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SINGAPORE: Singaporeans “generally agreed” on the importance of the country remaining open to foreigners, REACH said in a press release on Saturday (October 10).
A total of 2,100 “randomly selected” Singaporeans aged 15 and over participated in a telephone survey from August 11-21, and an online survey was conducted among 1,050 “randomly selected” citizens, also aged 15 and over, from August 21 to 24.
“The sample was weighted to be demographically representative of the national population in terms of gender, age and race,” said REACH, the feedback and engagement unit of the Singapore government.
The majority of respondents (63 percent) “agreed or strongly agreed” that it is important for Singapore to remain open to foreigners.
Twenty-five percent were neutral on this issue, while “only 10 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed” with this statement, REACH said.
“Respondents who were unemployed were more likely to be neutral on the importance of Singapore remaining open to foreigners,” the press release added.
(Graphic: REACH)
The majority of Singaporeans surveyed also recognized the benefits of Singapore being a regional hub in job creation.
About 81 percent agreed that it is good that Singapore is a regional hub, as it offers good job opportunities for Singaporeans, “even if some jobs will go to foreigners.”
“The remaining 19 percent felt that it was better for Singapore not to be a regional center, in order to reduce the number of foreigners, even if it meant fewer job opportunities for Singaporeans; respondents who were unemployed were more likely to say so, ”REACH said.
(Graphic: REACH)
Thirty-five percent of respondents were “very positive or positive” about foreigners in Singapore, and about 14 percent were “very negative or negative” about foreigners in Singapore.
Almost half (49 percent) were neutral on foreigners in Singapore.
“Respondents who were unemployed were more likely to feel negative towards foreigners; work-related concerns about foreigners were also more pronounced among the unemployed,” REACH said.
* People outside the workforce include retirees, homemakers, students, and those who were not working or looking for work. (Graphic: REACH)
All respondents were asked about the top three things that “bothered them the most” about foreigners. It was an open question where up to three responses were allowed, REACH said.
23% mentioned work-related concerns and 16% were concerned about the “social habits of foreigners,” for example, “perceptions of cleanliness or speaking loudly,” REACH said.
Almost half (47 percent) of those surveyed did not mention any concerns about foreigners.
“During this difficult period, Singaporeans are understandably anxious for job security and career opportunities,” said REACH President Tan Kiat How, who is also Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and in the Ministry of National Development. .
“The Government remains committed to helping Singaporeans keep their jobs or find new ones. However, it is encouraging to learn that many Singaporeans understand the need for Singapore to remain open to global talent.”
