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SINGAPORE: A total of 22 Members of Parliament (MP) spoke on Wednesday (October 14) in response to Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s ministerial statement last week when he set out a roadmap for Singapore’s post-COVID economy. 19.
READ: Singapore in ‘stable position’ on COVID-19 fight but must remain vigilant, says DPM Heng
READ: Singapore’s income position will be ‘weak’ in the coming years, spending strategy will be ‘prudence, not austerity’: DPM Heng
They touched on a variety of topics, from improving job security to supporting vulnerable groups and the challenges faced by residents who work from home.
Here’s what some members of the House had to say about how the country can better respond to the COVID-19 crisis:
How to improve job security:
“It is encouraging that amid depressing news of mass layoffs and job losses, there are still many vacancies to fill … but perhaps MOM (Ministry of Manpower) can share more about … what are the goals set for the successful job matches and how the various agencies measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts ”.
– Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat, who spoke about how a resident told him that a career consultant said that some employers are putting up job listings as a way to “test the waters,” but not actually hiring. This practice distorts the vacancy figures, Saktiandi said.
Why are Singaporeans losing out on the job market in our own country? Employers repeatedly cite a lack of creativity and risk-taking, not mentioning poor communication skills as reasons for this. Our degree-focused education system was also cited as a contributing factor. In addition to facing competition for jobs from foreigners, we are also increasingly facing competition from machines … with digitization accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an even greater urgency to accelerate the pace of education reform. as old methods of teaching and learning become obsolete. ”
– Non-constitutive Deputy Hazel Poa
Make mental health a priority:
“An effort to improve mental health is not only good for oneself, but also for our country. Psychological advocacy is a key underlying pillar of our total advocacy and will be of great benefit to Singapore when any Singaporean, even in their most mentally vulnerable state, can trust the wider society to support them as well. ”
– Sengkang GRC MP Raeesah Khan on how Singapore can leverage the new mental well-being task force created to address mental health needs amid COVID-19
READ: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health needs to be managed as more people face stress and disorders: PM Lee
“In recent parliamentary sessions, I have repeatedly highlighted the challenges our telecommuters face. They must juggle multiple responsibilities such as caring for children, caring for elderly parents, and trying to remain productive at work. To make matters worse, because they work from home, their bosses find it easier for them to answer work-related calls and emails at any time of the day, even after business hours. Burnout in the workplace has become a problem as many employees are not well rested. ”
– SMC Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong on why authorities should study a law on the “right to disconnect”
Don’t leave the vulnerable behind:
“The S $ 500 to S $ 1000 top-up in SkillsFuture credit is helpful in enabling Singaporeans to take new courses and acquire new skills. However, there are always groups of people like low-wage workers and communities with special needs who, even before COVID-19, have not been able to take personal refresher courses. Their reasons for not doing so are varied. Some because they have to balance multiple jobs, others – duties of care, lack of funds, or lack of adequate courses given to them in languages or academic qualifications. They are left out of the possibility of updating, not due to lack of will, but rather due to lack of time and the need to survive first. ”
– East Coast GRC MP Cheryl Chan on people lacking the opportunity to upgrade their skills
East Coast GRC MP Cheryl Chan speaking in Parliament on October 14, 2020.
“I call on the government and its agencies to go the extra mile to provide a better living and learning environment for underprivileged children. In a knowledge-intensive future, these children will have no chance living in overcrowded apartments with access to borrowed equipment, limited or slow connectivity, and minimal adult supervision and guidance. We may need to strengthen our collaboration with volunteer groups and private companies that are also willing to sponsor and mentor these children. ”
– Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Don Wee on the need to help children from disadvantaged households during COVID-19
Help those who fall through the cracks:
“They are often left alone to cope with their unemployment and the many associated adverse effects. This is different from those in lower paying jobs who have benefited from the many government schemes. Specifically, many in this age group have high mortgages to pay, school-age children, and the elderly to care for. The challenge for them is not just to get any job, but one that provides a minimum income for their livelihood.
“It’s all very well to say, ‘Go train, improve your skills.’ But realistically, when you’re 50 or 60, with growing bills and financial commitments, you don’t have the luxury of having the time and resources to pursue a new one. To them, these exhortations are meaningless slogans. “
– Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng on how the pandemic has created new vulnerable groups, such as laid off middle-income workers with heavy financial commitments
“We want to make sure that Singaporeans and businesses that need help don’t have to go through hurdles or bureaucracy to qualify for funding. For example, many who stay in a property with an annual value of more than S $ 21,000 but do not own the property and yet need help, could not qualify for many of the COVID-19 support grants. Could MOF consider relaxing the criteria? ”
– West Coast GRC MP Ang Wei Neng also suggested that the Self-Employed Income Relief Plan (SIRS) could be extended for another six months (last quarterly payment of S $ 3,000 is in October) But be calibrated so that those who are not currently eligible for the scheme could get a lesser amount of money.
Keep the cost of living affordable:
“Here I would like to make it very clear that I am not for yours during the resources accumulated by the blood, sweat and tears of the generations that preceded us. In fact, as DPM mentioned, I believe in the need to exercise prudence when planning for the future. However, we must acknowledge that the current weak economic environment requires sufficiently accommodative fiscal policy rather than contractionary fiscal policies such as increasing consumption taxes, which in turn could reduce consumer spending. We should focus on policies that aim to stimulate and boost domestic demand and keep our economy growing. ”
– Sengkang GRC MP Louis Chua on why Singapore should delay a planned increase in taxes on goods and services
Let’s not forget the environment:
“Sustainability at the forefront of economic recovery should not be underestimated. In fact, the World Economic Forum has asked all countries to seek, and I quote, ‘a great reboot. A great commitment to build a fairer, more sustainable and more resilient future after the COVID crisis. ‘ I could not agree more. May I take the opportunity to ask the government for an update on our efforts in the last seven to eight months from the unit budget and an assurance that Singapore is on track to meet our targets and deadlines for Paris? Agreement (to reduce emissions intensity by 36% by 2030 from 2005 levels) ”.
– Hougang SMC MP Dennis Tan
