You mean foreign workers. Yes we need them.
I believe another forumer has stated the differences in accepting
pay between foreigner workers (not talents) and locals.
Basically, a local spent his/her whole life studying, chalking up
debts. I have a degree which cost me approx $25k SGD (after govt
subsidy). If I earn $1.6k SGD, after CPF that would be $1.28k
(approx). After giving to my parents, say $500, I am left with
$780. Assume MRT fare $10 per week, I am left with $740.
What about food? lunch will cost $3 and dinner $5, that would be
$160 per month, not counting weekends (eat free with parents). That
leaves $580.
Have not counted in rent, electrical, pub (because living with
parents). With $580 to spend on clothes (needed for work) and
insurance, what kind of spending power will I have? Since I am in
the IT line, I actually need to spend on courses and
certifications, $580 won't even get me a basic certification.
Now convert this $580 SGD into rupees, renminbi or ringgit. See how
much more spending power the foreign workers get? And I assume they
spend the same as us, which is not exactly true. Many of them are
willing to share a room, with 6-7 of them squeezed into a tiny
flat, thus saving on their rent. Also, they buy their clothes and
other necessities from their home countries (which doesn't amount
to much anyway, so it doesn't really count). After 2-3 years, they
bring their SGD savings back to their home countries and live a
good life.
Most singaporeans do not have a problem with foreign workers, they
do have a bone to pick, however, with foreign talents who come to
singapore to do the same jobs as locals.
