A Singapore-based recruiter has sparked divisive discussion after claiming that companies are hiring foreign workers who are “hungrier” over locals.
The legal recruiter, Lee Shulin, appeared on an episode of CNA’s Deep Dive podcast uploaded on April 30 titled, “Why young workers are walking away from stable careers”.
Clips from the podcast have made the rounds on social media platforms, sparking several reaction videos on TikTok and intense discussions.
‘We don’t see that hunger anymore’: Recruiter
In the podcast, Ms Lee shares that she faces a “real struggle” when hiring fresh graduates, as many lack necessary skills. She added that she looks for a sense of “hunger” in candidates, but feels that this “ingredient” is increasingly absent.
Ms Lee also points out that young employees need to be “a little bit more paranoid” about what the future holds, as she observed companies letting go of Singaporeans and hiring foreign workers from neighbouring countries.
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She said this is “not because they are necessarily more skilled, but because they are a lot hungrier, and that hunger is now irreplaceable.”
With artificial intelligence becoming more prevalent, Ms Lee believes “relationship-building skills” are increasingly more important. However, she claims she has encountered many Gen Zs who are unable to carry a conversation, a trend she described as terrifying.
Ms Lee also mentioned that it is not just Gen Zs, but also older workers who are “not prepared to work that hard anymore”, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
She added that the “social contract” between employers and employees has changed, explaining that as a recruiter now, she constantly assesses whether a candidate is a potential “flight risk.”
Netizens criticise ‘tone-deaf’ remarks
Ms Lee’s remarks in the podcast have sparked intense discussion online, with some criticising them as “tone-deaf” while others expressed agreement.
