Singaporean Chinese' perception and degree of acceptance and/or rejection of PRC migrant workers and professionals

• Main Author: Ma, Eileen Yi Lin
• Other Authors: Caroline Pluss
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51623
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research is conducted to examine Singaporean Chinese’ perception and acceptance of People’s Republic of China (PRC) immigrant workers and professionals, in response to the government’s policy to bring in foreign expertise, as well as low-skilled workers from abroad to augment the local labor pool. 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted and Singaporean Chinese aged 21 and above were interviewed. The findings of this study outline the multiple dimensions of factors that influence and shape Singaporean Chinese’s perception and acceptance of both PRC migrant workers and professionals. Some of the key factors identified are: 1. Although PRC and Singaporean Chinese belong to the same race, PRC immigrants are socially and culturally different from Singaporean Chinese; 2. The role of the mass media is crucial in influencing and shaping local Chinese’ views on PRC immigrants and 3. Singaporean Chinese feel that ‘striking a balance’ is the preferred migration policy the government should adopt. Keywords: PRC migrant workers and professionals, the mass media, stereotypes, integration and adaptation