Would you support a 100% Singaporean campaign?
Foreign workers is such a sensitive issue in Singapore these days that it doesn’t take much to stir up controversy, as Jollibee Singapore unwittingly found itself caught in. Fortunately for the Filipino fast food chain, that hasn’t prevented long queues on its opening day at Lucky Plaza.
If you have shopped at British supermarkets often enough, you won’t help but notice that many of the food products here carry proud labels and advertisements proclaiming to be 100% British-made or supporting British farmers. Local shoppers do their part as well by making an effort to buy these British products, even if they may be a little more expensive than lower cost imports. After all, if you don’t support your own kind, who’s going to?
While there aren’t many farmers in Singapore to speak of, we do have plenty of workers who are in need of the exact same kind of support from our businesses, by providing employment at a good level of wages. Unfortunately, our businesses have their bottom lines to take care of and are unwilling to pay more for Singaporean workers.
Imagine that there’s such a 100% Singaporean campaign. Restaurants that employ 100% Singaporeans for their service crew can be certified and allowed to promote their good effort in providing employment to Singaporeans. And rather than all the negativity in calling for boycotts on businesses that over-rely on foreign workers, we encourage all Singaporeans to support these pro-Singaporean businesses by patronising them.
First question: Do you consider that a xenophobic, protectionist or anti-competitive campaign? Xenophobia is a heavy word that has been thrown around loosely these days, but don’t forget that this is entirely optional, calling on the goodwill of both businesses and Singaporeans.
Second question: Let’s say the food quality and everything else are comparable, would you pay a certain amount more to patronise a restaurant that employs 100% Singaporeans (assuming higher costs are inevitable but there are proper safeguards against profiteering)? That is, would you put your money where your mouth is?
Many of us who complain indignantly about foreign workers flooding Singapore are profiteering by renting out our 5 year old HDB flats to Filipinos/ Chinese nationals. Some others complain about infiltration of foreign workers in the service sector but would go up in arms should food prices or bus fares increase (presumably would happen if local Singaporeans take over the job instead).
So if past performances are any indication to future behaviour – the answer to your question is clear. There will be all round enthusiasm to encourage more expensive local produce. Avows and pledges will be made in support of the Made In Singapore brand. But it is a different question whether that nationalistic fervour will be reflected in actual consumer choices.
While a Made In Singapore brand sounds right, we must ensure it comes with a seal of quality to command a price premium. Take for example, the recent case of horse meat scandal in the UK has furthered the standing of British farm produce as the tainted goods were all imports from the EU.
Sometimes these things are just a matter of herd mentality. Once enough people start doing something, more of others will gradually follow.
A bit like the whole issue of returning your plates in hawker centres.
It all depends on the price, and what food is being sold. I think the price barrier is still there, and it is Singaporean to expect food prices to be low. Only those who have lived overseas before will be receptive I guess.
Yes, maybe a 10-20% premium should be acceptable. As it is now, when establishments raise prices for no reason, most will just grumble and pay.
Voiddecker
You must be kidding right.
Most Singaporeans if cooked costs even 20ct more there will be letters to the forum or etc.
Even when MRT/BUS increases irrespective of value, there will be tonnes of complaints.
Then we will all fall into the trap of the papists if we accept this kind of arrangement. THis will not help the present situation of importing too many foreigners.
In a way, you’re right that the root issue is the numbers coming in that the govt is also trying to address, albeit too slowly. But I’m also wondering if Singaporeans are really willing to accept the trade-offs, some of which may be inevitable.