Singapore’s race to lure global talent revs up local angst over place on jobs ladder

The bid to hire international workers for top jobs reignites debate over what Singapore’s social contract means in a highly competitive world

Critics say greater transparency in policy communication, safeguards against biased recruitment practices, and investment in skills development in the local workforce are needed to balance the equation

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Pedestrians in Singapore’s central business district. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 8:30am, 29 Oct 2022Updated: 2:18pm, 30 Oct 2022

Singapore’s age-old tensions over hiring foreign workers have resurfaced as the city state joins the global race to court top talent, spurring fears that domestic jobseekers may be crowded out from employment at a time of growing anxiety over the direction of the economy.

As the world vies for foreign talent to ease the manpower crunch in sectors like healthcare and technology, Singapore is making its pitch as an attractive location with “targeted enhancements” to its existing work visa to bring in high achievers.

But the issue of who should have first dibs at the best jobs has been a long-running sore point, with locals often accusing companies of subjecting them to unfair hiring practices and favouring less-qualified foreigners for some roles.

“The common question is, ‘why are companies looking to employ overseas talent instead of training locals?’” said David (not his real name), a Singaporean who works in management at a bank in the city state.

“I don’t think it’s difficult for these Singaporeans to pick up soft skills and technical skills,” he said. “So the question is, are there any opportunities for locals to be trained to cater to the workforce, rather than to have companies look elsewhere?”

David said he had also noticed “ethnic enclaves” – a high concentration of foreigners of the same nationality – forming in some departments in his company.

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) government says the criticism is misdirected, as luring overseas talent has a direct and significant effect on job creation for locals.