Sentiments of a local crane operator - Part 2

(Continuation from Article: Sentiments of a local crane operator - Part 1) FOREIGN VIEWS Are the jobs of foreign construction workers in Singapore same as that of a crane operator? They have a variety of jobs – carpenters, steel benders, concreters, scaffolders, machine operators etc. But most would like to become crane operators. On Xenophobia and immigration policies A lot of foreigners come here to earn a living. They know what they are here for. Before they even start earning, the initial few months of their salary will be used to pay off their agent fees. They are also more hardworking, obedient, and take instructions well. There’s no reason for us to be xenophobic towards them. I’ll like to see society giving them more respect, treating them like any other human being as they are an integral part of us. They are my colleagues. With regards to the immigration policies, there are too many foreign workers if you ask me honestly, and our infrastructure cannot cope. I also find our immigration policy too relaxed, as many are able to circumvent and come in. How he hopes the construction industry will progress New building technologies and methodologies should lead the way. Productivity, site safety improvements, and mechanizations – can be the way forward to ensure better construction working conditions. Having a better understanding of colleagues from diverse backgrounds or nationalities will allow them to feel more welcomed, which aids in societal immersion. Parental negative mindsets, or misconceptions towards being in the construction line has to be changed too. VIEWS TOWARDS SOCIAL POLICIES High Cost of Living Food items are costly and difficult to cope compared to 20 years ago. Food prices keeps going up, but do not come down. [Housing and healthcare?] Not really affordable. If I have to buy a house now, I would have to spend my whole life paying for it. Healthcare is still expensive even with the governmental-introduced policies, which is why people often say “living in Singapore – you can die, but you cannot fall sick”. Changes to policies he hopes to see Government should have a second wave of Pioneer Generation Package. More can still be done to bring down prices of flats. [Increase on social spending?] Yes. I have trust, that the government can manage their funds well, and spend within their means. But honestly, I don’t think they have maximized their spendings. On CPF The present governmental control– some are for it, some are against it. There is no one perfect policy and this puts the government in a dilemma. What I can say is – “spend within your means, buy what you need, not just what is good to buy.” FAITH, FAMILY, FUTURE Catholic faith The faith is there, but it is not strong. So I try to build up and maintain it by going to church more often. Is there a difference between Christians and Catholics? They are the same to me, as both ultimately reach the same destination, just that they are walking different paths. To give an analogy – if I want to reach Kuala Lumpur, I can drive up, or take a train, and I would still reach the ultimate destination of Kuala Lumpur. Meaning of life Be happy with what you are, be grateful with what you have, and just be yourself.[Did your poor background decrease your ambition?] It woke me up, and I tried my best to save up when I started to work. I know my level of satisfaction, I don’t ask for more. Life is never equal. Some comes to this world poor, some comes to this world rich. For me, I’m just who I am. I do not need to follow people (*mainstream ideals), just live within your means, there is no need to compare with people. Take care of your health. Health is better than wealth. What does success means to you? It is important to have enough money but nonetheless, success to me is when you can do what you want, when you want, and how you want, without worries. Your immediate family is always your closest people. As I grew older and wiser, my priority turned towards spending more time with my family, and doing less of overtime work. Death and Future I’m not scared of death as it has to come to everybody. [Do you place God or family higher?] Both are equally as high. I thought Catholics are supposed put God as the highest? You can put God as the highest if you put it this way, and ultimately, we have to go home and see him (God). I just want to rest and relax after working for almost 40 years. For me I believe, my savings is enough. For another person, it might be different. It is up to your mental thinking – if you feel it is not enough, it will never be enough. 一山还有一山高 (*English definition – there is never an end to comparison. No matter how much a person has in life, there is a tendency to always feel someone else is having it better). [**Our interviewee has a passion for writing poems too. This is one of his older pieces.] A Crane Trainer’s Plight They say, my friend, you have a great job I say, what great job when you’ll never get a fair report Trainee comes, Trainee goes When they pass, we are good, when they fail, we are crooks Have they ever understood our plight As each and every trainee’s failure brings us no delight We have to teach, We have to test, We would like to give the trainees all our best As such, our job is full of stress Hey! Man, we are just doing a job, an honest job It’s not that we are not fair Just that some of you cannot accept that you have no flair Failure for you seems that there is no tomorrow As you pour out all your unending sorrows You need to understand, peoples’ lives are at stake The moment you enter the construction gate Give us, the trainers a second thought, Who would like to fail someone and make him in distraught Put yourself in our shoes, and you know how hard are we trying to do Complaints comes and compliments none Be reasonable; be understanding that is all we asked A small request from us, but to you it may be a big task No one ever send us a best regards, even though we have their thoughts at heart Come evaluation, the big problems starts Trainee A say, hold his hands as he learns to control the crane Trainee B say, hold his hands and he learns in vain Another say, leaves him alone on the crane to train his guts But pleads another, do not leave him as he cannot judge At times, we are in despair, we can hardly sigh, We are tired and yet have to be quiet. That’s the truth of a trainer Today, we bring to your notion Believing that there is a justified cause for attention Sometimes, we trainers ponder, how long have we to strive? Truly, we have enough of those we’re wolf cries Nevertheless, we trainers need to work to survive And many of our hopes lies in that big, fat weekend prize When that big day comes, it shall be time to step out of the institute and say good-bye Meanwhile, We’ll tell you, We’re still crane instructors and we’re not shy Cause, we are pretty sure there are not many who do qualify Written By: (Anonymous) Age: – Race: Chinese Religion: Catholic Occupation: Crane Trainer