Not expert but for thinking out loud, correct if wrong...
Think with the recent intense discussion, is beginning to why it won't work locally. At least with the (somewhat altered or perhaps distorted) version that think the system keep putting out where many non the wiser naturally assumed its the way its supposed to be. Which of course won't work, since its a (think somewhat) flawed one put out to justifying the argument why it won't work (a straw-man of sort perhaps). Thus think if it work then its a miracle.
Think if not wrong, by right it should be universal. That is applies to everyone, including foreigners. But because local cannot have that, cause it would derailed local cheap foreign labour plan. Think everyone sort of quietly omit that its supposed to be universal in their discussion (conveniently neglect to mention that), so that those ignorance majority won't know any better.
And by just keeping the topic on using it for locals only, it of course won't work. Since it would further make locals more expensive, when foreigner are not subjected to it, thus can be cheaper. Therefore further heighten the already deepening tons of problems that sort of arose out of the cheap foreign labour plan. 
Hi Ethan,
Thanks for highlighting the elephant in the room that minimum wages should, to be fair, include foreigners too, which means the work permits, maids, construction etc, will also earn say $10/hour which they obviously do not receive now.
To have double standards in something as basic as work salary will draw the ire of foreign governments, especially **** which will not accept the unfair treatmemt of its overseas staff with serious repurcussions on Singapore's international reputation.
Thus, PAP does not object to minimum wage so much as because it benifits Singaporeans but because it will certainly benifit the 1 million or so S pass and workpermit much more and be like ownself shoot own self foot for Singapore.
The ultimate solution is for there to be a COE quota, just like PAP applies quota to number of opposition in parliament, by sending bigoted messages that opposition supporters are free loaders, commencing a witch hunt post elections etc.
There should be a max number of foreigners allowed, with maids and bankers competing for the same opportunities to work here I.e. bidding for a common COE pass.
The many useless Sinkies who imagine that they are royalty because they can tekan their maid (like Changi Airport group chairman Liew Mun Leong and his evil familee), will just have to bid for domestic helper COE or else do the laundry and dishes themselves.
This will make Singapore much more health conscious and resilient and more capable of taking on all sorts of challenges of the world from man made to natural disasters, then they are currently poised to cope now.
