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Enhance Mr Lee’s legacy of attracting valued migrants

Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy of attracting talented foreigners to Singapore was far-sighted. (“Mr Lee’s legacy: What’s next?”; Talking Point)

Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy of attracting talented foreigners to Singapore was far-sighted. (“Mr Lee’s legacy: What’s next?”; Talking Point)

It would be a bonus if Employment Permit (EP) holders integrate fully in our society and settle here as permanent residents (PRs).

With the rise in fraudulent online certificates and degrees, however, it would be challenging for the immigration authority to verify that the skills migrants claim to have are legitimate and trustworthy.

A government body could be established to enable full background checks and examine the claims of potential migrants, who would bear the application and assessment fees. A framework and standards should exist to scrutinise EP or PR applicants.

In essence, the quality and experience they possess should at least be on a par with or better than our graduates or diploma holders. Benchmarking skills and quality is, however, subjective.

Fortunately, in professions such as accounting, international accreditation exists to lend credibility to applications. Written or oral tests in English could be administered to those applying for professional jobs in fields that do not have such accreditation.

We should also consider having compulsory testimonies of Singaporeans to the integration into our society of their friends applying for PR.

Talent assessment can now be done with both veracity and speed, given the Internet. Such a framework and standards also add rigour to our system in welcoming bona fide talents.

It is important to carry on enhancing the way we attract and retain valued migrants who would contribute positively to our society and economy as Mr Lee would have wanted.

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