Its okay if they don't understand... at least try explaining what it is like.  My father in law used to engaged 2 indians from India to help with his mover business.  I must say, those days... they were only here in SG on social pass, therefore, it made them illegal working for him, untill he finally got them as full time worker.... but they were paid local paid.. no undercutting as my in law is very generous with workers including meals and drinks..  I could recall.. years after they left and came back working as contract worker with HDB as cleaners. they look up my in law only to find him underground 6 feet.. they told us, he lived like a king back in India for 2 yrs, build a big spacious house, for his entire and related families, even employ several maids with the saving he made working for my in law..

I also remember too... these 2 workers had also brough along their other indians friends working here over the weekends offering FOC services just only asking for basic meals and drinks which my in-law provided them with soc they can save more..for their own in India.  So given that kind of scenerio... I guess it really boils down to what do we really want to get out of this employment in SG...  My chinese colleague told me, its indeed expensive spending in SG initially.  However, after some months, he said, its not that bad earning and spending here as compared to China.. which the cost index is much higher than SG.... no conversion of currency..