While researching through the old ST archives, I found the above article about what our PM Lee said in 1987 (he was called BG Lee, Minister of Trade and Industry, then).
It said, “The Government is reluctant to allow foreign workers in the retail trade as it does not want the industry to develop a permanent dependence on them, Brigadier-General (Res) Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.”
Just recalled this article was published at the time when Singapore was in a recession. There were CPF cuts, rebates were offered etc by the Govt at the time.
It looks like words and promises made yesteryear would determine who they would become today. But then, once they become someone, they can change their position as easily as changing their underwear.
At the time, LHL said foreign workers were containable in ‘manufacturing’ – when their terms are up, they would go back.
“Manufacturing is containable. It’s a factory, you bring in 50 workers, they have a dormitory and are well looked after. When their term is over, they go back,” he said.
But is this the case today? Most factory and construction workers will extend their stay once their 2-year work permit is up. And to help extend their stay, these workers have to pay unscrupulous agents or bosses money! So, end up most of them will get extension. So what is happening now?
Then LHL tried to explain why, at the time, Govt didn’t allow foreign workers into retail and services sectors.
He said, “If foreign workers were allowed in the retail and services sectors, they would ‘scatter throughout our economy’, a situation that would be ‘very hard to unwind’.”
But what is the situation today? Pinoys, PRCs etc dominating our service sector! The worst is pinoys even try to hire pinoys into their company, trying to also make a quick buck or 2 from their fellow compatriots.
Why the sudden change of heart, Mr Lee?
My guess is, because Govt didn’t want to affect the rental market and the SME retailers were all drowning in high cost of operation, LHL decided the easy way out, let the cheap foreign workers come into retail and service sectors as well.
It just goes to show that this guy couldn’t care less of Singaporeans. He cares more for his GLCs. As long as GLCs keep making money and Temasek/GIC is happy, he is happy.
I have typed out the whole article for all to read below. You decide what kind of PM we have today:
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19870824-1.2.31.10.aspx
The Straits Times, 24 August 1987, Page 14
BG Lee on foreign workers in retail trade
The Government is reluctant to allow foreign workers in the retail trade as it does not want the industry to develop a permanent dependence on them, Brigadier-General (Res) Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters at the end of his tour of Kaki Bukit and Eunos constituencies, the Trade and Industry Minister said the situation was different for manufacturing, where foreign workers are allowed.
“Manufacturing is containable. It’s a factory, you bring in 50 workers, they have a dormitory and are well looked after. When their term is over, they go back.”
But he said employers in areas, such as supermarkets or barbers’ shop, would not retrench their foreign workers, even if their scale of operation came down.
If foreign workers were allowed in the retail and services sectors, they would “scatter throughout our economy”, a situation that would be “very hard to unwind”.
BG Lee’s explanation follows last week’s appeal by short-staffed retailers to be allowed to recruit foreign workers.
The retailers claim they are critically short of up to 2,000 sales staff and are unable to recruit Singaporeans. The problem has been aggravated by two new giant stores at Marina Square due to open in the next few weeks.
The Singapore National Employers’ Federation is expected to put up a case soon to the Labour Ministry in support of the retailers.
BG Lee’s five-hour walkabout also saw him answering questions from the many residents he met and hearing their views.
One request, by Mr Roger Chong, chairman of Bedok North Industrial Park C, was that the temporary rental rebates for factories offered in 1985 be extended, Mr Chong made the request in a letter which he handed to the minister.
BG Lee, describing the petition as “a reasonable request” which had also been made by several other entrepreneurs, said the rebates were meant “for a limited period, for the recession”.
Although the downturn was “receding”, rental rates did not necessarily have to return to 1984 levels as the market situation now was different.
The HDB and JTC would have to make an assessment of what the market rate was and how much the present rates should be revised by.
He expected the Government to make a decision on the matter at the end if the year.
BG Lee, who visited a temple and a mosque, was also asked his views on religion.
He said the various religious groups in Singapore were doing constructive work but felt they should not go beyond providing social services.
He said: “Whether it’s the politician fighting the Almighty, or a priest talking about politics with the Almighty as his authority, both are equally disastrous.”
As for his personal religious beliefs, he said: “I am not religious, that is a matter of personal inclination. Each person has to find his own equilibrium and covenant.”
Edmund