Summary and Thoughts on the topic on Foreign/Migrant workers in Singapore
Friday, 12th May 2017
To summarise my point,
Singaporeans:
I feel that, as a Singaporean, we should all be more caring and understanding citizens in this community. We should all play a part and respect each and everyone here in Singapore, regardless of our race and religion.
From the lesson today in Active and Effective Citizenry from 10am till 12pm, we've discussed on the topic: Migrant Workers in Singapore. In this post, I will be sharing to you my thoughts on the Migrant Workers here in Singapore according to the topics discussed today. Are migrant workers in Singapore needed? Why do Singaporeans feel that the migrant workers are "stealing" their jobs?
Are the migrant workers in Singapore really needed?
Why do Singaporeans feel that the migrant workers are "stealing" their jobs?
Why do Singaporeans feel that the migrant workers are "stealing" their jobs?
Yes, of course! Migrant workers are needed in Singapore for our economy to survive. Singapore faces a current day problem of low birth rate which will eventually lead to the disappearance of "pure" blooded Singaporeans. Without migrants, the current and future day population of Singaporeans will not be able to sustain the economy. Not only that, majority of the migrant workers who come here to work take up labour intensive jobs such as, garbage collector, cleaner, construction worker, etc. Without them here, there would be no one doing these "unwanted" jobs.
As a Singaporean myself, I feel that Singaporeans tend to be egotist and competitive. For example, in school, they would want to excel and come out top in the social ladder. I feel that it is from the influence of their parents from young, as they would be our first teachers. So I feel that people obtain their competitiveness from their parents. For me, my parents would always pressurise me to do well in my studies by saying things like, " Study hard, become a doctor so you can live comfortable", or when I get my test results back, "Are you the best in your class?". I think that due to these kind of pressure, people tend to become more competitive, which will explain why Singaporeans does not like low-paying jobs. Singaporeans will tend to be more competitive so that they would not be looked down upon by their relatives or friends. Having mindsets where if you have the highest pay you are the best among your group.
Because of these mindset, Singaporeans do not take up labour-intensive jobs like the migrant workers here in Singapore. When they do come here to help improve our environment and economy, they are disrespected by our fellow Singaporeans. How? They are treated differently in our society. Like on public transports, Singaporeans tend to stereotype the migrant workers and avoid them. Singaporeans love to stereotype Indian workers as smelly and dirty and tend to avoid being very close to them on the train. However, they do not realise that the Indians actually work really long hours in the sun to help improve our Singapore infrastructures.
I feel that Singaporeans have a narrow mindset as they only believe that the migrant workers are taking their jobs. However, they fail to see that the migrant workers are sacrificing their own lives just to come here to take up labour-intensive jobs that Singaporeans dislike. I feel that Singaporeans are quick to judge people, even to other Singaporeans. For example, they would often stereotype people just by a single look at them. Even though the migrant workers come here to help keep our nation clean and green, Singaporeans, especially parents, would often comment nasty remarks about them to their children, saying thing like, "You better study hard or else you will end up like him!" Such discriminating words affects the way children look at them as well, soon, the child will end up following in the footsteps as their parents.
I feel that Singaporeans need to start changing their discriminatory mindset, or else the cycle will be never ending. The migrant workers will never be free from insults thrown by the Singaporeans.
Many Singaporeans who does not understand that the migrant workers are here to improve the Singapore economy and community starts to feel the tension between them and the Singapore government. Thus, Singaporeans start to protest, as seen in the photo below.
As a Singaporean myself, I feel that Singaporeans tend to be egotist and competitive. For example, in school, they would want to excel and come out top in the social ladder. I feel that it is from the influence of their parents from young, as they would be our first teachers. So I feel that people obtain their competitiveness from their parents. For me, my parents would always pressurise me to do well in my studies by saying things like, " Study hard, become a doctor so you can live comfortable", or when I get my test results back, "Are you the best in your class?". I think that due to these kind of pressure, people tend to become more competitive, which will explain why Singaporeans does not like low-paying jobs. Singaporeans will tend to be more competitive so that they would not be looked down upon by their relatives or friends. Having mindsets where if you have the highest pay you are the best among your group.
Because of these mindset, Singaporeans do not take up labour-intensive jobs like the migrant workers here in Singapore. When they do come here to help improve our environment and economy, they are disrespected by our fellow Singaporeans. How? They are treated differently in our society. Like on public transports, Singaporeans tend to stereotype the migrant workers and avoid them. Singaporeans love to stereotype Indian workers as smelly and dirty and tend to avoid being very close to them on the train. However, they do not realise that the Indians actually work really long hours in the sun to help improve our Singapore infrastructures.
I feel that Singaporeans have a narrow mindset as they only believe that the migrant workers are taking their jobs. However, they fail to see that the migrant workers are sacrificing their own lives just to come here to take up labour-intensive jobs that Singaporeans dislike. I feel that Singaporeans are quick to judge people, even to other Singaporeans. For example, they would often stereotype people just by a single look at them. Even though the migrant workers come here to help keep our nation clean and green, Singaporeans, especially parents, would often comment nasty remarks about them to their children, saying thing like, "You better study hard or else you will end up like him!" Such discriminating words affects the way children look at them as well, soon, the child will end up following in the footsteps as their parents.
I feel that Singaporeans need to start changing their discriminatory mindset, or else the cycle will be never ending. The migrant workers will never be free from insults thrown by the Singaporeans.
Many Singaporeans who does not understand that the migrant workers are here to improve the Singapore economy and community starts to feel the tension between them and the Singapore government. Thus, Singaporeans start to protest, as seen in the photo below.
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| A Protest in Singapore on the rising number of immigrants (http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/singapores-foreigner-problem/) |
- They keep our environment clean
- They work labour-intensive jobs that improve the Singapore's infrastructure
- They improve our economy
Singaporeans:
- Are narrow minded
- Quick to judge
- Racist
I feel that, as a Singaporean, we should all be more caring and understanding citizens in this community. We should all play a part and respect each and everyone here in Singapore, regardless of our race and religion.
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