Taxi driving, the last bastion for Singaporeans gone to foreigners

Jehangir Ibrahim wrote an article in the TRE on the lost of this exclusive vocation that used to be the preserve of Singaporeans. It used to be the choice of last resort for PMETs being replaced by foreigners.  Only Singaporeans were allowed to be taxi drivers. This is no more. Any foreigner can become a taxi driver.  The PMETs will now have to compete with foreigners again and are likely to lose out. There will be no more jobs for them if they lose this last vocation for self employment. This is what Jahangir wrote:

‘It was announced in Parliament yesterday that Uber, Grab or other transport app drivers will be regulated soon. Like taxi drivers, they will need to get a taxi vocational licence and be subjected to the various LTA taxi regulations.

There is no minimum age as long as the drivers held a Class 3/3A driving licence for at least two years.

But the biggest caveat is, both PRs and work permit holders can now apply….

Previously, only Singaporeans can drive taxi as can be seen in LTA website.. Only Singaporeans above 30 years old can drive one: It was announced in Parliament yesterday that Uber, Grab or other transport app drivers will be

• You must be at least 30 years old;
• You must be a Singapore Citizen holding a pink NRIC;
• You must have a valid Class 3/3A Singapore driving licence for a continuous period of at least one year at the point of application; and
• You must be able to speak and read basic English.’

I would not be too worried about the ex PMETs getting more competition from the foreigners. They are capable of looking after themselves, and hopefully bringing enough food to put on the table. I hope.

I have this aching concern for our women folks especially the young girls. How can any govt be so thoughtless to allow foreigners, with nothing to hold on them, with nothing to lose, with no records of their character and past, to drive our women folks around, and our young children, boys and girls? Getting into a taxi is like walking into a trap and become the prey and victim of the taxi drivers that harbor ill intent. Our women folks will be at the mercy of these foreigners. Are the well being of our women folks, our children, so cheap?

Singaporeans have been so accustomed to security and safety and take these for granted. How is this foreign element, foreigners allowed to drive taxis, to drive our women folks and children around change their lives? Very safe, nothing will happen to them? Not to worry?

My goodness, I thought only the masses are daft. I cannot expect those making such decisions and policies are more daft, putting our women folks and young children to unnecessary and unacceptable risk.

For those who think is kpkb, is unwarranted, so be it.  Any crime against our women folks and children due to this policy is the work of those who allowed it and those who condoned it.

I am just saying my peace as a concerned grandparent. I disagree with putting our women folks and children to unnecessary and unacceptable risk to their personal safety, at the mercy of unknown foreigners.

Stupidity has no cure.