Archive · 23 Sep 2025
Lee Kuan Yew's Views on Foreign Workers Go Viral
Imagine a country where some people come from other countries to work.
Some people worry these workers take jobs from locals.
In 2003, Singapore's leader, Lee Kuan Yew, explained why Singapore needed these workers.
He said removing them would hurt the economy, as companies need them to stay competitive.
Even if some locals were unemployed, there were still jobs the foreign workers were doing that locals didn’t want.
He emphasized the need to handle the situation sensibly to ensure the economy doesn't suffer, keeping companies competitive and protecting jobs.
Lee Kuan Yew's comments from 2003 regarding foreign workers have resurfaced amid current events.
He was responding to concerns about foreign workers taking jobs in Singapore.
He argued that removing foreign workers would negatively affect the economy.
He stated companies need foreign workers to remain competitive.
He mentioned many Singaporeans were unemployed, yet the jobs were not desirable to them.
- Who
- Lee Kuan Yew, then-Prime Minister of Singapore
- What
- Discussed the necessity of foreign workers for Singapore's economy in 2003, amid rising concerns about job availability.
- When
- 2003
- Where
- Singapore
- Why
- To address audience concerns about foreign workers taking local jobs and to explain the economic necessity of foreign labor.
Local Workers
Government/Companies
Job Availability
Local Workers
Foreign workers are taking jobs from locals, who may be willing to work for lower pay.
Government/Companies
Foreign workers are essential to keep companies competitive and maintain economic stability.
- Figure
- Lee Kuan Yew, former Singapore PM
- Topic
- Foreign workers and economic competitiveness
- Context
- Trump's H-1B visa fee increase
- Year of speech
- 2003
- Location
- Singapore