I would like to ask Mr Ng what job he advertised and how much he offered as salary. The group of foreigners Mr Ng detailed as responding to his job ad are hungry for jobs here because they are paid much better here than in their home country. It is common knowledge that the Singapore dollar is stronger than the currencies of those countries Mr Ng's job respondents came from. So what is a handsome salary offered to a foreigner is a low wage to a Singaporean.

In addition, Singaporeans have higher overheads than foreigners. Most foreigners who come here arrive alone. Their family is back in their home country. They are also not tied down to paying a house loan in Singapore - only rent.

But the Singaporean has to factor in his family, his house (and housing is expensive here), his transport costs and so on. It is unfair and myopic to compare the Singaporean job seeker to foreign job seekers in such circumstances - how can they compete fairly?

I urge Mr Ng to stop blaming Singaporeans and start examining his assumptions. Have some compassion for your fellow countryman.

Selene Cheng Ai Lin (Ms)