What are all these for?

It saddens me to flip the papers everyday, to find articles describing about the plight of some people who are left behind in terms of employment, financial ability and such. The usual stories would be about people who are not highly-educated, relatively older, being out-competed by younger, lower-cost and industrious workers from countries like China, India etc. While this situation maybe true, it may not be the whole truth yet. I feel that, if not addressed, this problem (or challenges) may be further extended to include the higher-skilled workers in the Singaporean economy in time to come.

There are definitely many highly-skilled individuals from these upcoming developing countries, equipped with knowledge in the many fields such as the sciences, engineering, IT and finance. It can be seen in some local companies and universities that this group of people is already taking up notable positions in their organization. This phenomenon can only be further catalyzed by the effects of globalization. Better inter-countries transportation and communication means can only serve to facilitate this.

It is futile to fight the macro level phenomenon of globalization. It can only intensify in both breadth and depth, i.e. in all aspects of life and society. Attempts to fight and protect local interests with measures like trade tariffs, foreign labour restrictions will only make one's country less competitive and efficient as compared to the rest of the world. Right here, I am not suggesting to assign any blame to anyone for the challenges brought about by the effects of globalization. Changes are always part of the grand scheme of things. The human race has evolved throughout its existence, through stone, copper, bronze, iron, agrarian, industrial, space, digital, nano ages etc. Adapting to changes are part and parcel to the continual survival of a society as a whole.

Unfortunate are those who are technically restricted to move ahead financially, either due to language illiteracy or physical disabilities. Comparatively greater effort have to be put in to overcome such obstacles. As for those with the technical means, it is definitely within their capacity to get ahead financially from their current situation.