Dr Tan agreed, saying Singapore maintains “a clear distinction” between its work pass and immigration frameworks.
Applications for permanent residency or citizenship are assessed independently and based on considerations including the applicant’s family ties to Singaporeans, ability to integrate into society, economic contributions and commitment to sinking roots in Singapore, he said.
Dr Tan added that there are clear benefits if work pass holders are well-integrated into Singapore’s society.
“A healthy respect for our laws, our culture, and their local colleagues will make for less friction in the workplace and at the same time produce stronger teams,” he said.
There are orientation programmes for them, but these are not compulsory, the minister added.
Mr Thomas also made the point that there should be respect for the capabilities of Singaporeans.
He noted statistics shared by Dr Tan last month – that more than 1,700 employers have been placed on the Fair Consideration Framework’s (FCF) watchlist for having a high concentration of a single foreign nationality source, and that 300 companies have breached the FCF from 2017 to 2020.
“We must not allow our local workers to be overlooked due to preferences other than merit,” said Mr Thomas.
He said that while some Singaporeans may lose jobs to global talent, Singapore’s policies must ensure that over time, “foreigners will lose jobs to Singaporeans, as we become able to fill these roles ourselves”.
“This replacement is, also however, dependent on us grooming our local talent to themselves become global talent.”
To accomplish this, he suggested that more be done in schools to encourage a global mindset among students.
Dr Tan said Singapore does have programmes to start such capability-building early, and that the manpower and education ministries will work together to start “cultivating a global mindset” even earlier.
“Developing a global mindset is not something that the Government can do alone,” he said.
“It requires our workforce, our individuals to be willing to learn, to be ambitious, to have the hunger to succeed, and to be tenacious to overcome challenges. It also requires companies to devote resources to nurturing young local talents.”
Dr Tan also pledged to do more with unions, workers and companies; and encouraged the public to participate in Forward Singapore engagement sessions to contribute their ideas.
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