Foreign workers ''could be big issue in Singapore elections''

Singapore has called its general election for May 7th, with the government dissolving parliament ahead of the event.

It is predicted by a number of sources that the matter of foreign workers entering the city state will be one of the key issues explored during the campaign period, with prime minister Lee Hsien Loong recently addressing the subject at a MediaCorp television forum.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia he said: "So you want the foreign workers, but at the same time you don't want too many and an uncontrolled flow, which can cause problems. Politics is about choices, government is about making decisions and accepting these trade-offs."

In March, Goh Chok Tong, chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, told a meeting of the Council of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry that people should not expect to see a reversal of the government's decision to impose a national levy increase on the pay of foreign workers.

The move means that those coming from the UK to take on banking jobs in Singapore or another position after July 1st could see their salary threshold increase if they possess an Employment or S Pass.

This may in some cases make them less attractive to employers, as it is hoped the move will encourage more firms to hire Singapore nationals.