Douglas Foo
Singapore
“It is therefore important that in the current circumstances, that we keep communication channels open and transparent between workers, employers and the Government. After all, we are all working collectively towards a common goal of emerging stronger as a nation after this pandemic.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the concerns that have been raised above, I would like to state that this whole-of-Government effort to address the wide-ranging effects of our economic crisis is herculean and it is deeply appreciated by business owners and investors in Singapore.”
“Mr Chairman, as Singapore prepares to roll out 5G network this year, there are companies that are concerned about the security measures of 5G deployment.”
“In the circumstances, how does the Ministry intend to encourage TACs to pool knowledge and resources together both locally and in overseas markets to help businesses seeking to internationalise?”
“It is important that we continue to show our appreciation to our Servicemen for their commitment and contribution to defence. How does MINDEF continue to ensure that recognition of our National Servicemen remains both updated and adequate? Precautionary Measures for COVID-19”
“Mediation actually embodies the key tenets of open communication and trust that lie in the foundation of our Tripartite Partnership. My hope is for mediation to continue to be seen as a viable first approach to not only resolve employer and employee disputes but as an avenue to resolve business disputes as well.”
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“It is therefore important that in the current circumstances, that we keep communication channels open and transparent between workers, employers and the Government. After all, we are all working collectively towards a common goal of emerging stronger as a nation after this pandemic. It is therefore exceedingly crucial that we continue to be ever mindful of how we can continue to build up such relations. Mr Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, by promoting continuous innovation, advancement and adaptation, and with the relief the different Budget Statements have provided for businesses, I believe we can overcome. As a partner in nation building, the SMF is committed to stand in Solidarity and Unity with our members and the Government, increase business Resilience and surmount this difficulty with Fortitude. May we be in the best possible position to better seize opportunities presented when the effects of COVID-19 recede globally. I stand in unequivocal support of the Fortitude Budget Statement. 3.16 pm”
“Members have since highlighted that there is a challenge in upskilling their workforce in this age group as most courses are conducted in English and there is a relative scarcity of courses conducted in Chinese, Malay or Tamil that this age group of workers may be more comfortable with. For the manufacturing sector, the transformation journey is one we are committed to and while the change will not be overnight, I strongly believe that our continued efforts as a community will set us on the right path. On importance of the tripartite alliance – Mr Speaker, Sir, as I close my speech today, I would like to invite the hon Members of this House to spend some time to ponder on the delicate balance of our labour relations in Singapore. I have, in my previous speeches, always made it a point to drive awareness and encourage the strengthening of our unique tripartite labour alliance. Yet, it is in trying times like these that the true work and importance of this alliance shines more brightly than ever before. Amid the massive global economic upheaval, with the strength of our labour relations built up over decades, our workers are able to keep faith with their employers and employers are able to keep faith in the Government. This foundation has provided important stability for our economy during this crisis. It is therefore critical and timely, that as hon Members of this House, we remember and keep this delicate balance in view even as we canvass the interests and views of the organisations we represent. During such times of heightened uncertainty and anxiety, it is easy for a statement, though innocuously made, and, perhaps in support of one stakeholder, to engender feelings of negativity or suspicion in another.”
“I will now like to move on to the next part of my speech – that of digitalisation and training. On protecting livelihoods, transforming businesses – as president of the SMF, a common refrain when I engage with our members is the need for digitalisation. While the challenges presented by the measures to combat COVID-19 have indeed spurred on digitalisation and transformation for businesses, there is still much to be done. The SMF administers the Digital Project Management Services programme as part of the SMEs Go Digital initiative. Since the circuit breaker, we have seen almost the same number of expressions of interest as in the months from August 2018 to April 2020, when the programme was launched. However, the adoption rate is still low. While many companies understand the need to transform, a number of concerns still hinder the adoption process. In a survey of the members of SMF conducted in early 2020, members cited uncertain return of investment, lack of technical capabilities as well as concerns on cybersecurity as key reasons holding them back from adopting digital technologies. In this regard, the SMF is really glad and heartened that the Fortitude Budget pays importance towards incentivising and encouraging businesses to digitalise. We believe that the measures will go some way to pushing companies to take the plunge. The SMF will also be doing its part to complement that of Government's efforts to push for our members to take up digital solutions on an expedited basis. Similarly, companies seeking to send employees for training during this period have also encountered some challenges that warrant some attention. One of the new initiatives under the Fortitude Budget is provision of training opportunities for the older workforce.”
“Aside from being a key part of the workforce, some Malaysian workers who have chosen to remain in Singapore have been apart from their families for an extended period of time and these form mental welfare concerns for employers. Businesses know that this is not dependent on Singapore alone. Accordingly, businesses wish for the governments of both countries to expeditiously reach an agreement to facilitate trade. One area is the 14-day quarantine or Stay-Home Notice that workers going to and returning from either country face on each side, making it a total of 28 days that the worker is not able to work. On overseas contractual obligations – another key concern for businesses is their inability to fully fulfill their contractual obligations to overseas clients due to circuit breaker measures. Many are worried that the longstanding relationships they have built over the years with customers and suppliers, especially those from overseas, lost during the circuit breaker, may be difficult to woo back. Many of our members who trade internationally are especially concerned regarding their contractual obligations to overseas clients and that failure to fulfill the same could mean exposure to financial and reputational damages. In this regard, the SMF would like to advocate for the Government to take the lead and work towards getting agreement from other countries on a legal framework that transcends jurisdictional boundaries, much along the lines of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act. Mr Speaker, Sir, the above are concerns and feedback from the business community – genuine and from the ground. I hope that the relevant Ministries can assist to see how some of these issues can be even more quickly resolved.”
“In addition, the current necessity of remote work also presented significant costs for businesses to introduce mobility into their business models such as required laptops, setting up of remote servers, cloud access and so on. In addition, we have seen a number of companies modifying their shop floor to comply with safe distancing guidelines. All of these costs give rise to genuine concerns of the manufacturing community as to how Singapore can continue to be competitive globally as different countries practise different precautionary measures. One of Singapore's advantage has always been speed and efficiency. While businesses understand that there is an ever important need to care for the safety and health of our people, businesses here hope that law and policy makers take into careful consideration the need not to be overly prescriptive and at the same time, ensure that regulatory bodies are sufficiently resourced and staffed so that required approvals do not become the bottleneck to efficiency. On manpower concerns – the circuit breaker has also presented a wide number of manpower challenges to companies. Key among which is the uncertainty of the permitted workers' quota, which changes day to day for some companies. The feedback from member companies is that such fluctuations are an added form of disruption as they are unable to plan ahead and schedule production schedules. This also has resulted in a core group of the workforce being stretched during this time as many find themselves taking up dual roles. Such also has a serious impact on manufacturers as they abide by safety standards and regulations, but staff fatigue is always an ever present danger. Finally, companies are also eagerly awaiting the normalising of the human traffic between Singapore and Malaysia.”
“Our members are also heartened that on a government-to-government level, Singapore is working with other countries to keep supply chain disruptions as minimal as possible during this time. This has significantly helped businesses continue operations during the circuit breaker. As we take the required steps to exit the circuit breaker and work towards the new normal, I would like to share some feedback on challenges faced by businesses and encourage sustained and greater collaboration within the tripartite alliance. On safe distancing and shop floor hygiene – Singapore first became acquainted with the COVID-19 virus early this year and since then, most companies have had to adapt processes significantly to safeguard the health of employees while they struggle with the numerous external impacts on their businesses. I would like to recognise and applaud this collective effort from businesses to place safety and health above commercial concerns. In fact, in a recent survey of members of the SMF, 62% of the members surveyed ranked safety and health as their top concern as they prepare for the reopening of more businesses after the circuit breaker. Some members have even indicated an almost four-fold increase in monthly cleaning expenses to ensure a clean environment for their workers and products. In addition to cleaning costs, companies are now maintaining their own inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is likely to be required in daily operations for an extended period of time. As such, manufacturers largely expect these costs to be permanent additions to their operational costs.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interest as chairman of Sakae Holdings Ltd, president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), vice-chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and vice-president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). I rise to affirm my support for the recently delivered Singapore Fortitude Budget Statement and to provide a response from the business and manufacturing community. As we prepare to exit the circuit breaker, it is again very reassuring to the business community that the central focus of the Fortitude Budget is the protection and creation of jobs. With the additional $33 billion in relief measures, the Government has now set aside close to $100 billion to support Singaporeans in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented level of financial relief continues to demonstrate the Government's unwavering commitment to support our enterprises. As I stated before in my response to the earlier Budget Statements, businesses cannot take these support measures for granted and must actively take steps to continuously examine and tweak their business models and explore how new improvements can be incorporated sustainably. Manufacturers here are generally very appreciative of the relief measures that will help to ease commercial financial challenges. Ranging from sustained foreign worker levy rebates and waivers as well as more robust rental relief measures to training of employees and upgrading of equipment, the SMF is thankful that the Government has largely taken on board the feedback of our members in announcing a progressively more comprehensive relief package.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the concerns that have been raised above, I would like to state that this whole-of-Government effort to address the wide-ranging effects of our economic crisis is herculean and it is deeply appreciated by business owners and investors in Singapore. Once again, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of this Bill.”
“New regulations to put greater distance between co-workers to minimise the spread of COVID-19 have spurred more businesses to adopt a whole suite of digital solutions from video conferencing, workflow management to online ordering and inventory management. Now that the Supplementary Budget 2020 has provided for expanded pre-approved digital solutions to the digital project management system and other grants to support businesses in the required adoptions in response to COVID-19, I call on businesses to please explore the programmes available and I am sure the implementation of these solutions will prove to provide long-term value for companies rather than just short-term solutions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, while my speech has lauded and supported the intent of the spirit of this Bill, please allow me some time in closing to raise a few concerns. These concerns pertain more to the operational aspect of the Bill rather than the provisions of the Bill itself. In the first instance, with nearly 200,000 SMEs in Singapore, the volume of contracts signed is indeed voluminous. While not all contracts are expected to be in dispute, it is imperative that the Ministry carefully put in place measures to select and appoint the right Assessors given that there is no appeal mechanism provided for. Such Assessors must also be careful to understand and avoid conflicts of interests and buyers whether perceived, potential or actual. Such Assessors should also have been placed teleconferencing capabilities to avoid any face-to-face interactions with those raising disputes. Finally, can the Ministry clarify such Assessors will be covered by some form of Indemnity insurance?”
“The other objective of the Bill is the reciprocal corresponding assurance that contractual obligations are still enforceable, that its rights are not extinguished, just temporarily placed on hold. If I may I humbly suggest there should also be discussions on the expected payment schedule after the period of suspension, since it will be unlikely, for example, that a tenant will be able to pay six months of suspended rental immediately. This is essential as this gives reassurance to the parties to whom payment is due, that there is a recourse for recovery of due fees in the future while not placing the pay in yet another difficult position. With this assurance, I hope parties are able to come to agreement in a cordial and amicable manner with the passage of this Bill. Once again, in light of the current situation, we are stronger if we seek to find solutions together. In the event of future dispute after the Bill ceases effect, I would like to reiterate the points which is measured earlier in February in response to the reading of the Singapore convention on Mediation Bill. Mediation should be an avenue considered by all parties to resolve any arising disputes. With mediation, the options for settlement are wider in scope than the monetary compensation available through arbitration or litigation, and parties have a chance to negotiate settlement options without prejudice to their legal rights and in a non-pressure cooker atmosphere. Let us work together to ensure business continuity amist these uncertain times. This Bill also provide for alternative meeting arrangements to be recognised legally, to be compliant with the safe distancing regulations that came into force on 27 March 2020.”
“It is also creative thinking at its innovative best to use the law in such a manner to bring relief to the people and the community. While we are mired in extraordinary times and it is imperative that we work and live together as a community. It is only if we go to the extra mile and practice consideration for one another that we have a higher chance that larger swaths of our societal fabric will be able to tide through this circumstances. I believe that many businesses know this concept inherently, but lack a framework or a former channel to practise some form of legal leniency and yet still, protect business interest. Hence, I rise in support of the Bill and commend the Whole-of-Government approach to COVID-19. Targeted protection from legal action is cited as one of the main objectives for the Bill. I believe this is crucial as the cash flow exposure for contractual obligations that they are now unable to fulfil weigh heavily on the minds of many business owners. Under this Bill, five broad categories of contracts are identified and I stand by the decision to prioritise relief measures to address conflicts arising from these five areas. Everyone is well aware of the cash flow crisis that operators in the tourism, events and F&B sectors are facing with the collapse in demand and issues to supply chain disruptions. That, under this Bill, it is now an offence to terminate a lease, repossess premises and/or start insolvency proceedings against a tenant service to create a buffer period, allowing them hope of a platform from which to rebuild their business when life returns to normalcy.”
“Please allow me to declare my interest as Chairman of Sakae Holdings, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Vice-President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). Since COVID-19 first became a major concern in Singapore, life has been riddled with much uncertainty. As the COVID-19 situation worsened over the last couple of months, people concerned with events, for example, have been brought on many different roller coasters. Is the event cancelled? No, the event is not cancelled but will be limited to less than 40 people. A few days later, the event was reduced to 10 persons, with distancing measures and, a few days later, the event was postponed or moved to virtual means. But I must commend my fellow Singaporeans for being understanding and reasonable to bear with such uncertainty. It is definitely not ideal for legal instruments not to be clear. Over the last few weeks, Trade Association and Chambers (TACs), including the Singapore manufacturing Federation (SMF) have arranged for lawyers to give informative talks to our members on matters such as for "Fall, Merger and Frustration". It must have been frustrating for many, forgive the pun, that relief or threat of legal action depends on what is worded in the contract when the totally egalitarian COVID-19 virus does not discriminate between a super large organisation and a one-man show. This Bill now moves to bring a certain degree of clarity and uniformity in this unprecedented times is indeed welcomed by many in the business community. It is also opportune to add that by moving decisively and quickly in introducing this Bill, MinLaw is once again demonstrating its commendable foresight and dynamism.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interest as Chairman of Sakae Holdings Limited, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Vice-President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). I rise to affirm my support for the recently delivered Singapore Supplementary Budget Statement 2020 and to provide a response from the manufacturing and business community. The general sentiment from the manufacturing and business community is largely one of relief and pleasant surprise. Before Deputy Prime Minister Heng's announcement on 26 March 2020, I recall The Straits Times carrying an article on 22 March 2020, with the prediction of several financial institutions that the stimulus package "might be in the region of $15 billion". That the measures announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng on 26 March 2020 were expected to be more than three times that estimate at about $48 billion, have left many in no doubt that this Government is prepared to stand together with its citizens in times of difficulty, especially with today's Solidarity Budget of even more enhanced support measures.”
“Mr Chairman, in the global competitiveness report by the World Economic Forum in 2019, Singapore is ranked third for skill-sets of the current workforce but 28th for the skill-sets of the future workforce. This is concerning, as this shows that there is still much to be done for our workforce to be future-ready. The gap could possibly be with the existing employed workforce whom might like to gain in-depth knowledge on new disciplines like data analytics, software engineering, cybersecurity, information security, process automation and more. In the latest future of job study by the World Economic Forum, employers surveyed estimated that by 2022, no less than 54% of all employees will require significant re-skilling and upskilling. Of this, 10% will require additional skills training of more than a year. We are starting to see that this will be a strategic concern for employers in the very near future. While we have IHLs who have already have in-depth curriculum available for skills in these new industries, what are the Ministry's plans to raise awareness of existing curriculum and to make these courses more accessible to companies and the workforce, and how can trade associations and chambers play a role in this? Train-and-Place Programmes”
“Chairman, employers have been encouraged to explore flexi-work arrangements to create worklife balance for employees. With such arrangements, through rethinking the work day, or redesign of job functions, employers would in all likelihood find it easier to attract and retain locals and reduce reliance on foreign labour. Today, we find an increasingly diverse workforce. Seniors who would like to remain in the workforce, fathers who take on an active role in parenting, for example. The workforce is no longer homogenous, and as employers, our company policies should respond to such diversity with flexibility. There are various existing incentives to encourage employers to implement such arrangements in their workplace. In the current situation with COVID-19, there is more compelling reason than before for employers to test out and implement some of the flexible work arrangements. This is a window of opportunity that I see here. Will the Ministry be able to share what plans it has to further publicise the flexible work arrangement schemes and encourage the speedy adoption by Singapore companies? Flexi-work”
“The good work from their efforts are often brought up during our engagement with members from the business communities. However, there will always be some errant employers out there who go against the principles of fair and progressive employment. We must be careful that in formulating policies, we do not inevitably place bigger burdens on the majority of employers by putting in place measures aimed at preventing the behaviour of the errant minority. In turn, employers should support the targeted moves the Government makes to go after bad behaviour. In Budget 2020, Deputy Prime Minister Heng has introduced many measures under the third thrust of the Transformation and Growth strategy to develop the capabilities of our workers. The Singapore Manufacturing Federation is a firm supporter of lifelong learning for workers to be ready for new challenges and opportunities to progress and grow with enterprises. One profession I would like to highlight would be the training and development of Human Resources (HR) professionals. With the advent of new technologies and the skill sets required emerging in the workforce, our HR professionals would also need to learn new skills and strategies to nurture and manage this new workforce of the future. In this regard, what is the Ministry's plans to nurture a pool of human capital talents that would assist enterprises in strategic forward planning for sustainable development for both people and enterprises? Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)”
“Mr Chairman, as Trade Associations and Chambers like the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) continue to work with enterprises to re-skill and train employees, the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit scheme is a welcome announcement. However, a common feedback from employees is that they are hesitant to go for training because when they return to the office, they have to deal with accumulated backlog. In a 2019 survey by Linkedin, 57% of Singaporean employees said the most significant challenge to re-skilling was the lack of time. Yet, it is pertinent that organisations need to take a long-term view and to look into re-skilling their employees. The burden is largely on employers right now to juggle the limited resources, uncertain demand, maintaining the payroll and continue with training efforts. Therefore, does the Ministry have in place plans to encourage and educate employers to put in place more facilitative work arrangements to allow for staff to go for training without worrying that they have a large workload to return to? In the same vein, are there plans to alleviate employer difficulties that arise from employees going for re-skilling? How can Trade Associations and Chambers play a role in this journey? Fair and Progressive Employment Second cut. Chairman, the Government has introduced many tripartite committees and initiatives such as the Singapore Tripartism Forum (STF), National Wages Council (NWC), Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) and Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers. Such tripartisan initiatives promote greater awareness for fair and progressive employment practices to employers.”
“In the event of a large scale national cyber attack where computer and network viruses can spread speedily, Is there a similar framework in place to reduce and mitigate the dangers of such an outbreak?”
“Mr Chairman, according to a report released on 1 October 2019 by a United States-based cybersecurity firm, Carbon Black, 96% of surveyed companies in Singapore said they have experienced at least one cybersecurity breach in the past 12 months due to external cyber attacks. Of those that had experienced a cyber attack, 48% suffered negative financial impact while 83% reported damage to their reputation. Furthermore, 93% of these organisations reported an increase in cyber attacks in the past year. The report added that 98% of chief information officers and chief information security officers surveyed were concerned how digital transformation projects and the roll-out of the 5G network will further affect cybersecurity in Singapore. More than 250 chief information officers, chief technology officers and chief information security officers from across a range of sectors participated in this survey . According to a study by consumer information provider, Comparitech, which studied 60 countries based on criteria such as percentage of mobiles and computers infected with malware and the number of attacks by cryptominers in 2018, Singapore ranked 10th place in global cybersecurity. This is commendable but reports on probable attacks such as the personal data leak of MINDEF and SAF staff in December 2019 is still a cause for concern. Taking an analogy from the health perspective, our previous experience with SARS taught us the importance of having a readily adoptable response framework, such that today, Singapore’s DORSCON framework has been widely praised in the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.”
“Mr Chairman, as Singapore prepares to roll out 5G network this year, there are companies that are concerned about the security measures of 5G deployment. According to a survey by a United States-based cybersecurity firm, which was released in October 2019, 55% of those surveyed believe that 5G deployment may be avenues for more effective and destructive methods of cyber crime and another 54% thought it may give more opportunities for cyber criminals to attack the organisation. Can the Minister provide by way of an update how ready is Singapore to embrace 5G communication networks and what plans are in place to help enterprises understand and exploit this technology to its fullest while managing its challenges? Does the Ministry have any plans to engage Trade Associations and Chambers to help understand from businesses what they would most need from such a new technology and to implement the new technological equipment and applications? Securing Digital Spaces”
“Mr Chairman, in Singapore, SMEs account for an estimated two-thirds of all employment and contribute almost S$200 billion to the economy. SMEs form an integral part of our economy and are seen as the future drivers of Singapore's growth. With the number of SMEs constantly hovering at above 200,000 companies, there is, understandably, a wide range of companies all at very different stages of growth. While there is a host of support for start-ups and small SMEs, understandably which are more vulnerable, it is timely that we look into investing and supporting SMEs which have managed to show a good track record and are ready to embark on the next stage of growth. With the announcement of the Enterprise Leadership for Transformation Programme as part of the Enterprise Transform Package, I believe this is a good extension of our current SME support framework. The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) stands ready to assist to reach out to this community. I strongly believe that Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) can be a useful platform to reach out to these business leaders and engage them with new initiatives such as this. With its aim as providing training to business leaders, the Enterprise Leadership for Transformation Programme is one for the long-term – to enable and develop capabilities. The Budget Statement talks about grooming 900 business leaders over the next three years. May I humbly please ask the Minister: how will these leaders be identified? Are more details available on the plans for the training and mentorship framework? How can TACs continue to help on this journey.?”
“In the circumstances, how does the Ministry intend to encourage TACs to pool knowledge and resources together both locally and in overseas markets to help businesses seeking to internationalise? Does the Ministry have any plans to assist TACs to upgrade their capabilities and human talent and make this a possible career choice for the workforce? Enterprise Schemes”
“Trade and Internationalisation Mr Chairman, answering the call by the Government, Trade Association and Chambers (TACs) have stepped up to play a much larger role in outreach and capability building in the business community. Within TACs, there is also a higher level of collaboration to collectively address key business issues. In July 2019, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) organised the inaugural Strategic Planning Session for TACs which was attended by over 70 leaders from more than 40 TACs. The TAC leaders had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. During this session, the TACs deep-dived into pertinent issues such as internationalisation, innovation and digitalisation, as well as how TACs need to transform to stay relevant for the future. On the manufacturing front, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), the Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA), and SGTECH have come together to form a Manufacturing Alliance in October 2019 to specialise in business model and process re-engineering, software and digitalisation as well as robotics and automation matters. The Manufacturing Alliance works with an ecosystem of partners, such as government agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Centres of Innovation (COIs), and so on, to scope problem statements and curate standardised, modular implementation packages that are easy for SMEs to adopt to make progress on their journey towards Industry 4.0. As noted by Mr Ho Meng Kit, the CEO of SBF, with more complex challenges faced by our members, TACs need to change, adapt and innovate to better serve the community. As we continue to take on bigger roles, TACs are also beginning to face a number of operational challenges.”
“Mr Chairman, ASEAN is widely seen to be on track to be the 4th largest economy in the world by 2030. This is driven by the continued economic growth and development efforts of our neighbours. In a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, especially for the manufacturing sector, disruptive technologies are projected to have huge economic impact, potentially creating US$25 billion to $45 billion of annual output value in ASEAN by 2030. ASEAN is an incredibly dynamic economic block with 10 economies at different stages of development. As the world embarks on a new decade with uncertainty as the opening number, this is a turning point for ASEAN to realise our ambition to be the next "factory of the world". There is definitely opportunity to attract foreign interest in ASEAN in the current uncertain global trade climate. Additionally, our member states need to encourage our companies to reinvest in the region to further spur on growth. In our recent dialogues with members in the Manufacturing community, in view of the current supply chain challenges arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, more businesses are seeking to explore longer term solutions for their businesses in ASEAN countries. This provides the impetus for Singapore businesses to take a closer look at the opportunities in ASEAN. As we continue ground efforts like leading mission trips and business meetings, are there any additional outreach or publicity efforts that will be undertaken by the Ministry to continue to highlight to businesses the importance and promise of our ASEAN neighbours? Because at the end of the day, by 2030, when we look back, we want our enterprises to have actually rode the journey of ASEAN having rose to being the 4th largest economy in the world.”
“It is important that we continue to show our appreciation to our Servicemen for their commitment and contribution to defence. How does MINDEF continue to ensure that recognition of our National Servicemen remains both updated and adequate? Precautionary Measures for COVID-19”
“Mr Chairman, National Service is now seen as a rite of passage in every Singaporean man’s life, but the journey does not stop after the NSF’s ORD. Instead, he becomes an Operationally Ready National Serviceman, to begin his 10-year ORNS training cycle. As a Singaporean son, I myself have been through the whole cycle and can testify that it is indeed a unique experience for all. In fact, I am still serving now. My son Donavan has just joined me on this journey of ORNS. I have three more boys who will be joining on this journey soon. However, serving two years of National Service means pushing back one’s plan for education or career. The people living in Singapore, regardless of whether they are citizens or foreigners working here are indirectly benefiting from the sacrifices of our Singaporean Sons, and we hope that all will recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by them that allow for the enjoyment of peace and sovereignty in our nation. As President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), I am pleased to share that the SMF is an active partner of MINDEF and fully supports National Service. The SMF has been supporting the SAF Re-dedication Ceremony each year, since its involvement in 2013. Through this annual event, we encourage employers to show their support for National Service and the NSmen working in their organisations as well as to remind them of the important role National Service plays in protecting the nation. Our National Servicemen sacrifice their time and energies to protect Singapore. Besides our young men who set aside two years to serve full-time, our NSmen have to spend two to three weeks away from their families when they return to do their annual In-Camp Training.”
“Mr Chairman, we are a small city-state with an open economy and we are therefore vulnerable to external factors. As the Minister for Defence Dr Ng has reiterated over the past years, Singapore cannot fail in its frontline defence to protect our sovereignty. Through the past efforts of our predecessors, our SAF is now one of the more modernised armed forces in the region with superior equipment and stronger fighting power. MINDEF previously announced its plans to building a modernised tri-service SAF which include acquiring F-35S Joint Strike Fighter jets to replace the current F-16 fighter jets, acquiring new Invincible-class submarines and multi-role combat vessels as well as new next-generation Armoured Fighting Vehicles for our defence forces. While such expenditure is necessary for modernisation, we have seen budget spending on defence rise steadily from S$14.8 billion in 2018 to S$15.47 billion in 2019. While there is a slight drop in this year's Budget to S$15.1 billion, it is still the highest expenditure among all the Ministries. The importance of maintaining a strong SAF and the need to be accountable to taxpayers requires a balance. In light of the current economic slowdown where we are seeing enterprises struggle to stay in business, the debate on whether we should be spending so much of our taxpayers' money on Singapore's defence or if the money is more well spent aiding our local enterprises will no doubt resurface in the minds of many. Can the Minister share how sustainable it is to spend to modernise and can the Minister explain what is MINDEF doing to ensure that every dollar of the defence budget is spent wisely and prudently? Value for Money”
“The community is relieved that the Government has prudently decided not to implement such a measure in such difficult times. However, there is always an innate and recurring fear of the shortage of suitable local manpower. It is the community’s hope that if and when the Government decides to effect the decrease in the DRC for the manufacturing sector, more lead time can be given for our members to prepare and plan ahead. Mr Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, this is a Budget that seeks to assist and encourage Singaporeans to do more for themselves and for the country. The wise leaders of generations past of this country have practised financial prudence which has allowed for such a generous and decisive Budget today. I humbly urge my fellow Singaporeans to not take this for granted. In such uncertain economic times, the ability of the Government still to seek to deepen capabilities at every stage of growth and provide for every segment of society is, indeed, laudable. I am confident that, working together in unity as a united country, our Singapore flag will rise above all the uncertainties as a stronger, more resilient nation that will continue to thrive and succeed on the global stage. With this, Sir, I affirm my support for Budget 2020.”
“These corporate transformational programmes include conducting hands-on knowledge and capability-building courses at our Centre for Corporate Learning, leading business missions to both local and overseas markets, organising Free Trade Agreement talks and seminars and being the first TAC to administer the SMEs-Go Digital – Digital Project Management Service. Where workforce transformation and training are concerned, SMF has recently created a course to help businesses examine their business models and identify ways of changing these models towards Industry 4.0. We are focusing on facilitating mid-career switches and are the first Programme Manager for the Professional Conversion Programme (Broad-based) to achieve 1,000 placements. We also seek to attract young talent into the manufacturing community by being on board the Global Ready Talent Programme. Mr Speaker, Sir, such initiatives reflect the commitment of the Federation in supporting our members and comes from the dedication of the staff. This is what I like to say is an example of how individuals coming together, which is aligned with the SG Together movement driven by a common aim, can indeed make a difference. The commitment by the Government to allocate $8.3 billion in this Budget to drive Singapore’s transformation and growth strategy is, indeed, heartening as it will continue to support the work and initiatives of TACs. It is my sincere hope that other TACs will also join in and work together in a concerted effort to drive our economy onwards and upwards. One concern which the manufacturing community has from Deputy Prime Minister Heng's speech is that of the superseded decrease in the DRC for the manufacturing sector.”
“However, many are optimistic that the economy will start to show signs of recovery six months from now. It would, therefore, be commensurating with such expectations and hope that relief measures factor in an efficacy timeline of between six months to a year. Next, deepening business capabilities. In relation to preparing our businesses and economy for the future, SMF is extremely heartened that feedback from our members has been acknowledged by Deputy Prime Minister Heng in the Budget speech. SMF has always prided itself on being a collaborative TAC, working with the Government as well as commercial entities to broaden and open new opportunities for our members. It is pertinent to note that Deputy Prime Minister Heng mentioned in his speech the hope that Singapore companies digitalise and internationalise. SMF strongly believes in exploring new frontiers, which refers not just to new physical geographical locations, but also to the very much evolving digital realm. I have always communicated to our business leaders whom I have the privilege of meeting, that digitalisation is important for both society and businesses to advance further than what Singapore is today. It is ever important that as the cyber world progresses, Singapore cannot be left behind as a third world nation or even as a developing nation because the speed of progression is simply too rapid. In this regard, I am happy to share with this House that SMF has already embarked on several programmes, working alongside the Government, to encourage our members to transform, innovate their business models towards Industry 4.0 and explore new frontiers.”
“Wage relief in the form of the New JSS and the Enhanced Wage Credit Scheme, as well as enterprise cash flow relief in the form of Corporate Tax Rebates and enhancement of the Enterprise Financing Scheme, will go some way towards assuaging society’s fear of lost livelihoods and shuttered enterprises. SMF is also glad that the Government has taken on board the feedback from our members and stated that Government landlords are willing to exercise some form of flexibility with rentals during this difficult time. However, while the above is indeed welcomed, the community wishes that the Deputy Prime Minister can consider going further by providing a more structured framework for rental relief which provides for more immediate relief directly to the tenants, rather than through the landlords. This would aid businesses greatly by allowing them some degree of certainty in adjusting their budget amidst the current climate of uncertainty. Another aspect which is causing much anxiety and worry for the manufacturing and business community is that of the disruption of the worldwide supply chain. As manufacturers, the worry is two-fold: one, the difficulty of attaining raw materials; and, secondly, even if products can be manufactured, how would goods reach the customers. This would, in turn, affect the manufacturing service providers downstream. Sir, while our members appreciate that there is no easy common solution across the different industries, there is hope that the Government will extend a further helping hand by suspending or waiving the collection of foreign worker levies during this period for existing Work Permit holders. In a recent dialogue session with members from the SMF family, there are many who voiced real and genuine concerns over the current economic conditions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interest as Chairman of Sakae Holdings Limited, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Vice-President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). I rise to affirm my support for the recently delivered Singapore Budget Statement 2020 and to provide a response from the manufacturing and business community. The general sentiment from the manufacturing and business community is that this is a Budget that recognises the current challenging local and global economic climate and which seeks to provide for a better short- to medium-term economic future for Singapore. In this regard, as one of the local TACs, and as one which represents an important contributor to Singapore's GDP, SMF wishes to state unequivocally that it will stand united and work with other TACs and Government agencies to drive our businesses through the current challenging times and forge better futures for enterprises. We stand ready to assist wherever we can and will do our utmost best to prepare our members to be in the best possible condition to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with the upturn of the economic cycle. Mr Speaker, Sir, I will divide my speech today largely into two parts – one on the relief measures and the other on business capability enhancements. Relief Measures. In relation to the relief measures for COVID-19 announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, the feedback is that many are glad that attention is given to both enterprises and to individual workers.”
“Mediation actually embodies the key tenets of open communication and trust that lie in the foundation of our Tripartite Partnership. My hope is for mediation to continue to be seen as a viable first approach to not only resolve employer and employee disputes but as an avenue to resolve business disputes as well. As Trade Association Chambers, we need to be committed to advocate and educate the business community with the ongoing changes to business legislation and the subsequent benefits of mediation to companies. Once this Bill is passed, I believe our work begins. With that, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“The top three destinations in the survey were Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. In 2019, SMF welcomed 21 international business delegations and hosted eight business matching sessions for the local and international business representatives. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Singapore Chapter is managed by SMF and, in the lead up to the ratification of the EUSFTA, saw an increase in interest from local business owners during the visits and business-matching sessions for the European delegations. Of course, finding a viable business partner does not happen over one business-matching session. The process usually requires a long period of discussion and gestation before an agreement is finalised. Forging business relationships in new markets is a challenging endeavour, especially in markets with very different cultures and regulatory requirements. With increased cross-border commercial transactions, it is expected that differences will arise. As such, a mediation framework that is internationally recognised is much needed for a fair and efficient way to resolve disputes in a timely manner. In Singapore, the business community is fortunate to operate in a stable environment built on the trust and respect of the Government, employers and employees. Within this tripartite partnership, mediation has long been the preferred tool to resolve disputes, especially since the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) was established in April 2017. In reply to a written question in Parliament in August last year by my fellow Nominated Member of Parliament, Ms Anthea Ong, Minister Josephine Teo provided statistics, which in my humble opinion, has shown TADM's commendable rates on successful settlements and enforcement.”
“The Singapore Convention on Mediation, formally the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation which was adopted on 20 December 2018 and opened for signature on 7 August 2019, is an international agreement governing the recognition of mediated settlements across different countries. The UN General Assembly adopted this agreement on 18 December 2018, and it is very heartening that the agreement has since been signed by 52 states since it was opened for signature. With a global framework in place, businesses should have greater confidence to settle international disputes through mediation. As noted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the signing ceremony, "This will help advance international trade, commerce and investment." The ratifying of the Convention in the near future will be a step forward for the international business community as signatory states move to standardise enforcement of mediation settlements in their respective jurisdictions. Once again, businesses will not see benefits overnight as legislation takes time to be enacted. However, we hope to be able to lay the groundwork and build awareness in the immediate future. This Bill is timely, especially with the recent coming into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA). As a trade federation, SMF has increasingly encouraged our local companies to look beyond our shores and seek out business partners in new markets for growth. In the Singapore Business Federation National Business Survey 2019/2020, 76% of firms which indicated that they intended to expand were keen to venture into the ASEAN region, similar to 2018/2019 levels.”
“Most business relationships are complex and forged over time and, as such, I believe most would seek to preserve the relationship where possible. As the awareness for mediation grows, I see this as a cost- and time-efficient option for companies to resolve disputes. As the President of SMF, I have personally facilitated dialogue between SMC and SMF. The hope of both parties is to bring greater awareness of the options and advantages of mediation to the manufacturing community and thus fostering greater acceptance of this avenue of dispute resolution. The team at SMC has shared that 90% of mediation cases are concluded within one day. This is really amazing, as compared to the significantly longer processes of arbitration and litigation with the corresponding higher professional service fees that one would have to pay. It is my hope that more trade associations and chambers will take the lead in spreading what mediation is and help our society to be one that is less litigious. It is in this context that I firmly place my support behind this Bill. Perhaps the main reason why companies hesitate to consider mediation as an avenue of dispute resolution was the lack of an enforcement mechanism, especially in the event of cross-border interests. As there was a lack of a cross-border framework for mediated settlement agreements, parties are only able to seek enforcement of the settlement agreement under contract law. By passing this Bill as a step towards ratifying the Singapore Convention, mediation will now be further seen as one that does not waste time and one that can produce desired outcomes.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interest as the Chairman of Sakae Holdings Limited, President of Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Vice-President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). I rise in support of the Bill. As a representative of the business community, I strongly believe in the benefits of mediation. I constantly advocate mediation as the initial avenue for dispute resolution as the flexibility and advantages that mediation offers are wide-ranging. The benefits of mediation vis-à-vis arbitration and litigation are frequently cited to be time and cost efficiency, confidentiality, non-confrontational character and, many times, the business relationship may continue after a mediation settlement is reached. I believe I can say that, lawyers apart, one of the most stressful things in life for the everyday man on the street would be to be hit with legal matters, especially a full-blown litigious trial. The stress, worry and uncertainty are exacerbated by a largely adversarial process that takes much time and, indeed, resources away from the real business of doing business. Hence, the business community will benefit if mediation becomes a widely-accepted and recognised avenue for dispute resolution. With mediation, the options for settlement are wider in scope than the monetary compensation available through arbitration or litigation and parties have a chance to negotiate settlement options without prejudice to their legal rights and in a non-pressure cooker atmosphere. The confidential nature of mediation also protects companies from unwanted public scrutiny.”
“This simplification of the tripartite partnership conceals the hard work that the partnership puts in to encourage dialogue and keep open channels of communication. I, therefore, urge the Ministry to continue to utilise such platforms for the benefit of our people and for our nation. It is my view that with the proposed amendments, the Act is now a forward-looking piece of legislation that will continue to provide a framework for Singapore to prosper as a nation. With that, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“To date, our leaders of religious organisations have been strongly committed to the religious harmony of Singapore, and we must take steps to protect this harmony, borne out of respect and humility. Singapore has been identified as possibly the most religiously diverse country on the planet by the Pew Research Centre this year. This coincides with the 70th Anniversary of IRO. This is testament to the sheer amount of work that goes into creating a united society of multiple religions. As noted by Prime Minister Lee, "This year, our religious leaders made a formal collective declaration that it is entirely proper, and indeed praiseworthy, for people of different faiths to befriend each other, exchange felicitations on each other's religious festivals and eat together despite different dietary rules." Negative foreign influence cannot be allowed to impugn on the intricately woven fabric of our Singapore society. This is a society which has been nurtured to be religiously tolerant, providing for a stable country and a safe home. New citizens must, therefore, resonate the same chorus and must be educated on the values of Singapore – standing as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, while the amendments to the Act are laudable, in conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to advocate for the tripartite partnership of the Government, the employers and the workers to be more heavily involved in the reinforcement of the importance of religious harmony. Having a workplace where people progress on merit rather than on religious inclination is a basic ingredient for employee happiness. A happy employee and a happy employer translate to greater efficiency and focus on business needs and, therefore, a happy Government.”
“It would, therefore, be beneficial if the Ministry can publish clear guidelines on what is likely to constitute subversive and offensive material, and it is also of paramount importance that discussion and outreach to the general public be continued unrelentingly. Our people must continue to know and understand that any such freedoms must always be preceded by responsibility. Moving on to my second point, I applaud the efforts of the amendments for the more moderate stance it takes towards offenders. Offenders are not immediately sent to Court, but rather, are encouraged to undergo CRI where they are given an opportunity to reconcile their religious differences. This reflects the sensitive approach that the Ministry has taken and sets a tone for collaboration and continued education for society. However, it must also be equally important for such an individual to be reintegrated into our Singapore society. Continued support for the individual's rehabilitation and education must be available. I would, therefore, appeal to the Ministry to continue its good work and to extend all such necessary support as required. My final point on the amendments, and one which I personally think is especially crucial, is that the proposed amendments provides safeguards against foreign actors interfering in the religious harmony of Singapore. Religious organisations now, to some extent, are more complex than they were in the 1990s. I believe it is prudent for religious organisations to have more accountability as proposed by the amendments to the Act. Similar to heads of companies, leaders of religious organisations, indeed, need to be held to a higher standard of behaviour.”
“These are activities that are commonplace for us and are easily taken for granted in today’s society. Yet, it is important that we and the younger generation do not forget that this state of harmony definitely did not happen by accident, but rather by foresight by our leaders in the formative years of our nation. It is then our responsibility to continue to do our best to ensure we protect this harmony that is uniquely Singapore. The amendments proposed in the Bill are, therefore, timely. As noted by MHA, much has changed in the way society communicates since the Bill first came into force in 1992. While, as widely reported in the media, the provisions in the current Act have never been invoked, we cannot afford to leave things to chance and not reflect changing times and practice. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me now to share some of the comments and observations about the amendments to the Bill which I have had the privilege of discussing with people in the business community. Many recognise that it is, indeed, imperative for the Minister for Home Affairs to be given the authority to issue an RO to take effect immediately for the removal of offensive and subversive material. The speed at which such material can be transmitted through today’s digital medium means that time is, indeed, of the essence and, where the seeds of such sensitive material are allowed to be sowed, it may be difficult, even impossible, to completely weed them out with the passage of time. Yet, there are always relentless cynics who would outcry this provision as one designed to curb freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interest as the Chairman of Sakae Holdings Ltd, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and Vice-President of the Singapore National Employers Federation. I rise in support of the amendments to the Bill. As both an employer and a representative of the Singapore business community, there is no doubt that the religious harmony that we now enjoy in Singapore should not be taken for granted. As Prime Minister Lee noted in his recent address in New York, our approach is "strictly secular, but not anti-religious". That many religions are able to co-exist harmoniously in our small island-nation brings valuable diversity to our economy. More importantly, employers having peace of mind for a stable and reliable workforce reaps significant intangible benefits. By the same coin, employees can take heart in planning their careers knowing that they are not discriminated against by virtue of their religion. Our Singapore today is a uniquely Singaporean society where all religions are accorded respect. Race and religion are both personally sensitive matters and are held close to the heart by our people. The 1964 racial riots where violent clashes between communities of different races demonstrated how intolerance and a lack of understanding can lead to detrimental results. Since Independence, a number of social constructs were implemented to encourage inclusion and to foster deeper relations among racial and religious groups within the community. This approach has yielded fruit over the years and I believe all Singaporeans have memories visiting homes of friends of different races and religions during the different festivals and occasions in a year.”
“The first is to help industries embed green culture and DNA by certifying them with the "Eco-Office" mark which helps employees in companies better understand the co-relation between climate change and their behavioural attitudes in the workplace. Secondly, SMF is also working with SEC to develop an "Eco-Manufacturing" certification label to ensure that environmental sustainability standards and capabilities are raised and embedded in companies. The Eco-Manufacturing initiative will encourage companies to continue to set higher standards in sustainability. In concluding my speech, it is my heartfelt hope that with support from the Ministry, other TACs will all come together and work together with SMF in achieving a better future for our next generations.”
“While the "green financing" concept is relatively known to the building sector, this does not seem to have gained traction in other sectors. Further, the manufacturing industry would like to lobby for more support for SMEs to help secure loans when they raise their sustainability standards. This would also play a part in enabling the circular economy, as expressed by the Ministry for the electronics and food manufacturing industries. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill is welcomed because of the common consensus that this world does not belong to any one generation but always to the next. Yet, the concerns that I have raised above are, indeed, legitimate concerns, especially in the current uncertain global economic climate. As a strong advocate of Singapore's own brand of tripartite partnership of the Government, employers and employees working as one, I am confident that the issues I have raised earlier in my speech can be overcome. Continued dialogue and cross-engagement amongst all three groups will be key. The Government looks to the employers for their support in achieving the objectives of a sustainable future. The employers look to the Government for direction and support, and the employees look to their employers to learn how their own individual conduct in the office can affect the environment. The concerns, views and contributions of each individual group of the tripartite partnership must always be valued and should never be trivialised. As a trade association, SMF has already been working closely with SEC on a couple of initiatives.”
“It is undeniable that for food manufacturers, waste reduction and management are key, and this should be part of the long-term business operations for major companies. SMF is committed to continue to hold dialogues to assist companies on this journey. Under this Bill, from 2024, commercial and industrial premises that generate large amounts of food waste must segregate and treat the food waste on their premises. For food producers seeking to treat their own food waste, they do see that this is a way forward. However, the concern from local companies operating at scale is what resources will be made available in terms of equipment and training since waste treatment is quite a specific process. In addition, the generation of waste from the food industry can also be attributed to the transportation process of the supply chain. In this context, may I ask the Minister if there are plans to better support the infrastructure for better standards in cold food chain management to reduce food loss and waste? And relatedly, if more incentives can be made available for food manufacturers to buy more local farm produce? Mr Speaker, Sir, with the above, it is clear that the plank in the concerns of industry players is the immediate increased costs and resources available for them in navigating the sustainability journey. For some businesses, especially SMEs, the actual or perceived costs of changing their business model towards a more sustainability-friendly model may, indeed, become the obstacle. In this regard, may I ask the Minister if there are plans for the Ministry to help encourage financial institutions to give more "green financing" in the manufacturing sector?”
“For some companies, and even some sole proprietors, such as those operating food stalls, the increase in such costs is not justifiable even if, indeed, in the long run, such options may prove to be more beneficial. I would, therefore, like to ask the Minister if there are plans to incentivise the use of more sustainable packaging materials or disincentivise the use of non-environmentally friendly packaging. In addition, under this Bill, producers now have to report the amount of packaging put to market annually. While this will definitely give an idea of the packaging volume we are dealing with, packaging producers share the same concerns as their electronic and electrical counterparts in terms of support required for the additional manpower which I stated earlier in my speech. Mr Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The next area of focus of the Bill is that of food waste. In Singapore, food waste has grown by around 30% over the last 10 years. In 2018, 738 million kg of food waste was generated. When food is wasted, there is a need to source for more food to meet demand, which results in increased costs. Resources that were used to grow and deliver the food are also wasted and more resources are also consumed to dispose of the waste. In the Journey to Zero Waste, businesses play a major role. Adoption of smart storage and preparation processes reduces excess food production and wastage. In the food waste management strategy laid out in the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015, the key goal is to Prevent and Reduce Food Wastage at Source. In this regard, a Food Waste Minimisation Guidebook for Food Manufacturing Establishments is now available from NEA to help businesses with this goal.”
“The Packaging Council of Singapore (PCS) is an Industry Group of SMF representing the local packaging industry, not just locally but also at the world and Asian levels of the packaging world. Since five years ago, PCS has been organising an Annual Star Awards to recognise outstanding packaging innovations, some of which have also won international acclaim. At this year’s awards held last month in August, Senior Minister of State for Health and Law Mr Edwin Tong graced the event as the Guest of Honour. In his keynote speech at the event, Mr Edwin Tong noted that many of this year’s winners displayed environmental awareness by innovating packaging materials and design with the use of recycled or more environmentally friendly products. While there is still much room to improve in this particular industry, especially in relation to packaging materials for the F&B industry, I am heartened to see companies already creating packaging solutions for commercial use by utilising recycled materials, such as crop waste and mineral stone, instead of plastics. I am especially happy and proud to add that, of the 29 awardees of the awards this year, 20 were awarded to students from our local polytechnics. This demonstrates that our young and our future are already gearing up for a future where sustainable materials should take centrestage. The next steps for the packaging industry would be for companies downstream to adopt and use sustainable solutions and thereby further encouraging future innovations. However, the use of such sustainable packaging may in some industries lead to increased costs.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me now to move into each of the three areas of wastes identified by this Bill and share with this House pertinent views from the industry players in the three sectors. Under the Bill, e-waste, which encompasses electrical and electronic consumer equipment, large-scale producers are required to fund a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) which will be responsible for organising e-waste collection and recycling. This move brings Singapore on par with numerous similar collection and recycling initiatives worldwide, including Japan's Home Appliance Recycling Law, the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive), the US state recycling laws on waste electrical and electronic equipment. Many multinational corporations have taken it upon themselves to include waste management into their business strategy as part of their sustainability responsibilities. I agree that more can be done and more companies in Singapore need to take active measures to be on par with global standards. There are already a number of retailer-driven collection initiatives in place in Singapore. With the collection efforts being moved to the producers as well, there is optimism that we will truly be able to close the loop and have some materials recovered for future use by the producers. Yet, Mr Deputy Speaker, there is a legitimate and common concern for the industry – will there be any form of support, in terms of funding or subsidies, for the extra manpower or training of manpower for the required reporting processes detailed in this Bill? I now move to speak on Packaging Waste.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me to declare my interests as the President of Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Vice Chairman of Singapore Business Federation, Vice President of Singapore National Employers Federation and Chairman of Sakae Holdings Limited. I rise in support of the Resource Sustainability Bill. The Resource Sustainability Bill seeks to better manage three critical waste streams: electrical and electronic waste; packaging waste, including plastics; and food waste. Over the last few years, as sustainability took on greater prominence worldwide, I am happy to report that, as a federation, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) has, through our various industry groups, held numerous events and dialogues with the manufacturing community with a focus on the journey towards Zero Waste. In fact, SMF has a function committee set up to advocate good practices specifically in the fields of health, safety, security and environment. One of the cross-industry collaborative examples which I am proud to share is that, for the first time, the packaging industry group and the F&B industry group jointly held the annual Packaging Council of Singapore Conference, titled "Journey towards Zero Waste". However, while trade associations and chambers (TACs), such as SMF, continue to champion the need for environmental awareness and conservation, it is clear that there are some speed bumps which we must address preliminarily. These take the form of the following: business priorities and increasing costs; support for the required reporting processes; and thirdly, education, outreach and enforcement.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to advocate before this House a "portable" medical insurance scheme whereby the employer contributes to employees' MediSave account, for them to use to pay for their MediShield Life or buy an Integrated Shield Plan. The tripartite partners have been advocating this as it reduces duplication of coverage between the employer's medical benefits and MediShield Life and will also arrest the increase in overall medical expenses. Mr Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, my fellow business leader, Mr John Ng, who is also a Vice President of SNEF, chairs the WSH2028 Tripartite Strategies Committee and I concur with him that good WSH is good for business. This Bill plays an important part towards our journey to make Singapore amongst the world's best in WSH. Every employee is important to the employer. That includes their health and safety at the workplace. Employers should provide a safe work environment and employees should do their part and follow safety practices I affirm my support for the Bill but, at the same time, reiterate the legitimate concerns that the employers have. I hope that MOM will address these concerns and lend enhanced support to employers. As a firm advocate for the tripartite arrangement, I strongly believe that, with the Government's support, both employees and employers can help Singapore achieve sooner the WSH2028 vision of A Healthy Workforce in Safe Workplaces; A Country Renowned for Best Practices in Workplace Safety and Health.”