GE2015: Immigration policy U-turn has hurt businesses, says WP's Gerald Giam

[SINGAPORE] The U-turn in the Government's immigration policy has hurt businesses, said Workers' Party candidate Gerald Giam on Tuesday as he defended the opposition party's proposed curbs on foreign manpower growth.

Speaking during a walkabout in Simei on Tuesday, Mr Giam said the WP is not at fault for causing "pain" to businesses and workers, because the party is suggesting solutions to a problem created by the PAP.

"My question is what was the Government thinking between the year 2000 and 2009, when the population grew at such a huge pace," he said."Were they leaving it to chance? Did they have in mind a population target? Did they plan for the infrastructure? It seems like they have not."

Mr Giam went to on to say that when the Government turned off the tap for foreign workers, the sudden policy change was what hurt businesses the most."Businesses are able to adapt, but they need time to plan, forecast what the labour projections are going to be and the pipeline of labour coming in. Where there's a sudden policy change that's what hurt businesses more." Asked if he felt ground sentiment had shifted after a week of intense campaigning and rallies, Mr Giam said the team has been "very encouraged by a lot of the support" they have seen on the ground.

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