Why does singapore need foreigners

Until we resolve the issues, subscribers need not log in to access ST Digital articles. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. Skip to main content. Terence Ho. Helping foreigners feel welcome here is an important part of the equation that has perhaps received less attention than it should, says the writer. Share gift link below with your friends and family. Link Copied! Copy gift link. Thus foreign workers are integral to the conduct of the economy. With 76 percent of its residents ethnic Chinese, workers from the mainland are desirable.

With a total population of 5. The numbers of foreign workers in Singapore have led to rising irritation on the part of Singaporeans themselves, who complain that foreign workers are taking opportunity away from them.

In the low-paid construction and other manual labor jobs, however, employers complain that they can't find Singaporeans who want to do manual labor, especially at the pay rates they offer. Non-citizens now comprise 36 percent of the population compared with 14 percent in The traditional source of workers is Malaysia. Many are forced to sign employment contracts that contain onerous conditions and even illegal clauses which essentially placed them at the mercy of their employer.

Once they arrive in Singapore, their passports are routinely confiscated. They are often forced to live in what is called appalling conditions. MOM also requires employers to make jobs accessible to Singapore citizens, and recruit fairly based on merit. MOM also proactively identifies employers that are suspected to have discriminatory hiring practices, and places them on the FCF Watchlist. Their Employment Pass applications are closely scrutinised by MOM, and uncooperative employers have had their work pass privileges withdrawn.

In January , MOM strengthened the FCF by raising penalties across the board for all discrimination cases including age, race, nationality and mental health condition. Employers that violate the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices TGFEP will be barred from hiring new foreign workers and renewing existing foreign workers, for a minimum of 12 months up to a maximum of 24 months.

MOM will also prosecute employers and key personnel who make false declarations on fair consideration. Beyond the employers, MOM will also take individual employees to task if they were involved in any unfair hiring practices, including revoking their work passes if they are foreigners.