Prayer request for the government lies and deception

[Dexter2020]

I am writing to formally voice my rejection of the current manpower narrative. For years, the justification for the heavy importation of foreign labor has been the promise that it would "create good jobs" for Singaporeans. By 2026, it has become undeniably clear that this promise has not been met. The policy of importing foreigners to stimulate the job market has failed to deliver. Instead of elevating the local workforce, it has led to the following systemic issues:

- The Myth of Job Creation: The "good jobs" being created are frequently filled by the very foreigners brought in to "create" them. This is not job creation for Singaporeans; it is the outsourcing of our domestic professional landscape within our own borders.

- Total Displacement of the Local Core: Qualified Singaporeans, including those with specialized diplomas and years of hard-earned experience, are being sidelined. We are seeing a total elimination of career pathways for locals as senior and mid-level roles are increasingly dominated by non-residents.

- Wage Stagnation and Erased Bargaining Power: The constant supply of foreign labor has effectively suppressed local wages. In one of the world's most expensive cities, Singaporeans find themselves unable to compete or negotiate when the market is perpetually saturated with a global labor supply that does not share our long-term cost of living.

- Empty Promises of Upskilling: We are told to constantly "upskill" via SkillsFuture and other initiatives, yet even with these certifications, the "good jobs" remain out of reach. It is clear that the issue is not a lack of local skill, but a systemic preference for importing labor over developing and protecting the Singaporean worker.

The social compact is broken when citizens are treated as a secondary priority in their own economy. If the strategy of importing foreigners cannot tangibly guarantee high-quality, stable, and well-paying roles for Singaporeans, then that strategy must be discarded. We do not need more "adjustments" to salary tiers or quota tweaks. We need a fundamental shift that puts the dignity and professional future of Singaporeans first. The government must be held accountable for the promises made and the current lack of results. I expect a response that addresses these failures with concrete solutions for the local workforce, rather than more rhetoric about the necessity of foreign talent.

 

[Articles]

We hear your deep frustration and concern for the well-being of your nation’s workforce, and we stand with you in seeking God’s wisdom and justice in this matter. The issues you’ve raised—displacement of local workers, wage stagnation, broken promises, and the erosion of dignity in labor—are serious and demand both prayerful reflection and biblical discernment.

First, we must acknowledge that God is the ultimate authority over all earthly governments, and He calls us to pray for those in leadership, that they may govern with justice and righteousness. The Word tells us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, *"I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence."* Even when policies seem misguided or deceptive, our first response must be to intercede for wisdom and repentance where needed.

Yet Scripture also makes clear that labor has dignity and that workers are to be treated fairly. Jeremiah 22:13 warns, *"Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by injustice; who uses his neighbor’s service without wages, and doesn’t give him his hire."* The exploitation of labor—whether through suppression of wages, displacement of qualified workers, or false promises—is an affront to God’s design for human flourishing. The systemic issues you describe reveal a failure to uphold the biblical principle that work should provide not only sustenance but also dignity and hope for the future.

We also recognize the temptation for governments to prioritize economic growth or political expediency over the well-being of their own people. Proverbs 29:2 reminds us, *"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."* When leaders make decisions that harm their citizens—whether through deception, neglect, or misplaced priorities—it is right to call them to account. Your demand for concrete solutions, not empty rhetoric, aligns with the biblical call to seek justice and speak truth to power.

However, we must also examine our own hearts and the broader cultural attitudes that may contribute to these challenges. Are we, as a society, valuing work solely for its economic output, or are we recognizing it as a sacred calling from God? Are we advocating for policies that reflect His heart for the vulnerable and the worker, or are we complicit in systems that prioritize profit over people? The church must lead by example, modeling integrity, fairness, and a commitment to the flourishing of all people—not just the powerful or the connected.

Now, let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up the concerns of those who feel forgotten and displaced in their own land. You are the God who sees the oppressed and hears the cries of the afflicted. We ask that You would expose deception and bring truth to light in the policies and practices that have harmed Your people. Give wisdom to those in authority, that they may govern with justice, humility, and a genuine desire to serve the common good.

Lord, we pray for the workers of ###—those who have been sidelined, underpaid, or deceived by empty promises. Restore their dignity and open doors of opportunity that have been unjustly closed. Break the cycles of wage stagnation and displacement, and raise up leaders who will champion the rights of the local workforce. May Your people be equipped and empowered to thrive in their vocations, not as secondary players in their own economy, but as valued contributors to a society that reflects Your kingdom.

We also pray for repentance—where there has been greed, exploitation, or idolatry of economic growth at the expense of human dignity. Soften the hearts of those who have prioritized foreign labor over the well-being of their own citizens. Let Your justice roll down like waters, and Your righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Finally, Father, we ask for unity among Your people. May the church rise up to advocate for the vulnerable, to speak truth in love, and to model the values of fairness, compassion, and integrity. Let us be a light in the darkness, showing the world what it means to honor work as a sacred calling and to treat all people as image-bearers of You.

We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who came to set the captives free and to proclaim good news to the poor. Amen.

In addressing these challenges, we encourage you to continue seeking God’s guidance and to engage with wisdom and discernment. Hold fast to the truth that God is just, and He will not ignore the cries of His people. At the same time, let us remember that our ultimate hope is not in earthly governments or policies, but in the kingdom of God, which will one day bring perfect justice and restoration. Until then, we are called to be salt and light in a broken world, advocating for what is right and trusting in the One who holds all things in His hands.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear your concerns and we're standing with you, brother. We've been watching the situation unfold, and it's clear that the current policies aren't benefiting our people as they should. We've been praying about this, and we feel led to encourage you and the rest of our community to continue pressing for change.

We need to remind our leaders that our people are the backbone of our nation, and their well-being should be the priority. We should be advocating for policies that create quality, well-paying jobs for Singaporeans, not just any jobs. We've been patient, but we've seen too many broken promises and too many of our own sidelined.

We've been reflecting on Psalm 72, which says, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. May they be spared the violence they dread and the hunger they fear. May they be spared the violence they dread and the hunger they fear." This is our call, too. We need to stand up for our people, for those who are being displaced and underpaid.

We've also been thinking about Proverbs 31:8-9, which says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." We need to be that voice, brother. We need to speak up and stand up for our people.

Let's continue to pray for our leaders, that they would have the wisdom and the courage to do what's right. Let's pray for our people, that they would be empowered and equipped to thrive in their vocations. And let's pray for unity among us, that we would stand together as one voice crying out for justice and dignity.

We're in this together, brother. Let's keep pressing on, keep praying, and keep advocating for our people. God is with us, and He will bring justice to light.