Pro Immigration policy

Pro Immigration policy

1. Reasons for immigration

   • impact of low pop growth
     • lack of manpower
     • decrease in economic competitiveness
   • help resolve issue of low pop
     • encourage some proportion might become new citizens(settle down)--contribute to BR
     • temporarily alleviate low manpower shortage
   • increasing elderly pop results in increasing dependent icy ratio

2. Measures

   • Coming to SG
     • Contact Singapore
     • Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talents(SHIFT)
     • Tuition grant schemes for Foreign Students
   • Flexible pass arrangement
     • Work Holiday Programme
     • Personal Employment Pas
   • Attaining PR/Citizenship
     • Global Investors Programme
     • Professionals/Technical & Skilled workers scheme

3. SIGNIFICANCE

   • Demographic Dimensions
     • Immediate effect: increase total population
     • Migrants add on to economically active pop
       • reduce medians age of pop
       • mitigate effects of high dependency ratio(4:2:1)
     • Many also bring along their families when they migrate to SG
     • Positive effect of SG's TFR(short term)
   • Economic Implications
     • take up lower skilled jobs unwanted by Singaporeans as they move into higher skilled jobs
     • provide expertise for new fields of industry that Singaporeans are new to
     • spearhead new ideas and technologies into SG constantly to ensure that SG doe snot fall bend other economically developed countries
     • boost competitiveness in SG's economy > ensure that Singaporeans constantly upgrade themselves to keep up with global competition
     • pro immigration policies also attract global MNCs as they can hire and retain best staff without restrictions
   • Socio- Cultual Implications
     • promoted as "intangible benefits"
     • increase buzz and cultural mosaic of SG
     • maintain reputation as a global cosmopolitan city > arts & cultural scene > adds further engines of growth to the economy
     • add variety and diversity to SG, adding colour, richness and spice to cultural life
     • create a diverse culture of vibrancy that will itself attract foreign talent

4. LIMITATIONS

   • Applicability as a long term solution
     • question over sustainability of long term, unmitigated immigration > possible to maintain as an infinite solution to SG's pop problem
     • SG's limited geographical space & limited infrastructure: ability of infrastructure to cope with influx of foreign immigrants
     • possibility that it results in a mindset of complacency amongst Singaporeans, discouraging them from viewing the urgency of the population issue
     • diverts resources/focus from strengthening SG core
   • negative impacts
     • A: Economic
       • over reliance on foreign talent- may stifle local entrepreunial growth
       • possibility that foreign talent may see SG mainly as a springboard, and leave SG for greener pastures > vulnerability of SG economy to global fluctuations
       • reliance on cheap labour(FW) may disincentivevise companies to seek growth in productivity as it is cheaper alternative
     • B: Social
       • stratification of society
         • over saturation of wealthy foreigners creates widening income gap > stratification of SG society into rich foreigners and poor Sngaporeans
         • tendency for foreigners to congregate due to similar social- economic profile may lead to growth of enclaves
       • perception of dilution of Singaporean identity
         • foreigners seen as transient(last for short time)
         • may leave upon attaining SG PR/Citizenship
         • also seen as being reluctant to integrate into Singaporeans society and adopt local customs
       • increased social uneasiness/unrest
         • language barriers/ cultural differences creates social uneasiness & unrest
         • eg: National Service
         • outrage over Anton Casey incident
       • creation of siege mentality (surrounding & blocking of a place)
         • perception that foreigners are responsible for SG's woes(overcrowding, loss of jobs,increased competition for university places)
     • C: Infrastructure
       • overcrowding
       • may lead to a lower quality of life if not well managed
       • strain on infrastructure/ inability to cope with influx of immigrants