"Isn't it ridiculous that I can't get Chinese therapists when I'm doing Chinese acupressure massage. When I put out an advertisement, not many Singaporeans are interested."
Tan said that, although MOM taxed him S$240 a month for hiring Chinese workers, he preferred Chinese nationals to locals. "These Chinese therapists are skilled and generally have better work attitudes than Singaporeans," he said.
David Yang, 45, who manages a foot reflexology and body massage shop in Chinatown, said it is now almost impossible to employ Chinese workers.
"It's good that the government is stricter now otherwise things might get out of hand. I've heard of many foot reflexologists who end up providing "extra" services," said Yang, who has two Chinese mothers working for him.
Most Chinese mothers feel that, while there are cases of Chinese women providing sexual favors, the majority do not and it's unfair to label all Chinese women as prostitutes.
"I'm a decent women. I only work and go home to my daughter," said Wang.
Still, the negative stereotype appears to linger among local residents. "You can see them everywhere in Chinatown. It's so obvious, they're all sitting around, scantily-clad," said Peter Lim, 52, who works in an electronics shop in the area.
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