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SINGAPORE: Instead of accusing foreign workers of taking jobs away from Singaporeans, one company said Singaporeans should be thankful that foreign workers are able to help the country's economy to grow.
This stance coincides with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's message in his May Day Rally speech on Thursday.
Chinese national Yu Ruo came to Singapore about seven years ago and found a job at manufacturing company, Makino Asia.
With a stable income, he was able to bring his wife to Singapore two years ago, and the couple applied for permanent residency last month.
"First of all, Makino Asia is one of the better known companies in the industry, so this attracted me to come to Singapore and settle here," said Yu.
About 15 percent of Makino Asia's 470 employees are foreign workers. Over the years, 30 percent of them have become permanent residents or Singapore citizens.
Unfortunately, not all Singaporeans welcome foreign workers with open arms.
"For the time being, foreigners are not allowed to work in this market," one Singaporean said.
"Yes, they (foreigners) are stealing our rice bowl. And most of them are using illegal means," another said.
Dr Moh Chong Tau, CEO of Makino Asia, said: "I do not agree. In fact, we should be thankful to them for creating more jobs for us... For jobs that are not taken up by Singaporeans, we get foreigners to occupy those vacancies in order to create more jobs."
He also said Singaporeans who feel their jobs are being taken away by foreigners are short-sighted.
"This group of people should not be fearful about losing low-end jobs to foreign workers. They should take the opportunity to acquire more skills and enhance their revenue and livelihood," he said.
Dr Moh believes Singaporeans should compete with advanced countries where the value of jobs is much higher, which means such jobs also command better wages.
- CNA/so
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