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SINGAPORE – More Singaporeans feel positive than negative about the presence of foreigners here, while most don’t care one way or another, according to polls by the government’s feedback unit Reach.
Most also agreed that Singapore should remain open to foreigners.
About half of the more than 2,000 people surveyed said they were neutral towards non-citizens in Singapore, while 35 percent felt positive and only 14 percent were negative towards them.
Those who were unemployed were more likely to express their discontent, with 26 percent saying they felt negative or very negative about foreigners here. Work-related concerns about foreigners were also more pronounced among this group, Reach said in publishing its results on Saturday (October 10).
The findings were based on a telephone survey conducted in August of 2,100 randomly selected Singaporeans aged 15 and over.
The issue of foreign professionals in Singapore’s workforce has been a hot topic, as rising unemployment and uncertainty amid the recession have fueled the debate over discriminatory hiring practices.
Human Resources Minister Josephine Teo said in Parliament last month that 400 companies are on the Fair Consideration Framework watchlist because they may have engaged in such practices.
These companies have an unusually high share of foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) compared to the rest of their industry, he said.
Until they improve, their job pass applications will be rejected or withheld, as the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices helps them hire more locals, Ms. Teo said.
Respondents to the Reach survey were also presented with an open question about the top three things that bothered them the most about foreigners.
Almost half did not cite any, while 23 percent mentioned work-related concerns and 16 percent said they were bothered by the social habits of foreigners, such as talking loudly and the perception of their cleanliness.
The majority of respondents agreed that it is important for Singapore to remain open to foreigners, with 63% choosing this option. Only 10 percent disagreed, while 25 percent were neutral.
Respondents who were unemployed were more likely to be neutral, and 34 percent chose this.
A separate online survey of 1,050 Singaporeans found that the majority felt Singapore’s status as a regional center is beneficial for job creation, although one in five said it would be better for the Republic to remove this status to reduce the number. of foreigners. , even if it meant fewer job opportunities for Singaporeans. Respondents who were unemployed were more likely to indicate this.
Reach President Tan Kiat How said in a statement that Singaporeans are understandably anxious for job security and career opportunities during this difficult period.
The government is committed to helping Singaporeans keep their jobs or find new ones, said Tan, who is Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and for National Development.
“However, it is encouraging to know that many Singaporeans understand the need for Singapore to remain open to global talent,” he said of the survey results.
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