There is an ongoing dispute on the rising numbers of foreign workers (especially PRCs and Bangladeshis) which frequently headlines our newspapers. An article from Asia News Network shows a screenshot of a job advertisement (shown below). What sparked criticism was that the ad specifically stated that they prefer non-Singaporeans. This only served to create further dissent among Singaporeans regarding foreign workers, who are already unhappy at the large number of foreign workers allowed to work here.
The interesting fact is that according to the article, traditional media in Singapore has toned down the coverage of such issues whereas it is through the internet which citizens can air their ‘grievances’. It has long been argued that our media is ‘controlled’. Most of Singapore’s media acts as an agenda setting function. Take the Swine Flu issue for example. Towards the end of the saga when the situation was beginning to be under control, our media was still incessantly focusing on the issue, creating unnecessary ‘chaos’ amongst Singaporeans. It is an example of ‘priming’ whereby our media alters the standard by which we evaluate an issue.
Even so, our newspapers have already started the ball rolling on the topic of foreign workers, typically focusing on the ‘bad’ points to them. Most of the ‘good sides’ of these workers have been overshadowed and only supported by the occasional ‘reader’s submission’. This not only affects the impression Singaporeans already have of them, but only further deteriorates our cultural tolerance to these foreign workers. We don’t have to deny it, PRC and Bangladeshi jokes are common among us. Some of us (not all) see them as ‘pests’ and annoyances to our society, creating ‘low-class’ images. These prejudices are only worsened by the media focus on them “stealing the local’s jobs”.
For the sake of our country’s multiracial harmony (which seems to be soon threatened), perhaps our media should re-look into this issue and focus on more unbiased sides to the discussion, showing equal focus on both sides to it.
November 1, 2009 at 10:47 am |
Does the media really focus on the negativities of foreign workers working in Singapore or is the issue very true and real?
November 1, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
I disagree. As a real estate agent, I handle clients who wish to let out their houses. And what’s the most common request? “No Indians or Chinese nationals please.”
When I first started out, I thought, Damn, that’s just pure racism. What’s wrong with these foreigners? They are here just to earn a living, must we make things so difficult for them?
Then I started bringing clients around for viewing at different tenanted units, and true enough, majority of units let out to these Nationals have been thoroughly destroyed by these tenants. Not only do they not clean the house, they do not feel they owe a duty of care to the household appliances. Perhaps this is the way of life back home, but they do need to adapt to the Singapore standard. You would not believe the state of these houses till you have seen them.
This prejudice is not something we can change overnight. The foreigners need to change and prove to us that we can trust them. Perhaps in 10 or 20 years’ time, it will not be an issue anymore.
November 5, 2009 at 3:08 pm |
i agree with you that the media plays a significant part in shaping our perceptions in several issues which concerns the nation. our government encourages the influx of foreign talent. not only for the fact that it is vital in maintaining an optimun population size, it is also important as human talent is considered the major resource in our country. However, it does not mean that foreign talents are welcomed by the people, because there is a common perception that they only cause unemployment for the local people.
yet to think of it in another way, they increase competiveness and efficiency in the country and complements the pool of local talents. local people dont usually think of it this way because they are more concerned of their livelihood than the progression of the country, thus the difference in opinions between the government and a significant amount of people who resist the idea of welcoming foreign talents into the country.
i believe the media also have articles which focus on the pros of the influx of foreign talents into the country since it is a government initiative and since our media is influenced by the government itself.
for a teen who hasnt really experience what it is like in the working world, i cannot empathize with those who think they are unemployed because of foreigners who “steal jobs”. i dont resist the idea of foreign talents. i feel more about foreign workers. it is hard not to be prejudiced or form impressions of them. perhaps it is also due to cultural differences that we resist them or see them as the “other”. however, we still have to acknowledge no matter what that they are important to society also, because they contribute greatly to building skyscappers in our garden city and do jobs even locals would not be willing to do.
November 8, 2009 at 4:50 pm |
I do agree. Especially when there aren’t enough jobs around, and we still have to compete with so called expatriates or foreigners who cant find a job in their damn country.
Sometime last year, there was a huge uproar over creating a Bangladeshi establishment for Bangla workers in Serangoon. Residents were concerned for their safety, for that of their family.
Some people might say its racism, but I say, no smoke, no fire, and of course that it takes both hands to clap.
However, I also have to acknowledge that these foreign workers do handle alot of jobs unwanted by locals. Without them, there wouldn’t be today. But all in all, I still feel that these people have to prove themselves to us. Respect’s earned, not given.
November 8, 2009 at 4:58 pm |
It is my personal opinion that the media chooses to play up whatever is the story of the day.
In any case, I believe that foreign workers are to be treated with dignity and respect befitting any other human being. However, they should not expect to be given preferential treatment nor should they be given benefits that citizens enjoy.
The media has played up the bad side of low-skilled foreigners, especially non-English speaking ones. This is because many people dislike them and such stories sell newspapers. On the other hand, the media is also influenced by the Govt to a certain extent and has to play up the contributions of highly-skilled foreigners.
Personally, I have nothing against foreigners who contribute much to society. However, I have something against those who refuse to integrate.
November 9, 2009 at 6:00 am |
I am a Malaysian who has studied in Singapore since primary school (age 7), and I am currently employed as a designer in Singapore, with a pending PR status. I rent a room for residence, and spend most of my time in Singapore.
I cannot speak for foreigners working in Singapore, but I do interact with a large number of them, with many of my closest friends being foreigners, PR’s or integrated foreigners.
As such, I admit straight off the bat that I am one of these bastard foreigners who do not, and are not planning to integrate. I see myself as a profiteer mercenary, and I do not give any credence to patriotism or nationalism.
The only reason I am applying for a PR is so I can get a cheaper school fee if I get into a local uni.
I will say though, that the number of foreigners like me, or at least the ones who own up about our real intentions, are pretty rare. Singapore is a stable, peaceful, and economically-sound nation (at least for now). As such, most foreigners who do settle here are usually attracted to do so indefinitely.
Without sounding arrogant, I do see myself as a skilled foreign talent occupying a job that a lot of locals would not mind doing. I think that it is still ultimately up to the company to hire whoever they want. More than 50% of the professionals in my company is made up of foreigners.
I tend to dismiss locals who whine about the fact that foreigners are stealing jobs. I think there are a few “bad egg” employees who prefer foreigners based on the premise of salary alone, but from my experience, the Singaporean employment scene is still very much based on merit.
After all, many of our (or should I say your) forefathers were foreigners themselves.