It’s disappointing to see this sort of thing happening again and again. Singaporeans being discriminated in Singapore.
What is so special about the job that only PRC Chinese can apply? Why can’t Singaporeans apply for that job? Perhaps Stafflink Services Pte Ltd would care to explain about this unique job requirement that their client have.
Honestly, I’m worried that one day we might see a “Singaporeans & Dogs not allowed” sign.
on Oct 10th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I just talked to a head hunting agency and they said there is guideline to follow for all head hunters and employers. From this website link, http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/workplace_standards/good_employment_practices.html, they mention the following:
Employers should adopt good employment practices such as:
Recruiting and treating employees fairly and equally, without prejudice or discrimination;
I’m not too sure, but if you complain to MOM, they will send a warning letter or some sort, and after a few offenses, MOM will start coming down hard. I certainly agree with you that this is discrimination, within our very own country. Simply ridiculous. It is usually the other way around.
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on Oct 10th, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I think the job posting might be posted by a chinese firm.
Neo´s last blog ..US$10,000 could be yours
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 2:14 PM
i believe there should be a reason for all these. stafflink has been around in the recruitment industry for a while, and i don’t think they’d make such a terrible faux pas as to call for applications from only PRC people when they have no reason to justify it.
possible reasons that i can think of:
the company is trying to cut costs, and it happens that they have the quota to hire a foreigner. and we all know that PRC employees do accept salaries lower than Singaporeans, for the same type of job, and same type of qualifications.
also, not listed here is the fact that the company is obviously looking for a PRC because of their command of Chinese language. the candidate for this position is likely to have to speak Chinese well (and yes I know it’s not listed but it’s obvious because it is expected that all PRC people speak Chinese well) and in Singapore, if you want to hire a Singaporean who speaks Chinese AND English well, it’d probably cost u an arm and a leg, not $1.5K-$1.6K.
i think people are making too much out of this “foreigners snatching locals’ jobs” issue. there is more than enough jobs to go around. i’m pretty sure that if any singaporean wants to take that job, and CAN do that job, for that price, it will be open to them too.
hope this insight helps u to cool down a li’l, and feel a li’l less insecure about ur ability to secure a job in ur own country. all the best for ur job hunt!
cheers.
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on Oct 11th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Daphne: I’m surprised that you think 1.5 to 1.6k can only get you a foreigner in Singapore. There are Singaporeans out there who match the job requirement and getting lesser pay that 1.5k. I thought you as a HR person for so many years should know.
If every company want to cut cost and employ a foreigner, then how do Singaporean survive?
If all the lower salaried job goes to foreigners, then where do the not so educated Singaporeans go? China?
The PRC only restriction is unnecessary and uncalled for. If a Singaporean match the job requirement and is willing to work for that Salary, why should he/she be discriminated?
And thanks for your overly concern. I’m never insecure about my ability to find job in my own country. I’m just worried about my fellow Singaporeans. Something that I think only a true Singaporean will understand.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
actually i’m referring to Singaporeans who can speak PRC-standard mandarin, and with decent command of English.
glad u’re able to find a job. just worried.
cheers.
Daphne Maia´s last blog ..Fame OST – Blog contest results!
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Daphne: Well, if that is the case, then the requirement should be those who can speak PRC-Standard mandarin instead of just restricting to just PRC Chinese. There are Singaporeans who are able to speak PRC standard mandarin. Why should they be discriminate for this job?
And you worried too much. If someone of your caliber can find a job in Singapore, I think there is nothing much we should worry about.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:06 PM
wah. that’s so petty, dk. i wasn’t insulting u or anything. but that’s ok. i’ll just ignore that for the sake of continuing this conversation.
anyway. imo, people in singapore (and malaysia, in case u think i’m against singaporeans, which i’m not) really do have quite a low level of mastery of mandarin. it’s easier to find a PRC with good mandarin and decent english than a singaporean who has good standard of both, and willing to draw $1.5k.
Daphne Maia´s last blog ..Fame OST – Blog contest results!
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Daphne: Petty? Me? Where got? I’m just replying to you using the same tone as you are using.
I get your point that most people (in the world) have a low mastery of Mandarin except those from PRC. BUT that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. If the job requires someone with a high standard of Mandarin, then state it on the job requirement. Restricting it to purely PRC citizen is pure discrimination. Why can’t a Singaporean with good command of mandarin apply for that job? Why must citizenship be a job requirement?
And by the way, not all people from PRC has a high level of Mandarin. It depends on which region he/she is from.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:32 PM
i do know that… but in general i guess people do expect PRC people to have higher mastery of mandarin. like how we have people who are good in english, and people who are bad in english, i’m sure China also has people on both ends of the spectrum with regard to Mandarin.
like i said, it’s obvious that they possibly want someone with high level of mandarin mastery, that’s why they specified only PRCs.
i think perhaps it might be something to do with the accent too. so… well. just my two cents. it’s a discussion, don’t get so heated. if u want to express ur opinion, always be ready to accept that someone is going to disagree. otherwise it’s simply a broadcast n u can just close down ur comments section… (but of course that doesn’t stop people from commenting abt ur article via other platforms).
have a good week ahead. cheers.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Daphne: Like I mentioned, if they need someone with high standard of mandarin, then put that in the job requirement. Stating that it is for PRC only is pure citizenship discrimination.
And I’m always ready to accept someone who disagree with my point of views, just like I’m always ready to shoot people who are here to create trouble.
You have a good week ahead too.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 11:52 PM
The last I checked, the ad has been modified. It differs from your screenshot.
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on Oct 12th, 2009 at 12:02 AM
The most puzzling requirement in this ad is “good command of English” and yet only PRC Chinese needs apply.
In Western countries any form of gender, race, religion, sexuality and nationality discrimination will result in the firm being taken to court. On top of which, it’s been far to long that HR people in Singapore has an easy life – a lot of them concerned themselves with task no further than processing payroll, and conducting preliminary interview of candidates and I am not surprise at all they made such a boo-boo.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Nicole: Not surprised, since the job ads is on most major Singapore forum. (I didn’t find this ads, saw it on a forum) Interesting to note that the amended version has removed the good command of English as requirement. And also no mention of command of mandarin.
Xizor: I know a friend from PRC whose English is more powerful than most of us here.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Well, quite a number of locals in their mid-40s to early-50s have a good grasp of both languages. In fact some senior citizens too. Hire them, if really to cut cost. Lower CPF contributions too. Heh…
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Xizor: True true. Bo bian lah. Some people prefer to stereotype.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
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on Oct 12th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Some PR are ungrateful. I remember got 1 studying and working here yet say that Singapore is not her first choice place to be. She is still here after so many years.
Singapore may be a stepping stone for many foreigners, but we are not miracle rock. If she is not capable, we can’t lift her to a “better country”.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Thank you DK for bringing this issue to people’s attention. We are being second class citizens in our own country. Everyone please read this article, “China National castigates Singapore netizens for being “naive” and “insecure” over the Zhang Yuanyuan fiasco” – http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/10/12/china-national-castigates-singapore-netizens-for-being-naive-and-insecure-over-the-zhang-yuanyuan-fiasco/
Please read through the other articles at that website too Singaporeans..
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Again!!! Should we call Chinapore instead? Time is bad nowaday. We always get shoot by our very own people….
on Oct 14th, 2009 at 12:36 AM
We need to be careful where we thread on this issue. Currently, the discriminating companies are easy to spot through their advertisements; if we do not follow through with appropriate action, we may just end up driving this bad practice underground, making it harder to detect.
Yes, I’m talking about openly legislating bans on discriminating job-seekers based upon nationality: that’s a knee-jerk reaction, but it’s just going to drive bad practices into the shadows, just like how discrimination against male Singaporeans with NS liability are.
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on Oct 14th, 2009 at 2:15 AM
pkchukiss: Totally agree. I guess legislation is not the solution. We need to change the mindset.
on Oct 17th, 2009 at 1:10 PM
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on Jan 6th, 2010 at 8:05 PM
firstly i must be fair to everyone, we all earn for a living.. But at times i really felt that living in singapore especially if you are lower in education. You’ll suffer. Why do i say so? Reason being is simple. Let us just take a delivery person for example not to discriminate. The average salary range for a delivery personnel is about 1.2k to Max 1.6k. Imagine you’re married, own a house, have a kid, have to pay for utility, pay for yr wife expenses. Just this few items without living a luxury kind of life. Can anyone share with me whether you think is enough to sustain?