Lim Boon Heng
Singapore
“On the first question on foreign domestic worker levy relief for single women who are looking after their aged parents, I think that question should be addressed to the Minister for Manpower and the Ministry of Finance.”
“I shall address the second point first. When it is clearly an item for a Ministry, a Member should address that question to that Ministry because that Ministry is also responsible for that even if it is related to ageing.”
“For those who wonder what the Fourth Age is, it is basically the last couple of years of your life when you are afflicted by, perhaps, chronic illnesses and therefore need to be cared for.”
“The Wellness Programme applies to all estates. In the pilot project, we deliberately chose 12 pilot sites to reflect different mixes. For example, we chose Ulu Pandan, which has a lot of private estates.”
“Maybe MCYS and the PMO could really look into these RC centres to see whether they could incorporate some of the needs of the elderly in these centres as well, like an extra area for karaoke or even mahjong. This area should be quiet and enclosed because the elderly sing loudly as they cannot hear very well.”
“The process has already started. We are already debating this issue in Parliament. The unions have taken up the issue with the management. I know and I am aware of that. So, let the process take its course.”
The complete record
Every one of 715 lines we hold for Lim Boon Heng, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 13 of 15.
“It goes as far back as 1981 when we have been in consultation with the unions and the employers. So this is something which has been in gestation and we have consulted the NTUC and the employers. The discussion is in the context of amendments to the Employment Act. Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a provision in the Employment Act which requires employers to pay salaries to workers in cash. The explanation, historically, got nothing to do with cheques or bank accounts. It is, in fact, a safeguard to ensure that employers do not pay their employees in kind through worthless goods and this is a provision in Singapore we have had from 1965. It can be traced back to England in the 18th Century when unscrupulous employers used to pay off with flour, sugar and so on. So there is no problem in Singapore concerning payment in kind. So whatever changes we make to the Employment Act, I wish to assure the Member that we will still retain a provision prohibiting payment in kind unless with the consent of the employee. The proposed amendment is really to pro- vide for flexibility, to enable the employer to pay through cheques or to pay into his bank account. What are the reasons for this? We have found that 86% of about 9,900 firms employing about 541,000 employees pay in cash for various reasons. We will have to move to change this because it is both unproductive and risky, for several reasons. It requires a considerable amount of staff, time and effort, for counting of the money; putting it in packets, and each packet with different types of amounts and combinations of notes and coins. Moving away from the cash payment also would cut down staff needed for security and escort of money and employees. It reduces the risk of robberies and even bodily injury to staff.”
“Few have demonstrated concern with the problems that their workers may encounter. Most employers merely press the union leaders to agree, and expect the unionists to convince the workers. While the switch to cashless paydays will be a step forward, employers would be well advised to first seek the consent of their workers and to determine and help overcome the difficulties that they may face. They must be willing to explain the advantages to the workers to offer incentives and to pass on the cost savings to them. In conclusion, Sir, I would like to say that our workers are very practical people. When they see an advantage, they are prepared to take it. We asked our workers whether it will be easy for anyone to learn to operate ATMs; the answer from 67% was "Yes". They felt that it was easy to use ATMs. Again, the manufacturing was lower with 53%, while the service sector responded with 73%. We also asked the workers whether they think that ATM is a useful way to deposit or withdraw cash and we got 65% responding positively. We also asked the workers that if they have to withdraw money from the bank which would they prefer, to use the ATM or to queue up at the counter? 62% preferred to use ATMs. Sir, I think the move towards a cashless society is a positive one but, in the process of implementation, I hope that the Ministry would make sure that our employers take the necessary steps to make sure that their workers would not face any difficulties. The Acting Minister for Labour (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposal to amend the Employment Act to provide flexibility for employers to pay through cheques in the bank accounts is not a new one. It is not a sudden proposal.”
“Probably they have difficulty with our questionnaire which is in English and Chinese. This small sample is therefore more representative of the better educated workers. The results are in Annexe II. 81% of the workers have bank accounts. Of those who have bank accounts, 81% have savings accounts. Of those who have bank accounts, 47% use ATMs. When broken down into wage groups, it is seen that the higher the worker's income, the more likely he is to have use of ATMs. The percentage ranges from 40% of those earning less than $600 per month to 49% for those earning between $600 and $1,250 and 60% for those earning more than $1,251 per month. We asked those who did not apply for the ATM card or who did not use it, the reasons for this decision. The results are again significant. 20% stated that it was inconvenient; 24% were afraid that the ATMs may make mistakes, and 32% stated that they did not know how to use it. In our sample, 50% of the workers were paid in cash. In the manufacturing sector, however, 92% were paid in cash, in sharp contrast to the service sector where only 30% were paid in cash. We asked those who were paid in cash whether there would be any problems if their employers paid them through their bank accounts. Only 14% stated that there would be no problems. The rest stated that it would be inconvenient; there would be queueing up problems, or extra travelling expense to go to the bank. Quite clearly, before cashless pay days can be achieved, workers in the manufacturing sector will have to be convinced of the convenience. Since the Minister's announcement of the intention to amend the Employment Act to give employers the flexibility to pay workers through their bank accounts, many employers have expressed their intention to do so.”
“And in Europe an agreement has been reached on a common standard that will allow the members of Eurocheque to link their ATMs. The system would be ready by 1985 and will allow travellers and tourists to obtain cash from any ATMs of the participating bank throughout Europe. The breakthrough has been made possible by agreement on uniform technology reached by the banks concerned. At this early stage of our ATM development, it would be prudent if our banks could adopt uniform technology, simplified and common operating procedures. When the procedure for operating ATMs is uniform, the multiplier effect on possession of ATM cards will be tremendous. It was recently reported that five of our leading local banks are studying a common network for electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS). This would allow card holders to eat and shop anywhere in Singapore without the use of cash. The card resembles an ATM card, and the operating procedures are similar. This will be a big step forward to a cashless society. But since the operation of the EFTPOS and ATM cards is similar, will it not be possible to integrate the two into one card? This will simplify procedures and obviate the need to carry more than one card. If our banks are prepared to move in this direction, then it makes sense for the worker to have his pay credited into his bank account. The NTUC is in the process of surveying the attitudes of workers towards the use of ATMs. The objective is to gauge their views through a representative sample of 2,000 workers. This survey is not completed yet, but I have run a quick analysis of the first 500 returns. I must state that these 500 returns do not constitute a representative sample because we have not received any reply yet from the daily rated employees' unions.”
“If he cannot get cash at the factory, he will have to go elsewhere. A logical place would be near his home. But are there enough ATMs to serve everyone? Let us take a look at Ang Mo Kio. The POSB has seven ATMs there and five local banks have a total of six ATMs. Can these 13 ATMs really cope with the needs of a quarter million people? And obviously only those who have accounts with the six banks in Ang Mo Kio can make use of ATMs, and even then, many of them will be served by only one ATM unless he is paid through the POSB. When ATMs were introduced, I believe the banks merely thought of it as providing a service to the customers who may occasionally require cash at odd hours. I doubt that they had conceived of ATMs as replacing the practice of paying workers in cash at the workplace. So unless there is a rapid increase in the number of ATMs and banking hours are extended, it is too early for all the employers in Singapore to switch over to payment of workers' salaries through their bank accounts. Presently the ATM networks are operated by individual banks. A group of smaller banks are moving towards a common network. The advantages of a common network are obvious. It enables banks to share the high capital cost and allows workers to withdraw cash from any ATM. I expect our banks would be reluctant to use a common network because of their keen competition for business. I would urge them to think big. It is only when ATMs are readily accessible that the move to cashless paydays will really take off. Hong Kong is already ahead of us. Their 25 banks share the Jetco Switch network, and ATMs are a common sight in the transit railway stations, shopping centres and housing estates.”
“However, this secret code can be noted by someone behind in the queue. There are also trusting workers who give the code number to their colleagues and request them to withdraw cash on their behalf. And there are also others who write the code number on the ATM card because they are afraid that they cannot remember it. These examples erode the security that an account holder should have. And indeed some account holders have found sums of money missing from their accounts and are unable to trace who did it or how it was done. These problems may be technical and can be resolved. But workers need to be reassured of the reliability of the system and told how they should protect themselves. Banks and employers should familiarize workers on the proper use of ATMs. It is their responsibility to remove this fear of ATMs. There are 338 ATMs in operation. The POSB has the lion's share, with 142 units. The other banks have 196 units. Are these ATMs adequate to cope with the demand if the half a million workers presently being paid in cash are switched over to payment through the bank? It takes at least one minute for a person who is familiar with the ATM to complete his transaction. Sir, can you imagine how long the queues will be on payday? If there are 60 persons ahead of you in the queue, you will have to wait patiently for a full hour before you can get your money. Look at it in another way. If there are 1,500 workers in a factory and all of them require cash on payday, and all of them line up behind the one ATM at their factory from 8 o'clock in the morning, the last one in the queue will have to wait in line until 9 o'clock the following day to obtain his cash. No one is going to wait an hour to obtain cash.”
“Twelve years ago, I lived and worked in Denmark. There the banks provided a very convenient service. All the bank branches open one day in the week until 8.00 pm. This was done by all banks on the same day of the week. With such a service, everyone could make their bank transactions and withdraw cash that they would need for a week. There is no reason why banks in Singapore cannot get together and agree to extend banking hours on the same day each week. If they do so, workers will have much less difficulty in withdrawing cash and would be unlikely to resist the switch over to cashless paydays. We must not underestimate the workers' anxiety or even fear of ATMs. Some ATMs are designed to "swallow" the ATM card if the user fails to key in correctly his personal code number. Such instances have occurred because of the user's unfamiliarity with the procedures, and when it happens, the user faces a frustrating experience of being without cash until the bank can verify that it was a genuine error and not tampering with the machine. When ATMs are used, it is a self-service. The transaction is automatically registered in the computer. Naturally the bank will rely on the computer records of the client's account. If a computer error is made and cannot be traced, the bank will believe its computer records. So if an account holder finds that there is a cash withdrawal that he has not made, he is left with the impossible task of proving his case. Just how do you argue with the computer? While such instances are rare, there is nevertheless a genuine fear on the pan of the workers. Related to the problem of computer error is the question of security. The personal identification number code is meant to protect the account holder against someone using his card if it should be lost.”
“Only four banks said that they are prepared to consider the question of extending banking hours beyond the normal office hours. The rest of the banks have no plans at all. So how are the workers to withdraw cash when the banks are closed? Does the answer lie in automated teller machines (ATMs)? I think that ATMs provide a partial answer but there are a number of problems. ATMs are suitable for the educated, particularly those who are conversant in English. But we must remember that our workforce includes 108,000 workers who have never attended school and another 181,000 workers who have no qualifica- tions, ie, below PSLE. For these 289,000 workers, ATMs are of no use. Until ATMs can respond to voice instructions in four different languages and several dialects and can verify the account holder by scanning the thumb-print, these workers are unlikely to be able to use ATMs. But this does not mean that such workers cannot be paid through their bank accounts. They can, provided banks are able to provide personalized services. Banks have accepted thumb-prints in place of signatures on withdrawal slips. There is no reason why such a practice cannot continue. Apart from those without education, there is a substantial number of workers who are educated in other language streams. Such workers will have difficulty operating ATMs which generally have instructions in English. Only two of POSB's ATMs are multi-lingual. Thus, from this category of workers, there will be a demand for personalized banking services during hours that are convenient to them. So will our banks be willing to extend banking hours beyond normal office hours? If they are prepared to do so, such workers will be in a position to accept payment of wages through their bank accounts.”
“] Sir, not so long ago the possession of a bank account, even a savings account, was considered a privilege which only the middle income and upper income groups could enjoy. Today, the majority of Singaporeans have a bank account but this middle income or upper income tag is still attached to the use of bank services. The majority of workers in Singapore regard the bank account as a savings account where they can salt away the small sum of money that they can afford to set aside each month. To use the bank's services for other purposes, such as the payment of bills, is still regarded by the lower income group as essentially a "middle class" practice. And this is because the majority of them are paying cash for most of their transactions. 60% of the workforce (690,000) are earning less than $600 per month. So it is doubtful that they would have very much left at the end of the month. To get the lower income worker to accept payment of his wages into his bank account, it is necessary to convince him either that he has graduated into the middle income group or that banking services are now extended to the working class and it is convenient for him to use it. Next, is the question of convenience. In the Annex which I have circulated, the banking hours that are practised by our banks now are well within the working hours of workers. So if workers wish to withdraw cash from the bank, they are unlikely to get the approval of their employers for time-off during working hours, since this would negate the objective of increasing productivity. So they will have to join the already long queues at the banks during their short lunch breaks on payday. For many workers, such a trip to the bank is not feasible because of the distance. The NTUC carried out a survey recently.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I know that most of us have had a long session and would like to see the end of the debate. But I have obtained the right to raise a matter on the Motion for the Adjournment and this relates to a proposed amendment to the Employment Act. The Acting Minister for Labour made a major policy speech on 24th December 1983 during the annual dinner and dance of the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union. The Minister announced that the Employment Act is to be amended to give employers the flexibility to pay their workers through their bank accounts. This would raise productivity by reducing staff needed to pay salaries and would also reduce security risks. First, I would like to commend the Minister for informing the unions in advance of his Ministry's intentions. I wish also to commend him for discussing this matter further with union leaders during a dialogue session on 25th February 1984. This openness with the unions indicates that the Ministry believes in consulting with the workers' representatives on matters that will affect workers, that the Ministry is sensitive to the problems that workers may encounter, and that it is willing to help overcome these problems. It is my intention to point out some of the problems and to put forward some proposals that will help us move forward into a "cashless society". Sir, with your indulgence, I would like to ask the Clerk to circulate two Annexes (Cols. 1469 - 1476) that would help make my remarks brief. Annexes - BANKING HOURS, LOCATION OF ATMs, PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF NTUC's SURVEY ON CASHLESS PAYDAYS - 15 MARCH 1984 (Cols. 1469 - 1476) [Copies of Annexes distributed to Members.”
“It is indeed sad to see that these students who have the abilities to acquire higher and better education but, because of lack of money and poor family background, are not able to do so, much to the regret and sorrow of their parents. It is ironical that their parents have the funds in the form of CPF savings but cannot be used for their children. Other students from wealthier families on the other hand are better able to acquire tertiary education. Sir, the Government has always emphasised the importance of educating our young and the subject of getting the best education for the children has always been close to the hearts of parents. Every parent is concerned about his or her children's education and future, and they are prepared to suffer and sacrifice in order that their children could have a better education for a brighter future. They have high expectations of their children, hoping they would not be like themselves having to toil for a meagre living. I hope the Minister will realize the feelings of the majority in the middle and lower income groups and consider allowing them to use pan of their CPF savings for their children's tertiary education, as a way to nurture talent for the country. To prevent CPF members misusing the funds for other purposes, may I suggest perhaps the Institutes of Higher Learning can have direct arrangements with the CPF Board to deduct the amount needed for schooling direct from members' funds. I hope the Minister will consider this request and help to solve this problem of such parents. 3.15 pm”
“Sir, in view of the Minister's cogent answers, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio)( In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RA-01 Object Group 1210 of the Main Estimates. Sir, ten days ago we learnt that the CPF Board had once more relaxed its ruling to allow home owners of middle and upper income groups to use their CPF savings again to buy a better home or another property. I am not against this. Sir, I feel that if the Board can allow such members to buy a second flat or even sell their property, then why does it not allow members of middle and lower income groups to use their savings for their children's higher education? Sir, education is the basis on which to build a nation. Every year, the Education Ministry is getting a lion's share of our national budget. We know it is necessary because we do not have natural resources. Our only resource is our people and we know that by proper nurturing, providing our younger generation with good education and skills, we are making a good investment in our human resources, equipping them with the wherewithal to our nation's prosperity and progress. Yet, every year we are denying a good number of our younger generation the opportunity of having a higher education. Sir, I am referring to those students who are bright but, because of financial difficulties, are not able to pursue a higher education. These are the students who are good enough to be admitted into tertiary educational institutions but not outstanding enough to qualify for a scholarship to complete full tertiary education.”
“This was proposed with the intention of trying a new system of working that would help our industries to maximize the use of expensive equipment in the higher technology industries that we are attracting. When this issue came into public discussion, the NTUC made some points. Essentially, the NTUC is supportive of any new idea that may help us to become more productive or to maximize the use of expensive investments but the NTUC was of the view that the 12-hour shift, being a novel idea, particularly in the Singapore context, there should be caution and that employers who wish to embark on the 12-hour shift should, first of all, discuss the matter with the workers, and, if there is a union, to discuss it with the union and to implement it wisely. There are of course a number of problems that may arise and that relates to the possible effects on the health of the workers. So a few companies started with this 12-hour shift system, and as far as our feedback is concerned there has been no major problem with the implementation of this scheme in those companies, although we detect a somewhat lukewarm response on the part of most employers because of other problems. One of them may have been that the productivity of workers may in fact go down for the types of jobs which they had. But recently there was a study made by a group of christian workers and their views have been aired publicly and there has been a little bit of debate on this subject to which the Ministry of Labour has contributed. I would like to ask the Minister to state in this House briefly the situation as it stands and whether there is any need for further studies into this implementation of the 12-hour shift in companies in Singapore.”
“Yes, thank you. Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RA-01 Object Group 1100 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish, first, to commend the Ministry of Labour for its efforts in respect of positively monitoring the labour situation in Singapore. There was a report in the press recently that the Ministry of Labour officials have been visiting trade unions and employer groups to have closed-door discussions with them on the latest situation in Singapore. This series of discussions within closed-doors has actually been taking place for the last four years. This indicates that the Ministry of Labour has been actively going out to the grassroots to seek the views of the people concerned and not waiting passively in the offices for problems to arise. No doubt the action of the Ministry officials in the last four years has resulted in the unions and employer groups being able to express their views frankly with the Ministry and this feedback has helped the Ministry in its work and that has helped generally in our enjoying a relatively peaceful industrial relations climate. I would like to request the Ministry to keep up the good work and continue to positively hold discussions under such conditions with the trade unions and employer groups. Next, Sir, I would like to turn to an issue which, in my opinion, has been somewhat of a storm in a tea-cup and this is the question of the 12-hour shift. The 12-hour shift, as we know, was brought to public attention by the then Minister of State for Labour in 1982.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his answer and I beg leave to withdraw. The sum of $103,423,620 for Head I ordered to stand part of the main Estimates. The sum of $965,904,900 for Head I ordered to #and part of the Development Estimates. Head R -”
“Sooner or later we have got to address this long-term problem of reduction of crew on board ship and the sooner we tackle this problem the better. I would like to pose a particular question of one category of seafarers on board ship, and that is, the radio officers. There is going to be a new international distress system in operation for the maritime industry at the end of the decade. This system will not require employment of radio officers on board ship. Currently there is a howl of protest in Europe over this proposed move. We have in the Polytechnic a course for radio officers. So would it be advisable for us to keep on training radio officers knowing that these young men in their early 20s may find themselves out of a job when they reach their 30s? Again, I know that this is not within the direct purview of the Minister for Communications but perhaps he can give some sound advice to the Minister of Education so that it will be appropriately passed down to the Singapore Polytechnic.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his positive response to this particular problem. I note that the special Committee that was set up to study the supply and demand of seafarers in Singapore is in the final stages of its study and the report would be out in two to three months' time. I would like to ask the Minister whether this Committee has also looked at the problem of the blurring of job functions on board ships arising out of technological advancement. Let me elaborate on what this blurring of job functions means. In the 1950s a typical crew on board a ship totalled 55. In the 1960s it went down to about 37. In the 1970s it was further reduced to 27. Now the more advanced seafaring nations have complements on board with a total of about 18. The Japanese are targeting to reduce the crew on board further to 12 per ship. And they have some experimental ships now sailing with a crew of 14. So quite obviously from the 1950s up to now there has been a lot of change in the nature of work on board ship requiring less seafarers because of technical advances in the equipment of the ship and in the cargo handling methods on board ship. So presently I believe that most of the Singapore ships that are sailing have crews in excess of 20. As we are in a very competitive international activity, and if we want our sailors or seafarers to be able to compete internationally then they ought to be geared to be able to compete not with cheap labour in the developing countries, but with the trained skilled seafarers of the advanced countries. So unless the Committee pays some attention to this particular problem, I think the projection on the supply and demand of seafarers is going to be of value for a very short-term purpose, and not for the long-term.”
“Under these new proposals the home-trade masters can still remain masters of home-trade ships. The syllabi for home-trade masters and that for the second-mate (foreign- going) are drawn up by the Marine Department. As the Member rightly pointed out, there are differences in standards. Some of the subjects are common. Therefore, in order to help our home-trade masters to upgrade, we must encourage them to attend the appropriate classes so that they would qualify to serve on foreign-going ships. My Ministry will work closely with the NTUC to see what can be done with respect to organization of courses for these officers. These officers will, because of their practical experience, be exempted from a number of papers, such as chart work and navigation. Those with adequate experience will also be given certificates of service. The Member for Kebun Baru asked if our home-trade masters would be allowed to operate tugboats. Sir, as far as the Marine Department is able to ascertain, this is not possible as the certificates that are granted to them do not enable them to serve under those conditions. The size of the vessel is not the criteria for granting a certificate for such international tugboats. Regarding other home-trade areas, this will also depend on the area concerned and if the training that our home-trade masters receive is appropriate in the area concerned, this could be looked into.”
“This coordination has been carried out on an informal basis between the Ministry, the Marine Department, the National Maritime Board and the Polytechnic. However, the Committee has also been given special terms of reference to study the problem of setting up a centralized maritime training institution to oversee all seafarers' training in Singapore. I am sure we are all looking forward to their considered view on this particular matter. Sir, I want to emphasize that the Committee comprises representatives from my Ministry, from the Polytechnic, from the Singapore Organization of Seamen, the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union, Singapore Maritime Employers' Federation and the Singapore National Shipowners' Association. These are the people who know the subject best. We would look forward to their recommendations. Sir, the question of home-trade master was raised. Let me give a very brief background to this problem in order that Members of this House will understand. Sir, indeed, as the Member noted, the shipping industry is undergoing a structural change. The present regulations that we have are out-dated and must be brought up to date if we want to continue to be competitive and compatible to other current ship board practices, particularly with a view to enhancing safety at sea. New regulations have been drafted to bring them in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW as it is normally referred to. This Convention will come into operation on the 28th April, 1984, which is next month. The Convention will allow contracting states to check on the competence of officers on board. Ships found with deficient manning or incompetent officers risk detention.”
“It is therefore important that we should encourage our seafarers to upgrade their skills in order that they may be able to give better value for the wages that they receive. Thirdly, Sir, the introduction of new and modern ships require much fewer seamen even though they require more officers. Sir, these are all factors that we in Singapore have no control because shipping is an international business and nothing that we do in Singapore will have the least impact on the demand of shipping world-wide. But what we can do and what we must do is to continue to provide opportunities for training to upgrade our seamen and this is where the NTUC can play a very important role in encouraging our seamen to upgrade themselves in order to remain competitive. Sir, for those who are unable or unwilling to upgrade in order to remain competitive in the shipping industry, there are jobs aplenty on shore and it should not be difficult for seamen who are unable to upgrade or who, having spent a significant period of their lives out at sea, wish to remain at home to seek alternative employment. Sir, the Member for Kebun Baru asked about the Committee that has been formed. The Committee has indeed been formed and it is in its final stages. A report should be out very soon within the next two or three months. Until the report comes out, it is not proper for me to comment on the recommendations that will be published in the final report. I hope the Member for Kebun Baru will be patient enough to wait for that report to come out. The Member also raised the question of coordination of training. Sir, this has always been done. Coordination between the various bodies concerned with the training of our seamen and officers has always been carried out.”
“But these local and home-trade officers will obviously have to find other opportunities of continuing a career at sea, and quite obviously the course would be that they could be given the opportunity to be upgraded into the foreign-going category. But this means that they would have to undergo retraining. Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether his Ministry would assist in setting up training programmes for these officers and whether the existing training institutions could be tapped to help these officers. And for those in the local and home-trade, whether it would be possible for them to be suitably certified so that they could sail in home trades in other areas. One of the areas would be possibly in Europe. 7.15 pm There is also another avenue which these officers could go into and that is the foreign-going tugboats. There is quite a considerable demand for tugboat operations in the oceans because of offshore oil exploration activities. If these local and home-trade officers could be certified to be able to command such tugboats, it would help to create employment opportunities for them. Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, let me first of all deal with the problem of unemployment for seamen. Sir, there are three main reasons for the difficulties faced by some of our seafarers in getting employment on board ship. First, there has been a drop in demand for seafarers over the past several years, largely as a result of the world-wide slump, particularly in the shipping industry. Jobs were lost when shipowners reduce the size of their fleet because of the very low demand. Secondly, the cost of employing our seafarers is relatively high compared with employing seafarers from other countries. This has made the Singapore seafarer less competitive.”
“And the Singapore Polytechnic should be given the right inputs as to the demand for categories of officers and engineers on board ship. The next point I would like to draw the attention of the Minister is that there is one particular area of seafarers who are more severely affected than the others. This category refers to the local and home-trade officers. There was quite a considerable amount of exchange in the press of late and I think I do not need to elaborate to the Minister and to this House the problems faced by the local and home-trade officers. But this has to do with the proposed implementation of the STCW Convention, i.e. the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Shafarers Convention, adopted by the Inter- maritime Organization and this Convention is due to come into force in the near future, in fact, in April. The Marine Department has drawn up a new grading of officers and the local and home-trade officers are now finding themselves somewhat downgraded. In particular, the home trade masters find that they are in grade 4 and they would possibly lose the title of Captain to which they have been used to. They would like the Marine Department to consider the possibility of retaining the grade of home-trade master grade 1, even though they would still be following the category of grade 4 under the proposed scheme by the Marine Department. We are aware that these local and home-trade officers are not as well qualified academically as the foreign-going officers and there are certain subjects which these officers have not taken in order to pass the examinations because they are not required in the first place.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head I be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead ID-01 Object Group 1210 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in moving this amendment, I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to the marine industry, particularly the ship-owning and ship-manning sectors.This is an industry which is undergoing quite severe changes, some of which are structural in nature and this is aggravated by the recession that has afflicted the industry in the last few years. With these changes taking place, there is now an unemployment problem affecting both the officers, engineers as well as able seamen on board. The Ministry rightly in October 1982 appointed a committee to study the demand and supply of Singapore sea-farers for the immediate and long-term future. So the committee has been studying this problem for the last 11/2 years. I would like to ask the Minister whether this committee has completed its study and what are its recommendations. Because if there is an unemployment problem and if there is not going to be a demand for some categories of seafarers on board ships, then we should be in a position to advise them of their prospects for the future and let them decide what course of action they should take. Sir, in relation to this, I would also like to ask the Minister if he would consider the setting up of a central body to coordinate the training of seafarers. Presently, there are two institutions. One, the National Maritime Board which operates and runs the training ship, Singapore, in Sembawang and the other the Singapore Polytechnic. I know that the Singapore Polytechnic does not come under the purview of the Minister for Communications but nevertheless a certain amount of coordination is required.”
“Sir, I understand the Minister of State's position, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. In the absence of Dr Augustine Tan and Mr Chai Chong Yii, the following amendments were not proceeded with:”
“Sir, I do not want to urn this into a collective bargaining session. But I would like to put it to the Minister of State. In some instances, there may be genuine hardship that the person who is entitled to Class C ward is not really in a position even to afford the 20% of the increased cost that he has to bear. Would the Ministry of Finance consider some assistance to those people who may be so affected?”
“Sir, I cannot say that I am particularly happy with one of the answers to a point which I raised. The Minister of State is treading on rather fallacious ground when he says that a person who goes to hospital has enjoyed better facilities. After all, going to hospital, is not like going on holiday. Nobody would really want to go to hospital.if he has to go to hospital, it is because of some unfortunate disease or accident. So if the Government cannot provide him with a Class C bed, surely Government, as a magnanimous and generous employer, should find it possible to pay for the charges that are incurred. But if the Minister of State seriously thinks that the employees would like to enjoy a Class B2 ward, would he then be prepared now to say that he would extend Class B2 ward to those employees who are eligible for Class C at the present moment?”
“The Ministry ruled that an employee's eligibility to a particular ward accommodation depending on his divisional status is subject to the availability of beds and is not an entitlement. Hence, if an officer is admitted to a higher class ward owing to the non-availability of beds, he will be charged 20% of the public rate for the higher class and not for the class that he is eligible for. This appears unfair in the eyes of the employees. It is not the employee's choice which Class that he goes to. So why should he be charged for the higher Class ward charges? 6.54 pm. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] Next, I wish to seek clarification on the frozen quantum of pensions. Some 10 years ago, civil servants were given the choice to opt for the CPF scheme. If they did so, they were entitled to a sum for the service that had been performed to-date under the Pension scheme. This sum was frozen and will be paid out upon retirement. The question is: can this frozen quantum be paid into the employee's CPF account so that he can use it to purchase his HDB flat?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead ND-01 Object Group 1210 of the Main Estimates. In the drive to improve labour-management relations, to improve work excellence and productivity, we frequently encounter some people who have closed minds. Such sceptics always say, "Let the Government as the largest employer set the example." They say, "If Government believes in company welfarism, let Government show us that it cares for the civil servants." This is not to say that Government has been inactive. There is the WITS programme which has taken off and working well. It is only that the sceptics refuse to see such efforts. The good work of those who are promoting teamwork in the various Government Ministries and statutory boards can be negated by a careless remark or lack of attention to small details on the part of senior officers. There are also those in the civil service working under unenlightened supervisors who have the impression that Government as an employer does not care for their welfare. As such, it is important that those who are in a supervisory capacity in the civil service be properly trained in human relations. Could the Minister tell us whether training programmes have been conducted for such officers? I would like to take this opportunity to point out to the Minister a small matter which may give the impression that Government as an employer is uncaring. A Government servant who is entitled to Class C ward hospitalization was warded in Class B2 owing to the unavailability of Class C beds. He was billed for Class B2 ward charges. He refused to pay because he felt that he should pay for Class C charges. The dispute was referred to the Ministry of Finance.”
“They feel that they have been adequately trained during their full-time national service period and reserve training is a waste of time. Some employers regard such disruptions as hindrances to their business operations. And when reservists are sent overseas for training, some of their wives or girlfriends believe that they are getting a holiday paid for by the Army, and such occasions expose the reservists to the temptations of women in the training areas. Indeed, Members of Parliament from time to time receive requests from reservists and employers for deferment or exemption from reserve training. I have myself received requests from reservists to be exempted from overseas training in particular. Now, the reserve training cycle has been increased from 10 to 13 years. So considering the fact that reserve training has been viewed by some reservists and employers as an added imposition and inconvenience to them, and viewed by girlfriends and wives as threats to fidelity, would this increase not aggravate the situation? Could the Minister explain the underlying reasons for this decision to extend the reserve training cycle from 10 to 13 years? I feel that this explanation is necessary because we must strengthen and reinforce the will of our people to defend the country.”
“Sir, in rising to speak this time, I wish to seek clarification from the Minister on two points. The first point relates to search and rescue services. As we are a major communications centre with considerable numbers of aircraft and ships passing by each day, there will from time to time be incidents of aircraft or ships in distress in the region. Furthermore, we are in a region where there is a lot of oil exploration and production activities in the offshore waters and there are also occasions when accidents occur owing to severe weather and those so engaged in the activities find themselves in danger or in distress. Quite naturally when such unfortunate incidents occur, we would be called upon to assist and we will respond positively on humanitarian grounds. In such cases, the task falls on our Armed Forces which possess considerable skills. Such skills were demonstrated over a year ago in the Sentosa Cable Car Accident and we are all proud of the heroism and skills of our Armed Forces. I wish to ask the Minister specifically how often has the RSAF been called upon to provide search and rescue services in the region and how has the RSAF benefitted from providing such a service. The second point I wish to bring up relates to reserve training. Over time, there has been general acceptance of national service and most Singaporeans appreciate that our young men receive proper training in arms and how to defend their country in the two to two and a half years of full-time national service. However, there is a minority who feel that their duty to the State is discharged upon completion of full-time national service. This minority tends to regard reserve training as a statutory inconvenience.”
“Sir, I have an amendment under No. (4) on the Hawkeye E-2C. If I may, I would like to speak now and not move the amendment later on.”
“Sir, in view of the extensive answer given by the Minister of State, and a particularly good one to me, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 4.00 pm”
“If we want the quality of education in our schools to improve, the community must take more than a passive interest in the facilities provided and assist the teachers in their task of educating the future generation of leaders and workers. There is no reason why Government schools cannot build up their individual identity and traditions. Active participation by the community will soon establish such an identity. The active interest of the community will contribute immensely to uplifting the morale of our teachers. Sir, late last year, the Ministry of Education floated the idea that it would match the school dollar-for-dollar if it is able to launch a fund-raising project for the purchase of micro-computers. The objective is for the school to acquire 24 micro-computers. Delighted by this announcement, one of the principals in a secondary school in my constituency made enquiries from the Ministry. He was informed that it was only a proposal and it had not been approved yet. It came as a disappointment as his hopes had been raised. Sir, I would like the Minister to let us know what is happening to the proposed dollar-for-dollar scheme. I think it is a very good idea and hope that it can be implemented soon so that our community leaders and school staff can launch their fund-raising projects. Additionally, I would request the Minister to obtain the approval of the Finance Ministry for all public donations for this purpose to be tax exempt.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead LA-01 Object Group 1100 of the Main Estimates. Sir, since 1981, the Ministry of Education has promoted the formation of computer appreciation clubs in secondary schools. To its credit, the Ministry has trained 700 teachers to run these clubs, and has provided each secondary school with three micro-computers. There is widespread interest in computers among our students. This interest is heightened by Government's policy to accelerate the pace of computerization in Singapore: The increasing use of computers is inexorably changing our way of life. For example, several schemes that are being implemented will lead us into a cashless society. In the computer age, it is important that all our students leave school with some knowledge of the subject. As it is now, the three micro-computers that are provided to each secondary school by the Ministry are grossly inadequate. They cannot cater for all the students in a secondary school. Some schools have written in to the Ministry to ask for more micro-computers. Generally, the answer has been negative. The more enterprising principals and teachers who would not take "No" for an answer have turned to the community for help. By and large, it appears that it is the well-established aided schools with strong traditions that have succeeded in acquiring more micro-computers. The Ministry may have various reasons for not giving our schools more microcomputers. Whatever they are, I think it is a good idea for the community to chip in to help.”
“Furthermore, working women have seen enough examples of their friends' children growing up speaking Sri Lankan English and singing Filipino songs to feel dissuaded. Properly staffed child-care centres can be a solution. The problem is that today the staff-children ratio set by the Government is too high for child-care centres to be economical. There is a total lack of training facilities for staff for child-care centres. The Finance Ministry should look more closely into this matter. Since the Minister has aroused the interest of the working women with five 'O' levels and above, he should follow up quickly by offering fiscal incentives for the setting up and operation of child-care centres. Why not offer a five-year tax holiday on the profits derived from the operation of child-care centres by private enterprise? Why not offer training grants for staff of child-care centres? With the enhanced child relief, child-care centres will be more attractive propositions. Fiscal incentives will assure that they are speedily set up. When well-run and well-equipped child-care centres are available, the working women will be more inclined to follow her motherhood instincts. Mr Speaker, Sir, while I support the Budget Statement, I do hope the Minister can consider this suggestion so that hopefully next year he can report to this House the success of this policy! 3.41 pm”
“In one broad sweep the Minister has not only enhanced the child relief but extended it to women with five 'O' levels. The Minister will be happy to note that upon publication of this particular incentive by the media, many working women straightaway ran a quick check through their 'O' level certificates to see if they qualified! The Minister has another objective with this enhanced child relief for working women. It is to encourage the better educated women to have a second or a third child in order to correct the present lop-sided pattern of procreation in Singapore. He did not sound too hopeful on this score, and for good reason. Universal education has presented women with equal opportunities. They compete successfully at work with their male counterparts. A career presents the women with a sense of usefulness, equality and fulfilment. But to pursue a career lands her in direct conflict with her natural instinct for motherhood. The result is a compromise, a rational compromise. Motherhood being satisfied with one child, she then devotes herself to pursuing a career. If working women are to be encouraged to bear more children, they will have to be offered a satisfactory solution to child care. A working woman is likely to have more children if she can depend on her parents or parents-in-law to help nurture the child, or if she can employ a reliable domestic servant, or if there are properly staffed child-care centres available. We can, and must, continue to encourage the three-tier family. However, the results have been disappointing, and this is unlikely to make a difference in the immediate future. Domestic servants are not easily available.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is difficult to fault the Minister for Finance and Trade and Industry for the Budget that he has presented. If at all there is a fault, it is that he has been extremely generous with tax rebates and incentives. It is tempting to ask: Why give away so much? To this, there is a ready answer: He gives away, in order that he may collect even more in the future. The incentives are intended to stimulate investment and reward effort. When these translate into growth, there will be more income to be taxed. As we have done reasonably well in recent years, and real incomes have steadily increased, the rebate on personal income tax comes as a bonus, even if the Minister states that it is to mitigate the erosion of real incomes by inflation. Let us hope that this bonus will be used wisely. In our golden age we must not forget the perils that threatening economic storms posed to us. I am reminded of the sound advice that a Hebrew once gave to the Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt, as related in Genesis, Chapter 41. In the seven years of plenty, store up one-fifth of the yield of the land against the seven years of famine, so that the people will have food to eat, and the land may not perish through the famine. Even today I think that would be sound economic policy! So while the Minister has deemed it fit to give a little away, it is not too late for the taxpayer to save it up for a rainy day. The Minister has pointed out the problem of serious labour shortage which can set a limit to our growth potential. This shortage will in part be due to the Government's policy to reduce our dependence on foreign workers. It is therefore important that women, particularly the better educated, are encouraged to continue to work.”
“Question No. 6. The Acting Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there was a sudden upsurge in crimes, particularly robberies, housebreakings and thefts of motor vehicles for the first 10 months of this year as compared to the same period in 1982. In recent months, the situation has been aggravated by the occurrence of several violent crimes in which firearms were used. A feeling of insecurity and unease among the public was developing. Police therefore had to respond, and decided to launch a series of intensive island-wide anti-crime operation code-named "Operation Senjata" which was timed for the festive season, when crime could be expected to increase. The overall objective was to keep up pressure on potentially criminal groups, to emphasize our efforts to maintain law and order, and to serve as a reminder to criminal elements that tough action will be taken against them. The specific objectives were: (1) to increase police presence on the ground and thereby help strengthen the feeling of public security and order; (2) to intensify discreet checks in locations which have been found to have habitually attracted criminals, and thereby deter crime; (3) to intensify efforts in apprehending specific targets wanted in connection with major offences committed in recent months. The operation was certainly a success in meeting these objectives. First, the operation which deployed uniformed officers drawn from the Divisional Police, Police Task Force, Volunteer Special Constabulary and non-operational Commands, had increased public perception of Police presence and enhanced public confidence. 3.30 pm”
“Medisave has been made out to be an increased burden on employers who already have medical benefit schemes for their employees. I think they forget that workers have families. Remember that only 5% of unionized establishments extend medical benefits to the immediate family of workers. They also forget that workers' health care needs are greater after they retire. In NTUC's recent survey, only one company out of 737 extends medical benefits to its retired workers. Workers have families. Workers eventually retire. That is why unions are in favour of Medisave - to cover workers' families, and their needs when they retire. Is the projected increase in CPF really an additional burden on employers? Some employers apparently find it convenient to forget that CPF contributions, by worker or employer, are all part and parcel of the worker's wage packet. CPF increases have always been taken into account in NWC deliberations. It is siphoned off from the agreed wage increase for the year. This annual wage adjustment is freely negotiated between employers and unions. It is an agreed fair reward for the services rendered by workers. If the employer's portion of CPF is not to be increased, then the take-home pay of workers will be higher. In setting up Medisave, we are really apportioning the worker's wage packet so that he sets aside a sum to meet the hospitalization expenses of his family, and also his own when he retires. We are setting up a scheme to allow workers to save for future needs. So let there be an end to all this talk of withdrawing medical benefits, trading off, or off-setting from Medisave. Medisave must be regarded as complementary to the present benefits that workers are entitled to. 4.12 p.m.”
“Yet in the year 2020, less than 40 years away, approximately three working people will support each aged citizen. Social researchers in Japan foresee a breakdown of national finances, and even project that the welfare programme will go bankrupt in the 1990's. The Japanese are great planners. Having foreseen the problems, they will find ways to overcome them. Perhaps the increasing use of robots to bolster the productive capacity of their workforce is one of the answers to the problems of their aging population. We must use the experiences of other countries to help us avoid the pitfalls when drawing up our own national policies. I think the Medisave Scheme is a good concept. We have at present a young population and a young workforce. It takes time to accumulate savings. Medisave, implemented now, will allow our workers to save for their medical expenses when they retire. It is better to start saving now, and be ensured of a good health care system in future, than to queue up for services in a system that has broken down. The present generation of workers in the 40+, 30+ and 20+ age groups will reap the full benefits of Medisave 20, 30 and 40 years down the road. Medisave is a long-term plan and a long-term programme. The need for the Scheme should be assessed against future scenario, and not on the present situation. Yes, we have surpluses and reserves. But in times of plenty, we must save for the lean years. Or, like the squirrels, we must store up enough nuts during the summer to see us through the winter. In late autumn it will be too late to think of providing for the winter. Let me now briefly touch on a point raised by some previous speakers just to emphasize the point.”
“If they are not able to, then standards of health care will deteriorate. The trend will continue, with less people working to support more senior citizens. Those in their 30's and 20's now will face lower standards of health care unless the relatively smaller number of workers are able to generate increased tax revenue. Several countries in Europe including Britain drew up highly acclaimed and popular welfare schemes, including health care, in the 5O's when the numbers of senior citizens were lower. In a high economic growth period, these schemes worked well. Today, with a greater proportion of senior citizens, the spiralling cost of welfare systems has caused crisis after crisis in Europe. Perhaps I read the wrong reports but these reports are in Newsweek, Time magazine and the Economist Today, it is acknowledged that the crisis in Europe's welfare states is the result of economic and demographic changes that social planners could not foresee in the boom of the postwar years. Longer life expectancies are pushing up the cost of health care and old age pensions, while a declining birth rate is putting a greater tax burden on workers who must support an increasingly expensive system. And, just for example, in West Germany, in 1946, those aged 65 years and above form 8.8% of the population. In 1980, it rose to 15.5%. Japan is heading in the same direction. A highly successful family planning programme reduced the number of children per couple from five or six to under two. The relative decrease in the number of working people is seen to result in a looming grave financial problem. Currently, about seven working people are supporting each elderly person in Japan.”
“Assuming that our patterns of procreation continue with present trends for the next 20, 30, 40 years, our age pyramid, which now resembles a Christmas tree, will transform into a mushroom shape, broader at the top, smaller at the base. There will be a much greater demand for health services by a larger number of senior citizens. With this transformation in our demographic profile, will our present system of financing health care be adequate? This will depend, to a large extent, on the workforce at the time. How many people will be working to support the young and the increasing numbers of retired persons? In this respect, the projections by Professor Saw Swee Hock in the publication Demographic Trends in Singapore are revealing. Because of declining fertility rates, our labour force will grow at progressively slower rates, from a current figure of 1.9% per year to 0.5% by the year 2000. At the same time, our senior citizens will increase from 7.2% of the population in 1980 to 10.4% in the year 2000. In absolute numbers, our senior citizens aged 60 years and above will increase from 173,600 in 1980 to 305,000 in the year 2000. In 1980, 1,115,900 workers supported 173,600 senior citizens. In other words, there were 6.4 persons working and paying taxes to support one senior citizen. By the year 2000, there will be only 4.5 persons working to support each senior citizen. Needless to say, if we retain our present health care delivery system, the tax burden to be borne by workers will increase year by year. It will be possible to provide a reasonable health care system to those now aged 40 years and above who may be expected to retire in the year 2000, provided those aged below 40 years now are able to bear an increased tax burden in the future.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Minister has taken a long time to implement the Medisave Scheme, it must be because every major policy of Government and the ensuing programmes to be implemented by the State have to be examined not only for their immediate implications but, more importantly, for their projected long-term effects. The Medisave Scheme is a social plan with long-term effects. The worker's monthly contribution to Medisave is not for one or two years, but for as long as he works. Since the worker has to set aside a sum every month, will he benefit in the long run? Today, we enjoy a high standard of health care, provided by fairly efficient State-run hospitals and clinics. It is not free, but subsidized substantially from funds obtained from the taxpayer. Presently, there is hardly any abuse of the system. Why then is there a need to change? Change is necessary because of anticipated problems that we will face 20, 30, 40 years from now. The demographic profile of our population is undergoing a transformation. In 1957, the distribution of population in Singapore resembles a pyramid - broad at the base and tapering off at the top. But our high-key family planning policy began to have an impact in the 60's and more so in the 70's. The age pyramid began to show significant changes at the base, as the number of births fell from a peak of about 60,000 a year to about 40,000 a year. In 1980, the age pyramid resembled more a Christmas tree, with a narrowing at the base. At the same time, better health care services have resulted in a longer life expectancy for Singaporeans. So a change is also taking place at the top of the age pyramid. There is a growing number of older citizens aged 60 years and above.”
“(1) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead VA-01 Object Group 1100 of the Main Estimates.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. In the absence of Dr Augustine H.H. Tan, the following amendment, standing in his name, was not proceeded with: (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead WB-02 of the Development Estimates. The sum of $69,474,560 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $546,332,800 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head V- The following amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement:-”
“I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to the people who have not got a basic education and who are not able to follow the BEST programme, as pointed out by the Member for West Coast the other day. I would like to suggest that he ask the VITB Continuing Education and Training Department to expand the number of places for the Certificates of Competency because I think this category of workers could benefit from simple skills and craft courses like plumbing, electrical wiring, fitting, and so forth. I note from the annexe to the reply which the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry gave to the Member for Kampong Kembangan the other day that there are only 100 places projected for each year for the rest of the decade. I think this number of places is grossly inadequate.”
“When it came to power in 1959, this Government rightly took over the responsibility of providing education, from the missions, religious organizations, clan associations and other civic organizations. Because of this we have more schools, more teachers and therefore are able to provide an opportunity for education for all the children of Singapore. This Government has been able to salvage those who are now in their early 30's and in their 20's. What we are doing now, through the BEST programme is to give those who missed out on a basic education because of British colonial neglect, family financial difficulties or any other reasons, a second chance to obtain a basic education. Far from being a "panic measure" it is a clear demonstration of the care and concern of the trade union movement in Singapore and the Government for the welfare of our workers. We do not waste time in making airy-fairy speeches about a caring society”
“It has been alleged in this House that the BEST programme is a "panic measure" to correct the failure of this Government's education policy. Sir, this is a complete distortion of the truth, calculated and premeditated to mislead the public. It is a serious allegation and a distortion. This distortion must not go unchallenged. I would like to ask on what basis does the Member for Anson make his allegations. Does he base it on hearsay or on facts? If we examine the age distribution of these workers who are without basic education, we will find that the majority are above 30 years of age. They have missed out on a basic education because of the neglect of the British colonial government that was not interested in providing universal education for the people of Singapore. Sir, a person who is 30 years old today was seven years old when this Government took office. At seven years of age he ought to have the opportunity to go into Primary 1. Those above 30 years of age, if they had not got a primary education, this is not due to the neglect of this Government. Fortunately, when this Government took office, it placed education as the top priority and was able to build schools and train teachers fast enough to prevent Singapore children from being denied a basic education. Sir, the percentages of the population who either never attended school, or have not attained the PSLE, are as follows: Age Group Percentage 50 years and above : 78.7% 40 - 49 years : 55% 30 - 39 years : 28% 20 - 29 years : 12% 15 - 19 years : 8% Sir, these figures clearly show that this Government has succeeded tremendously in its education policy.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead WB-02 of the Main Estimates. In successive Budget Statements, the Government has repeatedly reminded the nation that manpower training and development is the decisive factor in the restructuring of our economy. The upgrading of the economy is essential to realize the objective of full, better paid and higher skilled employment. With higher skills, our workers will be more productive and capable of earning higher salaries to realize a better quality of life. Our workers are sensible and practical. They understand the need to constantly keep abreast of change. They are willing and ready to adapt to change, once they understand the changes that are going on around them. Government has adopted a two-pronged strategy on manpower development as far as I understand it. First, the tertiary institutions and the vocational institutes are being expanded. School leavers are being channelled to these institutions, so that they will enter the workforce better trained for the higher technology and knowledge-intensive industries and services. 7.45 p.m. Secondly, the Skills Development Fund has been created to stimulate in-company training and retraining of existing workers. As pointed out by the Minister during the Budget debate, the scheme is making considerable headway after a slow start. In-company training must be consolidated, and we must persist in these efforts. It has been recognized that we must also systematically tackle the problem of basic literacy and numeracy for about 300,000 workers now in the workforce. This massive problem will not be easily solved.”
“(9) That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RE-01 of the Main Estimates. Mr Lim Boon Heng: Sir, I am not moving.”