating with a well-earned degree from the university.This when near fresh graduates from overseas enter the workforce in Singapore easily and get trained! I do not find the immigration measures meaningful. This CNBC report makes it clear how businesses will continue to find it easy to bring in foreigners – Has landing an expat job in Singapore just gotten harder? - Yahoo Singapore Finance Top of the Word *The author blogs at Top of the Word | Rumble and Ramble
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 07:49:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015