Singapore, get real!!!
The National day Parade that has just passed has been filled with lots of facts about Asia's growing economy; how countries like China, Malaysia and India for example are rising up to compete.
Singapore has always been seen as the 'developed' country in the region; that is our trump card.
But looking at the pace around us, we have to start bucking up to ensure that the card is still in our advantage not only to stay afloat with the world, but also to ensure that Singaporeans themselves are working hard for their own benefits.
My reasons:
First, Singaporeans, in general, are quite selective in their choices. Not suggesting that one can't be selective, but just have to be realistic; to realise the purpose at the end of the day.
For example, in the National Day Rally, it was mentioned that some Singaporeans are quite fussy in terms of travelling from home to work because the venue is too far. Reality check. Singapore is also abbreviated as an Island and is also popularly casted as the 'little red dot' on the world map. The purpose of working is to get money.
Yes, travelling do take up some and money, but at the end of the day, to get a decent job and to bring home bread and butter daily for the family is the bottom line. What is scarier now is that employers are getting more foreign workers because they can be paid at a cheaper rate and that leaves Singaporeans with lesser job opportunities. There is no room for fussy-ness!
Another example given in the speech is that it mentioned an article picked up by The New Paper about a man who got retrenched from his job as a cargo tank officer. His wife in jail for drugs and has three children whom he currently feeds with instant noodles and bread. He is surviving with S$240 from self-help group and cash borrowed from friends. When asked if he were to bring back S$600 to $800 monthly from working as a cleaner, his reply was no, and why should he lower his expectations.
If you ask me personally, I feel sorry for his kids as they are the ones suffering as they're still young to fend for themselves.
Second, countries around are catching up. Again, for the umpteenth time, Singapore as the competitor. Yes, regional countries are catching up, the most obvious ones are Malaysia and China. Even others that are considered as 'the underdog' like Vietnam too are being mentioned here and there. Although it may still take a while more, from now until then, Singaporeans have no choice but to work hard for their own benefit. The monthly CPF cut may not necessarily be enough for some and being reliant on that alone may not be wise as by the time one realises how little money they have it may be well, too late.
In The Straits Times today, there are several articles on CPF and how depending on it alone may prove to be risky.
In other words, Singaporeans not only have to ensure their manners (like what Sue En's blog previously mentioned about how our mannerisms should be in-line with the country's progress), but also the working attitude that should be in-line with the country's growth. At the end of the day, it does not only about making Singapore look good, but also for his or her own benefit.
Nurwidya Abdul
Singapore has always been seen as the 'developed' country in the region; that is our trump card.
But looking at the pace around us, we have to start bucking up to ensure that the card is still in our advantage not only to stay afloat with the world, but also to ensure that Singaporeans themselves are working hard for their own benefits.
My reasons:
First, Singaporeans, in general, are quite selective in their choices. Not suggesting that one can't be selective, but just have to be realistic; to realise the purpose at the end of the day.
For example, in the National Day Rally, it was mentioned that some Singaporeans are quite fussy in terms of travelling from home to work because the venue is too far. Reality check. Singapore is also abbreviated as an Island and is also popularly casted as the 'little red dot' on the world map. The purpose of working is to get money.
Yes, travelling do take up some and money, but at the end of the day, to get a decent job and to bring home bread and butter daily for the family is the bottom line. What is scarier now is that employers are getting more foreign workers because they can be paid at a cheaper rate and that leaves Singaporeans with lesser job opportunities. There is no room for fussy-ness!
Another example given in the speech is that it mentioned an article picked up by The New Paper about a man who got retrenched from his job as a cargo tank officer. His wife in jail for drugs and has three children whom he currently feeds with instant noodles and bread. He is surviving with S$240 from self-help group and cash borrowed from friends. When asked if he were to bring back S$600 to $800 monthly from working as a cleaner, his reply was no, and why should he lower his expectations.
If you ask me personally, I feel sorry for his kids as they are the ones suffering as they're still young to fend for themselves.
Second, countries around are catching up. Again, for the umpteenth time, Singapore as the competitor. Yes, regional countries are catching up, the most obvious ones are Malaysia and China. Even others that are considered as 'the underdog' like Vietnam too are being mentioned here and there. Although it may still take a while more, from now until then, Singaporeans have no choice but to work hard for their own benefit. The monthly CPF cut may not necessarily be enough for some and being reliant on that alone may not be wise as by the time one realises how little money they have it may be well, too late.
In The Straits Times today, there are several articles on CPF and how depending on it alone may prove to be risky.
In other words, Singaporeans not only have to ensure their manners (like what Sue En's blog previously mentioned about how our mannerisms should be in-line with the country's progress), but also the working attitude that should be in-line with the country's growth. At the end of the day, it does not only about making Singapore look good, but also for his or her own benefit.
Nurwidya Abdul
Labels: Island, little red dot, NDP Rally, realistic
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There are people in their 50s retrenched due to the company policies of recruiting foreign workers who can work 16 hours a day at half the cost.
These foreign workers have no families to worry in Singapore and the money they earns are worth tons in their country.
If you, in your 50s, with 3 children and offered a toliet cleaner job with $600/mth salary working 12hours a day at the other end of Singapore. Will you take it up or you rather take care of your children ensuring that they are not out there with the wrong company.
If the above is my only option, I'll rather take care of my children, ensuring them of a proper education and well-being and get $280 from govt, then to get $600, working 12 hrs, travelling 3 hours daily.
These foreign workers have no families to worry in Singapore and the money they earns are worth tons in their country.
If you, in your 50s, with 3 children and offered a toliet cleaner job with $600/mth salary working 12hours a day at the other end of Singapore. Will you take it up or you rather take care of your children ensuring that they are not out there with the wrong company.
If the above is my only option, I'll rather take care of my children, ensuring them of a proper education and well-being and get $280 from govt, then to get $600, working 12 hrs, travelling 3 hours daily.
Hello Adrian,
Well, depending on the age of the children, $240 0r $280 is definitely not enough for a family of five- 3 kids, 2 adults. One may end up borrowing to make ends meet.
At least with a $600 a month, its a bit more flexible.
Again, your concern here is your kids being with the wrong company.
Does any parent know minute to minute details of what their kids are doing when they are out?
Values are usually instilled when they are young, to learn right from wrong.
Nobody can guarantee who your children mix around with. That's why especially in Asia, family values are very important and treasured.
What do you think?
Nurwidya Abdul & Belinda Harston
Well, depending on the age of the children, $240 0r $280 is definitely not enough for a family of five- 3 kids, 2 adults. One may end up borrowing to make ends meet.
At least with a $600 a month, its a bit more flexible.
Again, your concern here is your kids being with the wrong company.
Does any parent know minute to minute details of what their kids are doing when they are out?
Values are usually instilled when they are young, to learn right from wrong.
Nobody can guarantee who your children mix around with. That's why especially in Asia, family values are very important and treasured.
What do you think?
Nurwidya Abdul & Belinda Harston
Well. No matter how much effort the government put in, there will just be people who refuse to face reality, look at themselves, upgrade and make themselves more valuable.
They lacks motivation and the much needed energy. There should be avenues for retrenched workers to go, seek counselling, and start a new life.
$600/mth in Singapore is simply too low. They must learn to get a higher income.
They lacks motivation and the much needed energy. There should be avenues for retrenched workers to go, seek counselling, and start a new life.
$600/mth in Singapore is simply too low. They must learn to get a higher income.
Yes Adrian,
Indeed $600/mth is low for the standard of living in Singapore, and that people should upgrade themselves to be more valuable in any organisation they work in, or plan to work for.
In fact, some companies do send their workers for training courses to further upgrade their knowledge. There are even competitions like the Lifelong Learner Award by MediaCorp to recognise these people who want to better themselves.
There are also programmes in community centres to teach skills such as preparing oriental cruisine dishes and so on.
Be it for sewing, or cooking, or even in customer management, these skills are those that can be applied in everyday life.
In relation to the blog, if for example, the person is in dire need of cash, being fussy is definitely out of the question.
Nurwidya Abdul
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Indeed $600/mth is low for the standard of living in Singapore, and that people should upgrade themselves to be more valuable in any organisation they work in, or plan to work for.
In fact, some companies do send their workers for training courses to further upgrade their knowledge. There are even competitions like the Lifelong Learner Award by MediaCorp to recognise these people who want to better themselves.
There are also programmes in community centres to teach skills such as preparing oriental cruisine dishes and so on.
Be it for sewing, or cooking, or even in customer management, these skills are those that can be applied in everyday life.
In relation to the blog, if for example, the person is in dire need of cash, being fussy is definitely out of the question.
Nurwidya Abdul
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