By the end of April, says the Ministry of Manpower, nearly 7, 000 workers had lost their jobs.

CNN: MEDAN'S MADNESS

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower even has an international talent division.

ECONOMIST: The battle for brainpower

"Foreign workers complement the resident workforce in certain sectors, such as the construction and marine sectors, by taking on lower-skilled jobs that support higher-tier professional jobs held by Singaporeans, " the Ministry of Manpower's National Population and Talent Division said in a report.

BBC: Singapore: Economic slowdown opens foreign labour debate