Yours Truly, Uniquely Singapore (6)

The Work Holiday Pass scheme of Singapore is aimed at young students and graduates from overseas, according to the Channelnews Asia report. It is open to those aged 17 to 30. There will be 2000 places available a year. "A positive experience of living and working in Singapore under the Programme would encourage some of them to work here when they graduate, or at a later stage in their careers", said Ng Eng Hean.

I read the above in "Illusio" by Akikonomu. As I have said, I do not understand politics. Neither do I have a natural understanding of economics. However, I will write from the little that I understand and have observed.

Our government seems to swing from one extreme to another. They have been so stringent on study mamas, many of whom have worked secretly in order to help bring in some income to help with the high expenses of living and studying in Singapore. Mind you, some of these peidu mama (study mamas) are very highly qualified. I have met a few who are graduates and some who are qualified doctors and engineers! My favourite foot reflexologist had closed down her clinic when the government started to clamp down on beauty and health saloons. I could only conclude that with her inability to hire the study mamas, she could not carry on her business.

Now, we suddenly hear of the government's plan to bring in young students and graduates between 17 to 30 to let them have a positive experience of living and working in Singapore under the programme. I am one of the most positive ladies around, yet I am not so positive about the government's plan. Does this imply that those students who are currently studying in Singapore are also allowed to work? I was asked to help teach English for one month in a commercial school. The school only paid me $25/- an hour to teach English as a Second Language to a class of 35 students. Although the pay was paltry, I accepted the temporary teaching job out of passion and a desire to help the Chinese students. I was horrified to find that everyday, only 4 to 10 students would turn up for class. The rest could not wake up as many of them worked secretly as waitresses or hostesses in pubs and lounges.

The school seemed to be more interested in collecting fees from the students. It was nonchalant about the poor attendance so long as the students paid their fees!

Now with so many properties being enblocked and with the sudden increase in prices and rents of properties, many are finding it difficult to adjust to the 40 to 60 per cent increase in rents. Now with the above plan, accommodation is getting more difficult. Although I do not specialise in room rentals, I still have clients and agents calling me up to ask whether I need a tenant even though I do not advertise.

As Akikonomu has asked, "Just what is the definition of foreign talent?" Or are we merely importing foreign labour. It is sad that ever so often, our viewpoints are not taken seriously. Just to illustrate an example or two.

New stainless steel back rests or benches or whatever you call them, have been installed at MRT stations. I was amused when I tried to sit on them, only to find my bumps sliding off the slippery surface! Worse, they are a tad too high for my 1.53 metre height. I wonder why the MRT authorities have not noticed the less than positive design of the benches!

In December I had written to Stomp about the confusing traffic lights between Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and Parkmall. Seeing that nothing has been done to improve the situation, and witnessing more near miss accidents and narrow escapes, I wrote to the Land Transport Authority. (LTA). The LTA replied very promptly that they were looking into the matter, but until today, nothing has been done to rectify or improve the situation.

As a teacher, I always tell my students to give me feedback and criticisms so that I can constantly improve myself. Likewise, I hope that the government will also ponder over our humble feedback and criticisms. We contribute our feedback because we love Singapore enough to stick out our necks. Wise is the person who accepts the view points of others, because others can see our reflction in the mirror better than we can see ourselves.