I refer to last Sunday's article, 'Singapore's phantom workers', where employers prefer hiring foreigners to locals (who include Singaporeans and permanent residents) because locals are deemed to be picky.

However, I have come across calculating employers who would make every working minute count, that is, ensuring that employees put in the exact number of minutes and more.

Related link: » Why bosses use 'phantom workers'

There are also those who adopt exploitative policies, such as refusing to grant entitlements, even if these are provided by law, or interpreting the Employment Act to their advantage.

Foreign workers are not only cheaper to hire, but they are also easier to manage. Most do not even know their rights. Even if they do, they would keep quiet until they get better job offers, or become PRs.

One they become PRs, they become more aware of their rights, and can become more vocal.

Then they, too, are considered 'not so employable' by the very same employers who brought them in.

Opening the floodgates to cheaper foreign labour will not solve the problem. The solution lies with the business owners.

Will they invest in improving their business processes to become more efficient? If employees are urged to upgrade themselves, so too should businesses.

Lizhen Zehnder (Mrs)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.