Essay (Final Draft)

How can the government address the social issues within the locals that have resulted from the rapid influx of foreign talent in the workforce?

Goldin (2009) raised several issues to which he attributes as resulting from the rapid globalization of the world today. In present Singapore, we face a highly debatable issue that has resulted from globalization, the heavy import of foreign talent in our country. While the nation thrives as an economic giant, it is apparent that the heavy presence of foreign immigrants has also been a source of tension for the locals here. With rising numbers of foreign talents as preferred choices and being offered job positions in Singapore (Low, 2001), it implies that Singaporeans have much to contend for in terms of employment. As a result, there has been an ongoing debate (Institute of Policy Studies, 2005) over Singapore’s open door policy to foreign talents and whether such policies have created more harm than good for the nation as locals are unhappy with having to vie for job opportunities in their homeland.  As a bid to ensure equal opportunities for both locals and foreign talents, the government has implemented several schemes in recent years to handle this open door policy and equal employment rights. However, more can be done to strike a balance between boosting Singapore’s economic progress, and appeasing locals’ distress and anxiety towards foreign talents’ in hiring practices. Such example would be on calls to amend schemes to be more inclusive of different groups of the society, instead of extending it only to graduates in the society.

Singaporeans have grumbled and protested against the large numbers of foreign talent and many are upset with how they seem to have “invaded” the place Singaporeans call home. An investigation into the reasons why attributes the country’s overcrowding and failing reliability of its public transportation system, increasing property prices for housing, suppressed wage level, increasing income inequality, as well as increased competition for jobs and education, as social problems to the government’s open-door immigration policy (Terauds, 2011). Yet, the government maintains its need for foreign immigrant as quoted by former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew, that “Foreign talent is vital to the growth of Singapore’s society and in ensuring its economic progress.” (Xi, Global Times, 2014). However, perhaps the question asked by many in this case would be, to what extent and at what cost?

As a country without natural resources as well as an aging population, Singapore relies largely on talent to ensure economic progress, drawing them from across the globe, South Asia, Northeast Asia, China, India and beyond that to ensure its success and growth rate. Contrary to popular belief that these foreigners have “snatched” jobs from the locals, it appears that that may not be true. Founding father Lee Kuan Yew further supported that Singapore’s open door policy to foreigners have on the other hand, created more jobs here (Xi, Global Times, 2014). Yet, Singaporeans are still displeased that the hiring rate of foreigners prevails as compared to the hiring of local people for jobs.

A recent scheme, the new Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), requiring companies advertising government job vacancies to target only locals for 14 days before hiring foreigners, seeks to address the issue on creating equal employment opportunities for locals and talents alike. This framework dictates that all advertisements made by firms must be open to Singaporeans, comply with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, and run for at least 14 calendar days. With effect from 1st August 2014, firms will have to show that they were unable to hire suitable Singapore candidates for any job vacancies before submitting new Employment Pass (EP) applications. 

This framework allows for the reduction of discriminatory HR practices such as preference employment towards the hiring of foreigners. At the same time, it ensures Singaporeans the fair consideration they are rightly entitled to for job opportunities. Additionally, this framework seeks to put under additional scrutiny  firms so that they can improve on their hiring and career development practices. Firms with a disproportionately low concentration of Singaporeans at the Professional, Managerial and Executive (PME) level will be asked to provide information such as organisation charts with nationality information, recruitment processes, and plans to develop local internship staff to take on higher roles or reduce reliance on EP holders, to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). *

However, while this framework seeks to ensure fair consideration for locals in job opportunities, Singaporeans are also being considered based only on merit. As such, there have been calls for the FCF to be expanded to include more groups of Singaporeans, instead of only the graduates. What appears to be fair on the surface, is met with critical reception by the National Solidairty Party (NSP) (Johan, The Straits Times, 2013), who claims that the FCP applies only to top tier work passes for foreign professionals and Singaporean degree holders. Ngerng (2013) argues that the job applications for approximately 70% of Singaporeans (MOM's Singapore Work Force 2012 Report) who are not degree holders would not be applicable for this framework. 

The government has certainly made a concerted effort to address locals’ dissatisfaction towards the increased competition for job positions, although more can be done to be more inclusive of the other compositions of the society. While the issue on competitive employment holds certain prevalence in Singapore today, this in fact, is not exclusive only to Singapore, but also for our other Asian counterparts (Rosen, 2011). Having established that foreign talents are necessary in Singapore in producing economic growth rate, perhaps what remains to change (aside from governmental efforts), could be our individual reception towards foreign talent. Perhaps the time has come for locals to adapt and accept, look beyond the competitiveness, and look into integrating these foreign talents into our society.

References:

Goldin, I. (2009). Navigating our global future. Retrieved

fromhttp://www.ted.com/talks/ian_goldin_navigating_our_global_future?language=en

Institute of Policy Studies. (2013). The evolution of ‘foreign talent’ in Singapore’s lexicon.

Retrieved on 25^th March, from

http://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/07/Jerrold-Hong_The-evolution-of-foreign-talent-in-Singapores-lexicon_010713.pdf

Low, L. (2001). The political economy of singapore’s policy on foreign talents and high skills society.

Retrieved on 25^th March, 2014, from

http://research.nus.biz/documents/research%20paper%20series/rps0136.pdf

Ngerng, R. (2013). Why did the fair consideration framework only cover degree holders?.

Retrieved on 8th of March, 2014, from 

http://thehearttruths.com/2013/09/26/why-did-the-fair-consideration-framework-only-cover-degree-holders/

Terauds, K. (2011). Singapore’s dependence on foreign talent: causes and consequences.

Retrieved on 25^th March, 2014, from

http://krisageneve.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/terauds-e762-paper.pdf

Xi, S. (2014). Aging Singapore can’t afford to close doors to crowd of foreign talent. Global Times.

Retrieved on 25^th March, 2014, from

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/838693.shtml#.UzjTdaiSwoM

Essay Draft 2

    Globalization in the present day has seen an influx of foreign immigrants in our land. The import of foreign labour and talent demonstrate the inflow of foreigners having a stake in our country. While the nation thrives as an economic giant, it is apparent that the heavy presence of foreign immigrants has also been a source of tension for the locals here. As a result, there has been an ongoing debate over Singapore’s open door policy to foreign immigrants (workers and talents) and whether such policies have created more harm than good for the nation. The government has implemented several schemes in recent years to handle this prevalent issue as it seeks to create that balance between boosting Singapore’s economic progress, and at the same time appeasing locals’ distress and anxiety towards their presence. 

Singaporeans have grumbled and protested against the mass numbers of foreign immigrants and many are upset with how they seem to have “invaded” the place Singaporeans call home. An investigation into the reasons why attributes the country’s overcrowding and failing reliability of its public transportation system, increasing property prices for housing, suppressed wage level, increased competition for jobs and education, increasing income inequality as social problems to name a few, to the government’s open-door immigration policy (. Yet, Singapore maintains its need for foreign immigrant as quoted by former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew, that “Foreign talent is vital to the growth of Singapore’s society and in ensuring its economic progress”. However, perhaps the question asked by many in this case would be, at what extent and at what cost?

As a country without natural resources, Singapore relies largely on talent drawing them from across the globe, South Asia, Northeast Asia, China, India and beyond that to ensure its success and growth rate. Contrary to popular belief that these foreigners have “snatched” jobs from the locals, it appears that that may not be true. Founding father Lee Kuan Yew further supported on how Singapore’s openness to foreigners have on the other hand, created more jobs here. Yet, Singaporeans are still displeased that the hiring rate of foreigners prevails as compared to the hiring of local people for jobs.

 A recent scheme, the new Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), requiring companies advertising government job vacancies to target only locals for 14 days before hiring foreigners, seeks to address the issue. This framework dictates that all advertisements made by firms must  be open to Singaporeans, comply with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, and run for at least 14 calendar days. With effect from 1st August 2014, firms will have to show that they were unable to hire suitable Singapore candidates for any job vacancies before submitting new Employment Pass (EP) applications. 

With this framework put into place, it allows for the reduction of discriminatory HR practices such as preference employment towards the hiring of foreigners. At the same time, it ensures Singaporeans the fair consideration they are rightly entitled to for job opportunities. Additonally, this framework seeks to put into additional scrutiny on firms that can improve on their hiring and career development practices. Firms with a disproportionately low concentration of Singaporeans at the Professional, Managerial and Executive (PME) level will be asked to provide information such as organisation charts with nationality information, recruitment processes, and plans to develop local internship staff to take on higher roles or reduce reliance on EP holders, to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). 

However, while this framework seeks to ensure fair consideration for locals in job opportunities, Singaporeans are also being considered based only on merit. As such, there have been calls for the FCF be expanded to include more categories of Singaporeans. What appears to be fair on the surface, is met with critical reception by the National Solidairty Party (NSP) (The Straits Times, 2013) who claims that the FCP applies only to top tier work passes for foreign professionals and Singaporean degree holders. Ngerng (2013) argues that the approximate 70% of Singaporeans (according to MOM's Singapore Work Force 2012 Report) who are not degree holders, would not be applicable for this framework. 

References:

Ngerng, R. (2013). Why did the fair consideration framework only cover degree holders?. Retrieved on 8th of March, 2014, from 

http://thehearttruths.com/2013/09/26/why-did-the-fair-consideration-framework-only-cover-degree-holders/

The Straits Times. (2013). NSP calls for fair consideration jobs framework to be extended beyond EP holders. Retrieved on 8th March, 2014, fom
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/nsp-calls-fair-consideration-jobs-framework-be-extended-beyond-ep-hold

Essay Draft 1

     Globalization in the present day has seen an influx of foreign immigrants in our land. The import of foreign labour and talent demonstrate the inflow of foreigners having a stake in our country. While the nation thrives as an economic giant, it is apparent that the heavy presence of foreign immigrants has also been a source of tension for the locals here. As a result, there has been an ongoing debate over Singapore’s open door policy to foreign immigrants (workers and talents) and whether such policies have created more harm than good for the nation. The government has implemented several schemes in recent years to handle this prevalent issue as it seeks to create that balance between boosting Singapore’s economic progress, and at the same time appease locals’ distress and anxiety towards their presence. 

Singaporeans have grumbled and protested against the mass numbers of foreign immigrants and many are upset with how they seem to have “invaded” the place Singaporeans call home. An investigation into the reasons why attributes the country’s overcrowding and failing reliability of its public transportation system, increasing property prices for housing, suppressed wage level, increased competition for jobs and education, increasing income inequality as social problems to name a few, to the government’s open-door immigration policy (. Yet, Singapore maintains its need for foreign immigrant as quoted by former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew, that “Foreign talent is vital to the growth of Singapore’s society and in ensuring its economic progress”. However, perhaps the question asked by many in this case would be, at what extent and at what cost?

As a country without natural resources, Singapore relies largely on talent drawing them from across the globe, South Asia, Northeast Asia, China, India and beyond that to ensure its success and growth rate. Contrary to popular belief that these foreigners have “snatched” jobs from the locals, it appears that that may not be true. Founding father Lee Kuan Yew further supported on how Singapore’s openness to foreigners have on the other hand, created more jobs here. 

Essay Outline

Research question

How can the government address the economic and social issues within the locals that have resulted from the rapid influx of foreign power in the workforce?

Introduction

-          Problem

There has been an ongoing debate over Singapore’s open door policy to foreign immigrants (workers and talents) and whether such policies have created more harm than good for the nation. While the nation thrives as an economic giant, it is apparent that the heavy presence of foreign immigrants has also been a source of tension for the locals here.

-          Solution

Creating a balance between boosting Singapore’s economic progress and appeasing the locals’ distress and anxiety towards economic and social issues.

-          Thesis Statement

The limitation of foreign power’s influence in Singapore will appease the tension and raise satisfaction in the lives of Singaporeans.

Body Paragraph

-          Topic sentence

Singaporeans are unhappy with the government’s decision to allow in more foreign workers.

-          Brief description of problem

-          Singaporeans have attributed to the government's open-door immigration policy, the country's overcrowding and falling reliability of its public transportation system, increasing property prices for housing, suppressed wage level, increased competition for jobs and education, increasing income inequality and other social problem.

-          Description of one existing solution

The new Fair Consideration Framework requires companies advertising government job vacancies target only locals for at least 14 days before hiring foreigners.

Effectiveness of solution

-          Limitations

Not enough awareness made on such existing solutions. The framework should also still remain open to locals even after 14 days and not focus only on foreigners thereafter.

-          Improvements to existing solution

Advertisements have to be made attractive and publicity material has to be extensive in order to raise awareness and attract locals respectively.

Summary

In the article 'Globalization of Culture through the Media', Kriady (2002) presents the common ideas of the belief that culture is globalized through the media, an issue that remains highly contested. He focuses on the phenomenon of media globalization in relation to cultural imperialism and examines a variety of theories by researchers that address its influence on nation states. This paper examines the proposition that the globalization of culture was the result of the influence of mass media. Alternatively, it also proposits the idea that it was only due to the result of the advancement of media technologies that places an increased emphasis on the phenomenon, or possibly, even a hybrid of both.

(105 words)

My Defining Moment(s)?

I have thought long and hard, scouring through past memories for a defining moment in my life thus far that has shaped me, and to be truthfully honest - this task seems almost ardous. Life has certainly granted me with many ups and downs in my life, of which I am sure have had an effect on and helped mould me to be the person I am today. However, I feel uncomfortable laying claim to say that any particular experience has had that much of a profound experience in my life, especially since I am uncertain of what is meant by ‘defining moment’. What does it mean or entail? Is it the magnitude of the event? Or could it be the attitude and thought processes behind the reflection of these moments? I wish to see it as the latter.

I think of all my experiences as life changing because I reflect constantly on my life and the events that happen, no matter good or bad. While I wish not to gloat over personal achievements in life, I fear also of being trapped in the failures and losses I have experienced. I personally believe that the experiences that I have had thus far in life have contributed in their own ways to develop me as the person I am today, however simple they may have been.  Hence to describe of a particular moment in my life as having defined who and what I am today, it is an area that I feel I cannot relate to at the moment.

 What I can relate to on the other hand is this: I am not one made and shaped by the larger experiences, but also from the littlest of moments.


(Word Count: 268)

My English Language Journey

English has always been an important aspect of my life and its journey has been filled with memories that I mostly recall upon quite fondly. I picked up reading at a tender age of five to authors such as Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl, as well as to the occasional fairytales of Hans Christian Anderson. I loved how their stories swept me up into this whimsical world of fantasies where I would dream and yearn for a world that allowed me to have tea with fairies, gnomes, and talking dolls. Such fantasies formed many wonderful experiences as a child growing up and from there, I developed my intense love for reading and for the English language.

As a primary school student, my love for reading and good results from my English examinations did not go unnoticed by my parents. They helped hone my English writing skills by sending me for enrichment classes and purchasing educational videos as well as assessment books to learn from and practice on. I recall vividly of a memory when I received results that I had gotten for my composition writing of which I scored a 35/40. I showed it to my father and he told me I could do better before sending me off to watch an essay writing video that he had just recently purchased for me. Walking back to my room, I remember feeling that crushing disappointment that came with the lack of positive feedback and affirmation received from him. Most of all, I believed him. I believed I could do even better. From there, I started working harder to improve on my English writing. I read the encyclopedia, and I completed many practice papers. At primary 6, I was practicing on GCE O Level English assessment books. Teachers, friends and relatives started to recognize and praise this "language ability" of mine, and I relished in that sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Then in my secondary school journey, I developed a reputation in class for being the “English girl”. That stuck with me throughout my secondary school life and was even further emphasized on after I received a highly commended award for my written entry to the Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition back in 2008. While that was another positive affirmation of my writing abilities, I was also greatly embarrassed since receiving an award for essay writing then was not exactly the “coolest” award amongst my peers. Also, it was from there that I got my first glimpse of what it meant to be a skilled writer as I read the top entries written by other students nation-wide across the secondary and Junior College level.

I studied in a polytechnic thereafter and the course I was enrolled in allowed me to further hone my writing skills as its assessments were mainly focused on academic writing. Exposure to different writing styles was revealed slowly in due course to me as I would request to read my friends’ essays to improve on my writing ability, as well as gain new perspectives. I also started keeping tabs on popular bloggers known for their writing and deep insights as I have always been in awe of great writers. However, such awe also created this inferiority complex within me as I started to place comparison between myself and them.

In this present environment where writing plays a major factor in determining one’s grades in school, I do feel threatened occasionally when I read well written forum posts from other students. However at the same time, I acknowledge this fear of mine, and wish to reconcile with it. If there is anything I have learnt from uncovering memories of my English language journey, it is that learning is never stagnant. I have always sought and believed in the pursuit of improving one’s self, and I believe I will continue doing so as I move towards the future endeavors in my life. Likewise, it is a realization I have now come to recognize that I only have my parents to thank for imparting such an important lesson of "You can do better" to me.

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