Dinesh Vasu Dash
Singapore
“To reduce injuries among platform workers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has convened a Platform Worker Safety Workgroup comprising relevant Government agencies, platform operators, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and platform work associations.”
“I thank the Member for the comments. I do fully agree with him that, indeed, we need to increase, for example, firstly, the detection of such unsafe behaviours, finding ways at which we can do so and allowing them to also make a livelihood in the process as well; and to increase awareness of the safety risks and practices that are availab…”
“Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the SDS holders have benefited from the SDS scheme since inception and this Bill recognises that it is timely to update this legacy arrangement by enabling the transfer of SDS Singtel shares from the CPF Board to their CDP accounts. This move reflects how far we have come since the scheme’s inception.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Indeed, the level of integration and the discussions that happen at the Harmony Circle pretty much sometimes depend on the type of religious institutions that might be available at the particular constituency.”
“[T]he Workfare Income Supplement qualifying monthly wage cap of $3,000 continues to target Singaporean workers with earnings in the bottom 20%, with some support to those who are slightly above. At the same time, we will also increase Workfare Income Supplement payments to up to $4,900 per year.”
“[T]he Workfare Income Supplement qualifying monthly wage cap of $3,000 continues to target Singaporean workers with earnings in the bottom 20% with some support to those who are slightly above. At the same time, we also increased Workfare Income Supplement payments to up to $4,900 per year.”
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“However, when I ask successful founders whether they would support their children in pursuing entrepreneurship, some of them were reluctant. They know well the risks of failure and how difficult the journey was. It is therefore important to double our efforts to sustain and grow our entrepreneurship spirit in Singapore. And we should start from a younger age. Initiatives such as the Applied Learning Programmes in schools and the Direct School Admission for Entrepreneurship are a good start. These programmes allow students to gain practical skills such as critical thinking and the resilience needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced business world. And on that note, I fully agree with Mr Azhar Othman who had indicated earlier the need to start entrepreneurship in schools at an earlier age. We should also encourage Industry-led programmes, like the "My First $1,000" programme spearheaded by one of our committee members Mr Willson Cuaca from East Ventures. In this programme, students who are between the ages of 14 and 18, will be given $250 for their business idea. After eight weeks, they would have to return the initial capital with cost and will receive a dollar for dollar matching for their profits, capped at $1,000. This allows our youths to road-test their ideas and experience the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Some may fail, but the lessons learnt would surely stay with them for life. I am happy to report that those who are keen can continue to sign up. Registrations are still open, but they will be closing quite soon. Ultimately, we must view setbacks as a stepping stone towards eventual success. Every successful entrepreneur will tell you that their path was filled with obstacles.”
“This is because of intensifying competition from startup hubs in Asia, the Middle East and even further afield. Venture capital remains tight, particularly outside of the US. Over the last few months, Minister of State Alvin and I have spoken to more than 300 stakeholders including startup founders, business leaders, venture capitalists and our youths. This was to understand their concerns and to propose strategies to help them and future generations of entrepreneurs. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your feedback and for your support. This was only possible with the strong support of our committee members and ecosystem partners such as the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE), SBF, Singapore Fintech Association and the National Youth Council. To support our startups, we will adopt a three-pronged strategy to strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem. First, we will strengthen our entrepreneurial culture. Second, we will help promising growth-stage startups scale and expand beyond Singapore’s shores. And third, we will facilitate investors to exit and recycle their capital and expertise into new ventures. Let me start with our entrepreneurial culture. Several years back when my son was then five years old, he told me of a "paper clip" challenge, which apparently, he chanced upon on YouTube. Starting from a paperclip, he was required to barter trade upwards until he reached a valuable item. After a couple of weeks, he presented a beautiful pen to me and tried to sell it to me for $20. What started off as a humble paper clip, after multiple trades, had been traded upwards towards a pen. I am sure my story is not unique and there are many budding young entrepreneurs with very interesting ideas.”
“Carousell began with a simple idea: to make the selling of pre-owned items as easy as taking a photograph. What started as a mobile-first classified ads app had since grown into a leading online marketplace and omnichannel re-commerce business operating across Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and serving tens of millions of users across the region. I am very glad that Mr Marcus Tan, one of the founders of Carousell, and others like him are part of the Entrepreneurship Committee. They, together with venture capitalists and business leaders have added tremendous value to the committee. Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore's entrepreneurship ecosystem is in a good place. Just like our early days, today's entrepreneurs have spurred innovation, created jobs and established themselves internationally. In fact, the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 by StartupBlink ranks Singapore’s ecosystem as number four in the world. Our startup ecosystem benefits from a pro-business environment which includes our established companies, our talent pool, dedicated startup spaces such as the LaunchPad at One-North and supportive Government policies. These make Singapore a unique, competitive and trusted hub for innovation. We are also a key hub in Asia for innovative companies and investors, with over 4,500 tech startups, 220 incubators and accelerators and over 500 venture capital firms that have anchored themselves in Singapore. Many founders of startups have proudly shared with me on how the Singapore brand had helped them forge partnerships and to break into new markets. However, we cannot stand still and rest on our laurels. We need to continue to strengthen our startup ecosystem, to maintain our attractiveness to startups, talent and capital.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of Budget 2026. This Budget strikes a balanced approach to meet the pressing needs of today, while preparing us for the challenges of tomorrow. This is also timely as we enter a new phase of Singapore’s economic journey where the global economy is increasingly fractured and uncertain. Where technologies, are advancing at unprecedented speeds, reshaping how companies operate, and how we live and work. And where we would have to do more with a slower growth in our workforce, given our ageing population and falling TFR. This is why the Government launched the Economic Strategy Review in August 2025, and I have had the privilege to lead the Committee on Entrepreneurship together with my co-chair, Minister of State Alvin Tan. Sir, entrepreneurship is in our DNA. Many of our forefathers built successful businesses and contributed to nation building, including Pioneers such as Lim Nee Soon, Seah Eu Chin, P Govindasamy Pillai, Syed Omar Aljunied and Edwin Tessensohn. Perhaps one of the most iconic pioneer entrepreneurs was Tan Tock Seng. His story started when he arrived in Singapore in 1819 as a vegetable seller to a successful shop owner in Boat Quay in 1827 and to a thriving businessman. Through his many businesses that spanned real estate, agriculture and of course healthcare, he provided thousands of jobs to Singaporeans, then and even now. Like our Pioneers, our generation has also our avant-garde entrepreneurs who have succeeded and have been able to entrench themselves here and beyond Singapore’s shores. Take Carousell for example. This company was founded by three National University of Singapore (NUS) graduates, who were inspired by their exposure to Silicon Valley through the NUS Overseas Colleges programme.”
“I think what we want to try to avoid is having a Maslow's Hammer type of a situation, where every problem is seen to be a nail that requires hammering. Instead, what we need to have is a repertoire of solutions, sometimes a loving nudge, a firm stare or a warning might in fact do the trick. Having said that, the ultimate aim is really to have a lasting and sustainable safety culture in Singapore, and I look forward to working with the Member on it.”
“I would like to thank the Member for the question and for the passion that he has for our workers. I would like to assure him that I personally went through every single case, particularly the ones in December. And as tragic as it was, I could not see any common trends or any root causes, per se. These could potentially have happened due to unfortunate lapses of judgement or not adhering to the existing safety protocols. But that said, I would urge the Member to await the final investigations, which are currently ongoing, and then we can discuss on subsequent moves that need to be put in place, either be it because of fatigue or otherwise. But he has raised important points about fatigue affecting drivers and I wanted to just say that what we have in place are WSH guidelines on fatigue management, where rest breaks are recommended and the need to manage shift work as well, as part of these WSH guidelines. And in terms of technologies, we see some useful technologies, such as the driver status monitoring system, which detects driver fatigue. On the question that the Member had on grants, I want to just highlight that we have the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) that small and medium enterprises can tap upon, where 50% of funding can be defrayed, for up to a cap of $30,000. And as at July 2025, about 1,000 companies have adopted vehicle safety technologies via the PSG, and a total of about $12.5 million has been dispensed. I think we have to continue to push the adoption of technologies, especially the proven ones. As to whether or not for it to be mandated, I think we take a holistic and calibrated approach to all the solutions as well as the situation that we have.”
“The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had called for a voluntary Safety Time-out from 13 to 27 January 2026, focusing on vehicular safety because of four vehicle-related workplace fatalities in December. The objective of the Safety Time-out was to remind companies to take time off from their regular work routine to review and ensure that appropriate safety measures and procedures were in place, and for workers to refresh their knowledge of these procedures and to stay vigilant. In line with the voluntary nature of the Safety Time-out, there were no inspections nor enforcement actions. MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, through its existing channels, have encouraged companies to participate in the Safety Time-out. They have also issued WSH advisories to guide companies on the key learning points from the recent incidents and the relevant safety practices to be reinforced with their workers. In addition to initiating the recent Safety Time-out, MOM conducts regular inspections in the high-risk sectors where vehicular hazards are present. This ensures that companies comply with measures, such as having proper traffic management at the workplace and ensuring the drivers or operators have the requisite competencies. Around 500 inspections have been conducted in January. Three stop-work orders and five fines were issued to companies and individuals for vehicle-related breaches.”
“So, when we get such feedback, we then do the necessary investigations and we do the necessary actions that are required. To the third question, it is indeed a very important one, because there are many who may be unfortunately misled and it is not going to be very helpful for us to use very heavy mechanisms. And and that is why, in my reply, you will realise that the bulk of the perpetrators in this case, depending on the severity of their of their offence, was indeed warned. We keep that as the main basis after proper investigations are being taken. I hope that helps.”
“I thank the Member for her questions. Firstly, we work very closely with the relevant agencies, associations and Ministries as required and really, our our intention is to protect local workers and local employers. Specific to wedding shoots, we get on average about two cases per year over the last two years, if I take the timeline from about 2021 to about 2023. We have been working with the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore), or Vicpa, to understand the ground situation and pending tip-offs, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will then conduct investigations and to deal with the complainants as we see necessary and; of course, to the people who are the perpetrators as well. We are happy to work with any organisation and agency in the interest of our workers and our employers. To the second question on the services and sectors that are involved, essentially, we see it mainly in the services and construction sector, which usually has a slightly higher number than the rest; and for this, a whole range of legislation has been put in place. For example, errant workers under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act would be fined up to $20,000 or jailed up to two years or both; and for employers this amount is $30,000 and an imprisonment term of about 12 months or both. But beyond legislation, there are two regimes of inspections: proactive inspections – primarily dealing with areas at which we think are more highly prevalent – and reactive inspections that results from either whistle-blower cases, as exactly as the Member has pointed out, or through the MOM channels, either through our websites or call centres and services centre.”
“Mr Speaker, from 2020 to 2024, the annual average of about 450 foreigners were found to be working illegally without valid work passes. On average, 13 foreigners were prosecuted, four were fined and the rest were issued with warnings, as most of the cases involved short duration of illegal employment. These foreigners were also repatriated and debarred from working in Singapore.”
“Take, for example, Mdm Wendy Goh, who had been making four trips every week for her 21-year-old daughter, Nicole Chew, who has an intellectual disability, from their home in Bedok to Tampines. As we can imagine, this was difficult and draining. Now, with the Enabling Services Hub at Block 28, Nicole can join inclusive activities that would help her learn, grow and connect with others in the community closer to home. Ultimately, Singaporeans facing physical or mental disabilities together with their families deserve to live fulfilling lives. I will do my best to ensure that no one is left behind. The uncertainties in the world are likely to continue. There could be pressures on our resolve and unity. Some may draw comparisons between the haves and the have-nots. Others may turn nativist, trying to draw the distinction between second- or third-generation with first-generation Singaporeans. During such times, we should strengthen our resolve and fall back on our values. We have always celebrated ground up initiatives based on self reliance and a strong work ethic, just like my in-laws. Hence, wanting to be a "we first" society does not mean that we were wholly individualistic previously. Indeed, we celebrate and strengthen ourselves to be one united Singapore, a Singapore where our vulnerable are able to live dignified lives, a Singapore where everyone is respected, a Singapore where individual contributions are honoured and cherished regardless of age, and a Singapore where our youth would continue to have a bright future. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion. [Applause.]”
“For those who may be able to work, we should be giving them a fair wage for their efforts. MOM had been rolling out the Progressive Wage Model (PWM). Most recently, I announced the PWM for the retail sector. The PWM is the Government's way of ensuring that the most vulnerable among our workers are protected and that their salaries are increased in tandem to cope with the cost of living. To complement the Government's efforts, businesses must also continue to restructure themselves and workers must acquire new skills to remain employable. We must not forget our migrant workers, who take on much of the toil that Singaporeans prefer not to do. Our buildings and infrastructure are built on their blood, sweat and tears. As if their daily contributions are not enough, they occasionally transform into superheroes to save Singaporeans in need. In my capacity at MOM, I have had the pleasure of working closely with our migrant workers and hope that Singaporeans will continue to open their hearts to them and to support them, not only when they perform heroic acts from time to time. Speaking of daily superheroes, the demands on caregivers, particularly those taking care of physically or intellectually disabled people, can be time consuming and both emotionally and financially draining. I do think more should be done to support our caregivers. I was therefore happy to inaugurate the Enabling Services Hub at Block 28 at New Upper Changi Road, which was a ground up initiative between my grassroots, SG Enable and like-minded partners. Together, the hub aims to provide services for those with intellectual and physical disabilities and for our caregivers to have a reprieve from their daily responsibilities.”
“The Ministry of Health's (MOH's) Healthier SG and Age Well SG have been significant programmes that have the potential to change the ageing landscape in Singapore. With the speed and comprehensive nature of the rollout of both initiatives, particularly Age Well SG, residents of HDB towns would benefit tremendously from such programmes. Given the sheer number of seniors among us, it would be useful to expand the programme, which includes social gatherings, exercise and therapy sessions, to include private estates as well. Unfortunately, not all of us will be able to age gracefully. Some of us might unfortunately be affected by illnesses and disease. This might be so despite our best efforts in taking care of ourselves and living wisely. My wife's grandmother was one such person. Suffering from a severe mental illness for many years, I could see the psychological toll it took on her entire family. Nevertheless, my in-laws took it in their stride and did their duty, always with a warm, loving smile until her last days. I believe more can be done to support our seniors like my wife's grandmother and their families. I wish to continue to push for initiatives both at the policy and implementation levels and to be a voice for our seniors to live dignified lives. My third area of focus will be on protecting the vulnerable. One of our key policy pillars had been that families and society formed the basic safety nets for individuals with disabilities. However, with competing demands, reducing family sizes and Singapore's economic development, it is not unreasonable for there to be an expectation for the state to do slightly more – not for the Government to be the sole safety net but to play a stronger role.”
“Further, in my capacity as the co-chair of the Economic Strategy Review Committee on Entrepreneurship, I hope to be able to provide new opportunities to help fulfil your aspirations. My fellow co-chair Minister of State Alvin Tan and I are determined to create a bustling culture of entrepreneurship where our youths would be able to fulfil personal aspirations and in the process, solidify Singapore's place as an entrepreneurship hub. This is another clear reflection of how the Government works with all Singaporeans to provide for better, more prosperous futures by connecting them to jobs. While we secure the futures of our young, we must continue to value and respect those who had built Singapore, past and present. This brings me to my second area of focus: our seniors. Singapore has been designated as a Blue Zone 2.0 country as our residents have exceptionally long life expectancies. Singapore's longevity is attributed to an engineered environment, which is almost exclusively based on Government policies, urban planning and a population that is generally health conscious. We are expected to be super aged by the year 2026. One in four residents will be above the age of 65 by 2030. In fact, in my constituency in Bedok and Siglap, one in four residents are already above the age of 65. We are five years ahead of schedule. If I were to expand the age bracket to those who are above 60, 32% or almost one third of my residents would qualify. Many of our seniors are fit and active and have much to contribute to our nation, including our workforce. We should provide as many opportunities as possible, especially for those who are willing and able to work.”
“While performing for the SAF military band during his National Service, he suffered a nerve injury. During his recovery, he discovered his talent in being a composer and a conductor. After receiving the Lee Kuan Yew scholarship and scoring the first prize at the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, Kah Chun had many notable appearances such as being appointed as chief conductor to Germany's Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Last year, he was appointed the principal conductor and artistic adviser of The Hallee, a 165-year-old symphony orchestra based in Manchester in the United Kingdom. This year, he made history as the first Singaporean to conduct at the BBC Promenade Concerts, the world famous classical music festival held annually in London. Kah Chun had blazed the trail and had shown young Singaporeans that it is possible to carve out meaningful careers even in less conventional fields. When I asked him for his message to younger Singaporeans, he said, "Dream boldly, work with discipline and always remember that our heritage can be the source of our greatest creativity." These are very profound words from a Singaporean youth that we are all very proud of. However, there are anxieties on the availability of jobs and potential displacements due to technology as well as global economic shifts. To this, I would say, "Do not despair. My colleagues and I at MOM will do whatever we can to help to be a bridge for you and to help to connect you to jobs, assess your career health, highlight industries that are growing and to help you acquire the skills needed for roles in these sectors".”
“While there was palpable economic growth, there were uncertainties, economic crises and we did not take anything for granted. Like many families then, my brother and I were taught to treasure what little we had and to always care for those who needed help. This had been the ethos of the Singapore story. We had our crises too. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I saw first-hand how the leadership worked hand in hand with our people to save lives and livelihoods. I consider it an honour to have served Singapore during the pandemic and to have the voice of the underprivileged be represented as I served, solved problems and pushed boundaries. Today's generation faces different challenges and a different lived experience. In fact, in my conversations with young Singaporeans, I hear both optimism and unease. They believe in Singapore, but they want their voices to be heard. And they want to know that this country will work for them even as the world changes. This will therefore be my first area of focus: our youths. Understandably, their points of reference are different from ours, where development exists, systems work but there are expectations for them to work better. While there are more opportunities both locally and overseas, our youths are apprehensive about their type of jobs, their families, their future and about global justice, climate change and the environment. To them, I say, "Your voice matters. My colleagues and I are committed to listening to you to understand your concerns and to work with you to fulfil your dreams". This generation understands different pathways to success and has what it takes to overcome the hurdles that life throws at them. Take, for example, Mr Wong Kah Chun.”
“That is what Mr S Rajaratnam, who brought glory to the Indian community and the country, emphasised. He has said, any one community should not preserve its own traditions alone, but create a united Singapore. These words are solemn to us. These words are especially important, given how the world is divided by language, race and religion. Singapore’s’ strength lies in the unity that we find amidst our differences. For this unity, every community must make its contributions. When our youths excel in education, when our seniors are fine, when our families are prosperous – this is not just a community’s achievement; it is Singapore’s victory. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] As I embark my journey in this House, I hold the stories of our forefathers, the hopes of Singaporeans and new immigrants and the words of leaders such as Mr Rajaratnam in my heart. Let us continue to build a strong and prosperous society. May excellent Singapore excel onward. (In English): Mr Speaker, we live in uncertain and fractious times. We face a shifting global order, the real impact of climate change and the lingering aftershocks of a once-in-a-generation pandemic. The world today feels more volatile, polarised and far more anxious than before. We are facing profound challenges within Singapore too – a rapidly ageing society, the rise in technology, potentially displacing jobs and greater individualism. We are also not immune to the global trends and impact of rising populism and protectionism. However, this is not the first time Singapore had seen trouble. Our founding generation faced severe, existential concerns, yet both the Government and people worked together to defy all odds and transform Singapore. My generation was born after the trauma of Separation, but we had our challenges too.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion to thank our President for his address. Before I proceed, may I please be allowed to say a few words in Tamil? (In Tamil): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Hon Deputy Speaker and Members of this House, greetings. My father would often tell me how when my grandfather came from India to Singapore, what he had with him was only hope and hard work. He worked as a contractor who engages construction workers. It was hard work; but he never once complained. The explanation he gave my father was: "I work hard today so that tomorrow, you can live well." This story is not just the story of my family alone. It is the story of countless Indian forefathers too. They came as labourers, traders, and teachers. They endured hardship. Yet, at the same time, they also grew their families. They established schools, temples, mosques, churches and community organisations. All these have stood the test of time till today. It is their sacrifices then, that has uplifted our generations today. In recent times, new Indian immigrants have come to Singapore. Many of them have come here to study or work. As days went, they did not return home and made Singapore their permanent home. Their aspirations are similar to our pioneers – good family, sufficient income and commitment to the country. Today, the Indian community is diverse. We are Tamils, Punjabis, Gujaratis, Malayalees, Telugus, Sindhis and many others. We are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs. But above these- we are Singaporeans! And this is why I stand here today, not only as a representative of the Indian community, but as a part of the Singapore community. Our community’s progress is not apart from the country’s progress. It is a part of it.”