Low Yen Ling
Singapore
“I want to thank Member Cai Yinzhou for the clarification. As far as his historic district is concerned, I want to assure him that the new Place-making Project Office that comes under the Inter-agency Task Force does indeed not only serve Kampong Gelam, Little India, but also Chinatown.”
“A "we first" society needs an active citizenry working together to realise it. When corporates, community groups, and individuals come together, we will be able to create a harmonious, united and progressive home and society that belong to us.”
“I want to thank Member Mr Andre Low. In my earlier speech, I have also responded very succinctly. I want to assure him, as well as Mr Melvin Yong, I think you touch on very similar issues, and you probably heard from the political office holders speaking at the Ministry of Home Affairs COS about their tough stance against scams.”
“Finally, Government agencies, not just MTI, EDB and Enterprise Singapore, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, will continue to create a pro-business, pro-people environment, building a business environment based on integrity.”
“— family business, as well as the other one on TACs. On family businesses, I want to assure him that earlier on, when we mentioned that we raised the support level for SMEs and non-SMEs and indeed, many of our multi-generational family businesses are in that category.”
“And since the Member asked, price obviously is an important indicator. Another example is if CCS observes the behaviour of the organisations and if we pick up signals that they are coordinating the behaviour to raise prices, to reduce quality, to reduce output, to reduce innovation, CCS will step in.”
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“Chairman, I want to thank the Member Ms Sylvia Lim for her clarifications. And I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that the Government is committed to helping our arts and culture sector to recover from the disruptions of the pandemic to transform, to future-proof ourselves, and also to thrive in the new normal of the post-COVID-19 world. I had spent some time to outline the various new measures, the top up to ACRP, and not just the operating grant but the venue hire subsidy and also the SEP grant and so on; to demonstrate the Government's commitment to turbo-charge and turbo-boost our arts and culture sector. To her three clarifications, besides the various funding, I talked about another key means of support for the arts and culture sector is the provision of infrastructure. So, the extension of the venue hire subsidy with the enhanced ACRP really serves to defray costs, improve cost recovery and also encourage more shows and activities to be conducted. Earlier on, I explained that in land scarce Singapore, we have a responsibility to ensure that the space is used optimally and effectively. We seek to provide fair access and inclusive opportunities for as many as possible in the community, especially new groups and young practitioners, who need that incubator space. It is also our aim to ensure that the spaces are regularly updated, regularly upgraded to stay relevant to prevailing needs and to serve the overriding goals of the arts and culture community. I also want to use this opportunity explain that NAC takes a calibrated approach to spaces as well as grants.”
“As we position the arts and culture sector for recovery, we will continue to safeguard livelihoods, retain and reinvigorate capabilities and talents – and with determination, pivot to new platforms with wider audiences through digitalisation. Together, we can turn the corner and bring our arts and culture to higher ground, where talents, creativity and our identity as a Singapore people emerge even stronger. Effective Youth Engagement”
“Last year, NAC engaged over 50 Cultural Medallion recipients on how to better support our arts and culture sector, and as a result the idea of the Cultural Medallion Gallery was born. Besides the physical exhibits, NAC and the National Library Board will create an integrated and comprehensive national digital repository documenting the work of our Cultural Medallion winners. And this will give Singaporeans valuable insights into Singapore’s cultural history. Chairman, Ms Sylvia Lim earlier had asked about the arts fraternity’s response to arts spaces. Our arts spaces have grown over the years. NAC seeks to ensure that these are used optimally and efficiently; that we provide fair access and inclusive opportunities for as many as possible in the community – especially new groups and younger practitioners; and that these spaces are regularly updated and upgraded to remain relevant to prevailing needs. NAC had conducted extensive consultations ahead of the launch of the Framework for Arts Spaces scheme in year 2010, and Our SG Arts Plan in year 2018. In all these engagements, the arts community acknowledged that arts spaces should benefit more artists, especially new and upcoming talents. This view was also reflected in the Arts Plan. The importance of ensuring that our arts spaces benefit the wider community underpins NAC’s effort in building a pipeline of diversified spaces. This is so that more practitioners can utilise multi-tenanted spaces for art making, capability development and audience engagement. Chairman, without a doubt, our arts and culture are a source of pride uniting Singaporeans from all walks of life.”
“To ensure the continued relevance and accessibility of our museums, we have plans for three heritage centres to be refurbished. First, the Malay Heritage Centre will be closed for redevelopment in early 2022. Its gallery will be updated with new content on the diverse Malay community and Kampong Glam precinct. The Singapore Philatelic Museum that is currently being redeveloped, will reopen next year in 2022 as a dedicated children’s museum with interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions. Come 2023, we can all look forward to a refurbished Peranakan Museum, which will present a more inclusive definition of Peranakan culture. Besides rejuvenating our tangible heritage, MCCY will recognise and celebrate the intangible heritage created by our arts and cultural talents, and enhance the public’s appreciation of this legacy. Miss Cheng Li Hui will be glad to know that MCCY will establish a dedicated Cultural Medallion Gallery to showcase the works of our talented Cultural Medallion winners in the Arts House at the end of this year. The Cultural Medallion is Singapore’s highest artistic accolade that recognises individuals for their artistic excellence and contributions to our cultural landscape. We have many homegrown talents to be proud of. Since the start of this award, 128 distinguished artists – from the visual and literary arts to music, theatre and dance, across all various arts forms – have won this distinction. Last year, I met our 2020 Cultural Medallion recipients, Mr Sarkasi Said and Dr Vincent Leow. Like the recipients in past years, they have made a lasting impact on our arts and cultural eco-system.”
“Although the on-going pandemic has changed the dynamics of visitorship, we are pressing on with new plans to draw participation and expanding our audiences through virtual platforms. As Minister Edwin Tong has shared earlier, we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of preserving our National Monuments this year. We will hold a special commemorative exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore from June to September 2021. Thereafter, the show will travel to other parts of Singapore for the benefit of all Singaporeans. It will feature creative renderings by artists and photographers of all our 73 National Monuments, and include past works that celebrate earlier preservation milestones. This year is also the 25th Anniversary of our Museum Roundtable, a collective established by NHB to spur a museum-going culture. The Roundtable has enabled smaller private museums like The Intan, which promotes Peranakan culture, to be heard, which has widened the exchange of insights and views from larger organisations. So, to coincide with International Museum Day on 18 May 2021, NHB will launch a series of tours to encourage the public to explore lesser-known museums, and a roving exhibition on the Museum Roundtable will be held in November 2021. We encourage the public to continue supporting and visiting our museums. One of this year’s highlights is the re-opening of the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) and Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Changi Chapel and Museum, which documents and reveals the experiences of Prisoners of War and civilian internees, will re-open in May 2021, and Reflections at Bukit Chandu which commemorates the courage and resilience of the Malay Regiment in the Battle of Pasir Panjang, will reopen in the second half of 2021.”
“Mr Darryl David earlier spoke passionately and he hoped for more innovative ways to celebrate our hawker culture as a form of our national pride and legacy. We are indeed proud of our cultural assets and want to share these with the world. To this end, we will widen our search to put other aspects of our cultural heritage for UNESCO nomination. I would like to share that NHB will embark on a series of public consultations to identify new nominations for the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We invite all Singaporeans to actively contribute their ideas and suggestions to NHB when more details are announced. Chairman, besides food, music and films encapsulate our Singapore culture too. Earlier on, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin spoke passionately in Mandarin and highlighted the contributions of our local Chinese cultural arts, such as the Xinyao movement and homegrown films. We recognise how all these various art forms are enriching our growing Singapore identity. NAC has supported new generations of artists like Ms Joanna Dong (董姿彦) and Gen Neo (梁根荣) who are producing fresh Xinyao tunes and contributing to renewed interest in this genre. Many Singapore films feature covers of Xinyao and Mandarin music. A recent collaboration between local band NEKO Highway and director Mr Anthony Chen produced the theme song of his Golden Horse nominated film, Wet Season (热带雨). Chairman, earlier on, Mr Xie Yao Quan asked for greater efforts to enhance our people’s interest and involvement in our arts and culture. Allow me to first share how we will foster among Singaporeans a greater appreciation and participation in Singapore’s tangible and intangible heritage. Before COVID-19, our museums achieved a record high visitorship of close to 9.6 million in the year 2019.”
“In addition, the Charities GoDigital Kit launched last November aims to boost their digital capabilities, especially in corporate and administrative functions. Arts and culture companies, on the other hand, can draw upon the Productivity Solutions Grant, or PSG, and Enterprise Development Grant, or EDG, for the costs of IT solutions and equipment to innovate, upgrade or enhance business processes. 2.15 pm We welcome Ms Janet Ang’s suggestion to bring artists and the technology community together to remake innovative models for the arts. This is what we already do and will do more of. For instance, National Heritage Board (NHB)’s DigiMuse programme engages the technology sector to enhance the museum experiences. To set the sector on a speedy digital track, MCCY will draw up an Arts and Culture Digital Roadmap in consultation with stakeholders. It will provide a framework for the adoption of digital solutions to improve operational productivity and enhance audiences' experiences. The roadmap will be aligned with existing efforts to achieve long-term priority of enhanced digitalisation and technology adoption in the sector, as well as complement new schemes such as the Business Transformation Grant (BTG) that I spoke about earlier. It will also serve as a one-stop directory of relevant government grants and schemes. Chairman, even as we pivot towards technology, we remain strongly anchored in our cultural heritage which forms part of our shared identity. It reflects who we are and where we come from. Our tangible and intangible heritage reminds us of the progress we have made as a people, and provides us with the foundation to move forward, as a nation. UNESCO’s recognition for our hawker culture speaks volumes of the unique and diverse Singapore heritage.”
“MCCY will also introduce a new Fund to support the transformation of the sector as well as improve the sustainability and development of arts and culture organisations. During this period, MCCY hopes to work hand in hand with our partners in the sector to forge forward, find opportunities in this crisis and co-create a creative and prosperous community. (In English): Chairman, since COVID-19, our arts and culture sector has pivoted towards digitalisation and new ways of engagement. We are immensely proud of the resilience and adaptability of our practitioners. Their creative use of technology has brought the arts and culture within the reach of manifold audiences. For instance, I saw last month how S.E.A. Focus reached out to more than 20,000 collectors during the Singapore Art Week 2021; this is multiple times of the physical visitors received. Last October, I met Ms Jayce Tham from CreativesAtWork, who organised the Thriving Singapore virtual exhibition. This is a project supported by the Digital Presentation Grant, or DPG. The show garnered an online outreach of over 85,000 individuals in just three months. Let me say that again: the show garnered an online outreach of over 85,000 individuals in just three months. Digital and blended delivery models will remain the way to go, post-pandemic. I assure Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Xie Yao Quan that digitalisation is and will continue to be a top priority for this sector. We will dedicate time and resources to build and enhance digital capabilities. Currently, charities in the arts and culture sector can tap on the VWOs-Charities Capability Fund Info-Communications Technology Grant for basic ICT setup and website development and other digital solutions.”
“Organisations that pool together to explore co-solutioning IT projects that benefit multiple users, or have potential for industry spin-offs can apply for up to $200,000 in funding. MCCY and NAC will also work with our partners to commission work and co-create business transformation solutions that position arts and culture outfits for the future. In addition to these booster shots that gear us up for the new normal, MCCY will also continue to offer relief for daily operations. We will extend the ACRP Operating Grant to keep arts and culture groups going by helping them to defray operating costs. Each organisation will receive $35,000 in funding. Furthermore, we will extend the venue hire subsidy of 80% for another three months, from April to June 2021. Year 2020, more than 300 venues were hired under this scheme. We encourage arts and culture practitioners to take advantage of this subsidy to hold shows, programmes or workshops at the many, many different spaces available. MCCY will also expand the subsidy to cover more venues. Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] To help the arts & heritage sector overcome the challenges arising from COVID, MCCY rolled out the ACRP last year. The ACRP will be further enhanced with an additional $20 million this year. We will also roll out a second tranche of funding for the ACRP Operating Grant to defray operating costs for arts groups. In addition, we will extend the Venue Hire Subsidy of 80% to June 2021. We are also deeply aware of the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused for the self-employed. Therefore, a new Grant will be rolled out by June 2021, allowing the SEP and organisations that collaborate with them to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 per project.”
“The grant seeks to sustain the livelihoods of freelancers by minimising their job and income loss. Each project can receive up to $50,000 in funds. The projects can involve live performances, digital presentations or skills development. We hope this wide-ranging grant, when launched by June 2021, will inject fresh work opportunities for self-employed practitioners and spur them on to create new projects that hone their craft or gear up with skills for a post-COVID-19 recovery. Ms Sylvia Lim asked about the impact of the pandemic on arts practitioners, while Ms Janet Ang spoke about helping our artists to enhance their skills and pivot to other sectors. Our creative and technical practitioners are talented and resilient. The recent Virtual Career Fair organised by NAC and NTUC attracted a total of 27 employers from the arts and adjacent sectors of design, media and education. They offered close to 190 job opportunities which drew responses from over 130 applicants. This positive development reflects the value and continued demand for the skills of freelancers and bodes well for our creative economy. To date, the ACRP has also generated over 5,000 work and training opportunities for SEPs. Chairman, there is no returning to the pre-pandemic days and, like many other sectors, the arts and culture industry has to transform and reposition itself for a post-COVID-19 world. MCCY will introduce a new Business Transformation Fund, or BTF, to equip and enhance the arts and culture sector's capabilities for the future and catalyse its capacity to transform and pivot to new opportunities. Under the BTF, the Business Transformation Grant offers arts and culture organisations up to $30,000 to digitalise or improve their administration and service delivery.”
“Since Phase 2, arts and culture training classes and workshops have been allowed to resume. Indoor live performances of up to 250 audience members are presently allowed. While applications can be made for outdoor performances, live performances that involve unmasked performers carry some risk. We will continue working to expand and restart activities so that our arts practitioners can continue their good work, as we all play our part to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening. Chairman, MCCY is sparing no effort to get the show back on the road and to put jobs back on line. Mr Xie Yao Quan would be glad to know the Government has a vigorous slate of additional stimulus and support measures to uplift and uphold this important sector. From fresh funds for operations and new opportunities, to a future roadmap and help to transform – we will reposition this sector for post-pandemic recovery. Let us elaborate on what Minister Tong has outlined earlier. The Government will inject an additional $20 million into the ACRP to build capabilities, create work opportunities, jobs and boost our local arts and culture eco-system. This brings our total COVID-19 support to $75 million. We recognise the contributions many self-employed practitioners, or SEP, have made to our arts and culture sector. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, many of them face uncertainty and loss of income. Last October, I pulled together 12 Government agencies, including colleagues from MOM, MSF, MOE, WSG and SSG to form an inter-agency workgroup tasked to come up with specific ways to boost work opportunities and skills for SEPs in the arts and culture industry. To this end, MCCY will launch a new ACRP SEP Grant to fund projects by SEPs and the organisations that work with them.”
“Chairman, the arts and culture are the soul of Singapore city. They are integral to our identity, sense of community and well-being. Year 2020 was a very challenging year for us all. We want to specially thank all our arts and cultural practitioners for their hard work and perseverance throughout this tough period. I wish to assure Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, Ms Sylvia Lim, Ms Janet Ang and Miss Cheng Li Hui that MCCY is committed to provide enduring support for the arts and culture sector which plays a critical role in our nation. To tide this sector through the COVID-19 storm, MCCY rolled out in year 2020, the $55 million Arts and Culture Resilience Package, or ACRP, that created over 13,000 work and training opportunities, of which over 5,000 were for self-employed practitioners. The package also supported over 1,400 digitalisation projects. Since moving into Phase 3, activities in arts and culture are progressively resuming in a safe manner. However, we are nowhere, nowhere near pre-COVID-19 levels yet, and we recognise the toll that it has taken on the sector. Ms Sylvia Lim spoke about safe management measures, or SMMs, and their impact on activities. MCCY and the National Arts Council, or NAC, are working closely with MOH and stakeholders to safely resume arts and culture activities, in line with what the public health situation allows. We appreciate that the arts community is keen to have more audiences in their performing arts spaces, but given the global COVID-19 situation, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Comprehensive vaccination coverage will enable us to re-open further, while SMMs, testing and contract tracing will continue to be necessary. Currently, our museums can operate at up to 65% capacity.”
“Rest assured that MTI, ESG and the various economic agencies will work hand in hand with our enterprises, TACs and industries to co-create, innovate and unlock new opportunities for growth. Together, we can overcome as partners in solidarity, forging a new tomorrow where businesses, companies, SMEs and heartland shops will thrive and flourish. [Applause.]”
“Similarly, SMEs can also seek professional advice from the SME Centres' Specialist Advisors on matters related to digitalisation. Secondly, we will be rolling out two new features on the GoBusiness portal. We will be introducing an online guided journey on the GoBusiness platform to help businesses start faster and start right. It will provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up a business as well as to recommend the suitable business structure and suggest relevant resources. In addition, the GoBusiness platform will have a function to assist businesses to make checks or changes regarding the premise use. Businesses that wish to change the use of their premise can submit their application to do so on the GoBusiness platform. This will help to simplify the interface between businesses and Government agencies. The Government will work closely with the TACs to develop a TAC competency framework, which will help TACs in attracting, retaining and developing the best talents. The framework will enhance the relevant skills required by TAC secretariats and their leaders to effectively support businesses in their transformation and development. This competency framework is expected to be ready in the third quarter of this year. The Government has been injecting resources into supporting the continued growth of our SMEs. We hope that SMEs will capitalise on these schemes to transform and increase their productivity so as to secure their own future. (In English): Mr Chairman, in closing, there will be no return to a pre-COVID-19 world and our enterprises must seize the initiative to transform their business models to secure the future.”
“Mr Edward Chia and Mr Derrick Goh will be pleased to know that the Government will work more closely with our industry partners such as TACs to upgrade their core capability. As TACs continue to play their role of supporting industry transformation and business growth, they will have to attract, retain and develop the right talent. Recognising this need, a TAC competency framework, led by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), with the support from the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), BSG and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), will be developed. This is the first time a competency framework is being created for TACs. Developed in consultation with the TACs, the framework will identify existing gaps and relevant skills required by the TAC secretariats and their leaders. Suitable programmes will then be developed to upgrade and build the skillsets of the TAC sector. This competency framework is expected to be ready in the third quarter of this year and we strongly encourage our TACs to adopt it to upskill their staff. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, SMEs play a pivotal role in the recovery of our economy. They make up 99% of our companies and contribute 72% of employment. To support the SMEs and micro-enterprises to recover and grow, the Government will introduce the following three new initiatives. First, SME Centres would begin piloting specialised advisory services to support enterprises in specific areas such as digitalisation and financing. For example, SMEs with queries on financing can consult the SME Centres' Specialist Advisors, who will help to access a company's financial health and recommend the appropriate financing model and available financing instruments.”
“In addition, the GoBusiness platform will have a function to assist our businesses to make checks or changes regarding premise use. This will allow companies to also quickly check, identify the right governing authority and provide information on the approved uses of rental or purchased commercial premises. While we gear up for an economic recovery, we are also mindful of the on-going challenges in our economy. To navigate the uncertainties, we need all hands on deck. This is the time for our trade associations and chambers (TACs) because our TACs are most needed to help their members overcome difficulties and capture new opportunities. In my recent engagements with the various TACs, I saw how they led their members to build core capabilities and pivot to other business models. For example, the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC)'s fifth Membership Assistance Scheme benefited over 70 companies with training, opportunities in design innovation and digital capability development. It also also introduced Creativ-Space, which is a new business-to-business (B2B) e-sourcing and marketing platform that is first-of-its-kind in Asia. I graced the launch in October last year and saw how Creativ-Space helped 20 local brands, including Commune Lifestyle Pte Ltd, to break new ground and expand their reach to areas like Europe. I am delighted to hear that Commune Lifestyle's e-commerce sales have doubled in the last 10 months. TACs also will play an important role in facilitating greater collaborations between enterprises. We are aligned with Mr Edward Chia's views on supporting more business collaborations. Second Minister Dr Tan See Leng has shared about how the Government will continue to support collaborative projects through schemes such as PACT.”
“The specialist advisor then guides the business owner and the SME on how to strengthen his or her loan applications and will then also provide the link-up between the SME and the relevant banks for their loan application. Last year, the SME Centres assisted over 32,000 SMEs and more are expected to benefit from the new services. We urge SMEs to tap on the advice and resources available at our 11 SME Centres. We want to help SMEs to build up their capabilities and workforce so that they can raise their productivity and scale up their business. I would like to assure Mr Gerald Giam that the Government is constantly looking at how we can assist SMEs to attract more local talents. The Global Ready Talent Programme (GRT) helps SMEs and enterprises build up their talent pipeline by exposing more Singaporeans to internships and overseas work opportunities. This allows our SMEs to discover potential employees and also provide our students with a better appreciation of our SMEs. Mr Chairman, we share Ms Jessica Tan's view that Government schemes should be streamlined and made more accessible to businesses. With easier and smoother Government transactions, we hope business costs will be reduced. This is why we have rolled out the GoBusiness Gov Assist, a portal that consolidates all available Government assistance onto one platform. Since its launch last August, it has received over 230,000 unique visits. This year, we will be introducing an online guided journey on the GoBusiness platform to help businesses start faster and start right. It will provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up a business as well as recommend a suitable business structure and suggest relevant resources.”
“Mr Derrick Goh and Mr Gerald Giam can be assured that we have many programmes that boost the productivity of SMEs and make them more competitive and attractive to Singaporeans. In particular, the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) that was introduced in 2018, continues to assist businesses in their transformation journey and provide them with support for IT solutions and equipment as well as consultancy services. Since then, more than 19,000 SMEs have adopted IT solutions and equipment to get ahead. The top sectors for PSG adoption include the retail, building and construction, wholesale trade, food services and services sectors. To help more enterprises transform, we are extending PSG's enhanced maximum support level of up to 80% till 31 March 2022. We hope this will encourage more SMEs to come onboard, transform and gear up for economic recovery. The journey to transformation, though exciting, can be tough too. That is why we have 11 dedicated SME Centres providing one-stop assistance for SMEs islandwide. The centres' onsite business advisors partner our SMEs to guide them in their capability development and growth. Mr Shawn Huang, Mr Derrick Goh and Mr Desmond Choo will be delighted to know that the SME Centres will begin piloting specialised advisory services to support enterprises in specific areas such as digitalisation and financing. For example, when a SME wishes to expand but lacks the funds, the SME Centre's specialist advisor will help to assess the company's financial health and recommend the appropriate financing model and available financing instruments.”
“This programme is led by the Heartlands Digitalisation and Revitalisation Committee co-chaired by Senior Minister of State Sim Ann and myself, reflecting a collaborative and, most importantly, an enterprise-centric approach. The Committee comprises Federation of Merchants' Association Singapore (FMAS), Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS) and Government agencies like ESG, STB, GovTech, IMDA and HDB. To rev up the speed of adoption, close to 200 Digital Ambassadors and business advisers have been on the ground reaching out to some 20,000 heartland enterprises. They shared with the shopkeepers about the benefits of digitalisation and provide step-by-step guidance on how to go digital. As of February 2021, we have engaged more than 85% of these heartland shops and are on track to meet our target this month. Interestingly, over the last one year, we are seeing more second generation and third generation family heartland businesses leveraging on available Government programmes to transform their business by going digital. Allow me to share one interesting example. 2.30 pm Petite Blooms – they are a florist business in Teck Whye, run by a mother and son team – recently made the leap to e-payments because they wanted to capture the growing number of e-savvy customers. Today, up to 25% of their sales use e-payments and revenue has gone up by 10% in the first three months of going digital. Petite Blooms is also now on Shopee. Thanks to the Heartlands Go Digital programme, the shop has diversified its revenue streams and enhanced its online visibility, resulting in more business. Mr Chairman, while we reposition our SMEs for growth through digitalisation and innovation, it is equally important to extend our support for capability development and cashflow management.”
“Mr Chairman, as Singapore settles into Phase Three and vaccinations are underway, we seek to sustain the momentum for recovery and emerge stronger post-COVID-19. Earlier, Minister Chan, Second Minister Tan and Minister of State Tan spoke about our forward-looking agenda and reiterated MTI's commitment to help our enterprises emerge stronger from this crisis. So, let me now elaborate on our near-term priorities ahead. SMEs will continue to play a pivotal role in the recovery of our economy. They make up 99% of our enterprises, of our companies and contribute 72% of employment. To support the SMEs’ recovery and growth, we will strengthen our business eco-system in partnership with companies and trade associations and chambers (TACs). Let me share how the Government will co-create the future roadmap with SMEs and boost our support for digitalisation as urged by Mr Shawn Huang and and Ms Jessica Tan. I meet with the heartland merchants regularly. Several shopkeepers indicated their interest to go digital, and those who were online, were keen to do more. They asked for more resources and support to innovate. This positive attitude and readiness to transform is commendable and we will pull all stops to rally behind our SMEs, our heartland merchants. Our flagship Heartlands Go Digital Programme provides specific support to equip our heartland shops with up-to-date IT knowledge, e-payment options and digital solutions. It aims to revitalise heartland shops and future-proof these businesses with solutions ranging from visual merchandising in stores to local place-making activities and digital marketing.”
“Thank you, thank you, Madam. I will do so. So, Madam, in conclusion, let us continue to work closely together. A healthy partnership between Government, private and people sectors can pull us through this crisis and ensure that our arts and culture eco-system emerge stronger from COVID-19. I want to welcome and also urge Singaporeans to continue to support the talents and the productions and the programmes of our artists, which included the freelancers. As we do so, our demand creates work opportunities for this valuable sector and we also make the appreciation of arts and culture an integral part of our lives.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. This is an important topic, please allow me two more minutes to wrap up.”
“I would like to highlight that freelancers can approach NAC's Arts Resource Hub or ARH for additional resources to help them continue their practice. The ARH, which was started in September 2019, has been engaging its stakeholders throughout this year to better understand their concerns during COVID-19. As a result of these engagements, ARH has expanded its range of talks and clinics to provide more targeted information and support for freelancers as suggested by Ms Tan. These include sessions on how to leverage digitalisation tools such as augmented and virtual reality, and copyrights and intellectual property in the digital realm. I am happy to share with Ms Tan and Members that the ARH has just reopened the co-working spaces at Goodman Arts Centre and Stamford Arts Centre today. I wish to assure Ms Carrie Tan and the House that MCCY and NAC are fully and wholeheartedly committed to ensuring good work opportunities for our practitioners and freelancers. Our national cultural institutions have adopted the Tripartite Standard on Contracting with self-employed persons since 2018 and we encourage all other arts organisations to do so. In addition, NAC is working with partners from the arts community on initiatives to boost the industry, such as the one led by the artistic director of Drama Box, former Nominated Member of Parliament, Mr Kok Heng Leun, to look into best practices in the theatre scene. This effort will lead to recommendations on what constitutes good employment and fair work practices that can be adopted by both freelancers and companies. 7.43 pm”
“These were new works by Toy Factory, Asian Cultural Symphonic Orchestra, Wadah Seni Entertainment and Ding Yi Music Company. Their productions anchored the digital festival in September 2020 – just last month – and encouraged many of our seniors to stay engaged creatively through performances and activities in the comfort and in the safety of their homes – in fact, through their mobile devices, at their fingertips, through their mobile devices, anytime, anywhere. Another key project commissioned by the NAC was "Streets of Hope", which was an out-of-house and digital integrated campaign featuring original artworks at areas such as the civic district and presented digitally on the Gillman Barracks website and social media channels. This commissioned project benefited over 360 freelancers. I am happy to share with Ms Tan and the Members that it was well received online with an estimated 158,000 unique reach and 33,000 social media engagements. Fourthly, Ms Tan raised the issue of "permanent casuals", or arts workers who may have neither benefited from JSS or SIRS. MCCY recognises that these workers have critical skills and are valuable members of the arts and culture sector. We have been working with our cultural institutions, including the Esplanade and Arts House Limited, to help workers engaged by these institutions apply for Government support schemes they are eligible for, including SIRS and also CSG. These institutions also provide the workers with information on job opportunities, including those under SGUnited Jobs initiative. We know it is not easy and our arts and culture workers, especially the freelancers, need all the help they can get.”
“This makes it prudent for the DPG to underwrite productions rated General. The DPG also serves to cater for inclusive access by all audiences, including young children. I think a lot of Members in the room are parents. We want to be there with our kids when they are consuming digital content but we cannot be certain that we will always be there guiding them when they are watching and consuming digital content. Hence, the DPG has supported a large number of digital works suitable for the general public. That being said, I want to assure Ms Carrie Tan that productions with a higher than General rating are still being supported. Apart from the DPG, NAC has continued to provide funding for major companies, key arts groups and artists through NAC's regular grant schemes and commissions, which have been enhanced to include digital works and presentations. These could cover wide-ranging works, including those with a higher than General rating. Thirdly, even though the arts and culture sector may be disrupted, practitioners in this sector continue to benefit from commissioned work and partnerships for key festivals and events like Silver Arts, Singapore Heritage Festival, Singapore Writers Festival and Singapore Art Week. By end August, Mdm Deputy Speaker, 72 commissions and partnerships were supported under the ACRP, providing over 950 work opportunities, most of which were for freelancers. For example, NAC digitally adapted four performances for Silver Arts 2020. I think many of the Members in the Chamber, I think you have seen some of these productions. They have gone out to many of your elderly residents who usually will be out and about but they can now enjoy this programme in the safety of their homes.”
“Capability development has been and continues to be a long-standing priority for the sector. This grant helps arts and culture organisations and practitioners upskill and prepare for a post-COVID-19 recovery. So far, the CDSA has supported close to 600 training opportunities, of which around 300 were for freelancers. Those tapping on the CDSA are eligible for paid training allowance of $10 per hour. Many of the training programmes identified by the NAC are not only useful in raising the capabilities of arts freelancers across diverse domains, the programmes are also eligible under the SkillsFuture framework for costs to be defrayed. Secondly, the Digital Presentation Grant for the Arts or DPG. This supports ground-up efforts by artists and arts groups to present their work in digital form. This not only generates work opportunities, it also builds industry capabilities in digital content production. She spoke passionately about K-pop and actually to a certain extent, I think it is also partly because of their ability to translate their art form into digital medium. The response to DPG has been positive. It has supported over 300 projects and provided around 4,500 work opportunities, of which about 1,100 were for freelancers. Ms Carrie Tan had noted that the DPG only supported productions rated General. Mdm Deputy Speaker, allow me to explain the reasons for this. The DPG is created as a scheme during COVID-19 to support the efforts of artists and arts organisations wanting to present their work digitally or via a digital medium. Unlike live performances which are subject to classification ratings under IMDA, online content, like she mentioned earlier, is easily and generally available with no age segregation.”
“The ACRP provides additional support and opportunities for the arts and culture community while encouraging the development of longer term capabilities that will help the sector emerge stronger after COVID-19. By end August 2020, ACRP funding generated over 6,000 work and training opportunities for arts and culture practitioners and supported more than 900 digitalisation projects and programmes. As announced on 21 August this year, MCCY will be providing an additional operating grant under the ACRP to support arts and culture organisations as well as those in closely related sectors that Ms Tan talked about earlier and that are key to the arts and culture eco-system. I want to assure Ms Tan that we will announce additional details soon. We understand that the pandemic has disrupted livelihoods and plans in the arts and culture sector. Arts workers, including freelancers, have been hard hit. I would like to thank Ms Tan for the initiatives she has suggested to better support these groups of valuable talents and workers. We recognise the diverse capabilities of our arts and culture freelancers and how they contribute richly to our arts and culture eco-system. It is important to provide them with ways and means to continue contributing in this sector. MCCY and NAC are working closely with partners to provide a range of support to boost the livelihoods and capabilities of freelancers. Allow me, Mdm Deputy Speaker, to share several ways in which MCCY and NAC are ramping up assistance and opportunities for the arts and culture sector, including freelancers. Firstly, we have the Capability Development Scheme for the Arts or CDSA. Capability development is also a topic that Ms Tan spoke passionately about in her speech earlier.”
“This has helped over 100 arts and heritage groups double their donation income. The grant has enabled these arts and heritage groups to develop their capabilities – this topic is also one of the four recommendations that she has talked about – for the long-term sustainability of the organisations as well as support digital productions. Mdm Deputy Speaker, with the pandemic, these steady efforts to grow the arts and culture sector are being disrupted like other affected industries hit by safe distancing measures and the halt of group events. The Government has, through its special budgets, released specific help and measures to boost incomes and livelihoods. Arts organisations and practitioners are able to tap on broad-based measures such as the Jobs Support Scheme or JSS, Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme or SIRS, COVID-19 Support Grant or CSG and SEP Training Support Scheme for income support and skills training. The Government recognises that the arts and culture sector, like the retail and food industries, has been significantly affected. Hence, the sector will continue to receive further Government support till March year. This is unlike what Ms Tan had suggested – that the arts and entertainment sector only receives 10% wage support under the JSS, with this dropping to 0% from January 2021. I would like to clarify that eligible organisations currently receive 50% wage support for 10 months under Tier 2 of the JSS, similar to the retail and food industries. These organisations will receive a rate of 30% for seven more months, with disbursements in March and June 2021. I hope Ms Tan will be happy to hear this information. In addition to these measures, MCCY also announced a $55 million Arts and Culture Resilience Package or ACRP in April 2020.”
“In 2018, these important aims were reflected in the inaugural Our SG Arts and Heritage Plans introduced after extensive engagement with stakeholders across the public, private and people sectors. These plans cover a span of five years until 2022, and comprehensively set out the strategies that will provide strong foundations on the continued growth of the arts and heritage sectors. These included the continued emphasis on nurturing arts excellence and focus on leveraging technology, that the Member spoke about as well. Out of the eight strategic priorities in OurSgArts Plan includes addressing the needs of arts freelancers. To better support the development of our arts and culture, the Government has steadily and consistently increased funding for these sectors. Contrary to Ms Tan's suggestion that funding for the arts and heritage fell from 2015 to 2019, I would like to clarify that based on MCCY's annual Singapore Cultural Statistics report, funding for these sectors actually rose from about $300 million per year before 2013, to around $450 million per year from 2016 to 2018. In fact, funding was highest in 2014 and 2015 due to the enhanced programming for our SG50 celebrations, as well as major development projects like the revamp of the Asian Civilisations Museum and construction of the National Gallery Singapore. I wish to also highlight to Ms Tan and Members that substantial funding was provided to the culture sector through the Government's provision of $350 million to-date for the Cultural Matching Fund or CMF to encourage cultural philanthropy. Rolled out in 2014, the CMF matches qualifying donations raised by the arts and heritage groups dollar-for-dollar. Between 2014 and 2018, the CMF has matched about $215 million worth of donations raised by the sector.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I thank Ms Carrie Tan for her passionate speech and for her four suggestions on increasing support for the arts. Like Ms Carrie Tan, MCCY recognises that our arts and culture play a critical role in our efforts to foster a more caring people, cohesive society and nation. The arts play a key role in connecting different communities. The arts show the world who we are and what we stand for, as a people and as a nation. During these unprecedented times, the arts and culture sector is even more essential than ever, as a source of inspiration and hope for Singaporeans. As Ms Carrie Tan noted, the Government has since the 1980s, initiated deep seated efforts to develop a vibrant and sustainable arts and culture sector. Wide-ranging in breadth and aims, the Masterplans from the 1980s to the 2000s, such as the report of the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts or ACCA, and the Renaissance City Plans have built a foundation for the growth of Singapore's art and culture. Since 2012, our approach has been guided by the Arts and Culture Strategic Review or ACSR which seeks to bring arts and culture to everyone, everywhere, every day. This blueprint to enhance our arts and culture has made steady progress. In the Committee of Supply debate last year, MCCY noted that several ACSR outcomes, such as the number of arts and heritage activities have been registering healthy increases. The diversity and the types of activities, as well as attendance, have grown as well. Despite such progress, we cannot rest on our laurels. MCCY recognises the need to update our strategies and approaches, so that our arts and culture continue to strengthen Singapore's social fabric and unity.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) is part of Enterprise Singapore’s (ESG) toolkit to help businesses grow their core capabilities, innovate and internationalise. As of September 2020, ESG has supported almost 5,000 EDG projects. In administering the grants, ESG strives to strike a balance between ensuring the robustness of the governance process and the ease with which local enterprises can apply for support. Checks are performed during the grant approval process to ensure the EDG applicants meet the minimum 30% local shareholding criterion. Thereafter, the grant conditions require all EDG recipients to inform ESG of any changes in the application information during the course of the project. If recipients are found to be in breach of the grant conditions, including the 30% local shareholding criterion, ESG will withhold or, if disbursement had been made, ESG will claw back the grant. ESG will also subject these companies to enhanced scrutiny for future applications. For the case raised in the AGO Report, no disbursement had been made to the company. The company has also been placed on ESG’s watchlist for stricter scrutiny for future grant applications. ESG agrees with AGO’s recommendation and has commenced a second round of checks on shareholding eligibility before grant disbursement. ESG is also studying the feasibility of improving such checks using tools, such as data analytics.”
“Yes. I want to assure Ms Ong that any irresponsible or unfair, fraudulent employment practises, including a false reporting of CPF contributions and so on will be dealt with severely and we will not hesitate to take actions accordingly. And we really urge the workers to report such errant employers. The Member will be familiar with our various programmes like Work Right and so on. We do have MOM officers going out not just to big companies, but also to small ones to share with them the rights of our workers, what are their rights under the Employment Act and how they would be protected. So, they need not fear because the Employment Act protects them, especially those who have been wrongfully dismissed.”
“So, to identify and exclude individual employers from this scheme will certainly need another level or, in fact, a few levels of administrative operations to sift through, especially when the eventual economic impact to them remains uncertain. It may not be administratively efficient to do so. So, I just want to share the balance between providing the help in an efficient way to the target audience vis-a-vis operational complexity. Now, I also want to reassure Ms Ong —”
“Thank you. I want to thank the Member, Ms Anthea Ong, for her supplementary question. On the first one about whether there are companies profiteering from the crisis. Earlier on, I mentioned that the JSS is targeted to help companies retain and pay their local workers. In designing the JSS, MOF as well as MOM and the various Ministries sought to achieve a balance between targeted assistance and also administrative efficiency, because this is really a crisis period. You want to make sure that the help reach the intended target audience as expeditiously as possible and make sure that we save every job. So, we strike a good balance between targeted assistance and administrative efficiency in designing the JSS. I would like to inform Ms Ong that a large percentage of our firms and local employees, as the Deputy Prime Minister has mentioned, will be severely impacted. And earlier on, when he reminded us that the JSS amounted to $23.5 billion protecting 1.9 million jobs, two-thirds of our SMEs benefit from this. It is really important to provide the support to them. So, the question the Member asked —”
“Mr Chairman, what I have just shared are ways in which we are supporting our workers and employers to overcome the challenges arising from COVID-19. During the circuit breaker, we have all come across many heart-warming and heartening stories of how businesses, workers and Singaporeans are rallying behind one another as one community. As we slowly reopen the economy and transit to a new normal, I am confident that the unity and the fortitude of our workers and the employers will see us through this crisis and help us emerge stronger together.”
“I agree with Ms Anthea Ong that we must look into our workers' mental health as we also seek to protect as many jobs as possible during this challenging period. Ms Ong had suggested that we consider introducing additional requirements to qualify for JSS payouts. However, the intent of JSS is, as I have mentioned earlier, to help the companies retain and pay for local workers. It is to help as many companies stay afloat and keep jobs for Singaporeans. So, really, the JSS is a temporary scheme designed to help companies save jobs for Singaporeans during this period of economic uncertainty. Adding too many conditions would only make it more difficult for the employers to benefit from JSS or, inadvertently, cause a delay in employers getting the urgent help they need. Jobs may be lost if the employers do not get timely help. Instead, we have been working on other ways to encourage our employers to implement progressive practices and workplace adjustments to take care of our workers' mental health needs in the workplace. During the Committee of Supply (COS) in March, Ms Ong will remember that MOM announced that we will formulate a Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being to educate our employers on basic mental health knowledge and make available the resources to help them. We will work with the tripartite partners to evaluate the possibility of including an Employee Assistance Programme as well as insurance coverage for mental health as part of the upcoming Tripartite Advisory, which will be finalised in the second half of this year. We are also working closely with the various Government agencies and the Labour Movement to provide our employers with resources that can support their workers' mental well-being.”
“During this difficult period, workers and employers have to work even more closely together than ever before and strive to maintain open channels of communication. As Mr Louis Ng pointed out, employees may need greater work flexibility to deal with the disruptions that arise due to COVID-19. Likewise, Mr Desmond Choo and Ms Sylvia Lim raised points regarding the challenges of workers, in particular, women, face and how Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) can benefit employers, employees and the society in the long run. FWAs help workers better prepare and better balance their commitments at home and at work, and enable women to remain in the workforce, gain work experience, earn higher wages and assume leadership positions. MOM has been working with the tripartite partners to improve workers' access to FWAs, such as by providing support via the Work Life Grant (WLG) and recognising progressive employers through the Tripartite Standard on FWAs. As a result of COVID-19, many more companies are working from home now and are benefiting from FWAs. We will seize the opportunity to continue this momentum and ensure that work-from-home arrangements are sustained beyond the COVID-19 period. This will not only strengthen business resilience; it will better support work-life harmony for all workers. Thirdly, ensuring workers' mental well-being. As more businesses gradually resume operations, workers will take some time to adjust to the new normal as well as different working arrangements. Since the start of COVID-19, there has been many changes and adjustments. We understand that workers may face additional stress, and some may have mental health challenges.”
“I understand that during the circuit breaker period, adjunct teaching associates have continued to receive full salaries from their Universities which are supported by the JSS payouts. Secondly, championing Fair Employment practices. The Government has provided substantial support through the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) to help our employers retain and pay local workers. Deputy Prime Minister Heng recapped and shared with us that the JSS amounted to $23.5 billion, protecting 1.9 million jobs for Singaporeans. Employers should act responsibly and fairly, and make sure that they are ensuring that their local workers are given wages even if they are unable to work. I want to assure Ms Anthea Ong that the Government takes a very serious view of irresponsible, unfair or fraudulent employment practices, including false reporting of workers' CPF payments by employers to obtain higher JSS payouts. We take a whole-of-Government approach to identify such fraudulent cases. As highlighted in the media release by IRAS on Wednesday this week, there are severe penalties for any attempt to abuse the JSS. I want to assure Ms Ong that workers need not be afraid to come forward to report any infringement of employment laws, because the Employment Act protects them from wrongful dismissal by employers, especially those who seek to punish workers for exercising their rights. Employers who wrongfully dismiss their workers may be ordered to pay compensation or to reinstate workers to their former jobs. Errant employers may also see a withdrawal of Government-paid employment support or suspension of their Work Pass privileges. MOM takes all feedback on employment law infringements very seriously.”
“Other Government agencies, such as Enterprise Singapore (ESG), have also partnered with Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) to administer schemes for companies. In governing these schemes, the responsible Ministries and agencies determine the policy parameters, including the eligibility criteria. The Ministries set clear boundaries within which our partners must operate, and any exceptions would require the Ministry’s approval. Mr Chairman, over the past few years, several Members of Parliament and members of the public have raised concern that some employees could be misclassified as SEPs and, as a result, not received CPF contributions from their employers and other employee benefits, such as leave entitlement. Assoc Prof Walter Theseira also raised this question earlier in his cut. In determining whether an individual is an employee or SEP, the Singapore Courts consider factors, such as the degree of control exerted by the company and its ability to decide on the hours of work. However, given the wide variety of work arrangements today, each case must be evaluated based on the specific circumstances. The Government applies a similar approach to the Courts when assessing the employment status of an individual. To ensure that the employees are not misclassified as SEPs and denied their statutory employment benefits, MOM follows up on complaints – every one of them that we received – and ensures that the employers make rectifications where needed. For example, arising from feedback from adjunct teaching associates a few years ago, MOM worked with our Autonomous Universities to ensure that the CPF contributions and leave entitlements were provided to those working as employees.”
“It should also be noted that about 80% of the personal income taxpayers earn incomes below the SIRS criterion of $100,000 a year or about $9,000 a month. In other words, one would have to be in the top 20% taxpayers' bracket to exceed the SIRS criterion. As for the Annual Value (AV) of property criterion, it serves as a proxy for wealth and family support. The Government has similarly sought to cover more people under SIRS. The AV criterion of $21,000 covers about nine in 10 owner-occupied residential public and private properties. We understand that some of the SEPs who exceed the AV criterion may not themselves own these higher-end properties. Rest assured they can still appeal to be considered for SIRS. We will work with NTUC to assess the circumstances on a case-by-case basis and ensure that the scheme helps SEPs who most need it. Even if an appellant is not eligible for SIRS, we will certainly connect him or her with other relevant agencies like the Social Service Offices (SSOs) to offer other forms of assistance. Mr Chairman, in administering schemes and programmes, such as SIRS, the Government has always partnered various like-minded organisations to better serve Singaporeans and our businesses. This is a key feature of tripartism and has served our Singaporean workers very well. For instance, we work with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) to administer the Work-Life Grant (WLG). Likewise, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is our appointed programme manager for SGUnited Traineeships, working with host companies to review and approve the scope and development plans of the proposed traineeships.”
“Mr Chairman, as we go through these challenging times, the Government is committed to protecting livelihoods and sustaining businesses. The support provided through the Unity, Resilience, Solidarity and Fortitude Budgets is targeted to help keep businesses viable and workers employed, so that they can tide over this crisis and recover quickly as the economy restarts. MOM, with the support of the four Budgets, seeks to achieve this in three ways, namely: one, ensuring fair support for all workers – both for the employees and self-employed persons (SEPs); two, championing fair employment practices; and three, promoting mental well-being in our workplaces. Firstly, ensuring fair support for all workers. The Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) has cushioned the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the labour market by helping employers to hold on to their employees and continue paying their salaries, even during the Circuit Breaker period. We introduced the SEP Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) to help Singaporean SEPs with less means and family support tide over this difficult period. Although SIRS is means-tested, the Government has taken into consideration that these are unprecedented times. For comparison, usually, about 50,000 SEPs receive Workfare each year. In other words, they are assessed to need more help. SIRS has now benefited over 120,000 SEPs – more than double the usual number of Workfare recipients. 6.15 pm We understand that many SEPs may have seen their incomes fall. Nonetheless, the income criterion serves as a proxy for their ability to save and, therefore, the likelihood of their ability to tide through periods of less earnings.”
“For the rest of the AUs, given that the graduation ceremonies are at least two to six months away, the other five AUs are deliberating the approaches and will certainly keep the graduands informed. I would like to add that, beyond the commemoration of our students' graduation, all our IHLs are looking at ways to support our graduates given the uncertain economic outlook. For example, all the graduates graduating from ITEs, Polytechnics and AUs, will be offered complimentary access to pursue at least two CET modules and all our Education and Career Guidance (ECG) counsellors are available to support them in terms of career guidance and also career preparation.”
“Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Member Mr Liang Eng Hwa for his supplementary questions. In MOE, we understand the students' disappointment of not being able to mark the graduation with their family and their friends in one ceremony like before. It is hard, but unfortunately, given how easily infectious COVID-19 is, the need for safe distancing measures will continue to remain even after the circuit breaker measures are lifted. Despite these unfortunate circumstances due to COVID-19, the IHLs have come up with many ways, not involving big physical ceremonies, to support and help the students to celebrate and commemorate this important occasion of their graduation and achievements. For the Polytechnics and the ITEs, traditionally, they hold their annual graduation ceremonies in the month of May, this month. Each of our Polytechnics and the ITEs have already set up a graduation website where congratulatory messages can be posted, in addition to the list of graduates and also the award winners. On top of that, additional commemorative materials such as graduation videos, e-handbooks or even graduation sticker packs, that were creatively done by the Faculty, were developed by the institutions. Having said that, the Polytechnics and the ITEs are considering to allow gown rentals for photo-taking and eventually the opening of campuses for photo-taking, as and when safe distancing measures are scaled back. So, they are considering all that. That is for the Polytechnics and the ITEs. As for our Autonomous Universities (AUs), as of now, SMU has decided that they will hold a virtual ceremony in place of the July ceremony.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, each Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) typically holds over 10 graduation ceremonies, with the larger ones holding over 20 ceremonies, and some sessions can involve more than 1,000 people. Realistically, in the light of COVID-19 and the need for safe distancing measures, our IHLs will not be able to hold traditional graduation ceremonies this year. It will also not be practical to postpone these large-scale ceremonies later this year, even if it is safe to do so by then. Because by then, graduands would have dispersed and gone their separate ways after completing their course. Nonetheless, when the COVID-19 situation improves and stabilises, the IHLs will explore other ways, not involving big ceremonies, to help our students celebrate and commemorate the occasion, should they wish to. We understand the disappointment of many students and parents. However, having explained the decisions, many have also expressed their understanding of the priority to safeguard health and lives, and that they would take this in their stride. Some graduands have also found their own creative ways to mark the occasion, such as a group of Temasek Polytechnic students who recently held a virtual ceremony on Minecraft. We want to reassure our students that even though we are unable to hold the physical ceremonies, our students' achievements in their education journey and graduation are no less significant.”
“Employers who look after their staff are well placed to gain from their workers’ loyalty in the long run, especially when the upturn comes. Mr Speaker, Sir, there will be no let-up in MOM's push to preserve jobs and support our workforce. We are in this together. We call upon employers to help, to support and to care for their employees in this critical time. We also call upon our employees to also do their part by understanding their employer’s situation. None of us is alone in this COVID-19 fight. MOM will continue to do our best to support employers and employees throughout this challenging period. Despite the unprecedented situation we face, we are confident that we can ride out the storm together. In just seven weeks, we saw and we heard from Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, he delivered three Budgets – the Unity Budget, the Resilience Budget and yesterday the Solidarity Budget. So, let us stay united, let us show our resilience and also stand in solidarity with one another because we Singaporeans, we are a tough lot. We will not give up and we will prevail in this COVID-19 fight.”
“In the long run, successfully implementing flexible work arrangements will not only help our companies to keep on improving productivity, it would actually help them become more inclusive workplaces so as to attract and retain more talented people, hence, it serves many purposes. (In English): Companies that are positioning themselves for the upturn should plan ahead to ensure that they equip their workers with relevant skillsets after the temporary closure of workplace comes to an end. Firms can tap on the enhanced support for redeployment programmes under the Adapt and Grow initiative to reskill their existing workers. MOM has extended the funding period and introduced new redeployment programmes for the tourism, aviation, retail and food services sectors. More than 100 firms have already applied, with more than 2,600 workers expected to benefit from this move. For instance, SITA World Travel (SITA) equipped their staff through various courses with skills like data analytics and event management. Two employees are on the new Digital Marketing Place-and-Train Programme and they will be redeployed to support SITA’s online platform with their newly acquired skills. Another example is Orchard Hotel. This hotel is also tapping on MOM’s enhanced measures to retrain close to 50 of their employees through the Job Redesign Place-and-Train programme for the hotel industry. Their 50 staff will acquire deeper capabilities in hotel operations, with the aim of taking on an expanded job scope. We wish to commend SITA and Orchard Hotel. Despite the cost pressures, both companies decided to take a longer term perspective by holding onto their workers and helping the workers acquire new skills.”
“FWAs have helped companies like Cycle and Carriage become a choice employer, as their staff appreciate the extra time they have with their family, the ability to attend to personal matters and greater flexibility in childcare arrangements. Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, Sir, our enterprises are currently already benefiting from MOM's Work-Life Grant. Employers are able to receive $2,000 for every worker on a flexible work arrangement. Because of the effects of COVID-19, especially during this circuit breaker period, we want to observe safe distancing, so, we need people to work at home or we have staggered working hours. Therefore, in order to help our employers to provide such flexible working arrangements so that more people will be able to work from home, MOM will make it easier for employers to benefit from this grant. At the moment, enterprises have to certify that they have been having this arrangement for six months before they can apply. Now, we have shortened this period to one month. In other words, the application criteria have been shortened from six months to one month. So, these relaxed arrangements will apply after the circuit breaker period. We will open for application from 20 April 2020 and we encourage companies to apply for the Work-Life Grant which provides flexibility for example, using devices such as portable computers and so on. In the short run , the Work-Life Grant can help companies overcome the challenges brought by COVID-19.”
“Their lawyers and staff work from home with the support of a robust and secure IT infrastructure that allows them to meet and collaborate remotely. Ms Jessica Tan, in her many speeches advocated that, it is possible to meet and collaborate with colleagues even as we telecommute or work from home. Chairman and Senior Partner of Allen & Gledhill said this, Ms Christina Ong said, and I quote: "Our focus on embracing technology has meant that when we had to, we could. For certain types of work, some of our lawyers now even say that they accomplish even more from home. Furthermore, working from home has allowed parents to deal with school issues and gives many of us leeway in handling other disruptions." Today, companies can already benefit from MOM's Work-Life Grant (WLG) and receive $2,000 for every worker who adopts an FWA. As we move into a period of stricter social distancing, we will make it easier for employers to get support in implementing telecommuting and staggered hours. MOM will enhance the WLG parameters by reducing the requirement for firms to have their workers telecommute and be on staggered hours – from a minimum period of six months to just one month. The enhanced WLG parameters will apply after the mandatory circuit breaker period comes to an end and the grant will be open for application on 20 April 2020. We strongly encourage more companies to apply for the WLG which can be used for the purchase of laptops, software and related equipment for telecommuting. In the immediate term, adopting FWAs will help companies overcome the present challenges posed by COVID-19. In the long run, FWAs will help companies ride the wave of changing workplace norms, become a more inclusive, caring, and also attractive employer and thereby attracting better talent.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Minister Teo has spoken about protecting livelihoods and helping businesses stay viable. Indeed, we will do all we can to preserve jobs and businesses, and support our workforce. Let me now share more about how we are helping companies adopt more flexible work arrangements (FWAs) that let them continue operations amid the uncertainty or to resume their businesses after this circuit breaker period. Last Friday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced stringent measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. From today, all workplaces, with the exception of those in essential services or key economic sectors, are closed. This is to minimise physical interactions and break the circuit of virus transmission. Despite the closure, firms that can continue operations with their workers on telecommuting arrangements, should continue to do so. We understand that companies that had implemented FWAs and telecommuting prior to the enhanced measures, in fact, prior to the COVID-19 crisis, for their staff were better able to operationalise business continuity plans (BCP) quickly. Singtel is an example. Half of Singtel's 12,000 employees are already been working from home prior to today. The majority of them are used to working offsite and they have the infrastructure to do so. Those who need to be at their workplaces work on staggered work times and also staggered lunch periods. Some employees start work as early as 7.00 am because that suits them and some as late as 10.00 am. Of course, those working at 7.00 am, they get to go back home earlier. The company's operations continue to run as seamlessly as possible and customers are well-supported. Another example is legal services firm Allen & Gledhill.”
“So, I want to assure the Member will continue to engage the stakeholders, employers, FDW and also the EAs and NGOs to ensure better match between the employers and the FDW.”