"The same way the Chinese come here to seek better opportunities, Singaporeans can go elsewhere too. It's all about the survival of the fittest."
Ms ZhaoFeng, who is currently working as a pre-school teacher in Singapore at a salary of $1000, when asked if she was here to compete with Singaporeans for jobs. ST Special Report.
Amid the debate on the influx of foreigners, this quote particularly struck me. There is perhaps a hint of contempt on her part for those who hold the view that foreigners are here to compete with locals for jobs, but underlying her comment is a wake up call to Singaporeans, some of whom are complacent, that we have to change our mindset regarding foreign competition.
Firstly, the Govt will not hand out jobs on a silver platter. We are simply not entitled to it. While the Govt will provide the infrastructure and policy support for citizens to pursue their careers, it will not adopt a protectionist attitude, as evinced by its liberal policies. Thus, the onus is on us to carve our own niche in this increasingly crowded society. How do we become and continue to be innovative and relevant as Singapore society becomes increasingly open and subject to foreign influences? That is the million dollar question.
Secondly, it is not always true that they are here to compete. Honestly, a monthly salary of $1000 is most probably not adequate, if one has to provision for parental allowance, housing, transport and student loans. It may be the case that Singaporeans are simply unwilling to take up such jobs at such salaries; thus the foreigners are simply filling up a void which Singaporeans will not fill, and that we should be glad for it, for society might not run as smoothly without them.
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