‘Foreign’ doesn’t always mean ‘talent’
March 4th, 2011 | 
Author: 
WHILE I agree that Singapore needs foreigners to stay competitive, there are levels of foreign talent (‘Levy hike ‘not a push for locals”; last Thursday).
At a basic level, there is a need for work permit and S Pass holders in the service, construction and manufacturing industries, given the shrinking population and comparative lack of appeal for these sectors among most Singaporeans.
There should be some control to mitigate the negative effects of attracting foreigners at this level, like falling productivity; and this year’s Budget has started to address this issue with the revised levy. However, when it comes to foreign talent on employment passes, are we certain that Singaporeans who graduate from one of the best education systems anywhere are unable to fill such vacancies?
As much as we need multinational companies (MNCs) to invest and create jobs here, there must be a delicate balance to reap the optimum benefits of combining local and foreign talent.
To achieve optimum balance, the Government should have a process of checks to manage the quantity and quality of white-collar foreign talent. I have been working in MNCs for more than 26 years and my experience informs me that it is not always the case that the foreign help is cleverer or more productive than his Singaporean equivalent.
In fact, there are many Singaporeans who are better and cheaper.
In fairness, I have also worked with talented and experienced foreign managers from whom I have learnt much.
However, it is troubling when the term ‘foreign’ becomes synonymous with ‘talent’, though that is not always so.
.
James Ang
* This letter also appeared on ST Forum
Posted in Letters
FT are source of talent and cheaper.
So the PAP should hire more FT to replace the old and useless
MM,SM and sick PM including some of the minister and MP
This will be cost saving ….. and increase the GDP….
Like or Dislike:
23 
1
“are we certain that Singaporeans who graduate from one of the best education systems”
Best education? We can barely speak Mandarin or English. Instead, we are terrible at both. Our teenagers just speak gibberish. It saddens me to hear the way they speak. If we had “one of the best”, they would at least learn to speak cogently and wear deodorant.
Our school systems don’t encourage the kind of thinking necessary for leadership positions in these multi-nationals. Rather, our school and our government encourage conformity and rote learning in order to appear to be “one of the best”.
None of our universities even rank in the top 100 of universities in the world. How is that BEST in the WORLD? The Americans, on the other hand, have over 50. The entirety of East Asia only has 5! And they’re all in Japan!
source: http://www.arwu.org/ARWU2010.jsp
Like or Dislike:
16 
5
Only 3 levels of talent recognised in this country:
Cat 1: Lee or related
Cat 2: PAP
Cat 3: Foreigner
Singaporeans? SOrry not in the list.
Like or Dislike:
25 
1
Take a casual stroll in heartlands and you will be amazed.
Our coffeeshops, hawkers even questionable massage parlours are literally monopolized by foreign ‘talents’.
Like or Dislike:
23 
0
The word ”talent” is a misnomer, an anomaly, n it was couched by the incumbents to hoodwink the population and most importantly those foreigners who come here.
Labelling them as talent is a pyschological ”placebo” that the incumbents (knew) and know that it will work. Hence, the labelling! It is being exploited (cos of ignorance and weaknesses within one) and one must be intelligent to see thru the bluff.
Excepting a few with specialized skills most of them are here for economic reasons and paid low wages and endure woefully, undignifying working conditions.
It (”foregin talent” policy) epitomizes the incumbents stance and that is of avarice and venality!
It is shameful and disdainful that the incumbents brag about being a first world nation but the reality is the surreptitious stance of straw-clutching policies (lax immigration and requirements for PR/citizenship).It was and is all for political expediency and lest one forgets – GDP $$$!
Off late, no one from the incumbents uses the word ‘talent”. Is this not telling of what these self-serving type(s) are?
Singaporeans are paying a very high price (economics,social etc etc) for bleating away like sheep and on the altar of the real ( as opposed to hypnotic apathy and blind allegiance which sadly is so ingrained in the Singaporean psyche) it will all sooner or later collapse like a house made of cards.
PS – 82 Mps n … are not talents but simply yes-man/woman who simply parrot/regurgitate … Yes, I may be construed as a cynic. However it does not detract from what is true. Two jarring egs would suffice – why not even one from the ruling party favoured the minimum wage n not one of them ever spoke or queried about the actual costs of a HDB unit? It is stupidity to assume or equate academic acheivements with that of intelligence or talent One does not have to be a scientist to analyze/ derive at an answer/conclusion. Credentials is not credibility!
The incumbents know and the fear that politically the ”good” times for themselves (inclusive of harvests in terms of $$$) would all grind to a halt with the inexorable political awakening (slow though it is) and now they are desperate to cling onto power at any cost(s) and still benefit in the short-run.
Lest it be forgotten – they got away and the likelihood of them getting away is still possible as long as the system (inclusive of voters attitudes) is such that perpetuates/favours a one-party rule. The political landscape needs transformation and not simply window-dressed changes (NMPS is the most stupid and useless and it is mere political device that favours the incumbents.)
What is urgently needed is for a multi-party or two-party system and it is not a question of whehter one candidate can perform or whether is perceived as capable. Perception is real only in one’s head. The icing on the cake is not the cake. The real cake is the tasting (aka delivery).
Can one assume/consider that the incumbents delivery has been equitable, transparent, accountable, responsible. Intuitively, it does not feel so. Also, the one-party rule is inherently flawed in so many ways. We do not have an Ombudsmen, independent bodies/institutions,/independent media n ….add on.
These self-serving incumbents are pawning Singaporeans future away fro short term gains with policies/??? that simply cannot be sustained for long and even if they are, it is to the detriment of each native Singaporean. It simply does not augur well for the future.
Hope Singaporeans can see what is as it is and not be lulled into seeing, interpreting .. with clouded lens of the past or allow bigotry/prejudices to distort understanding!
Like or Dislike:
10 
0
There’s NO Need for singaporeans to study any local universities
THere’re enough ‘graduates’ from philippines, china, india, even myanmar to take up all the good jobs..
Study for what?
Like or Dislike:
7 
0
Have you heard lately, who is driving American Silicon Valley???
Have these “Foreign Talents” from IIT – JEET
http://www.youtube.com/user/digvijaydj#p/a/u/1/TBk4Z4q1fEg
A student said, there are no grades of PASS or FAILED
What is your RANKING in India, I am rank 196 of the 1 billion population of India, I am IIT student
Computer Geeks, Science Geeks, Computer Geeks and Engineer Geeks are talk business.
What do you think about these Foreign Talents ???
Like or Dislike:
0 
11
could someone here or even form govt or NGOs furnish singaporeans with the details of that BIG DROP IN NATIOANL PRODUCTIVITY pertaining to sectors and even perhaps breakdowns of how MASSIVE RECUITMENT OF FTs in particular industries like IT,FINANCE AND BANKING AND HEALTHCARE etc HAVE AFFECTED that huge drop.
this is important as it would truly determine if we HAVE UNJUSTLY REPLACE OUR OWN REAL LOCAL TALENTS WITH FAKED ftS due to MOM’s lack of due diligence and NTUC nonchalence.
up till now,i am still waiting for the OPPO leaders TO QUERY THE GOVT on what they would do and how to help our NATIVES who have been unfairly rendered jobless.
it is no point just asking the govt to stop bringing in NEW BATCHES OF FTs but JOBLESS SINGAPOREANS deserve some answers on how the govt is going to -RE-CREATE JOBS FOR THEM;perhaps by asking employers to stop renewing the EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS of FTs?
Like or Dislike:
4 
0
Similarly, ‘talent’ doesn’t always mean foreign.
Like or Dislike:
6 
0
Aiya, just kick em out.
Time for talk is over.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
From my dealings with FTs, I suspect there is a sizable number of foreigners, especially those from the 3rd world, working in Singapore with dubious degrees…
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/03/02/only-10-of-indias-fresh-grads-and-25-of-its-mba-and-engineering-grads-employable/
Like or Dislike:
8 
0
Ok u have proven that many so called FTs are not talents. how abt u guys ? ARE U TALENTS …Or Just Victims of Competition from FTs
Like or Dislike:
0 
6
Defennder:
March 4, 2011 at 3:12 pm Defennder(Quote)
Similarly, ‘talent’ doesn’t always mean foreign.
____________________________________________________________________
hi the DEFENDER
i can only concur.
TALENTS are filks like our own SIM WONG HOO,not even lim SIA SUAY and foreigners like ‘NICK LEESON’????
WILL it take an FT TO bring down a BIG LOCAL BANK some time in the future?
ummm,that takes REAL TALENTS,huh????
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Alittle off topic but i do agree with inspector Fu here on his view about “best education system”. the education system is evolving as we can see, although at a slow pace if proper freedom of press/speech/ideas are controlled this tightly, but we cna definitely see more creative minds out there.
Most younger singaporeans do speak ‘gibberish’. I personally cannot stand it too. we do not excel in any language (majority of us anyways), not even in dialects.
And we also are obviously alot more ignorant that most. I know a few friends who graduated from the top universities in the USA, be it masters or bachelors degrees. And when they mention their sch’s name here to companies, some local managers just go “is that some part time degree course from a private institution locally?”
it’s pretty insulting and because of this, we tend to portray ourselves as ignorant folks to the rest of the world.
anyway we need to grow more socially and mentally as well to fit into standards of being known as first world country.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
@Shred
what kind of US grads (top univs) want to work at companies where people dont even know the names of univs. are these people who went to such univs with DADDY’s money. if so, money does not buy talent or knowledge.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Foreign Talent is very good. Good at asking for higher salary. See what they do: http://moolahoooh.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-home.html
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The ministry of manpower in a report already checking these applicants background before issuing them the relevant pass.
Like or Dislike:
0 
3
People like you argue with wrong facts, when did Singaporeans want to throw out foreign talent? Singaporeans only want to throw out foreign trash, like you.
Like or Dislike:
5 
0
@i worship MM Lee You shouldn’t quote Singaporeans as an example. You should learn how to use your mother as the first example as a sex servant to other nations, maybe China as MM Lee forecasted.
Like or Dislike:
2 
2
Kojakbt: then all the MDs and HR managers should be fired, it is they who employ stupid foreigners. Perhaps we can start a complain against stupid foreigners like I worship
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
The thing is govt encourage companies to hire foreign talents to supplement the local workforce, they did not interview every single one of them right? Who does it the HR manager, who gives the go ahead to sign the contract? The MD…so the responsibility rest on them not PAP!! God forbid that these hiring genius are locals…the immigration only approves when the company apply for employment pass for them.
Like or Dislike:
0 
10
foreign trash sibay arrogant . they scould u and fuck you in your country it a big big insult to citizen .
.if i day they spit onto our singapore flag in singapore i would not hesitate use my bayonet skill againt them .
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
Unfortunately, some of these MDs or HR managers are employing foreigners for a different reason. Look out especially for those companies who not only prefer to hire foreigners but specially want those directly from the foreigners’ home countries. They are not even considering those foreign applicants who are already residing in Singapore… I’m sure smart TR readers can easily figure out what’s going on here…
Like or Dislike:
5 
0
CPIB!!!!!!!………
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Below is a classic example of how PAP has SOLD OUT SINGAPOREANS!
We must vote PAP out in the coming GE. We must reclaim Singaporeans’ Singapore. We must not allow PAP to continue selling Singaporeans out.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
Stupid foreigners from the 3rd world. Already the leaders of many first world countries are rejecting ‘multiculturalism’ aka YOU because their citizens have seen the leeching and social damage you have done. Sinkapore is your last bastion in the first world and you would do well to behave. But never mind, we citizens have already decided enough is enough. We will vote against the PAP and drive you worthless bums out. Only respectful, capable foreigners for us, please.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
That we are mired with an one-party rule is the undoing of Singaporeans!
All that one is going to get is simply lies after lies cos who is verifying what or how?
The local media (print/broadcast) is a lame one! It is exacerbating matters.
Two simple egs would suffice – until today no one for sure knows the actual cost a HDB unit excepting what is told to us. Who is verifying? Is it really transparent?
Another is that of GIC. From time to time, we read that billions are lost cos of indiscretions n …. How is one to know if the $$$ were really invested? Who is speaking the truth, who is checking?
Is this not telling enough as to how the incumbents funtion?
In this instance, the immigration policy (aka foreign talent/worker) is utterly flawed, and intuitively it feels we are never going to get honest answers.
Singaporeans by (unwise voting) acquiescing to this debilitating one-party rule have painted themselves to a corner. It is the system that allows for lack of transparency, accountablity and so on so forth.
Hope the anger, the disappointments translate into votes. Each vote for transparency, each vote for accountability is the only way left for this red-dot of an island.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
“@Fugazzi
Off late, no one from the incumbents uses the word ‘talent”. Is this not telling of what these self-serving type(s) are?”
Oh by the way, do you notice now the MSM and incumbents are using the word “residents” instead of “Sporeans and PRs” ? Spore citizens are now “residents” of our own country. These PAP are real carb.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
The government allows the influx of cheap labour (Which other 1st world/ developed countries would never allow) only benefits the following
Multinational Companies
Our Ministers and Civil servants whose bonuses are tied to the high GDP caused by the economic growith that benefited from the cheap foreign labour
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What Singapore needs is Talent. Talented people are found amongst our own population. But the current system not only stiffles it, it drives these people away as well. Those around aren’t given the same opportunities as an “AngMoh” or China born Table tennis player would.
And we all know that these so called “foriegn talents” are mostly the rejects from their own countries. They couldn’t make it there and sought greener pastures elsewhere. Some might truely be talented and they just needed a different environment to shine, but the fact is, most are just here to sample the wonderful buffet table set up by the current Government. Why? Cos they will not be a threat. Our Papies are too afraid. Afraid of Opposition from any quater… why? Because they have NO or little talent…
Our duty is to realize that they’ve been screwing with our lives from Kindergarten… and for once, to surprise this bully and punch his lights out. Vote for Papies and you are effectively bending over for him to screw you further…. Vote of any other party, gives him a bloody nose…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0