In Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Message, he spoke about the ongoing pandemic and said that they will address Singaporean’s anxieties over foreign work pass holders.
He said that they will make sure that “you and your children will have every chance to improve yourselves and move ahead”
He said:
“Work pass holders help expand our economy and create more opportunities for us. When we compliment our own workforce with skills from around the world, more companies will invest here and this then creates more jobs for Singaporeans”
This is a virtuous cycle.
Singaporeans understand this: that we need to welcome the talent and expertise that our economy needs”
However, when the number of work pass holders is large, our people naturally become worried about competition for jobs. The uncertainties of COVID-19 have worsened these anxieties. Work pass holders reinforce the team, but may also compete directly with their local colleagues.
Sometimes the locals feel unfairly treated, for instance when they miss out on being hired or promoted. Outside work, from time to time there are also social frictions, because some work pass holders and their families have not fully adapted to our social norms, nor fully integrated into our society.
I understand these anxieties and problems. The government is addressing them. We have to adjust our policies to manage the quality, numbers and concentrations of foreigners in Singapore.
If we do this well, we can continue to welcome foreign workers and new immigrants, as we must.
Turning inwards is against our fundamental interests. It would damage Singapore’s standing as a global and regional hub. It would cost us jobs and opportunities. Most importantly, it goes against our values of openness, and of being accepting of others who are different from us. We uphold these values, because they have anchored us, and helped us progress over the years as a nation.