Ins and Outs of Talents

Discussions on the drain of young talent from Singapore often focus on the motivations and reasons for the exit. For a more productive discourse there ought to be a candid debate on what more could be done to make Singapore so alluring a place few would think of leaving for good, whether for work, a lifestyle change or to escape what some speak of Singapore’s stifling conformism. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had his focus on political renewal when he broached the subject of talent loss. His worry was specific: the trend of bright students who obtained their first degrees abroad making their careers in their chosen countries, never to return. It need not be so. If they retained their citizenships, it is not a loss. Older Singaporeans who have worked abroad for long periods in business, the professions and the artistic field should be added to the corps of talents. A plausible answer to the conundrum would then suggest itself. Talent scouts of the People’s Action Party would be casting their net far and wide abroad, if the party thinks there must be some among the Singaporean diaspora who are fit and willing to run for office. The Singapore International Foundation and overseas business and social networks have kept them plugged in.

It is undoubtedly cliched, but Singapore has to make itself the equal – or better, if it can – of favoured foreign destinations in liveability and the liberalising of its political and social climate to be a net gainer in the international distribution of capable people. On liveability the Government has shown itself prepared to break old moulds to keep up with the competition. The strides made have been impressive enough to vault a modern city-state with no scenic beauty, natural recreations and historical grandeur high into various quality-of-life league tables. If the willingness to adapt could be extended progressively in the social and political realm, the results could be as spectacular.

But whether the talent outflow is a recurrent cycle of manageable proportions or the draining will get worse in years to ome, there is no formulic way of dealing with the issue. Unlike the reverse flow of PhD students and top-notch careerists from China, India and South Korea who are returning home from the West for the comparable opportunities and to participate in their native countries’ rise, it is questionable whether many Singaporeans who have been away for any length of time would resume residence here, just because the economy is dandy. The call of home must be deeply felt, almost visceral. But those who do return add alue with their experience and international outlooks, so it is not all loss in the dynamic whirl of talent.

 

~ TST Review, April 8 2008

South Korea women now dare to fight back

Better educated and employed, they no longer suffer sexual harassment in silence

Two South Korean court rulings on sexual harassment last week have put the spotlight on changing attitudes towards women in the country.

In one, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that a man who forced restaurant waitresses to do a “love shot” – in which two people drink beer with their arms entwined – was guilty of sexual harassment.

In the other, the same court considered charges brought against a man for taking pictures of a woman in a mini-skirt.

He was acquitted as there was “no proof to show that he wanted to gratify his sexual desire or humiliate the victim”. But the fact that the land’s highest court even heard such cases was a milestone.

Sexual harassment cases have become more high-profile in recent years as more victims take the offenders to task – and succeed. 

Last year, a university instructor was sacked following revelations that he had asked a Japanese student for sex in return for a good grade. In 2006, a political party dismissed a prominent law-maker for groping a female reporter during a drinking session.

The incidents reflect the growing power of women in a Confucian society which has long subordinated them to men.

Not long ago, victims would have suffered in silence. Now, women are able to fight back.

One reason for their increasing clout is that there ar emore educational opportunities for women with many studying for doctorates. That was unthinkable just two generations ago.

In the 1960s, limited resources meant that parents could only afford to send their sons to schools. Daughters tended to the family at home.

“As educated women, we are more aware of our rights and willing to exercise them,” said Madam Park Sook Huei, a member of the feminist civic group Korea Women’s Associations United.

Their quest for better treatment has also been aided by their growing financial clout.

Half the women in South Korea are employed, up from just 30% two decades ago. 

Accountant Kim Jin Hee, 34, said: “Financial independence gives us more confidence to take on the men when we are wronged.”

Their confidence has also been fuelled by the increased female representation in Parliament. Women hold 39 of the 299 parliamentary seats, twice the number they had in the previous legislature.

Last year, a Ministry of Gender Equality survey of 2000 women aged between 15 and 44 found that only one in 10 respondents believed that a couple must have a son. That was a sharp drop from 40% in 1991.

A significant development for women came into effect this year when the government abolished the family registry system. It had recognised only males as the household head. Under the new system, each family member will have his or her individual register. A child can even choose to take his mother’s surname instead of his father’s.

In view of their growing power in society, women are sending out a clear message to the men who still harbour outdated notions of their status.

As Madan Park said: “We want to be treated with respect and will seek resource if that is not done.”

 

~ TST Saturday, Apr 5 2008