SINGAPORE — The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has tabled a motion calling on the Government to address anxieties on local jobs and livelihoods caused by Singapore's foreign talent policy, Mr Leong Mun Wai said on Tuesday (Aug 31).

In a Facebook post, the party's Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) said that the private member's motion calls on the Government to "take concrete action to address the widespread anxiety among Singaporeans on jobs and livelihood caused by the foreign talent policy and the movement of natural persons provisions in some free trade agreements like Ceca".

Ceca refers to the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a Facebook post on Tuesday night that he was "quite puzzled" by the PSP motion. 

"Mr Leong has persisted in linking this issue falsely with free trade agreements and Ceca, despite us having a full debate in July," Mr Ong, who is a former trade negotiator, said.

In July, Mr Ong and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng delivered ministerial statements in Parliament to dispel misconceptions on Ceca and the country's foreign employment policies and situation.

'IMPROVE JOBS AND LIVELIHOOD'

Mr Leong said that the main focus of the debate in the next parliamentary sitting will be on ways to improve the jobs and livelihoods of Singaporeans. 

"Ceca is not our main concern and has been thrust upon us by the Government," he added.

Mr Leong said that although Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has addressed the anxieties of Singaporeans over foreign work-pass holders during his National Day Rally speech on Sunday, he "did not announce new concrete policies that would resolve the problem fundamentally". 

"The other policies announced in recent days by the Government also did not show its full appreciation of the severity of the problems faced by Singaporean workers," he added. 

He also said that PSP will continue to urge the Government to take the issues of the "displacement and discrimination of Singaporeans seriously", as well as implement "concrete policies to address the problems urgently". 

'WORKING TO ADDRESS ANXIETIES'

Mr Ong said that the Government has been receiving a lot of feedback on issues regarding anxieties on jobs and livelihoods caused by competition from foreign workers. 

"We understand these anxieties, and are continually working to address them," he said. 

Mr Ong referred to Mr Lee's National Day Rally speeches, adding that various "concrete policies" were announced to "address the challenges faced by "our workers, building on measures that were put in place over the years. 

"Dr Tan See Leng and I had explained how Singapore needs to be open to the world to survive, and to earn a living. I went to great lengths to explain how free trade agreements, Ceca and the chapter on Movement of Natural Persons work.

"I explained how they were not the cause of the anxieties felt by workers. I asked the PSP to withdraw their false allegations about Ceca."

He also noted that Mr Leong had seemed to acknowledge these points and said that the PSP was not against free trade agreements. 

"On provisions (of free trade agreements), including the movement of natural persons, he (Mr Leong) acknowledged that Singaporeans’ interests are taken care of when (these agreements) are negotiated, but said that the PSP needed more time to assess if Ceca is beneficial to Singapore workers overall," Mr Ong added.

"Unfortunately, the PSP appears intent on carrying on its campaign against Ceca.

"As (Mr Lee) cautioned at (the National Day Rally), this campaign carries a strong racist undertone, and has impacted not only India nationals here, but our own local-born Indians." 

Mr Ong said that the Government will consider how to address PSP's motion during the upcoming sitting in Parliament. CNA

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