Beautiful Melbourne
I touched down Sydney on a cold breezy evening two Fridays ago and was glad that I took along a light jacket.
I nearly forsake the woolen attire as my daughter had told me that it was spring and the temperature was between 25 – 29 deg C.
However, the weather during the past week was anything but sunny and rain fell on most parts of Sydney bringing the temperature down to around 15 deg C. At night, it went down further to around 12 deg C and the wind can bring it a few degrees lower.
It was almost seven months ago that I left Sydney and stood for the 2011 GE. How time flown by and now I am back in Sydneyagain.
Due to its’ past aggressive migration programme, Sydney now is half filled with Asians and many whites have moved on to Brisbane or Adelaide – more in search of cheaper residences as the property market was chased up by cash-rich Asians.
Surprising, I hardly met any Singaporeans while residing in Sydney. There are the odd few that I spoke to but hardly enough to make a presence here.
I have met a lot of Malaysians, Indians, mainland Chinese, Hong Kongers, Eqyptians, Iraqis, Thais and Vietnamese but not many Singaporeans. Perhaps, Singaporeans preferred Melbourne or Perth and hopefully they are well represented there.
Nevertheless, most Asians work in the low-waged service sector and I see that not many belonged to the professional work category. Of course, there are the odd few that work in the banks, medical and manufacturing field but they are largely represented in the service area.
Love-hate Relationship With Sydney
I have a love-hate relationship with Sydney as though I like the down-under beautiful water front city because of its cosmopolitan culture and care-free liberalism, my heart really belongs in Singapore.
Sydney
Moreover, there is the latent racism that sometimes reigns its’ ugly head if you are the unfortunate recipient. I heard that it is more apparent in the work places whereby preferential treatment is given to it’s own people and most foreign workers receive crappy work conditions.
You hardly heard of a foreigner heading a department even though he is a converted citizen and he has proved to be both capable and well qualified.
Many people have also mocked at my silly patriotism, often questioning why I still care for a country that worships money and have no patience for a dissident like me. Moreover, people like me are to be avoided as we don’t belong to the mainstream and it could spell trouble for those who want to maintain ties with us.
During the past decade, many friends who have left earlier for Australia when their borders are wide open are now citizens and most of them never contemplate returning home.
“There is nothing for us anymore in Singapore, Gilbert,” a friend who is now a Aussie citizen told me just early this year. He has migrated to Melbourne three years ago with his family of five.
“I have already withdrawn my CPF money, got a great job that pays me A$100, 000 a year and at my age (he is 47 years old), what good am I to my own country?”
Most abled Singaporeans I realized moved abroad in search of greener pasture as they could not survive in their own country. This stance is made more acute recently as our government opens the floodgates for foreign professionals to work in our country immediately after the 2008 global financial crisis.
This is ironical as Singapore remains one of the few countries in the world that boasts of high economic growth. If such a country could not provide ready employment for its’ own citizens and they have to scout around overseas for work, something must be very wrong about the fiscal policies here.
Sydney vz Singapore
I journey between Sydney and Singapore regularly during the past few years as my family is based there.
Many friends and readers marveled at my regular overseas experience as many people staying in Singapore felt that the lion city can get rather boring and stressful after a while. Even getting away from the country for a month or two is considered a very good break!
There is nothing much you can do for recreation and going away probably means that you just cross into JB or Bintan for a quick breakaway.
Singapore works in a clock-like efficient manner and after a while, you behave almost like a robot – devoid of any feelings and our whole being is focused on just making enough money to pay the mortgage and bills.
There is nothing to look forward to in life besides work and we have no choice but to face up to a inhumane materialistic society. After a while, you get tired of the rat race and begin to wonder if staying on is the lesser evil.
More worryingly, you wonder i f your employer will still hire you when you hit the big “4” when he can exchange you for a cheaper younger foreign professional – at half the price.
I must admit that I enjoyed staying in Sydney all this while, as even though it is the busiest city inAustralia, you get to relax and enjoy the huge space available. You also get to see the big blue sky above and count th e thousands of stars at night.
The air is fresh and my constant sore throat goes off whenever I am inSydney. You also feel fresher and less tired due to the low humidity here.
The train is seldom packed and sometimes you wonder where the people go to especially during weekend. However, the fare is extremely expensive and a return trip on the same line can set you back by almost A$5.00. During weekend, you also have to wait at least 15 minutes for the train.
I guess most Sydneysiders drive if they could and those working in the city will have no choice but to take the train due to the high parking cost there.
The transport network is similar as the one a decade ago and due to budgeting reason, the proposed link to the western part ofSydneyis never done up at all. Compared to Sydney, we probably have one of the best world-classed mass rapid transport system in the world.
I enjoyed jogging along the parks in Sydneyand sometimes you don’t get to see a soul during your run. This is so unlike Singapore whereby you can hardly avoid meeting someone at anywhere and anytime.
Many readers have emailed me recently checking how they can get hold of a work visa here. I must apologise that I am a novice when it comes to such matters.
Nevertheless, I am toying with the idea of starting a migrant agency here serving primarily the work and migration needs of fellow Singaporeans charging a nominal fee for the processing.
The mining industry is enjoying a boom here as China continues to rely onAustraliafor the export of minerals to fuel its economy.
A general worker in the mines enjoy a daily wage of around A$300 and many people have flocked to such faraway places in search of ready work.
However, the work can be tough and slightly hazardous. You also need to stay in the mining quarters and there is little entertainment during weekend.
Many young people after their HSC also journey to work in the mines for a season so that they could save up for their tuition fees. With a monthly salary of around A$7000 – $8000, it is possible to pay up on the entire 3- year degree tuition fees if you are willing to work hard for a year or slightly more.
Is migration for you?
Nowadays, lots of Singaporeans want to emigrate – more to escape the high unemployment rate among the professionals and the stifling political climate.
However, is emigration for you?
I have met up with a 52-year-old Singaporean, James, before leaving for Sydneyand his story reminded me how tough it is for someone to relocate especially if he is above a certain age.
Its tough to leave a place where we call home for many decades and suddenly unroot ourselves to resettle in a foreign land.
James followed his wife to Melbourne two years ago as she was posted there for work. It was either she followed the company and be employed or stay back in Singapore and joined the jobless queue. As James was jobless then, the decision to follow where there would be employment was easily made.
James recounted his story to me while we had dinner at Bugis foodcourt last month. He has also recently found work as an administrator after staying jobless for many years in Singapore before he left for Melbourne.
“I hate every day of the period that I spent in Melbourne– I literally slept through the days and only woke up to cook for my wife when she returned from work.”
“The fact that we went during the winter period only deepened the misery.”
He decided to return home three months ago as he was battling with suicidal thoughts and acute depression for a long while in Melbourne. James’ wife is still working in Melbourne by herself.
I asked if the distance will affect the marriage.
“There is no choice Gilbert,” He told me. “I was literally going mad and suicidal thoughts filled my mind daily.” His wife may return home soon.
Loneliness seems to be the number one barrier for anyone wanting to strike out on the popular migration route.
I remembered battling the same monster when I came over to Sydney three years ago. You missed everything back home from food to weather to our badly-associated Singlish.
You sourced out everything Singaporean and even a lousy Indonesian laksa replacement was a sought-after haven! I also subscribed to our online Straits Times paper just to be close to my home country.
Many Singaporeans missed out a lot on our multi-cultural food variety and thought we have all kinds of food inSydney, it is never the same.
I used to return home after six months or so and gouged on all the food I could eat at our local kopitiam or foodcourt.
I would be a glutton for the next few days till I am sick with the local food.
Most importantly, I missed my mum – who is ill and 78 years old now – whenever I am away.
She just had a stroke before I left and though I nursed her daily through the 2-month hospital rehab stay back home, I still left with a heavy heart when it was time to go.
I tried to call her regularly but it could never substitute the physical absence and sometimes I avoided calling her as it would stir up the guilt within me all over again.
Singaporeans living abroad will surely identify with me on this factor – that being away from your loved ones is the most terrible thing associated with emigration.
For practical reasons, we could not bring along our elderly parents when we emigrate and though we can bridge the yawning gap by returning home regularly, there will still be the long period of absence from our loved ones.
Technology can only bridge the gap to a certain extent but deep down you miss them badly when you long to have face to face chat with them.
I remembered missing my mum a lot when I am in Sydney and my family when I am back inSingapore.
Maybe I am the sentimental sort so I spent a lot on airfare and telephone charges. I must have also chalked up a total airfare bill of up to five figures during these few years!
I have no qualms about calling my daughter using my pre-paid card inSingaporewhenever I felt like speaking with her. The call could last fifteen to twenty minutes.
There is also the problem of getting ready employment when you are abroad.
When I tried to look for work inSydney, I realized how easy it is for foreigners to find work in Singapore.
I could only find part time work in a nursing home and helping out a gardener whenever he needed assistance.
Many migrants have also decided to return to their own country when they battled with long periods of unemployment.
You also question your professional expertise when you have to carry out mundane part time work in the food court or cleaning out the hospital floors especially if you have a good degree from a reputable university.
Most people gave up after sloughing aimlessly for a few years and asked if it is worth the effort.
However, Singaporean workers tend to be highly regarded due mainly to our English-speaking work environment and multi-faceted skills set.
Unless you are the shy introverted kind, the majority of Singaporeans who migrated tend to fare better than migrants of other nationalities.
The fact that we are labeled as law-abiding and responsible help a lot in our branding abroad.
When you say that you are from Singapore, most people tend to view you with respect if not reverence.
Conclusion
Someone has told me this and I wondered if it is a compliment to us Singaporeans or not:
“You will be deemed abnormal if you have never think of migrating abroad. Singapore is not for normal people to live in.”
Is our country so bad that each year, more than five thousands left overseas in search of greener pastures and many more give up their pink ICs in exchange for foreign citizenship?
If our country is that bad, why do foreigners still flock to our island state by the hundreds of thousands each year?
What are the compelling reasons that prompt Singaporeans to look abroad – forsaking a place they call home for many decades?
Are Singaporeans really that much happier when they move overseas?
What can be done to slow down the emigration of Singaporeans?
I believe that there will not be ready answers for all my questions and each of us has to answer them from the bottom of their heart when the itch to move overseas beckons.
Written by: Gilbert Goh
From the perspective of one of Singapore’s minorities, Sydney is a far less racist place than Singapore. I know other parts of australia like queensland are more reknowned for racism, but even then if people see u as different they generally don’t have an immediate set of preconceived notions about you based on your race like they do in Singapore. Post-colonial guilt is very handy because it makes most people sensitive about the things they say , not like in Singapore. I’ve only had good experiences there and sydney is a very multicultural place. Many of my sporean friends work in Sydney and they have not experienced the discrimination you talk about.
A five dollar train ticket is nothing when u look at the dollar for dollar spending power and lifestyle there. In Sydney someone who does checkout at the supermarket earns around 18 bucks an hour. That’s enough to buy at least three macdonalds meals. In Singapore the average checkout counter worker will only be able to afford a macdonalds meal after close to 1.5 hours of work. Tax rates are fair and equitable. Most workers will be able to enjoy a comfortable level of consumption and leisure because the country was founded on the principle that workers rights and the dignity of labour should be protected.
Guess I will find out next year how SYD is like when I moved there to work.
. I am not sure about this word. Chicken of course I know and cook for myeslf. This poor lonely woman, she would not visit Bali or Italy because my country treat woman well almost all the time. If please, can you explain this word chick. Yes and to prove I, J rgen Kol-Slawski am dedicated follower your blog I would say also that my writing is inferior to woman, but my vegetable garden little more impressive. I would also one day to love sharing my poetry with you. I have finish a poem about the little bed bug.
Gilbert, thanks for this. i have been toying at this idea but have no clue! i will be your first customer if u have your migrant agency! gd luck!
Gilbert, you might need lawyers to work for you if you do set up a migration agency. That appears to be what I noticed among the agencies in Canada and Singapore alike. Either way, if it does work out, count me in too.
One of the occupational hazards of being an immigrant of colour in a white country is that one tends to be over-sensitive about purported racism. When you are in your own country, if someone is nasty to you or provides sub-standard service, you would never think ‘this person is being racist’. You simply think ‘what a nasty person’ or ‘what crap service’. It’s very tempting to blame such things on skin colour differences. It’s easy to forget that some people are just nasty, full stop and there could well be absolutely no racist intent.
You write of your love-hate relationship with Sydney, but what comes across very clearly as well is your love-hate relationship with Singapore. I guess no place is ever perfect. When you mention that you think Sydney rail fares are expensive, I wonder if at the back of your mind, you were comparing it with Singapore public transport prices, which in comparison are much lower. But maybe the higher Sydney price comes with a less crowded train where you are able to get a seat, and the scenery is nicer? And of course, comparisons can go both ways. A single ticket on the London underground now costs 4 pounds or 8 sing dollars, if you opt to pay by cash. That’s irrespective of distance within the same zone, so that’s the price even if you only travel one station.
I been staying in Sydney for the past 6 years. But the problem is once you start having kids you will think that singapore could edge oz in terms of security, education and families.
People been telling me about the benefits about raising kids here in sydney. But its not easy when we have to handle everything ourselves especially there is no one around dealing with few kids. Not to mention Singapore education is still a proven system regardless how bad your kids are.
However working here, I couldnt agree more. Eventhough you might not advance much in ur career, singaporean definately get some respect for getting work done. So work will always be around. At least over here we get more to focus on family value rather getting headlessly climbing up the corporate ladder.
At the end of the day, its all about make choices and squeezing the best out of it. There is no point trying to build the perfect world.
Hi RS
You got a point there and I guess there is no perfect country in the world. Each country has its ups and downs…
One must first be able to fit into the community abroad and also having employment is vital for one to survive. Surviving on social welfare is not a long term solution.
Where about do you live in Sydney? I am now living in West Ryde and don’t mind meeting up for a coffee chat if you are comfortable. Please email me at gilbert@transitioning.org.
Take care and enjoy your stay in Sydney.
Gilbert Goh
To determine if immigration is for you:
Do you embrace change?
Do you have a sense of adventure?
Are you a risk taker?
Are you optimistic?
Do you have a can-do attitude?
If your answer is “yes” to all of them, then there’s a very high probability that you will survive and even enjoy your new home!!!
Hi Gilbert, I’m Raymond, a fellow Singaporean, born and bred here. You have written a very well written article, very thought-provoking. You have expressed views that I share but which I lack the vocabulary to express to acquaintances and friends back here.
I am extremely saddened by the fact that thousands of Singaporeans are leaving our shores and many more are contemplating doing so. At this rate, true blue Singaporeans will be the minority, so few that the very essence of Singapore will be changed.
Sometimes I almost wanted to plead with the government to have more accomodative policies which otherwise has encouraged Singaporeans to migrate. Never a moment passed in public places where I only, and only, hear local accents and lingo, i.e. speaking in 3 or 4 different languages in one sentence at one go. (You know what I mean). It has got to a point where I would feel so relieved and heart-warming just to hear someone speaking in Singlish or in our own form and version of Mandarin in public! Indians, Malays and Chinese Singaporeans speaking to each other in Singlish with all the lahs and lors. I seldeom hear that anymore.
I, like most Singaporeans, is indifferent and has no qualms on foreigners coming to work in Singapore. The thing is I just feel that this number must be controlled and not wholesale mass importation. If you asked me, scientific research and development is the first thing that comes to my mind that jobs such as these needs foreign expertise because there can be a transfer of skills to our young aspiring scientists. The key point here is – opportunities for transfer of skills to Singaporeans, and this applies to all industries and fields. Now, this is only the short term fix.
Long term, Singaporeans who are the beneficiary of such transfer of skills are able to start occupying jobs further up the value chain. Be it in IT, law, financial services, medicine and what have you. And we need to create more local companies based on these acquired skills and knowledge and to reduce the reliance on foreign companies setting up shop here and in the process, hope that they employ Singaporeans. These are business people. They are here to do business. They are not here to help you create low employment so that your country look good to the world. They are not here to help us solve our own social issues. It is only home grown companies that will employ mostly Singaporeans, or least they have the unspoken responsibility to do so. Yes, the local market is small, but embark on an agressive program to identify and train certain Singaporeans to be world-class sales and marketing people. Look at Switzerland. UBS, Credit Suisse, Novartis, Nestle comes to mind. Conventional business wisdom says that a huge domestic market is needed to serve as a training ground for local companies to grow in size and expertise so that they can branch out overseas to serve foreign markets. Why can’t we do things in a different way? We are so small, all the more reason why we should do things the contrarian way. Ever notice that business and economic thinkers hail from countries with sizable populations?
Gibert, I hope we can do everything we can to encourage Singaporeans to stay here and contribute. Our age could be 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or beyond, but there’s always a time and place for citizens to contribute to Singapore, and it doesn’t necessarily be in materialistic terms. This land has come this far, perhaps we can make it even better? Just my 2 cents..
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for your comment and it made me gulped down a little as I read your heart-felt comment.
It also saddened me to see many of my close friends migrating over the past decade. Many are professionals in their own right but have decided to take the plunge overseas due to various factors.
Some left because they want to have a better lifestyle, time to smell the roses whereas others left because of practical reaons like better job opportunities or educational benefits for their children.
Nevertheless, for every Singaporean that left the country, there will be one less patriotic person whom we can count on to fight for the country or do what’s best for Singapore.
I sincerely hope that our government will be more pro-employment to our people especially when it comes to those belonging to the early to mid 40s age group.
If not, the exodus will continue and our country will become a nation of foreigners.
Gilbert Goh
Hi Gilbert,
Yep, I agree with you. Just like to add a few things further:
If Singaporeans left for lifestyle change, then admittedly we (or the govt) cant do anything about that. But if they leave because of real (or perceived) perception that their employment opportunities are limited due to foreign workers, then this is the exact area that we (or the govt) needs to address. The same applies to the form of educational system that we currently have here.
I sincerely believed that creating new home-grown companies will increase the employment figures for people hitting 40 and beyond. (Give full support to companies like Creative Technologies as an example) Existing public sector and GLCs will have to take the lead here. We simply cannot force or coerce (for the lack of better words) foreign companies to hire more locals. Naturally they would hire their own in management positions and sometimes even in junior ones. They would want to expose their young talents to be exposed overseas and be future leaders of the company. Who wouldn’t plan in this way? It’s a globalised economy. If we push too many concessions from them, chances of them packing up and leave for somewhere else is very real. So our hands are tied here. (I noticed that the unemployed and underemployed contributers in this forum are mostly from the private sector working for foreign companies)
I guess my point is, the things that are within our control and is able do something about, we need to do. Areas like employment and education are the things that I’m referring to. Change our mindset on the way we educate and teach our young people, change our economic growth model (what works in the 70s and 80s does not work in 2011), and the battle will be half won, cos it’s going to be a long process. Remove the shackles that Singaporeans “felt” they are bound to and let ideas flow.
It really saddens me to see Singaporeans leaving in droves and foreigners of all stripes coming in as replacements. But the way things are moving, and if they decided to leave, I can only wish them the best and hope that their dreams and hopes, which is never fulfilled here, will be fulfilled wherever they may be.
Cheers.
Hi Raymond,
I guess people left their home country for all sorts of reasons.
Some do it for personal well being whereas others leave because they want a change in physical or social environment.
I personally wish that Singaporeans now living abroad could come together and contribute to a better Singapore. I don’t really know how this can be done but do ask for suggestions from overseas readers here for your ideas.
It can be a online migrant resource centre for newly-arrived immigrants or others.
I have good feedback already for the setting up of a migrant centre in Sydney.
Though I could live and stay in Australia for the long term basis, I chose to return to Singapore and help make our country a better place to live in.
I hope that I have also inspire some of you now living abroad to do something back home for our countrymen.
We are after all Singaporeans…and together we move forward.
Gilbert Goh
@Gilbert, you did a lot of things for local Singaporeans although many might not want to give you credit owing to your former ties as an opposition party member. But the things that some of the interviewee said is very true. People who have lived outside of Singapore and then come back tend to be far less ego-centric or self-centered than those who choose to stay and have never ventured out(even to avoid generalisation), maybe because they tend to have seen more of things overseas. I feel more than ever with the change in events, even on my own end, and wish too that I could be in Singapore, and even though I feel homesick as it is, having just settled for a short while in a new country where I do not know the language but have to work there for 3 years, that I could change things so that I can stay and return eventually. Then again, unless things change on a major scale, it is perhaps best for me that I stay on working here until I find my niche and save enough for my own sake.
To hope for a better government is to vote out the current regime that has failed us.
We are a country run by the merits of democracy adopted from Westminster structure. Don’t be afraid. A change of MPs, ministers or even government will not create a chaotic mess.
Nazryn
I think migration is for those people who can afford it, considering the costs of air tickets, phone bills etc. The salary must be much higher compared to in Singapore to justify the move. I agree that there is no perfect country in this world. I find life in Singapore too hectic and the trains too crowded even during off-peak hours. The high costs of living is also a push factor. The question is can we earn enough after migration? We may be worse off by doing 2 jobs to survive. Migraton is for retirees with money to spare in a place with nice scenery, cool breeze and a slower pace of life.
I think we still need foreign workers to be cleaners, road sweepers etc. in Singapore. The problem is there are now more foreign talents competing with jobs that Singaporeans can be trained to do. A foreign worker working under the hot sun for 6 days a week earns about $500+ per month. After 10 years toiling here, he can afford to build a house in his village and even buy a plot of land to farm. However, Singaporeans with low income cannot afford a small HDB flat even with a 30-yr loan. Some of them also cannot rent a flat from HDB even after appeals. It is ironic that foreigners can go home rich after 10 yrs here but poor Singaporeans cannot afford a flat after spending their life working. The living expenses really make up a big part of our salary and it is really hard to save, especially for the low income. Thus, we cannot be blamed when we want a higher salary compared to foreigners. Or else, migration may be the last resort to survive.
@J Y , I might have to disagree with you on certain points on doing 2 jobs to survive. People who do 2 jobs in other countries like the USA and Canada often have greater work-life balance even compared to us who work in one job in Singapore. It baffles many when they suggest that we do 2 jobs, a day time one and a night time one for a few hours, because we do not have a minimum wage scale here and any part-time job is likely to be really low-paying. The difference goes as deep down as social justice and a system which knows how to allow for people to work for the right level of remuneration. About migration, unfortunately, migrating when you want to retire is now not an option for most developed countries, and many Singaporeans themselves do not realize that. They still cling onto the idea that when they grow old, they can move to any country they want to, and just apply like that. Age does play a role in migration, and the moment you reach an age beyond that of 25-45, there is a likelihood it will work against you when you apply for migration under the skilled laborers category. This is just so that you know. Developed countries have a detailed point system for determining potential immigrants’ ability to contribute to their country, and it would not be realistic or well-informed if we think that we can leave Singapore anytime we want to with money. While it might be true that the first few months of migration seem tough, there is also the fact to remember that not even rich people will actually necessarily work it out well overseas. Overseas, it is not necessarily the amount of money you had in Singapore, but your willingness to work hard and the people’s recognition of your talents that matter
Hi Kev
Thanks for your note.
I dont think that I did all this to gain any recognition but more of doing wthat I feel is my life’s mission.
I am really happy that at my age, I can still contribute and it gives me immense satisfaction to know that what I did touches life.
Take care in Japan.
Gilbert
Hi Gilbert,
can we do something to encourage 2 groups of Singaporeans to come back and contribute?
1st group – The thousands of Singaporeans living and working overseas.
2nd group – The migrants who has left
I agree with comments in this forum that Singaporeans who has experienced lives overseas are more worldly, that’s the reason all the more we need to persuade them to come back. We need them, both to share their view of the world and their expertise, knowledge, whatever. Just come back & contribute. Like I said, irregardless of your age, background, everyone has a role to play, no matter how small. Singapore is a little red dot, honestly we cannot have a slow pace of life. We have to keep ourselves relevant to the world. That’s a fact. We have to be in tune on what’s happening in the world. The minute that we are not relevant to other people, we are gone. Simple as that. Nobody in this world owe us a living. Nobody. That’s why we need all the help from all Singaporeans, including ex-Singaporeans. Put our brains together and we can surmont any obstacles, ok, most obstacles
. Please remember, when a few thousands Americans migrate each year, the home country does not even feel any effect. But is this happens in a small population like Singapore, the effect is magnified.
Thanks.
Hi Raymond,
I think this is beyond me as SIngaporeans decided to leave after much deliberation.
Most of them I presume left because of lifestyle preference and also probably better employment reason.
Its a tough decision to leave your home country, trust me, as you not only left behind loved ones such as your aged oarents but also your roots as that is the place where you have grown up.
Thanks anyway for your suggestion.
Gilbert
Hi Raymond, I think that it is probably as true when we say that those who actually want to encourage Singaporeans working and living overseas to come back to contribute are more often than not the friends and family members of these Singaporeans, or if not, non-governmental organizations and people who are not party-affiliated. The media has already drummed it into many people that once you leave the country, whether as a new citizen or permanent resident of another country, or as a worker somewhere else, that you must therefore be a quitter, when by default, we did not quit this country. This country’s government turned its back on us by constantly undervaluing us and even treating us like dirt. My father was keen on me coming back one day when the government changes, but if you ask me, the large part for why Singaporeans working and living overseas often choose not to come back is not just because they miss Singapore and their links(in fact, I think most still do, but there is little change they can effect from without the country, and even change within is slow….), but because they have tasted of the life overseas and appreciate it better than remaining in Singapore where they feel controlled with a government breathing down their necks in all things that they do. Till such things change, and Singaporeans really want such change, the only ways to effect it are too slow and too little for most of us who have been out of the country for a while.
Hi Kevin/Gilbert,
after reading through all those comments & replies from this thread as well as the rests, a common theme always surface: That is PMETS losing out to cheaper foreign workers. (And all the social issues that being unemployed brings.)I believe this is the heart of what all of us here are talking about.
I wish to highlight what I’ve always said in my comments. We cannot, includes the govt as well, force employers to employ more local workers like we want them to. This is especially so for foreign companies here. We must understand these people are here to make money. Yes, I agree that they do look at other factors, especially political and a financially sound environment, in deciding whether a certain location is worth investing and setting up shop. You can have the most political stable country in the universe but if your business does not make a single cent due to high costs, what’s the use? Outstanding infrastructure and educated workforce are of no use if year after year you are not profitable and margins are small. (I am basing my comparisons in relative terms, ie, Singapore as compared to other countries comparatively, not in absolute terms) Everything to these people is bottomline. Cold hard numbers. We Singaporeans has to understand this point. We cannot impose “hire locals” on them. We can certainly try and convince them, but not anymore than that. Our neighbours are constantly catching up and improving. Dont even mention about China. Look at them now and you get my point. Chinese people are now learning English and even speaks better English than us.
Also as mentioned before, Singaporeans has to help ourselves. We should not depend on our govt to do things for us anymore. We have matured as a nation. I believed they mentioned sometime back that Singaporeans should be more self reliant and independent. They have done what they could to convince MNCs to set up shop here. Like I said, this model works in the 80s and 90s, not anymore now because Singaporeans are more skilled and educated now, as a result wages has risen, which means operating costs has risen for companies.
So the way I look at it, my answer is this: Push entreprenuership like there’s no tomorrow. At the same time, work with the govt for support in all areas, especially and especially financial support. Takes 2 hands to clap to make this work. Home-grown companies (hopefully they will become big multinationals in the future) will have the “propensity” (you all know what I meant here) to hire Singaporeans and we can alleviate a large part of the issues we are facing now. It will not solve 100% of our issues, but every % point gain in locals being employed goes a long way in keeping the spirit of this nation up.
Believe me, I am also very saddened by Singaporeans leaving our shores. I also experienced the same anguish at seeing ourselves slowly being displaced by foreigners in all facet of life here. But let’s do something for ourselves and for our future generations. Nobody in this world owe us a living. Right now we are not as bad as certain countries in Europe. But let’s not get there.
The main problem I see in the plan: Entrepreneurship is not well received and/or we failed to get full support from the govt (like will they provide help to families if business venture fails).Then all bets are off.
Thanks Raymond for your note.
I think Singaporeans are pretty reasonable people and probably that’s why our government has took advantage of their good nature.
There is no country in the world that opens the flood gates to foreigners so widely and unfairly.
We all welcome foreigners to out midst but yet we yearn for fairness when it comes to employing our local workers.
If not, the local professionals will continue to look for greener pastures abroad leading to a brain drain.
I have also told my daughter, who is studying in Sydney now, not to return to Singapore unless there is a change in governance or policy.
The way we go, in about twenty years’ time, we will be over ran by foreigners. Is this the Singapore we all want?
Gilbert
Gilbert,
Not to mention in later 20 years down the road that sg is over ran by foreigners. Infact, now is almost over run by foreigners.
Put it this way, 20yrs down the road. NO MORE Singaporeans in Singapore. ok? You agree or not…
Hi Owen, do you mean “no Singaporeans” as in, no native-born and local-bred Singaporeans? It is very likely if you ask me , in some ways, but that said, I think that is why the government is very anxious to add “new citizens” by giving PRs and others the chance to become citizen instead of remaining as PRs, and also, they constntly use low birth rates to justify the import of foreign workers. It’s not convincing to most who are astute enough to tell the lie apart from th truth, because in other countries where birth rates are low too, such as Japan and Kore(South), it is not as if they are adding foreigners to our resident population until they make up 36% of the population.
MY take is many Singaporeans will not return unless we see a change in the TOP Management…the policy , the directives..
I agreed that no country has such a open door policy to invite foreigners to work in their countries like Singapore did. Even you can have tourist work visa in Singapore while many PMET are suffering either unemployed or underemployed.
I was in Canada and my landlord from Guangzhou , not speaking a word of English and Mandarin, he and his wife (both working) was able to afford a nice cosy house, a honda civic, ok factory job and raised their child.
I also knew of rich thais who cannot adapt to life in Canada and return to Thailand. Many Chinese too but some choose to stayed due to “face”.
I was then working in China, I felt i have more liberty althought i do face unpleasant things and environment.
Worse was when i came back to Singapore in 2010, I suddenly realised how crowded is Singapore everywhere. I suddenly felt i enjoy more while working overseas and returning to visit l
Gilbert, let you know more about your migrant center work,,i am very interested and in fact i worked for a friend before who is a malaysian-canadian dealing with Canada, Asuralia and NZ migration business during which he was based in Singapore/Thailand.
Hey Gilbert,
I’m a ex-Singaporean residing in Sydney. I have to say that i don’t agree with your statement about it being half asian and driving aussies to brissie or it being totally racist.
I’ve being working here and the way you describe it, “the odd few that work in the banks, medical and manufacturing field”, is quite extreme.
All I can say about migration is: pockets of racism occurs everywhere, even in Singapore, a different country has its own culture and own way of doing things, you need to accept the differences. It’s the same at work as well, you need to be prepared to adapt. I’ve met with successful immigrants here at the work place and its their ability to adapt that sets them apart.
Hi Ric,
Thanks for your comment.
All I am saying is what I have seen with my own eyes while residing in Sydney for the past four years abeit on and off as I returned to Singapore for long periods of time.
For example, the Top Ryde Shopping Mall literally employs 90% of Asian workers in the foodcourt i.e. they manned the stalls, cleaned the food court and many even prepared the food behind the kitchen. Even the security guards are from India mostly.
There is no doubt that some Asians will do well in their field of profession in Australia but alot of dirty blue-collared jobs are performed by Asians.
Gilbert Goh
Hi Gilbert
You have written a great article on this migration issue. My wife and I will be one of those young couple in the 30s to migrate to Melbourne in Apr 2011, the city which I reside during my 3 years uni days. Some of my relatives were rather pessimistic about our decision, we were bombarded with question and statement:
1)Why are we so heartless to leave your family behind for greener pasture?
2)Aussie are rather racist, do you think you can survive there?
As a Singaporean, I do not think choice is on our table. With the in flood of foreign talents turn PR, we are in a rat race. In fact, my wife is working as an IT engineer and I am working as an Accountant. Despite of our qualification and experience, we realised that our job can be easily replace by FT due to cheaper pay.
In my wife workplace (an MNC), she had seen how Pinoy manager will assist pinoy in climbing the corporate ladder when she know nuts about IT matter. All she has is a honey tongue to sweet talk people to work for her.
As for my workplace, I had seen how my local management freeze our payrise despite of the fact the company is still drawing decent profit. All the profit is manned for director’s fee and dividend.
Hence so what the government is boasting about the robust GDP? The fact is on the ground level it is another set of game play. Our inflation rate is growing at 5%. What is the goverment doing to protect the true blue Singaporean? Minimum wages protection and etc? Well, they are doing nothing.
Therefore, we decided to move since we were granted the Aussie Visa 175 at least we can draw a decent pay much higher than Singapore, own a landed property and drive a Honda CRV in Melbourne WHICH IS AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM IN SINGAPORE.
what is needed to migrate to australia/new zealand?
Gilbert, I might have to disagree with you about the racism bit in countries like Australia. A lot of us Singaporeans or former Singaporeans have been drilled with the phrase that the western countries are “racist” and downplay us Asians. But compared to Singapore, where even locals are downplayed, Asians are actually doing relatively well and better than most others in various sectors. In Canada, a lot of my friends who are Asian Canadians or formerly born in an Asian country but raised or educated in Canada and then migrated when young come from a variety of backgrounds and jobs, such as hairstyling, engineering in oil and gas, and even social services or waitering. None of it is as menial as what Singaporeans make them out to be, and even if they might be doing some menial job, they are still happier with the social benefits and healthcare packagaes available. I would refrain from making this seweeping generalization and in addition, instead of saying that it is racism which leads to such ‘underemployment’ of Asians, why can’t we say that it has to do with protectionism in which those who are not well-skilled or if not, just newly assimilated into the new society are still pretty much peripheral to that society? I would think that as much as I agree with you in some things, racism simply is not a good reason to account for such under-employment.
Hey, firstly I want to apologise for relieving dead discussion thread. I want the author to know that it is a breath of fresh air to read about such open mind expressed in the article. It is so different from some of the articles in this site specifically designed to invoke sympathy and promote xenophobia in its readers.
I am a pure Singaporean (Singaporean parents, brought up in neighbourhood schools) in my twenties. I did not migrate but is working right now in Europe, in a country where English is not its main language. The decision to move does not come easy. I was living well in Singapore and is short of nothing. I am also a firm supporter of our government as I think that they are doing a great job developing our country in relative to the other countries. Why do I want to give up my comfortable life to start something somewhere? Why change what is not broken? Will I face racism since I am a small Chinese guy? Will I be able to find friends? Ha!
I weight all the pros and cons and decided to take the step. I have never regretted doing so. It was not easy in the beginning but now I have kind of settled down. I made quite a number of local friends, did regular sports, make vacations and even started dating recently.
P.S. Discrimination is real though but it exists everywhere. This are the people that you do not need to spend time with. Smile and move on.
When I was growing up in the 1980s, my Dad used to say that Singapore had the best ministers in the world. Now he remarks wryly that we just have the best paid ministers in the world.
Great points altogether, you just won a logo new reader. What might you suggest about your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
Folks, I read through the entire thread on this site. I must say after staying in Melbourne for almost 2 years, I am heading home.
I am a indian true blue singaporean whom got granted my PR in 2007 and before then I was working for the largest MNC in the world then however decided to move due to better life quality. I must say I have been very blessed to have landed a good job with the same branch in Melbourne and my work and quality of life is good.
What is missing then? My family and friends and honestly I miss the smell of my home country soil. Yes, I am being nostalgic here but that is the fact, the truth.
I have seen many who have come and still residing and some have left. Those who are staying are eventually making plans to return one day when they retire. A lot of Singaporeans and Malaysians whom have not moved abroad are not aware how it feels when you live abroad. They think living abroad, buying cheap houses with pickett fences and nice car is a way of life. Trust me nothing is far more better than living with your family and being close to your aged parents. There’s no such thing as “cheap” houses in AU anymore.
Let’s all be honest here, life is not a bed of roses anywhere. You just need to know what are your priorities and what makes you HAPPY.
I have spoken wine and dined with locals, Singaporeans, Malaysians and everyone tries to make justification that SG is not a place to go home or Malaysia is not our home anymore but yet again they thrive to make an effort to go home when any opportunity arises.
I have a friend who migrated to Canada last year and after 4 months decided to pack her bags to return. Why? There is nothing in Canada. It is just as dull as Australia. Well one would say that we are not socializing enough. it is not the matter of socializing, but feeling a sense of belonging. Her mum was upset..however today after few months…this true blue singaporeans who is in her 30s is in a good job and recently got promoted to be an AD. So who says life is all rotten in SG. It is what you make out to be.
I have an aunty who lives in London for 30 years and makes her way back home every year without fail. Yes, London has become home…but only a second home..as the smell of the land of where you grew up will eventually make you return home and you feel a sense of satisfaction.
As to jobs, we SINGAPOREANS will need to beat the foreigners at this game. The same way we feel a need to return home, a matter of time for them as well.
I am returning to bring joy to my parents..as to jobs..I am sure may the best man or woman win..and I am sure..I will get one. We are all on a global platform now..so there is no escaping of migrants transitioning into each others countries. That’s the way it is.
I am still optimistic that one day there will be a change in the way our government does things. The old is done and dusted and we are already speaking out. I am sure you can see this if you are a true blue Singaporean.
No matter where you have lived or earned your living or made beautiful memories…home is where the heart is…
I am coming home to make SG a better place for me, my family and people around me…..
Hi Returning Indian,
Glad to hear you are heading home. I hope you have a fruitful life in Singapore. Wish you all the best in everything that you do.
Returning Indian
From the sound of your reply, you seem like a narrow minded, full of air and inflexible Indian. Is there a need to be so boastful? “I was working for the largest MNC in the world”, “landed a good job with the same branch”.
The main reason why u can’t make it in Sydney is that u make no friends with your “I am a superior Indian” attitude.
The saying is so true : “You can take an Indian out of India but never the India out of the Indian”.
All the best to you in Singapore.
Hi guys, Spore is a great city to live in…but if you n family not happy n you have a choice to live in another city n happy there go for it. Now its about globalisation, dual citizenship are common now.
Count me in if you want to start an agency for migration.
Those who wish to migrate to Latvia, a member of the European Union needs a minimum of about $140,000 (£70,000) to but a property out of the main cities. Maybe $260,000 property if in the main cities . You can get permant residency.
Now Spain is offering permanent residency for buying property of £130,000 but I wonder what you can do it in Spain? Setup a Singapore Chay Kueh teow stall ? Hahaha, there are many Chinese from China living in Spain and now the authority are going after the so called Chinese mafias. I got the info on the Net.
So again , Singaporeans we must help each other regardless of our race, do not think if you are Chinese, the China Chinese will help.
Sg citizens eat Rojak and Hokkien mee and mutton soup, so we have something to bond us together.
Search the info on the Net or visit Latvia embassy in Singapore. It is a stepping stone to the EU including UK, Switzerland, Norway for the future of your children.
I am presently in UK and will be back in Sg for a while.
Hope to keep in touch with born & bred Sg as we have something like NS & reservist and Sg food in common.
Skype me at swechua, video call only initially as I need to see and talk to a genuine person and not a ghost. Text message to tell me what it is for as I have other messages for other purposes. Only if you are serious about migrating, if you need general info, the NET Or Latvia embassy can provide you more info as I know less.
Hope to hear from you.