<above pic: A group of overseas Singaporeans enjoying the free local food organized by the Overseas Singaporean Unit>
Singapore is making attempts to woo overseas Singaporeans back to contribute their talents and skills to our country ("Govt taps recruiters to lure overseas S'poreans home"; March 3).
For the attempts to be successful, Singapore must be seen and felt as a place that is better than the citizens' current country of residence.
First, we must treat those who return like any other Singaporean. These people are likely more well-educated and thus will be holding higher-paying jobs on their return.
We must not consider them elites and be envious of them. This envy will inevitably cause resentment towards them, discouraging other overseas Singaporeans from coming home.
Second, we must ensure that our nation is a destination with good job opportunities for Singaporeans in order to encourage them to make that move.
After settling down in a new country, it is a great sacrifice to be uprooted once again to adjust to life here.
With these two moves, not only can we attract Singaporeans working overseas to come back, but we can also encourage local students studying in foreign universities to return to Singapore to work upon their graduation.
Otherwise, these adventurous youngsters, keen to have new experiences, might find employment in a foreign land and remain there forever.
Yeo Boon Eng (Ms)
*Article first appeared on ST Forums (13 March 2014)
Reader's Top Comments:
With the high cost of living, no freedom of speech, censorship, sky high housing prices, infrastructure breakdowns, overpopulation, a government devoted to rich foreigners rather than their citizens, a pressure cooker education system, lack of open space, reservist (for guys) and expensive health care? My friends who are overseas laugh when someone suggests they return to Singapore.
The only lure back to Singapore is to eat the hawker food. It seems like that will be gone soon too.