SHE'S smart, destined to do physics on a Singapore scholarship at Oxford University, yet aims to get a different perspective on life by working at a bar.

She's from China, and likely to return to work in Singapore.

Threat or asset?

Hers is perhaps a future dimension of a lament related last month by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng of a local drink seller, who was worried that her wages would be undercut by foreign workers.

She was referring to a young China beer promoter working at the same coffee shop.

Mr Lim explained that the China lady's hard work and presence would help bring more customers to the coffee shop, thus keeping local lady's job secure. So foreign workers are, in fact, helping to save local jobs, he said.

The issue has created a stir among netizens.

A thread entitled, 'We need anti-foreigner Political Party' was started by user 'ThePLEN' on a local online forum. The fiery post reads: 'We are being swamped and oppressed by foreigners.'

A battle is also taking place among netizens at sgforums.com.

In response to the anti-foreigner sentiment on the forum, a post by 'Oxford mushroom' reads: 'Foreign talents or foreign workers, those that take up the jobs that Singaporeans shun and so contribute to our economy are to be lauded.'

But user 'fymk' retorted: 'FTs (foreign talents) take up jobs that Singaporeans want and there are issues of undercutting locals. On the other (end of the) spectrum, you have overpaid FTs in jobs Singaporeans would love to have.'

Singaporeans The New Paper spoke to had equally differing views on foreign talent.

Miss Loretta Perera, 21, a copywriter and part-time Singapore Institute of Management undergraduate, said: 'I feel threatened when it comes to education and scholarships as most of them who come here do very well.

'But as for jobs, I don't feel as threatened, though they are skilful while being cheaper to employ.'

Those who employ foreign workers seemed to take a more pragmatic view of the issue.

Mr Tham Kok Yun, operations manager of Manhattan Fish Market, said: 'Foreign workers tend to be more hardworking, willing to learn and they can follow instructions well. Their attitude is similar, or sometimes even better, than local workers. But locals are able to pick things up faster.

'Foreign workers are more willing to work in the service sector; almost no local wants to work in this area.'

Mr Chan Chiow Hong, who runs a local accounting firm, added: 'Foreign workers are more hardworking and less demanding.

'Locals have families and commitments outside of work so they cannot spend more time at work beyond office hours, but foreign workers are willing to.'

However, sociologist Tan Ern Ser, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said that it is unfair to make comparisons between local and foreign workers.

He said: 'For instance, a Singaporean working to upkeep his or her family and meeting all kinds of obligations - for example, looking after elderly parents - should not be compared to a foreigner who is free to work weeknights and weekends.

'As along as there is fair competition and no rampant undercutting of wages resulting in overall decline in welfare, there is no reason to feel threatened by foreigners.'

COMPETITIVE

Dr Tan felt that foreigners are beneficial to Singapore's economy.

'They help to put a damper on demand for higher wages... They help keep the economy competitive.'

Associate professor Ho Kong Chong, of the department of sociology at NUS, agreed. He said: 'Foreigners bring not just skills, but their lifestyles as well. It (foreign culture) is what makes cities interesting.'

'The bad side is the tension which exists,' he added, relating his experience in the US when people told him to 'go home' because he was Chinese. He also noted that Singapore is, after all, a country built by migrants.

Associate Professor Volker Schmidt, of the department of Sociology at NUS, shared similar views, saying that such sentiments are common in other countries where locals feel that their jobs are being threatened.

He said: 'Xenophobic sentiments are widespread even in Europe, where I come from.'

Dr Ho said of the negative sentiment of some Singaporeans: 'There is competition for jobs, grades and housing. It is easy to point the finger to the newest member on the block.'