Tan See Leng’s defense of foreign worker reliance faces backlash, urged to experience jobseeker struggles

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Manpower Minister Tan See Leng faced criticism for defending that foreigners are essential to Singapore’s survival, the government has implemented “significant safeguards” to protect local jobs.

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Netizens criticised Tan for blaming Singapore’s low birthrate to justify foreign reliance, questioning his claims on job safeguards and suggesting he go undercover to experience the challenges faced by older job seekers.

During a radio interview aired on 13 January, Dr Tan, who is also the Second Minister for Trade and Industry, stated that Singapore’s small size limits its “critical mass” and resources, making foreign investments crucial for creating jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans.

Multinational companies (MNCs) rely on a supporting ecosystem of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that create additional job opportunities, he said.

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Dr Tan emphasised that without MNC investments and a foreign workforce, the tax burden would increasingly fall on a shrinking number of local-born citizens due to Singapore’s ageing population and low fertility rate.

“We all know (that) we are a rapidly ageing population, and our total fertility rate is not something that we can boast about. ”

“If you think about it, without all these MNCs coming in to invest, without the foreign workforce, the tax burden will be borne increasingly by a smaller and smaller number of local-born citizens,” he added.

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He pointed out Singapore had six adult residents supporting one elderly resident a decade ago, but this ratio has dropped to 3.5 today. Including foreign workers, the ratio improves to about five adults per elderly resident, which reduces the tax burden on Singaporeans and ensures economic stability.

Dr Tan reassured Singaporeans that the government has implemented safeguards and frameworks to ensure that jobs for locals are protected and not displaced by foreigners.

Tan Highlights Growth of 380,000 PMET Jobs for Residents

He shared that between 2013 and 2023, the number of professional, managerial, executive, and technician (PMET) jobs for residents grew by 380,000, while the number of Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders, who hold higher-paying jobs, increased by about 38,000.

To complement the local workforce, Dr Tan highlighted that MOM implemented the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) in September 2023, which uses a points system to assess EP applicants based on qualifications, firm diversity, and local employment support.

Additional measures include the Fair Consideration Framework, requiring companies to advertise locally before hiring foreign workers, and the recently passed workplace fairness legislation, set to take effect in 2026 or 2027.

Netizens Accuse Tan of Using Singapore’s Low Birthrate as a Justification for Foreign Worker Reliance

However, Netizens on platforms like Reddit and CNA’s Facebook post expressed strong disagreement with Dr Tan’s remarks, criticising his statements on the need for foreign workers.

Some accused him of repeatedly blaming Singapore’s low birthrate to justify the reliance on foreigners, pointing out that Singapore has one of the smallest social welfare systems for the elderly in the developed world.

A Redditor suggested that if foreign income tax revenue is as critical as claimed, it should be earmarked entirely for elderly welfare to address citizens’ concerns.

2/3 “S’porean core” Promise

While a netizen observed that the government appears to have stopped mentioning its goal of maintaining a two-thirds Singaporean core and one-third foreign employees in the workforce in recent years, they speculated whether this silence is due to the ratio shifting significantly in favour of foreign employees.

Some Singaporeans jokingly referring to themselves as the “diversity hire” in their companies, while one Redditor highlighted a different perspective, pointing out how the presence of highly skilled foreign professionals who eventually gain citizenship can impact Singapore’s median salary data.

The comment noted that in his workplace, two directors in their late 40s, earning between $15,000 to $20,000 monthly, have no children but contribute to a shift in median salary statistics, which could be presented positively to local citizens.

Redditor Suggests Minister Go Undercover to Experience Challenges Faced by Older Job Seekers

A Redditor sarcastically suggested that the Minister should go undercover and try applying for jobs at his age to understand the challenges faced by older job seekers.

The comment criticized the government’s reliance on median income as a benchmark, arguing that many people never reach it.

The Redditor also pointed out the recent increase in CPF contributions for those aged 50 and above and the growing number of people receiving GST vouchers, implying that these measures highlight how many Singaporeans are being left behind economically.

Netizen Criticizes Tan’s Focus on ‘Local Jobs’ Over Protecting Singaporeans in Workforce

A netizen took issue with Tan’s rhetoric, pointing out that he referred to “local jobs” instead of emphasising the need to protect Singaporeans.

The netizen questioned the point of having “local jobs” if they ultimately go to foreigners.

Concerns over Transparency in Govt’s PMET Data

Some expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the government’s PMET data, specifically the breakdown between Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs).

They argued that including PRs in the statistics distorts the true picture of job opportunities for Singaporeans.

Additionally, some pointed out that many PRs enter as PMETs and later become Singapore Citizens, further complicating the issue.

Netizens Challenge Tan’s Claim on Tax Burden Falling on Fewer Local-born Citizens Without Foreign Workforce and MNC

While Dr Tan argued that without MNC investments and a foreign workforce, the tax burden would increasingly fall on a shrinking number of local-born citizens due to Singapore’s ageing population and low fertility rate, some netizens offered a different perspective.

They suggested that higher taxes could be beneficial if it provided social benefits, as seen in countries like Sweden, where citizens enjoy extensive support that encourages work-life balance and a higher birth rate.

Others added that a higher tax burden could be justified if the benefits for citizens were significantly improved, stressing the importance of balancing tax revenue and creating an environment where Singaporeans can live, work, reproduce, and retire comfortably.



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