Jubilee Post News & Views
Special Desk
Apart from covid, Singaporeans are worried for another reason and that is job losses to migrant professionals. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong underlined the need to address Singaporeans’ anxieties over foreign work pass holders as there has been a rising concern among them about job losses to migrant professionals.
Just before the National Day, Lee gave a televised address. Singaporeans understand that the country needs to welcome the talent and expertise that Singapore’s economy needs, Lee said.
The economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 has intensified pressure on middle income Singaporeans. This can be seen in the growing restlessness over foreigners, particularly work pass holders.
“Work pass holders help expand our economy and create more opportunities for us. When we complement 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,” the prime minister said.
However, when the number of work pass holders is large, people naturally become worried about competition for jobs, Lee noted. 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, he said. “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,” the prime minister said.
Lee said he understands these anxieties and problems, and 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,” he said.
The PM also raised issue of yet another work group “I am especially concerned about a specific group of lower wage workers. These are delivery workers who work with online platforms like Foodpanda, Grab and Deliveroo. They lack the job protection that most employees have, like workplace injury compensation, union representation and employer CPF,” Lee said in his facebook.
Besides delivery workers, there are also some low wage workers in other jobs who have an employee-life relationship with platforms. Such lower wage workers will find it harder to afford housing, healthcare & eventually retirement. More people are taking up this type of work, so this problem is growing. “ The Singapore Ministry of Manpower is studying it, and will be doing consultations. We must address the issues and give these workers more secure futures,” he said.
Lee also highlighted the need to manage issues of race and religion carefully. “It took several generations of sustained effort to bring our races and religions together, and grow the common space that we now share. We must not lightly give up this hard-won and delicate balance,” he said.
