PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong has again called on Singaporeans to welcome foreign talent with 'an open heart', and reiterated the need for such an inflow, without whom he said the Singapore economy and society would lose it vibrancy.
Acknowledging Singaporeans' concerns about taking in foreign workers and immigrants, which he said are 'valid' and must be addressed, PM Lee assured them that citizens will always come first.
While stressing the critical need to reinforce the Singaporean team with talent and numbers from abroad, he said the Government will control the inflow, 'to ensure that it is not too fast, and not too large.'
'We will only bring in people who can contribute to Singapore, and work harder to integrate them into our society. And we will make clear that citizens come first. After all, we are doing this for the sake of Singaporeans,' said PM Lee in his televised National Day message on Sunday evening, the eve of Singapore's 45th birthday.
He said foreigners also help make up the shortage of Singaporean workers and the shortfall of babies in the population.
'Without an inflow, over time our economy and society will lose vibrancy, our citizens will enjoy fewer opportunities, and our shining red dot will grow dimmer,' he said. 'We cannot do without a proportion of foreign workers, or a continuing flow of PRs and new citizens.
'Let us welcome them with an open heart, help them to fit in and encourage those who will become citizens to strike roots here. If we do this well, by the next generation, their children will be native Singaporeans.
'Remember, we ourselves are descendants of immigrants too. With new arrivals living and working harmoniously with those born here, we will keep Singapore dynamic, cosmopolitan, and successful.'
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