Latest Articles
Reminiscence of a Singaporean growing up in »
He's not wrong in some ways. My family was on the lower income side (around $2.5-2.8k I think, for a family of 4 - actually, five as I have a half brother) and [...]
Highlights
Appeal for education minister to waive off unpaid »
(sent via email) Dear Mr Ong Ye Kung Minister for education 28 Nov [...]
Discrimination faced by a needy child on FAS scheme »
A child with limited resources (a.k.a. poor/FAS kid) in a primary school will [...]
Elderly Singaporean evicted by son after gifting away »
Good day Sir, My name is Phillip, 59 years old today and only next [...]
Politics
MM Lee on PAP losing power: That day will come »
By Angela Lim – January 21st, 2011 Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the founding leader People’s Action Party’s (PAP) has predicted its rule of [Read More]
Mental health
Malay jobless man stressed after having only $60 in pocket »
Dear Sir, I am in dire straits now [...]
Surviving unemployment
Eight Tips For Living While Unemployed »
This article was first published here on Aug 2009. Eight Tips for Living While Unemployed A few days ago, I found myself jobless. It’s too complicated to explain the whole situation, but suffice to say, it left me feeling anxious and sad. I did what I could to [Read More]
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Email A Counsellor
Father chases out of HDB flat by only son in family’s dispute
Good day All, Please look at the picture and be honest about it. Would you just walk away? At that moment one could feel "murder" in one's hands. But I walked out quietly and went to HDB at Toa Payoh to request for rental flat and was told not qualified. The law says my son is qualified to throw me out even though I fork [...]
Three new phenomenons which may affect the out come of the coming election
There are several new phenomenons happening in the country right now which may influence the outcome of the coming general election - suspected to be held next month in December 2019:- 1. Rise of the people - Grab riders There seems to be a new-found freedom in citizen uprising viz-a-viz the PMB ban resulting in the gathering of a few [...]
Hiring manager compares the difference between a foreigner and local worker
Hi Gilbert, Feel free to post or edit. I will start work next week so may not have that much time since I need to quickly assimilate into new workplace and new industry. Still hopeful for other opportunities to match my old salary. In this economy, we must all embrace diversity even in the red dot. As much as I will like to work with locals [...]
Commentary: Why Singaporeans develop Stockholm syndrome when it comes to hiring foreigners
Last year, MOM decided to cut the quota on Work Permits and S-Passes on foreigners. I have experienced and witnessed the emotional backlash when MOM decided not to renew these foreigners' work permits. I term this the Stockholm Syndrome - this phenomenon is developed during the Stockholm bank robbery in 1973 when victims develop empathy for [...]
Wife worried for husband who is unemployed for three years after losing job to a foreigner
Hi Gilbert, I read the Hong Lim Park news and your support site for the unemployed. My husband has been unemployed for 3 years. He has been retrenched twice in the past. His job in a government agency has been given to a Indian foreigner who can't work! We have two young schooling children to take care of and I am looking for a part-time [...]
Jobless Singaporean with doctorate in education lost out two jobs to foreigners
Greetings from Dr Chua. I would like to introduce myself. I was introduced to you by Caleb Loh, a close friend whom you helped during his distressful period of unemployment 6 years ago. Thank you for organising the Hong Lim Park (HLP) gathering yesterday as it helped Singaporeans to understand how politics is inextricably linked to our [...]
Singaporean Tamil concerned about CECA and heavy influx of Indians from India
Dear brother Gilbert, 1. The recent viral incident involving the security guard with a new citizen resident had inadvertently stirred emotion and agitation to a new level. With all this euphoria, we must be very careful not to lead this to racial profiling and hatred toward a particular ethnic group. If that happened, then we will lose focus [...]
Singaporean Tamil feel alienated by influx of Indians from India
Dear Gilbert, Thank you for hosting the above event; I got retrenched last year, my position was re-defined and given to foreign talent. After working 32 years in that company in a managerial position, now I am a security guard in a hotel. My last drawn salary was $12k a month. I am earning $1.8k a month. I am very keen to attend and support [...]
Unemployed Singaporean PMET ranting off and attending our anti-CECA event on Sunday
Hi all Just wanted to share my own personal sentiments and experiences on the issue. I used to think I was the anomaly until I talked to more people and we all had the same issues! 1. Since Dec 2018 - May 2019, I was unemployed and actively looking for positions. Among others, I did cold emails, LinkedIn, job sites, utilised the jobs bank [...]
Indian FT fails to get Employment Pass under employer OCBC
Hi, I am a citizen of India and need an EP to work in Singapore. Infosys made me an offer but could not get an EP. Next Cognizant failed to get an EP. Now Comtel solution is trying to get an EP. Client is OCBC. All in, for 3 months OCBC has asked company after company to get me an EP but all have failed. Something wrong with me or [...]