SINGAPOREANS AND NEW IMMIGRANTS

SINGAPOREANS AND NEW IMMIGRANTS:

(Measures and programmes to strengthen communal bonds):

* 1. *Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Prime Minister in light of the report on Population Trends 2008 which indicates that approximately one in three persons in Singapore is not a citizen (a) whether this will increase further based on Singapore's foreign talent recruitment policies; and (b) what measures and programmes are in place to further strengthen communal bonds in anticipation of a greater divide between Singaporeans and the new immigrants.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng) (for the Prime Minister): Mr

Column: 1375

Speaker, Sir, as of June 2008, Singapore citizens accounted for 65% of our total population and permanent residents (PRs) accounted for 10% of our total population. Our non-resident population, comprising transient foreigners working, studying and living in Singapore, made up the remaining 25%, or slightly above one million people. Foreign manpower accounts for the majority of our non-resident population.

Singapore's foreign manpower needs are highly dependent on the economy. The demand for foreign manpower fluctuates with the growth of the Singapore economy. The increase in the non-resident population over the past few years reflects our strong economic growth, especially in labour-intensive industries such as the construction sector. As we enter into a period of economic contraction, our non-resident population is unlikely to grow at the same rate as in the past. The current proportion of non-resident population of 25% may decline.

As our Total Fertility Rate is low, currently at 1.29, we will need immigration to boost our population. This is done on a selective basis, taking into consideration the contributions or potential contributions of the immigrants to our economy. Over the last five years, we have added about 58,000 to our stock of citizens, and 242,000 to the pool of PRs. It is important that we integrate these new citizens and PRs into our society so that communal bonds will be fostered and social cohesion enhanced. There are existing efforts to facilitate the process of integration in our schools, at the workplace and in the larger community. These efforts also reach out to potential PRs and citizens.

In our schools, the Ministry of Education facilitates the integration of new citizens, PRs and foreign students in

Column: 1376

Singapore through structured activities and programmes, which are open to all students, for them to interact with local students, familiarise themselves with our culture and participate in community service. Home stay and host family programmes designed for foreign students also give them a chance to experience Singaporean family life.

The workplace is another important platform for integration. There are several ongoing efforts by companies to familiarise new citizens, PRs and their foreign staff with the local culture. These include organising familiarisation programmes to orientate newcomers on the key aspects of living in Singapore and celebrating key festive occasions such as Chinese New Year. Companies do this because they recognise that an integrated and motivated workforce is a more productive one.

In the community, the People's Association (PA) facilitates the integration process at the grassroots level through their 600 Integration and Naturalisation Champions (INCs). These are grassroots leaders who initiate and lead integration and naturalisation programmes in their communities to help new immigrants settle in and become rooted in our community. New citizens are also given the opportunity to learn more about Singapore through the PA's National Education Experience Programme.

Successful integration cannot be achieved solely through Government efforts. It is a two-way process. Singaporeans should support and welcome new immigrants into our community. New immigrants will need to make an effort to integrate among us. There will be inevitable differences between new and native-born Singaporeans, but together, we can strive towards a common future as Singaporeans. Existing platforms in our schools, workplace and the community will allow potential immigrants to better

Column: 1377

integrate into our society and allow Singaporeans to have a better understanding of the needs of the potential immigrants. But more can be done.

Strengthening communal bonds and integrating native and new residents is an unending process which requires everyone to play a part. The Government is open to ideas and suggestions on what more we can do to facilitate integration, and on ways to strengthen existing programmes. We are working out a proposal on how we can further facilitate the integration of new and locally-born citizens. The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and I will say more about this during the Committee of Supply Debate.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo (West Coast): Thank you DPM for the comprehensive clarification. Just one supplementary question. On the employment scene, how and what specific programmes are there to address the growing fears and concerns of Singaporeans, with respect to increased job competition from foreigners, especially in this current situation?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, the Acting Minister for Manpower has dealt with this question about fears of Singaporeans of foreign labour competition. For the Government, Singaporeans’ interests must come first but excluding foreigners from coming here to work when there is a legitimate need for companies to hire them will be against our long-term interests. In fact, for Singaporeans, there are a number of programmes which the Government has instituted to help them. The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme is one that helps to supplement the income of our Singaporean low-wage workers. Our SPUR programme is specifically targeted at Singaporeans to help them upgrade and improve their skills. The Jobs Credit Scheme recently announced by the Finance Minister is one that helps Singaporeans keep their jobs by

Column: 1378

helping employers to pay part of the Singaporean workers' wage costs.

Companies also adopt flexible working hours and arrangements so that workers can continue to work without being retrenched. We have to consider all the factors, in order to keep Singapore's economy competitive. We are not the only one that attracts foreign labour. Many countries also depend on them and, of course, different countries will adopt different policies during difficult times like during this recession. We cannot follow what other countries do blindly. We have to adopt policies which will suit our long-term interests, without sacrificing the interests of Singaporeans. Telling foreigners that they should go first is not going to serve the interests of Singaporeans, particularly when companies continue to need manpower in order to keep their businesses going and when competing with foreign companies and they also need to keep their products cost-effective and so on. Therefore, all our programmes must ensure that our companies can continue to survive in their business so that Singaporeans can continue to find work.