Some readers really dislike migrant workers!

There continue to be many Singaporeans who dislike us migrant workers whether they are from China or India or anywhere else. Just like this reader who commented and some who sent me direct messages or emails. In any case, you read about all these sentiments over the news, especially near the election period.

But let's face it. We're all here to make a living as my previous post stated, not to take away jobs. The world is getting smaller. Today, manufacturers in developed countries can blame the internet for pushing their prices down. But will blaming do them any good? Would it not be better for them to use the effort to improve their products, reduce their costs or provide better value to their customers.

Similarly, blaming migrant workers for lowering the salary range is the easy way out for many people. But that's not going to help anyone except make everyone dislike us or the government. Why not spend the time and effort improving your skill sets?

The question arise, "Are our salary low?" For what we take home, yes it is by Singapore standards. However, let's not forget that employers have to pay a levy to the government as well. So for a migrant worker earning SGD1,000, that would be equivalent to a salary from the employer's point of view of, say about SGD1,200. My sister makes about SGD1,400 working overtime and that would be equivalent to about SGD1,600 for a Singaporean. That's not low anymore! My boss recently told me that the levy for me has increased to SGD400+??

I know I am touching on a very sensitive subject for many Singaporeans, but I just want us all to see the picture better and gel together to make Singapore a better place, for you and for me. We take on the jobs that many Singaporeans prefer not to take and help contribute to your country in that way... I'm sure our contribution counts no matter how small and seeing from above, our pay may be low, but the cost to the employer is not!