SSA2209 Assignment 1

SINGAPORE'S MIGRATION POLICY SINCE THE 1990S - AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY?

Founded in 1819, Singapore has been a tiny jewel in the British colonial empire. Since then, immigrants have flocked to Singapore seeking a better future, creating a multiracial society, consisting of four main groups - Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others. Under the guidance of capable leaders, Singapore flourished into an economic hub. In order to be on the frontier on the global economy, the government then devise the migration policy to attract foreign talents.
This led to a proliferation of skilled workers in Singapore which allowed a rapid economic growth in the past four decades, with GDP rising by 76 percentage points in between 1960 and 1991.

In addition, declining birth rates among Singaporeans has further increase the need to bring in foreigners to stabilize the labour force participation rates. The proportion of the population aged 65 and above is expected to reach 20 per cent of the total population. Immigration is seen as the best resort to ensure the productivity of the work force.

Yet many Singaporeans do not agree with how the migration policy has benefited the society on the whole, they regard the influx of foreigners as nothing more than an irritation. Majority of these foreigners are actually blue collar workers bought in by the government to fill up jobs that are unwanted by Singaporeans. These workers often display behaviours that might have been acceptable in their culture but are frowned upon by the locals. They also do not put in effort to blend in with the locals thus adding to the locals irks. Adding to the displeasure of the locals, the increasing competitiveness of the work force due to the input of these workers has led a certain amount of Singaporeans emigrating to look for greener pasture.

A more disturbing effect in the policy is the gradual loss of national identity. Since gaining full independence, the government has been emphasizing that maintaining the multicultural complexion is vital for the survival of Singapore. However the constant input of foreigners has change the ratio of diversity among races. In 2009, Singapore’s population is roughly five million with foreigners contributing to a quarter of it. Also, foreigners attracted by our migration policy lack a sense of loyalty to Singapore. They are not required to complete national service, and they do not understand the racial harmony that Singaporeans hold so dearly.

The policy of migration might have been one of the wise decisions made by the government. It is essential to recruit talents from overseas, in order for the economy to maintain at its peak. However, there has to be a point in which the policy crosses from being an asset to a liability, and currently the work force has already met its saturation and further continuation will only add to the discord amongst Singaporeans. The harmony cherished deeply by Singaporeans is slowly losing its value, and it is only a matter of time before we lose our identity. Our national identity is at stake.


Bibliography:
Asia Pacific Migration Research Network. “Issue papers from Singapore.” Migration issues in the Asia Pacific http://www.unesco.org/most/apmrnw13.htm (accessed February 21, 2010).
Kenneth Bercuson, Robert G. Carling. “Singapore: a case study in rapid development.” http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=xBmD0lhGKNoC&pg=PT19&lpg=PT19&dq=what+is+gdp+for+singapore+in+past+three+decades&source=bl&ots=oMU_j_NPqy&sig=YniSY8QJmEY2x9tWRiiIS5SD3NA&hl=en&ei=zTuBS4OmMYSxrAe2rrXBBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CA8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=what%20is%20gdp%20for%20singapore%20in%20past%20three%20decades&f=false (accessed February 21, 2010).

Brenda S.A. Yeoh. “Singapore: Hungry for Foreign Workers at All Skill Levels.” January 2007 http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=570 (accessed February 21, 2010).