Mohd Fahmi Aliman
Singapore
“Mdm Chair, for the arts scene in Singapore to thrive, it is essential to cultivate a steady pipeline of artists and practitioners who contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the sector.”
“Mdm Chair, Sports play a crucial role in youth development, offering physical and mental health benefits while also fostering important values, such as discipline, teamwork and leadership. Beyond personal growth, sports provide a platform for social bonding and inclusivity, strengthening relationships among peers and the wider community.”
“Chairman, SSAs, particularly, Family Service Centres, play a critical role in supporting vulnerable families and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to achieve stability. Strengthening the delivery of family services is essential in addressing complex and evolving needs within the community.”
“Chairman, while Singapore has established strong social safety nets to support vulnerable individuals and families, some low-income households continue to face complex and interlocking challenges in achieving stability, self-reliance and social mobility.”
“Except, of course, Vesak Day, despite being the birthday of Indian prince and ascetic sage, Siddhartha Gautama, is hardly celebrated by the local Indian community in Singapore at all, but more by Buddhists.”
“I thank the Member for the question. It is something that, as what I mentioned, is being highlighted in the Malay/Muslim community because of the current issues. I have got this information through my interactions with some in the Malay/Muslim community, that these issues need to be addressed.”
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“However, more needs to be done to support vulnerable workers and youth and it is a call to action for tripartite partners to continue this trust-building effort with workers. By working together, we can create a workforce that is skilled, adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges. (In English): To conclude, as Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng of NTUC, said, and I quote, "As the voice of workers, we at NTUC want to forge a new workers' compact, one defined collectively by the working people in Singapore." This quote encapsulates the theme of today's speech, which is the importance of recognising and valuing diverse perspectives and building collaborative partnerships in achieving progress and success as a nation. The importance of Mother Tongue languages, the role of M3's FA4 alongside PWM in supporting vulnerable groups in society and the other existing initiatives are all critical components of a cohesive and resilient society. By recognising the value and significance of our diverse cultural heritage, investing in the support and resources of our vulnerable groups and building trust with our workforce, we can continue to progress and thrive as a nation. Let us continue to work together to build a Singapore that embraces diversity, promotes social cohesion and values the well-being and success of all its citizens. I stand in support of the Motion.”
“Over the years, the tripartite partners in Singapore have made significant efforts to support the workforce, especially those who were badly affected during crises. We acknowledge that there are still gaps that need to be addressed, especially in supporting vulnerable groups. This is why we launched the #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations, which aims to engage workers from all walks of life to collectively define the workers' compact and hear their views on the future of work. Through these conversations, the Labour Movement hopes to build a stronger connection with workers and better understand their perspectives. Such feedback will also contribute towards charting our longer-term strategies in the road ahead. Looking to the future, the Labour Movement recognises the need to “future-proof” our workforce. As underscored by Deputy Secretary-General Mr Desmond Tan, one such effort by the Labour Movement is the Company Training Committees (CTCs). These CTCs involve unions and employers working closely together to identify skills gaps and look into scaling up on reskilling, training and career progression for their workers. In this vein, we want to form more CTCs to help businesses build a skilled and adaptable workforce. Building trust with the workforce is critical and the tripartite partners in Singapore have made significant efforts in the past to support workers during challenging times. Presently, the Labour Movement's #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations campaign has sought to listen to the voices of workers. Looking to the future, the Labour Movement recognises the importance of helping workers build resilience in their careers as well as a skilled and adaptable workforce. To do so, we plan to form more CTCs.”
“As the Malay proverb goes; if you do not ask, you will get lost; if you do not row, your boat will drift aimlessly. FA4 is an important framework that seeks to provide support and assistance to vulnerable groups in the Malay/Muslim community, especially in today's challenging economic and social climate. By addressing the unique challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as platform workers, women, mature workers and youth, FA4 can help create a more inclusive and equitable society. This is important in the social compact of Singapore as it seeks to build a more resilient and cohesive community for the future. FA4 is just one example that illustrates how NTUC and M3 are committed to ensuring that workers are upskilling and adapting to the changing nature of work. As we look towards the future, it is evident that trust will continue to be a crucial component in shaping the workforce landscape. This is especially true at the tripartite level, where our ability to work together has enabled us to make significant progress on the national economic agenda. As we move forward, we need to maintain this trust and continue to collaborate to support workers and ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the ever-evolving job market. Building trust with the workforce is a crucial factor in the success of any organisation. A high level of trust at the workplace fosters a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported, and this leads to a more engaged and productive workforce. At the national level, trust is strengthened by working together to create good opportunities for our workers and investing in training to ensure that workers build up resilience in their careers.”
“This includes ensuring that Mother Tongue language education is accessible to all and providing resources to support its learning. By recognising the value and significance of Mother Tongue languages, we can continue to build a society that embraces diversity, promotes social cohesion and values our shared cultural heritage together. Mr Speaker, the Labour Movement has kept faith with workers through the decades, including COVID-19, and continues to break new ground in areas that contribute to Singapore’s economic recovery and transformation. This includes initiatives to support marginalised groups in the community amid economic recovery and transformation. One such example is Focus Area (FA) Workgroup within the ambit of M3. FA4 is an important framework that seeks to provide support and assistance to Malay/Muslim workers. FA4 is especially significant in today's context as the country continues to grapple with the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because the pandemic has disproportionately affected certain groups, including those in low-wage jobs, gig workers and mature workers, among others. FA4 plays a crucial role in ensuring that these vulnerable groups in the Malay/Muslim community have access to the necessary support and resources to navigate these difficult times. Through a referral process, these workers are channelled to multiple agencies for assistance, such as NTUC's e2i and LearningHub, as well as the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI). By doing so, jobseekers are given access to job placement opportunities and skills upgrading courses, which can help improve their chances of securing better employment opportunities.”
“This data demonstrates the significant level of proficiency and emphasises the importance of these languages in our society. In addition to serving as a communication tool within our respective ethnic communities, Mother Tongue languages have played a critical role in building social cohesion and national unity in Singapore. They have helped to foster a sense of belonging and shared identity among Singaporeans of different ethnicities, contributing to the country's success in maintaining social harmony. Beyond their cultural significance, research has shown that being bilingual or multilingual offers cognitive benefits such as enhanced memory, cognitive flexibility and decision-making skills. For example, a study by the University of California found that bilingual individuals performed better in cognitive tests than monolingual individuals, highlighting the cognitive advantages of being bilingual. Thus, the cognitive benefits of being bilingual or multilingual are numerous, making it a valuable skill to have in today's globalized world. As a Malay Singaporean, I can personally attest to the significance of the Malay language in my daily life. It is not only the language I use to communicate with my family members, but it also allows me to actively participate in the wider Malay community. For example, when attending cultural events such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or weddings, the ability to converse in Malay allows me to connect with my fellow Malay Singaporeans on a deeper level and better appreciate our shared cultural heritage. Given their cultural and cognitive benefits, it is crucial for the Government to continue investing in the preservation and promotion of Mother Tongue languages in Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, today I would like to talk about three important topics that are integral to the building of a cohesive and resilient society in the face of challenges. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our nation. The rising costs of living, coupled with the economic impacts on the pandemic, have added further strain to many Singaporean households. Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that as a nation, we have the strength and resilience to overcome them. It is now more important than ever that we come together as a society and work together, towards a shared vision for the future. I will focus on three key areas that I believe are critical: one, the importance of Mother Tongue languages; two, strengthening the role of the M3's Focus Area Four (FA4) in supporting vulnerable groups in the Malay/Muslim community; and thirdly, building trust and prospects for our workforce. By embracing our cultural diversity, supporting vulnerable communities and investing in our workforce, we can build a society that is both resilient and prosperous. Allow me to touch on each point in greater detail in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, Mother Tongue languages are a cornerstone of Singapore's multiracial and multicultural society. They provide a vital link to our diverse heritage and cultural identity. In Singapore, each ethnic group has its own Mother Tongue language, such as Mandarin for the Chinese community, Tamil for the Indian community and Malay language for the Malay community. According to the 2020 Census of Population, 74.3% of Singaporeans are proficient in their respective Mother Tongue languages.”
“Sir, the capabilities of our volunteers and the SG Cares Volunteer Centres are important to ensure effective service delivery. Thus, I would like to ask what MCCY is doing to expand and deepen the capabilities of our SG Cares Community networks. Since they were set up in 2018, the SG Cares Volunteer Centres in their respective towns have been engaging and coordinating with community partners including schools, businesses and Social Service Agencies (SSAs) to better support beneficiaries in need but harnessing community resources and growing the pool of volunteers. Therefore, could MCCY share its existing efforts to deeper in the capabilities of our SG Cares community networks to enable greater and lasting impact to be created. SG Cares”
“Sir, regular sports participation is important in achieving positive health outcomes. Notably, in London, Oakland and Singapore, Active Citizens Worldwide (ACW)'s 2018 report indicated that sports and physical activity generate an estimated $454 million in savings annually and results in 19,800 additional years of healthy life and 575 fewer deaths in Singapore. This implies that a healthy lifestyle driven by the active lifestyle is essential in improving longevity and minimising healthcare causes. The study also noted that although people in Singapore tended to be less active as compared to other groups. Therefore, can MCCY share its plans to enhance sports participation, especially amongst groups, which may have a lower rate of participation. Would MCCY also elaborate on how it aims to encourage groups, such as seniors and young children who may be less active in sports, to participate regularly in sports? Community Sports”
“Thank you, Chair. Still on Dian and my question to Minister Maliki. When I really look at it, it is a great success. We have a very strong network in terms of using KidSTART and MENDAKI assets to help the preschool and children in early education. But in terms of madrasah education, I think there is a gap. Just wondering if there are any plans to get assistance to help our youths or our students in madrasahs to keep up in their own studies.”
“The establishment of M3 is step in the right direction as coordination and resources are amalgamated to better serve our community. Therefore, how can we expand the network of community partners to better serve the needs of the M3 beneficiaries?”
“(In Malay) [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, to support and encourage the spirit of volunteerism, it is important that incumbent efforts are coordinated between public agencies and community organisations. Project DIAN is an M3 initiative to showcase the community’s Determination to support households in public rental flats through the integration of assets within the community and the instilling of values. The DIAN Ambassadors Program was launched to support families residing in rental flats by understanding their needs and aspirations to help uplift their situation. How do Project DIAN Ambassadors support their target families? Are there resources that Project DIAN Ambassadors can tap on, so that they can better engage these families, and are these resources sufficient? If not, could more support be provided to ensure that our ambassadors can run this program better? Network of Community Partners through M3 (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, in building a Malay/Muslim Community of Success, it would be important for us to further strengthen our social compact. One way to do this would be for the Government to work closely together with the community partners. Last year, at AMP 4th National Convention, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong noted that Malay/Muslim organisations need to collaborate strongly with one another, as well as the Government, to address social issues that are increasingly becoming complex. With the formation of M3, it seeks to harness strengths from the three agencies, mobilise community assets & resources as well as collaborate with Government agencies & Malay/Muslim organisations to address the community's challenges, particularly in the area of last mile service delivery.”
“Sir, our social compact is underpinned by implicit agreement between the Government and the people on the roles and responsibilities each play, so that together, we can shape the growth of society in both the present and the future. In other words, our social compact hinges on the tripartite understanding between individuals and families, the Government and the community. A social compact that is deemed fair by all segments of society, will strengthen social capital and foster trust. And this is what will enable us to progress together as a nation. External developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, US-China tensions and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have altered, the geopolitical milieu we live in. Domestically, we must manage the impact of trends, such as the ageing population and slowing social mobility. Cumulatively, these trends can put a strain on our social compact. Hence, it is imperative that we support our social service partners to strengthen our social compact, amidst internal and external uncertainties. As such, how will MSF recognise the efforts of our social service partners and better support them to strive. Encouraging Social Service Partners”
“Chairman, to nurture and develop children in the early years, families would need to consider all care options available to them. In 2013, ECDA was launched to integrate the regulation, planning, professional development and public education functions of MOE's preschool education branch and MSF's childcare division. ECDA now serves as the regulatory and developmental authority for the early childhood sector in Singapore, overseeing all aspects of children's development below the age of seven, across both kindergartens and childcare centres. Since its inception, how effective has ECDA been in early childhood development? Beyond ECDA, are there any initiatives MSF have introduced to assure parents that there will be accessible support in their children's early years? Shortage of Infant Care Teachers”
“Chairman, last year, the ForwardSG dialogue was held to provide a platform for social service practitioners to voice their concerns. In the dialogue, one social service practitioner underscored how children from less advantaged backgrounds face hurdles to success, such as low morale from not performing as well as their peers. Notably, he mentioned, "We always observe that people from disadvantaged backgrounds feel discouraged. They lack motivation. They want to get ahead. They want to fulfil their dreams. But, sometimes, they just find it too difficult." In view of this practitioner's account, it is evident that preschoolers from lower-income families face more challenges in getting a good start in life. Furthermore, it was also noted that there is growing evidence to show that children who attend preschool early require lesser intervention from learning support programmes, in juxtaposition to children who do not attend preschools, perhaps due to financial hardship. In view of this, could MSF share its existing efforts to provide greater support for children from lower-income families?”
“Chairman, retirement adequacy remains an important concern for many senior citizens in Singapore, especially in an inflationary environment because it can erode purchasing power of retirement savings over time. As the costs of living increases, the value of retirement savings may decrease, making it more difficult for seniors to meet their basic needs and maintain the standard of living in retirement. Additionally, healthcare cost tends to increase with age which can put further pressure on retirement savings. These factors can create financial insecurity and make it difficult for seniors to meet their retirement goals. As a result, it is important for the Government and individuals to take steps to address retirement adequacy in an inflationary environment. Given the importance of retirement adequacy, especially in inflationary environment, can MOM provide an update on measures that will be put in place to protect the vulnerability of the seniors and strengthen their retirement adequacy? SG Made for Families – Parent Care Leave”
“Sir, the employers who violate the PWM requirements can face fines, penalties and other consequences such as the suspension or revocation of their Work Pass privileges. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) together with tripartite partners also conduct regular public education and outreach efforts to raise awareness of the PWM and its requirements among employers and workers. However, as with any policy or regulation, there may be instances where employers are not fully compliant with the PWM requirements, be it in the terms of technical requirements or in spirit. These leaves low-wage workers susceptible to exploitation. In this regard, I would like to ask MOM to give an update on this implementation and what measures are in place or explore enforcement strategies or mechanisms to ensure that companies comply to PWM wages and other requirements. Uplifting Lower-wage Workers”
“Sir, since 1967, NS has been the cornerstone of our defence, as well as the rite of passage for Singaporean males, shaping them from "Ah Boys to Men". The NS experience not only consists of two years' full-time service but also regular reservist call-ups in the years that follow, to ensure that the NSmen's skills and knowledge remains relevant and current. It is also a whole-of-society endeavour because families and employers play a huge role to support our NSFs and NSmen whenever they are required to answer their call of duty. Most importantly, NS is about strengthening Singaporean's commitment and ability to defend and protect Singapore. To mark the 55th anniversary of NS last year, MINDEF organised a series of activities to recognise the contributions of our NS past and present. The activities were designed to raise awareness of NS, promote fitness, and highlight the sacrifices and dedication of NSmen over the past 55 years. The NS55 celebrations also provided an opportunity for the nation to come together to show its support and gratitude to NSmen and their families. Can MINDEF provide an update on how Singaporeans have responded to these activities and whether these activities had achieved its objectives? Initiatives to Recognise and Support NSmen”
“While the implementation of LQS is necessary to protect local workers and prevent the displacement of low-wage jobs by foreign workers, it can also potentially be problematic for lower-wage workers, because the current amount of $1,400 is much lower than the P20 wage levels of about $2,800 in 2022. Further, most of the Progressive Wages are also pegged at higher amounts, ranging from $1,500 for a data entry clerk to $3,330 for a principal lift and escalator specialist. PWMs are also designed such that their wages are increased at an agreed-upon rate annually. At NTUC, we are cognizant that efforts to help lower-wage workers is a long-term strategy. Therefore, I would like to call on the Government to annually review the LQS to ensure that wages keep pace with wage convergence targets for our lower-wage workers. This can be done through a mechanism like the National Wages Council, which already provides annual guidance on the range of progressive wage growth for lower-wage workers. In conclusion, as we move forward in a new era, looming uncertainties will continue to put pressure on vulnerable groups in society and test our resilience as a nation. Despite the challenges, many Singaporeans have stepped up to support our vulnerable groups. The truth of the matter is that uncertainties will continue to persist in the year ahead. However, I am confident that we will overcome any challenges that come our way. As we tread uncertain waters, the Government and NTUC are committed to helping workers in every step of the way, help them achieve better wages, welfare and work prospects. Rest assured – NTUC will continue to champion all workers because every worker matters. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Budget.”
“(In English): The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) has proven and will continue to benefit our lower-wage workers and assure them of wages and work prospects on a sustainable basis – and this is especially crucial in an era of rising cost of living. The success of PWM so far lies in our not-so-secret ingredient of tripartism, where unions, employers and Government come together to reach win-win-win outcomes for all parties. This is why PWM is a sustainable model to uplift wages, welfare and work prospects for our workers. This secret ingredient of tripartism is not new – and it is built upon another important ingredient that unions and management have worked hard to establish and strengthen – harmonious labour-management relations (LMR). We do not take either LMR or tripartism for granted. NTUC will continue to work with our tripartite partners to further bolster efforts to uplift our lower-wage workers, and where necessary, resolve any differences through established processes. Another area that I would like to talk about is the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS). LQS refers to the minimum salary that employers must pay to local employees to qualify for various work pass types, for example, E Pass, S Pass and Work Permit. Previously, employers hiring foreigners were only required to pay the LQS to local workers whom they need to count towards their foreign worker quota. From September 2022 onwards, firms hiring foreign workers needed to pay all local employees at least the LQS, which is currently at $1,400 for one Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), or relevant Progressive Wages, which are higher. This expanded requirement has had an impact of uplifting more than 100,000 full-time resident employees, who were previously earning below $1,400.”
“Subsequently, the PWM was implemented in 2014 for the cleaning sector, followed by the security and landscape sectors in 2016 and the lift and escalator sector in 2019. Since 2014, we have progressively rolled out PWMs every two to three years. As we strive to narrow the wage gap between P20 and P50, PWMs have also been recently introduced in Retail, Food Services, Waste Management, and just recently, this week, for the occupations of Administrators and Drivers. Combined, the PWMs will cover around 135,000 full-time lower-wage workers, which represent almost half of the total number of lower-wage workers. Together with Progressive Wages measures recommended by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers such as the expanded Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) and the Progressive Wage Mark (PW Mark) accreditation, this would benefit up to 94% of lower-wage workers. An important facet of the PWM is how wages are linked to skills upgrading and productivity gains – workers are equipped with the required skills to be better and more efficient in their jobs and empowering them to scale up the career ladder, like in the case of Senior Escalator Specialist Jeremy Yap. He has worked in the industry for over 20 years, and he harbours hopes of advancing to become a foreman and has recently taken one step closer to achieving his goal by taking a course to become a lift and escalator inspector. Under the Lift and Escalator PWM, his salary is expected to increase from $2,600 to $3,820 by 2028. As he continues his path towards becoming a foreman, his wages may also be even higher. Jeremy’s aspirations show how our workers can benefit from the clear progression pathways set out via the various PWMs, with some like Jeremy, setting their sights to achieve even more.”
“That way, more middle-income would be covered, providing them with more support to cope with rising prices. In Malay, Mr Speaker, Sir, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Our lower-wage workers play a critical role in maintaining essential services and keeping the nation running during times of crisis or disruption. This includes workers in sectors such as cleaning, security and waste management. In my Budget speech last year, I spoke about the ongoing efforts to support lower-wage workers as we transitioned to a post-pandemic future. In recent years, the collective support from various stakeholder groups to uplift the incomes of our lower-wage workers have been encouraging. NTUC, alongside our partners, will remain committed to help workers improve their income security, give them confidence to progress in their careers and help improve their quality of life overall. As mentioned in my Budget speech last year, NTUC and our tripartite partners have worked hard to enhance and expand the Progressive Wage Model (PWM). With the PWM, workers can be assured that they will not only receive a minimum wage corresponding to their sector and occupation, but also defined career pathways that would ensure that their wages increase as their skills and responsibilities increase as well. The four ladders of the PWM – skills, wages, productivity and career – work hand in hand to ensure that our lower-wage workers can seize the opportunity not just to earn an honest day’s work, but with the dignity they place in their jobs, to progress upwards and better secure the future for themselves and their loved ones. NTUC first mooted the PWM in 2012.”
“However, the median wage growth of certain worker groups lags behind the overall median wage growth. This is particularly so for our Associate Professionals and Technicians (APTs) and Professionals who have experienced real median wage growth of between 5% and 8% during this same period. As Deputy Prime Minister Wong also shared in his Budget speech, Singapore's headline inflation is likely to remain high, at least for the first half of this year. As such, some of our middle-income workers will continue to feel its effects. As such, inflation affects different income groups differently, and middle-income workers are often hit the hardest as they are unable to receive Government subsidies and support as their salaries tend to be higher than the qualifying threshold. Those who need to take care of dependents may also feel the pinch more. As a result, inflation can have a significant impact on their standard of living and ability to save for the future. Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) enhancements took effect from January 2023, including a rise in qualifying monthly income cap from $2,300 to $2,500. My fellow labour MPs as well as myself have lobbied for such reviews to WIS over the years, and this is heartening to note and is certainly a step in the right direction to assist the sandwiched class amidst rising costs. There is room to better address the needs of our middle-income workers. In this regard, I would like to take the opportunity to call on the Government to expand the eligibility criteria and increase payouts for those with dependants to cover more middle-income workers. To improve liquidity further, we recommend the Government phase out benefits more gradually by changing cash or CPF ratio and index pay-outs to cost of living.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am encouraged by the central theme of this year's Budget, “Moving Forward in a New Era”. As we continue to find ways to deal with the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic, we must also set our eyes on how we can prepare Singaporeans for a post-pandemic future riddled with uncertainty. My esteemed colleagues and I in the Labour Movement strongly support and welcome the slew of measures introduced to strengthen our social compact, thereby helping Singaporeans cope with the rising cost of living amidst global uncertainties. Strengthening our social compact means uplifting marginal groups as we progress in society. During the Budget Statement this year, I was heartened to learn that the Government will be allocating more resources to help all Singaporeans, especially our brothers and sisters in the vulnerable facets of society. As we chart our way forward, we ought to remain sensitive to the challenges and concerns of our vulnerable workers, especially our lower-wage and middle-income workers. The best way to address our workers' concerns over inflation and cost of living is through better wages and better jobs. There is more we can do for vulnerable groups in society. The reality is that rising prices would continue to exert pressure on all income groups, especially our middle-income workers. Our middle-income workers are vulnerable to inflation because as prices for goods and services rise, their purchasing power decreases and it becomes more difficult for them to afford their daily necessities. Overall, based on public data published by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Department of Statistics, we note that when adjusted for inflation, median wage growth between 2014 and 2019, which was pre-COVID-19, stands at 21.5%.”
“While this is not a standalone subject, it is covered substantially within the syllabus through topics like boy-girl relationships, gender, sexuality, and managing issues relating to self-image, puberty and adolescence, as well as managing peer pressure. These topics are targeted at students aged 13 to 16.” With the passing of this Bill, there is a concern over how it will affect sexuality education taught in madrasahs. Furthermore, it is unknown if additional training will be provided to equip asatizah with the skills required to address sensitive matters pertaining to sexuality and how such issues should be brought across to students. Therefore, the extent to which this Bill would influence sexuality education in madrasahs ought to be studied further. Having listed my concerns earlier, I support the Bill in view of inclusivity in a diverse community. Singapore is a diverse nation and would continue to be more diverse. Despite our differences, we are able to come together and build consensus on national issues. This is no different. Therefore, I am in favour of this Bill as we are one big family and the beliefs of every worker matters.”
“In Singapore, the family unit has been a critical pillar of society. Many policies, such as housing, are centred around the family unit or nucleus. I am heartened that the Government will continue to uphold the traditional family in its policies and in the law, as it works with stakeholders to chart a way forward. At the same time, there is a pressing need to create a safe space for families to openly discuss matters pertaining to sexuality. In particular, parents and children ought to be able to freely discuss matters pertaining to sexuality without fearing stigmatization. Parents who do not concur with the gay and homosexual community’s view of sexuality should not be publicly shamed. They should be free to share their beliefs with their children, underpinned by religious teachings or their worldview. Parents should be given the space to protect their children from any content they deem inappropriate, including matters pertaining to the gay and homosexual community. Therefore, I call upon the Government to further fortify the traditional family unit to ensure that it remains a safe space for families to discuss matters pertaining to sexuality. Finally, the question of whether azatisah in madrasahs are equipped with the necessary knowledge to address matters pertaining to sexuality in the classroom. Last year, in response to a Parliamentary Question raised by Ms Mariam Jaafar, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Minister for Social and Family Development, mentioned, “Our madrasahs incorporate sexuality education in their existing curriculum for both male and female students.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will be speaking in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Having engaged with residents within my constituency and the Malay/Muslim community and organisations, as well as being part of the NTUC and the Labour Movement in Singapore who regularly engages fellow leaders and workers, I appreciate their constructive feedback and concerns. As such, I would like to raise three concerns relating to the repeal of section 377A, which I hope would be addressed henceforth. These three concerns relate to workplaces, family and education, specifically madrasah education in Singapore. One the key tenets of good working experience for any workers is to have good workplace harmony. Employers should ensure that their policies and practices provide an inclusive workspace that respects and is sensitive to different personal beliefs and values of all employees. They should not promote activities that may potentially give rise to bullying or discrimination. NTUC believes that all employees should be treated fairly based on merit and should not be discriminated based on any non-job-related characteristics, which may include faith or identity. NTUC calls on companies organising programmes or events for employees in support of diversity and inclusion causes to ensure that employees who choose not to attend such activities for non-job-related requirements are not forced to join or made to feel discriminated for not participating. Non-participation must not affect the career progression of employees. To better support both employers and workers in navigating workplaces in the future, I call upon the Government to consider setting guidelines or advisories that will provide clear guidance towards such activities at the workplace.”
“Providing More Volunteerism Opportunity The findings of the Individual Giving Survey by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2021 showed that regular volunteerism took a hit mainly due to the measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, with nearly half of the volunteers saying that they have volunteered less since DORSCON Orange was alerted on 7 February 2020. NVPC polled more than 2,000 people between 8 April and 17 September 2021 for the study. They noted that 48% of volunteers volunteered less since DORSCON Orange was declared on 7 February 2020. On the other hand, the survey also showed that online giving rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite an overall decline in volunteerism. Notably, online volunteering sign-ups in Singapore saw a 29% increase and online donation rose 37%, compared to pre-pandemic levels. In light of these findings, could MCCY share how it plans to leverage the growth of online volunteerism and provide more opportunities for Singaporeans to step forward? Moreover, could MCCY also elaborate on its efforts to reframe the public's impression of volunteerism, often associated with labour-intensive work and perceived as separate from one's social or professional lives. Are there online efforts to make volunteerism and care a part of the Singaporean way of life? Could MCCY also share its plans to provide opportunities for Singaporeans to serve others using their skills and talent and galvanise like-minded people to work together on social and community causes that interest them? Finally, what is being done to better promote and match volunteers to the needs on the ground? Youth and Civic Participation”
“Yes, Madam. In 2020, MHA spotted a spike in race and religion-related Police cases. Last year, we heard about anecdotes where racial remarks were made against Singaporeans. For instance, an ex-Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer made unwelcomed remarks about an interracial couple last year, triggering a slew of responses from the public. The occurrence of such incidents has thus reminded us of the need to show the greatest tolerance and respect for one another. MCCY has also stepped up its efforts to tackle racism and racial discrimination in Singapore. In response to several Parliamentary Questions raised last year, MCCY mentioned it adopts a multi-pronged approach in combating racism and racial discrimination. MCCY's approach mainly constitutes enforcement and legal framework, encouraging respectful online behaviour, encouraging conversations on the topics of race and religion as well as enlarging the common spaces. These four elements of MCCY's approach would be essential in ensuring that Singapore society remains resilient and cohesive as we transition to a post-pandemic future. Given MCCY's efforts in promoting social harmony in Singapore, can it provide an update on efforts to continue rallying Singaporeans to step up on integration efforts and build a more cohesive society? Moreover, can MCCY elaborate on its upcoming plans to step up on our social cohesion efforts and partner Singaporeans to bridge existing societal fault lines?”
“These programmes provide our youths with opportunities to acquire life skills, build confidence and connect students to opportunities to grow their potential. Both programmes entail competency workshops, team-bonding activities, sharing sessions and matching students to befrienders who will guide them in goal setting and motivate them to achieve their aspirations. As such, can the Minister elaborate on the participation rate of the ITE Empowerment Programmes in previous years? Moreover, how effective has the existing programme been in empowering our youths to achieve their education and career aspirations? Moving forward, our youths will need additional support due to the dynamic and ever-evolving job market. Hence, it will have a greater role in tailoring existing mentorship approaches to meet our youths' needs. Could the Minister elaborate on its future plans for the ITE Empowerment Programmes and whether it will be adjusted to meet the dynamic needs of our youths? Investing in Early Education”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, during his annual Hari Raya get-together last year, Minister Masagos Zulkifli stressed the importance of our asatizahs being well-equipped to provide sound and relevant religious guidance for the community, especially in these times of uncertainty. I echo Minister Masagos Zulkifli's sentiments and am heartened to note that efforts to nurture and develop competent and future-ready asatizahs here are underway. Such programmes includes MUIS' Asatizah Workforce Development Plan, which works to enhance career pathways and opportunities for asatizahs once they have entered the workforce, as well as the Religious Leadership and Talent Development Programme (RLTD), which seeks to develop Singapore's next generation of religious teachers. Given the need to mould our asatizahs to face complex challenges, can the Minister expound on the effectiveness of the leadership programmes under the RLTD? How many asatizahs have benefited from these programmes? Has MUIS received any feedback on these programmes? As we chart our way forward, our asatizahs will require additional support. Could the Minister, thus, also share his plans to improve the leadership potential and capabilities of asatizahs for pinnacle appointments? Progress of MENDAKI's ITE Empowerment Programme (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] As we navigate through this pandemic, our youths will require more support with strengthening their competencies for the future economy. The uncertainties brought forth by the pandemic would mean that we need to support our youths within and beyond the classroom. I am heartened to note that some programmes are already in place to assist your youths and the community, such as MENDAKI's Empowerment Programmes.”
“Chairman, last year, MSF announced that it would scale up the ComLink initiative nationwide to 21 towns over the next two years. Notably, the upscaling efforts are expected to benefit 14,000 families with children living in rental housing across Singapore. I applaud MSF for the efforts to upscale the ComLink initiative. Upscaling this initiative would make ComLink towns more accessible to lower-income families. Moreover, the expansion of ComLink will also go a long way in supporting low-income families adversely impacted by the pandemic. More families can take active steps towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility with adequate social support. Having said that, could MSF provide an update on the progress of ComLink's expansion? Could MSF elaborate on the number of families it has assisted through ComLink so far and outline how frequently are check-ins conducted with the families? ComLink – Choa Chu Kang”
“Sir, last year, MCI launched the Singapore Together Alliances for Action (AfA) to tackle online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls. The launch of AfA came after 300 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds were consulted. Essentially, the launch of AfA is underpinned by the desire to combat online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls. Importantly, MCI underscores that the AfA would focus on closing the digital safety gap and on taking actions to enhance the freedom and safety of our women and girls in the digital future. According to MCI, the AfA will start with 48 members across the people, public and private sectors to address the issue of online harms in five key work streams as suggested by participants from the earlier conversations. Namely, they include public education, research, victim support, youth engagement and volunteerism clusters. As such, the AfA will adopt a whole-of-nation approach to close the digital safety gaps. I am encouraged by the launch of the AfA as it signifies our commitment to addressing online harms in an increasingly lethal society. I would thus like to ask the Minister for Communication and Information if she could share any updates on the progress of the AfA since its launch last year. Additionally, could MCI also elaborate on the number of stakeholders it has managed to get on board the AfA since its launch? Finally, can MCI also delineate some of the AfA's implemented and upcoming initiatives to address online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls?”
“As highlighted by Brother Chee Hong Tat and other parliamentary colleagues earlier, this CTC model brings together the unions and employers to develop concrete firm-level transformation plans, including the relevant training needed by their workers. Through the CTC companies, we can multiply our impact to help more workers train and upskill. With continued support from the community, NTUC's efforts will go a long way in our cause to uplift the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. (In English): Sir, in conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has tested our resilience as a nation. Singaporeans have remained steadfast despite the challenges they faced during the pandemic. Whilst we have come a long way, there will inevitably be many more challenges along the way. However, as a country, we have weathered similar storms and emerged stronger together. As we chart a new forward together, the Government and NTUC are committed to helping workers in every step of the way and will continue our fight for a fairer and more progressive society for all. Rest assured, NTUC will continue to champion all workers because every worker matters. Sir, I support the Budget.”
“In fact, he is currently pursuing an energy manager course supported by his company, and plans to pursue shorter courses that are aligned to his personal interests. Moving forward, NTUC will also join hands with the Malay/Muslim community to address the community’s various needs and concerns. At NTUC, we firmly believe that the best approach is to empower our workers to access better jobs and earn better wages with better skills. On 24 February, through a Memorandum of Understanding, NTUC formalised our collaboration with Yayasan MENDAKI with both organisations tapping on our respective networks and resources to advance Employment and Employability for Malay workers in Singapore. This MOU is part of M3 Focus Area 4’s key strategy to uplift the Malay community in Singapore. This partnership is a prime example of how NTUC enlarges our efforts in empowering our workers, forging collaborations with community-based and self-help organisation partners to enhance our reach to workers and communities that would benefit from our national-level resources in training and job placement. We will do this by leveraging our training ecosystem with NTUC LearningHub and NTUC’s e2i. And through this ecosystem, the Malay/Muslim community’s efforts to train and upskill, can be augmented and scaled up, so that they remain employable and competitive in the job market. Malay Muslim union leaders are also deployed in the M3@Towns to rally the Malay Muslim workforce and provide the last mile support for job placements. In line with a Malay proverb that tells one to make an effort to achieve one’s desired outcome - NTUC will also partner companies to set up Company Training Committees, or CTCs.”
“These schemes announced by the Government would undoubtedly assist in defraying the costs of living for Singaporean households, including the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore. By strengthening our social compact, the assistance rendered is beyond defraying cost but also provide opportunities for all to enhance our social support pillars. We will be able to focus on our children’s education through the expansion of Uplift and Kidstart to support more young children from lower income families. The budget will immensely benefit our Malay-Muslim households in Singapore in coping with the cost of living as Singapore transitions to a post-pandemic future. The majority of Singaporean households will receive at least five years’ worth of additional GST expenses. It is important for the family to take this opportunity to, firstly, continue to find a stable job that provide protection for us now and in the future; second, encourage the spouse to get back to workforce and support the family income; and third, upgrade and upskill to prepare for job in the growth sectors. We can all take a leaf from 47-year-old Brother Ahmad Sadiq's lifelong learning journey. To ensure a brighter future, Brother Ahmad Sadiq pursued part-time courses to climb the academic ladder, beginning with a NITEC in Mechanical Technology, then a diploma in Mechanical Engineering, and finally, a Bachelor's in Mechanical Technology with Honours (Distinction). All this education was fully self-funded, alongside a study grant from the Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE), as well as SkillsFuture Credits. As a Mechanical Engineer and now as a union leader, he continues to champion lifelong learning and leading by example.”
“Collectively, I am confident that the Government's provision of enhanced protection and NTUC MWC's Associate Membership programme would ensure that our migrant workers are well protected against uncertainties. To ensure that our migrant workers are insured within and beyond the workplace, I call on the Government to mandate or incentivise companies to sponsor the membership fee for their workers. Early last year, it was reported that more than 97% of employers with foreign workers living in dormitories were paying salaries electronically, up from 76% before the requirement was introduced in April 2020. MOM also claimed that the electronic payment of salaries has proven to be beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, because it ensures that foreign workers continue to receive salaries even when there are movement restrictions in place. Once again, I urge the Government to consider mandating electronic payment of salary for migrant workers to protect them from exploitation. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] At this year’s Budget Speech, the Government announced the Household Support Package to provide support for daily essentials. The Assurance Package for GST to cushion the impact of the planned GST increase, and enhancements to the permanent GST Voucher scheme to provide continuing help to defray the GST expenses of lower-income to middle-income Singaporean households, beyond the transitional support covered by the Assurance Package. Support is also provided to lower-income households to cope with the rising cost of living. For example, the 2021 Public Transport Voucher (PTV) Exercise will be extended to support lower-income families to cope with any fare adjustments.”
“The introduction of this initiative is encouraging but it also reminds us that there are sufficient opportunities and latitude to incentivise service buyers from the private sector to adopt outcome-based contracting. In order to do this, I call on the Government to provide funding for trade associations to engage consultants to develop an outcome-based contract guide. Depending on the industry, the consultants would develop bespoke guides for employers in varying industries. By incentivising private sector employers to implement outcome-based contracts, due recognition can be accorded to our workers, ensuring that they can progress and perform higher-value roles and our PWM wage increases will be more sustainable in the long run. Another vulnerable group adversely impacted by the pandemic would be our migrant workers. I will not be the first to thank our migrant workers for their hard work and contribution to the development of our nation, all while working in challenging conditions, distant from their homes and loved ones. NTUC has perennially been advocating for enhanced medical coverage for the welfare and safety of our migrant workers. We are pleased that the Government has heeded our calls for greater protection. At NTUC, we strongly believe that our migrant workers deserve to be insured against risks within and beyond the workplace. In December last year, NTUC Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) introduced its Associate Membership to offer holistic protection and benefits that are specially tailored to serve migrant workers' lifestyle needs. In exchange for a membership fee of about $24 per annum, our migrant workers would be insured up to $10,000 in term life insurance against critical illnesses, non-work-related death as well as total and permanent disability.”
“Therefore, I would like to know how new sectors incorporated into the PWM between 2025 and 2026 will be supported. In particular, I would like to know if the Government will make special provisions for these industries. On the subject of PWM expansion and as mentioned in my Budget speech last year, NTUC has identified two sectors for the implementation of PWM, namely, strata and facilities management and pest management. NTUC has conducted several engagements with stakeholders in the respective sectors and the response has been very encouraging thus far. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to call on the Government to seriously consider our proposal to implement PWM in the two sectors. Secondly, on a related note, it is imperative that we look at parallel efforts to complement PWM. In sectors where services are outsourced, we ought to incentivise service buyers from the private sector to adopt outcome-based contracting to ensure that PWM wage increases are sustainable in the long run. Consumers and service buyers should also become more socially responsible and reject service providers that provide services at a low cost but at the expense of the welfare of such essential service workers. Instead, service buyers should adopt an outcome-based contracting model where contracts are awarded to companies with progressive employment practices that give due recognition to workers, rather than basing these decisions on price alone. In 2018, NTUC launched the Smart Sourcing Initiative that gives funding to service buyers in security, cleaning and landscape sectors that implement outcome-based contracts and train procurement staff to be familiar with the best sourcing principles.”
“In my Budget speech last year, I spoke about the ongoing efforts to support lower-wage workers. In particular, I reiterated that the formation of the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers is a testament to our commitment to ensure that the interests of our lower-wage workers are protected. Over the past year, the collective support from various stakeholder groups to uplift the incomes of our lower-wage workers have been encouraging. NTUC, alongside our tripartite partners and various other stakeholder groups, will remain committed to help workers improve their income security and quality of life, and give them confidence in navigating their careers, equipping them to participate in new growth opportunities. But how can we work towards this goal? What are some areas we can continue to look into? Firstly, the introduction of the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) is pivotal as it will provide transitional wage support for employers to adjust to upcoming mandatory wage increases for lower-wage workers covered by the Progressive Wage and Local Qualifying Salary requirements. It will also allow employers to voluntarily raise wages for lower-wage workers. Under this scheme, the Government will co-fund wage increases of eligible resident employees from 2022 to 2026. The introduction of the PWCS is a step in the right direction and will go a long way in uplifting and supporting lower-wage workers. Having said that, at NTUC, we are cognisant that efforts to help lower-wage workers is a long-term strategy. As more sectors and occupations are incorporated into the PWM, there will be a greater need to re-think the duration of transitory support new sectors will receive under the PWCS beyond 2026.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this has traditionally been a time when we as a nation delineate our goals and aspirations for the year ahead. It is thus imperative that we renew our commitment and resolve to uplift society as Singapore continues to recover from the corollaries of the pandemic. I am encouraged by the central theme of this year's Budget. As we continue to find ways to deal with the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic, we must also set our eyes on how we can prepare Singaporeans for a post-pandemic future. Only by doing so can we “Chart Our New Way Forward Together.” My esteemed colleagues and I in the Labour Movement strongly support and welcome the slew of measures introduced to alleviate the hardship that Singaporeans have experienced as a result of the pandemic as well as improve all facets of society as we transit to a post-pandemic future. I am heartened to note that the Government will be allocating more resources to help vulnerable groups in society. As we chart our way forward, we should remain sensitive to the challenges and concerns of our vulnerable workers, especially our lower-wage workers and migrant workers. The best way to help workers cope with cost of living is through better wages and better jobs. Mr Speaker, allow me to elaborate. Many of our lower-wage workers are frontliners in our nation’s fight against the pandemic. Spanning from security to cleaning sectors, our workers have toiled to keep Singapore safe. As the number of COVID-19 cases soared, our workers continued to work tirelessly to keep Singapore going. In doing so, they stepped up despite the risks to their health and took on additional precautions to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.”
“As a Labour Movement, we applaud these amendments and continue to work to improve wages, welfare and work conditions for security officers together with our tripartite partners.”
“Furthermore, it can also prove challenging to convince all stakeholders that the transition to outcome-based contracting will be a fruitful one. For example, many residents in condominiums may still feel that having security officers on-site 24/7 is important. However, after undertaking the transition, the benefits often outweigh the initial adjustment period. One such example of a security agency that was able to help their clients better procure security services via outcome-based sourcing is Focus Security. With the use of technology such as a vehicle management system at the entrance to the residential site, they were able to cut down the manpower needed by two while continuing to deliver similar outcomes. In addition to increased productivity, a better-designed deployment plan coupled with technology adoption will help minimise the risk of abuse of security officers who will no longer need to manually enforce rules in a public-facing setting. For example, illegal parking can be better managed through gantries, signages and CCTV with Video Analytics rather than a patrolling security officer who is tasked with requesting that errant drivers move their cars. Thus, I would like to ask MHA if there are any plans to encourage the adoption of outcome-based contracting and technology to help make our security officers' work safer and more effective. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my support for the amendments to the Private Security Industry (Amendment) Bill. The proposed amendments will send a clear signal that any abuse will not be tolerated and enhance the pool of qualified security consultants who can help buyers better procure security services.”
“That being said, I would like to ask MHA what will be done to ensure that security officers and members of the public will be made aware of these amendments so that our security officers will know their rights and be able to better assert themselves while carrying out their duties. (In English): The second amendment, the shift towards the industry-led accreditation of security consultants is an important step for the private security industry. With this amendment, the certification of security consultants would now reside within the industry, which potentially signals an increased availability of qualified security consultants who can help buyers buy security correctly: conduct a proper security assessment, install the right technology and deploying ably trained manpower to leverage the technology. This Assessment, Technology and Manpower or ATM approach can improve security outcomes significantly and lower overall security costs through increased productivity. The ATM approach also complements outcome-based contracting, where clients specify outcomes rather than go by the traditional procurement method of specifying headcounts. Outcome-based contracts also advocate for the use of technology and job redesign which can help to make the work of security officers more efficient and effective. With the use of technology such as the remote gate guarding, facial recognition, visitor management system and remote video surveillance, the service buyer has been able to achieve the same or better outcomes. The transition to outcome-based contracting can be daunting for many service buyers. Many are unsure how to craft an outcome-based tender specifications that may be intimidated by the upfront cost of purchasing technology.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would like to speak in support of the amendments to the Private Security Industry (Amendment) Bill. The Labour Movement welcomes the key amendments which will enhance the protection of security officers, as well as the shift towards the industry-led accreditation of security consultants. Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] During COVID-19, many security officers have stepped up to take on more tasks to ensure our well-being, including temperature-taking, crowd control and the checking of SafeEntry check-ins. These steps have been essential in helping our community curb the spread of COVID-19. However, these additional tasks have also meant that our security officers have increased interactions with the public, including those who may be hostile. Recently, we have seen a few cases in the news of abuse towards security officers. This is worrying, and the Labour Movement condemns these acts of intimidation and abuse. Abuse towards security officers may be more commonplace than we think. The results of a survey conducted by the Union of Security Employees, which were released in March this year, found that two in five security officers were exposed to some form of abuse in their line of work. The amendments to enhance the protection for security officers are thus timely. While there have always been existing laws to protect all from harassment and abuse, no special provision has been given before this specifically for security officers.”
“(In English): In conclusion, I would like to thank the Government for the targeted support measures that have been put in place to help the businesses and individuals most impacted by the pandemic. These have helped and will continue to help Singaporeans as we navigate this new normal. NTUC, as always, will continue to work hard to support all workers but I would also like to take this opportunity to call upon all of us – the Government, organisations and individuals alike – to offer our support when we can to those who have been particularly affected during these times. With that, I support the Ministerial Statement.”
“This effort, coupled with the ongoing discussion to extend the electronic payment of salaries to more workers, can help better protect the migrant workers who have come to Singapore to earn an honest living. Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In conclusion, as we take steps as a nation towards a new way of living, there is a pressing need for all of us to step up and support the particularly vulnerable during these trying times. As a society, we should do more to appreciate our lower-wage essential service workers and our migrant workers who have continued to work tirelessly during this pandemic to ensure that Singapore does not come to a standstill. We owe them more than simply a word of thanks and we should work towards tangible ways to improve their wages, welfare and work prospects. I would like to take this opportunity to applaud some of the efforts to support our lower-wage workers, such as those by the Alliance for Action for Lower-Wage Workers who have developed ideas, such as a Rest Area Guidebook, which includes designs of rest areas that can easily be put in place. In addition, I would also like to take the opportunity to reiterate the hopes of the Labour Movement that the upcoming recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers will lead to tangible outcomes for our workers, such as the expansion of the PWMs to cover more workers. In addition, I also urge the Government to consider expanding the WIS scheme by lowering the age eligibility of the scheme to 30 years, as well as increasing the WIS payout for essential service workers so that more can benefit from this scheme.”
“This complements the call made by the Labour Movement and our partners to provide our essential service workers with a more dignified and comfortable working environment, such as access to proper and reasonable rest areas. I am also heartened by the news that the project team has connected with *SCAPE and the National Youth Council to set up a rest area for their outsourced workers, with youth volunteers taking up the role of befrienders to these workers. I hope that in the months to come, we will be able to hear more of and about these ground-up initiatives. I would like to encourage all stakeholders to continue their support of these tangible steps in creating a more inclusive and caring environment for our workers. In addition to the support given to our lower-wage brothers and sisters, I am also encouraged to hear stories of many Singaporeans who have gone out of their way to appreciate our migrant workers. I am heartened by the response from the Second Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to the Labour Movement's calls to expand the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA) to cover all dormitories in Singapore. We believe that this move will help enhance the existing requirements with the additional needs in important areas, such as health and safety and the provision of social services, which should be afforded to all our migrant workers, regardless of their dormitories. I also applaud the move to provide long-term access to primary healthcare for our migrant workers. The outbreak in the foreign worker dormitories has highlighted how early and efficient access to medical care is imperative not just for the workers or employers but also for public health.”
“In addition to ensuring sustainable wage increases, policies like the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme continue to be an important tool in uplifting our lower-wage workers and significant improvements to the scheme have been made during the reviews in 2017 and 2020. I am assured that the Government will continue to review WIS at regular junctures and would like to reiterate my call to expand coverage of WIS by lowering the age eligibility of the scheme to 30 as well as increase the WIS payout for essential service workers. By lowering the age eligibility, many more workers who may need help with their young families or the added financial help to upskill will be able to do so. Increasing the WIS payout to our essential workers will also acknowledge the valuable role they play in our society and the social value of their jobs. I would like to call for the Government to consider once again expanding the coverage of WIS to these groups to ensure the workers that need the most assistance remain adequately supported. Beyond efforts like the PWMs and WIS, I am also encouraged by other efforts to support our lower-wage workers. The Alliance for Action (AfA) for Lower-Wage Workers, for example, brought together people from different walks of life – students, business owners and unionists – with the aim to mobilise the community to support our workers through ground-up initiatives and help uplift their well-being. There are many promising ideas and I hope work will continue to develop these projects to show appreciation for our essential service workers. One of these ideas mentioned during the recent AfA engagement is the Rest Area Guidebook, which includes 2D and 3D designs of plug-and-play rest area configurations.”
“We have seen that in the past decade or so, from 2009 to 2019, the real wages of our resident lower-wage workers who are at the 20th percentile have grown by 39%, compared to the median of 33%. This is no small feat and is, no doubt, aided by our policies, such as the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), to uplift these workers and the efforts of our tripartite partners. Last month, the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners announced their review of the Cleaning PWM and, earlier this month, the Tripartite Cluster for Lift and Escalator also released their recommendations for our lift and escalator maintenance workers. These reviews take reference from the objective of the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers (TWG-LWW) to ensure that the wage growth in the PWM sectors can continue to outpace median wage growth. The Tripartite Workgroup is set to release its recommendations in the coming months and I would like to reiterate the hopes of the Labour Movement that these recommendations will lead to tangible outcomes for our workers, such as the expansion of the PWMs to cover more workers at the 20th percentile and below. I am aware of concerns on the ground regarding a potential increase in manpower costs and how this could impact customers and firms alike. As I had mentioned in my previous speech, everyone has a part to play in creating a more caring and inclusive society. This, admittedly, may mean paying more but we are mindful of and share our partners' concerns to ensure that manpower costs remain sustainable for all to create better jobs with good working environment and increases in productivity.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, as we look to celebrate Singapore's 56th National Day, it is also timely that we take stock of what we have achieved while looking to the future to see how we can move towards the new normal. COVID-19 has been a trying period for us all and we are now faced with the challenging task of understanding how our world and our society have been changed. Many have felt the tangible repercussions of this period, be it via the loss of income or the many changes that we have had to make to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. But COVID-19 has also brought about many intangible changes. Many of us must deal with new and challenging circumstances that cause "pandemic fatigue" and mental health is on the decline for many. However, as mentioned by Minister Lawrence Wong, "For Singapore, we can take heart that we are in a much better position to deal with the pandemic now than at the start." I applaud the targeted support measures to help our businesses and individuals most impacted by the tightened restrictions. At NTUC, we have been working closely with all stakeholders to help both businesses and workers alike and we will continue to do so for as long as necessary. With these in mind, it is even more important than before to work towards creating a community where no one is left behind and we lend a helping hand to those who are particularly disadvantaged now, such as our lower-wage brothers and sisters in the workforce as well as our migrant workers. Mdm Deputy Speaker, Mahatma Gandhi once said, "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." While we have all been affected by this pandemic, a particular group of workers who we must continue to support is our lower-wage workers.”