I REFER to the news report in which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that foreigners are not here to steal our jobs.
Foreigners do, indeed, contribute much to our country. They are willing to work longer hours, they don?t mind travelling long distance to work and they accept the low salary.
It is understandable that Singaporeans feel threatened by their presence. They feel that employers prefer foreigners as they are cheaper to hire.
Many foreign workers are paid salaries of $1,000. When converted to the currency of their home countries, the amount is rather attractive due to the lower cost of living in their countries of origin.
But for a Singaporean worker with a family, even a salary of $1,200 may mean tightening of the belt for everyone.
However, instead of complaining about foreign workers, why not look at the issue in a positive way?
I would like to encourage local employees to view foreign workers as a challenge to improve themselves. Do not be discouraged by the foreigners. Instead, think of what we can do to stay valuable to our employers.
The best option, in my opinion, is to upgrade our skills to enhance our capabilities.
I am pleased that the Government and the various career centres are doing their very best to encourage Singaporeans to upgrade through various programmes including the Employability Skills System.
It not only helps workers improve their skills, but also prepares them for the job market and meet the expectation of employers.
I believe most employers do look out for local workers. If you are capable and equipped with the right skills, you will be an asset to the company.
The Government has also been encouraging employers to be more open to local workers, especially mature workers and ex-offenders.
Singapore is indeed a country of opportunity, and I believe we should play our part in enhancing our skills, instead of blaming others for competing with us.
