Apart from ensuring Singapore has enough infrastructure for foreign workers, other factors must also be considered, such as their avenues for entertainment on weekends, he noted.
"It is partly educating the people who come here that this is Singapore, please respect Singapore norms and some things you can do in your home country, please have a care and do not do them like that here."
It is also crucial for Singaporeans to understand the importance of bringing in foreign talents, and to make the effort to be accommodating and welcoming, said Mr Lee.
He also stressed that Singapore does not have "a lot of manoeuvring room" on this issue.
"Every now and again we have a debate in parliament, and the opposition goes - Sturm und Drang (a German term for storm and stress), 'Why so many?'. And we say, well, do you want to cut it all off and let all the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have no foreign worker quota? And they say, 'No, no, no, we do not mean that, we feel for SMEs too'," said Mr Lee.
Such a policy would affect not just employers but Singaporean workers in SMEs and multinational companies, where without the foreign worker presence, the firm would not be here, he explained.
"We have no choice but to work very hard to find ways we can have our cake and eat most of it."
The issue of integrating foreign workers socially has been something Mr Lee has been addressing for a while.
In his 2021 National Day Rally, he touched on the topic, saying that most work pass holders and their families actually fit in quite well.
"After living here for some years, some speak Singlish, others enjoy sambal belachan and even durian!" he said then.
At that time, Mr Lee stressed that Singapore cannot give the impression it is becoming xenophobic and hostile to foreigners, as it would damage the country's reputation as an international hub.
Citing the community of workers from India here now, Mr Lee said Singaporeans notice their influx as the numbers are "not small".
However, they are talented individuals and are very valuable to Singapore, and "we should welcome them as we manage the flow", he added.
Mr Lee also shared that outside of India, Singapore has the biggest concentration of graduates from the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management.
The two are the top institutions in India, and securing a place in one is comparable to getting into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University or Harvard University, he said.
Those professionals have formed associations in Singapore and hold functions from time to time. "If I can get such a pool, come here and work here, it is a tremendous plus for us."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pm-lee-hsien-loong-foreign-workers-labour-talent-workforce-manpower-india-society-4314751
is them dun wan to integrate
:frown:
these people really delusional to the max
Too many liao wa lao half population are foreigners who no serve ns
In the past 25 years, import millions of low grade foreigners. At the expense of Singaporean graduates.
Actually it's easy to integrate but you must be very firm. Otherwise they will see no point in integration
U notice they don't bully the Ang mo but bully the Chinese?
Till now China & India still not friends. :s12:
Everyday chant bring in FTs instead of grooming sinkies.
Oh wait we have skillsfuture for that lol
Will lor neng reverse ceca?
Quote from: Nevereatrice on May 11, 2024, 01:31 PMWill lor neng reverse ceca?
moar ceca rah.. huai leeverse
:frown:
Quote from: jim889 on May 11, 2024, 02:41 PMmoar ceca rah.. huai leeverse
:frown:
Swiss lifestyle to Mumbai lifestyle yo
Quote from: Nevereatrice on May 11, 2024, 02:44 PMSwiss lifestyle to Mumbai lifestyle yo
just go to changi business park can liao .. it will spread
:frown:
Quote from: jim889 on May 11, 2024, 02:54 PMjust go to changi business park can liao .. it will spread
:frown:
Chiu mean chennai business park and mumbai bay :frown:
Quote from: drdoof on May 11, 2024, 04:45 PMChiu mean chennai business park and mumbai bay :frown:
:s13: :s13: :s13:
they really is no lose more seats no drop tears....
Quote from: daryl76 on May 11, 2024, 07:12 PMthey really is no lose more seats no drop tears....
ish sg wan more ceca so they will win
:frown:
Quote from: jim889 on May 11, 2024, 07:15 PMish sg wan more ceca so they will win
:frown:
60% voted for the party that wanted more ceca. Govt's fault meh? :frown:
Quote from: drdoof on May 11, 2024, 07:52 PM60% voted for the party that wanted more ceca. Govt's fault meh? :frown:
cheng hoo has mandate
:frown:
Quote from: jim889 on May 11, 2024, 07:15 PMish sg wan more ceca so they will win
:frown:
dun think its just ceca
they really open our arms and legs wide for anyone who will vote for them