LAST Thursday's report of the dialogue between a large group of Serangoon Gardens residents and their MPs once again shows the pathetic attitude of many Singaporeans ('Residents air their dorm fears to their MPs'). We want things done for us but are not willing to bear the costs. We find all kinds of excuses why we should not live with some perceived inconveniences.

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I totally agree with Chor Yong here. All of us need to think about these ppl who have come from afar to build our homes, clean our estates. My old neighbourhood used to have a lot of foreign workers when the condos are being built. But they are totally fine and there's no such thing as unsafe etc in fact they are pretty well behaved decent folks. Although i know there might be some unwanted behaviour like talking on the phone loudly at night etc and some complain about unpleasant scents (which could be due to their poor living conditions) But I don't think it's something that can't be resolved to the extent that we need to ban them from having a decent living environment.

It is nice to have people like Chor Yong. Now, others like me do not have to worry about these dorms. The garmen can build the dorm next to the homes of these critics. If these critics say that they have already got dorms near their homes, I am sure they can accomodate another one. After all, these critics are the ones with a better-than our Third World mentality.

#3 I second yr suggestions...

obviously the critics has been living in wonderland and never encounter the ugly sides of FW, and they believe "eduacation" is the key to solve the problem... all i can say is naive...

This is so typical of most S'poreans. We want an opposition in Parliament - except in someone else's constituency! We fear that the train will pass by our town, but refuse to stop at the MRT station there. We are also afraid that our HDB estates will turn into slumps in due time, with no facilities & upgrading of any amenities. That is the reality from the ground.

Most of us empathise with the plight of foreign workers, but don't want to put up with the inconvenience of having them living & competing for services with us in our neighbourhood.

#2

I don't want to condemn them to poor living conditions. I just want them to be living far away from where they can be a threat to the vulnerable in our society when we cannot protect them.

You trust them so much, you let your maid walk with them and your daughter walk alone when they gather in groups.

All this talk about having the foreign workers living near to us is not safe... I mean let's be reasonable Singaporeans, having some other "foreigners" around us is also not safe! How many cases of robberies had taken place in a broad daylight to our elderly here by a decent looking, but scheming cunning "foreigners"?

Just because this bunch of people have different skin color and are not educated dont necessarily mean they are dangerous.

Let's find a solution. We need them to help us in manual tedious work like building roads and homes etc.

One solution I can think of is perhaps the management of the project should set a "rule" to this group of people that all should return to the dorm by 10pm, and someone in the management should take a head count every night or something to ensure all is ok. It sounds ridiculous I know but for the peace of mind for all, maybe that would be better?

The whole episode is all about pride, prejudice and discrimination of Singaporeans in S Gardens against blue collar foreign workers. These workers are in fact harmless and know that they have to behave themselves and not get into trouble or break the law.

They stand to lose out a lot more if they get sent back to India as they have already incurred cost the moment they set foot here, losing as much as SG$5K. With this money, they are king back home being able to buy land, car and house and feed their families.

I think the Govt should just go ahead with the dorms in S Gardens. Things are not what is perceived, I know as I have worked with these workers as a Singaporean. Having a dorm in S Gardens is a blessing in disguise, as residents will learn through them what being humble and meek is all about. Mind you, we as Singaporeans are more problematic than these workers. They generally mind their own business and stay together in their flock.

If you are so afraid your maid will stray to these workers, then I advise you not have any maid. It is a National Shame for Singaporeans to link bad things with these workers. Wake up, Singapore !

I wonder wheather the Residents of Serangoon Gardens could recall who built their lovely home?Will their cost be higher if without the support of our FW working all day & night for them?Think about it.

#8 & #9

Lets build the dorm outside yr house, since u guys are so noble...