Call for S$1b package to help low-wage workers
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SINGAPORE : The Ministerial Committee on Low Wage Workers, chaired by Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, has recommended up to S$1 billion worth of measures to help low-wage workers over two years.
The emphasis is on the concept of Workfare, where rewards will be given to those who work.
It is targetted at the lowest 20 percent of income earners who earn S$1,200 or less monthly.
They will benefit from proposals like the new Workfare Bonus Scheme and Housing Grants for First Time Buyers.
Other key proposals include more social support to enable low-wage workers to look after their children and work at the same time, through a "WorkSupport" programme.
And with half a million workers with below secondary qualifications, the committee also called for more skills training and funding, to improve English and IT literacy at the workplace.
The aim is to help workers take on better paying and higher value-added jobs in future.
Another measure is to expand job opportunities for this group by accelerating the Job Re-Creation Programme over the next few years and facilitate opportunities for them to be self-employed.
And to give their children a better future, the committee called for initiatives to engage and support out-of-school youth, and to ensure education and childcare remain affordable.
The measures are aimed at encouraging low-wage workers to take up jobs, upgrade their skills and stay employed.
The report has been submitted to the Government.
In his reply to the committee, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it is an important and timely report, and the Government will study the proposals carefully before responding to them in the Budget statement due in February.
- CNA -
Amazing that this only comes out during election time.
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The Manpower Minister ran out of ideas in recovering the economy.
A doctor can save lots of lives, but still not a economist by training, unable to save and manage the economy.
So much for paying million dollars to a farmer to do a plumber's job.
This must be a desperate move to make people happy.
The money given out actually is the 1 cent of the $10 money that you have contributed in the Singapore Nation Building.
Therefore, you are just getting a mini percent of your money, which will still be sucked back when the fees increased after the main event of the year.
The Man in White march on with more millions. -
S$1 billion? cannot lar.
the country will run into deficit.
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Please dun underestimate the money machine of the man in white.
One Billion is nothing if one can spend $50 million planting some plants and flowers. -
tree planting is for the country.
S$1 billion to help the poor is not something they will do. remember they dont believe in welfare. there is no free lunch.
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According to the news report, 200,000 people will benefit from this package. This is only valid if they are working for at least 6 month.
So the number of people earning less than $1200 is far more than the 200K people.
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All the goodies will re-cycle back after the main event of the year.
Town Council Fee - Increase
ERP fee - Increase
2007 GST - 6%
Tax - Increase
People Wallet - Deficit !!! -
Govt spend 1billion to help the poor. What did you people do for the poor in Singapore?
Govt generous also want to find fault. I think you people are just a bunch of ungrateful kids. -
All this TALK, but I just wonder; how much red tape does one have to cut in order to "qualify" for such "assistance"?
If you look at the use of one's CPF, you'd know what I mean. -
You have obviously not applied for assistance before or work with the poor in your life.
The system is transparent and easy, if you qualify, you will get it.
I don't think you ever cared for the poor, you are too rich, too spoilt. Thats why you complain everything. -
Salman,
where do you think government get all the money from???
Their own pockets??
It's from US!!! -
read properly!!!Originally posted by Salman:Govt spend 1billion to help the poor. What did you people do for the poor in Singapore?
Govt generous also want to find fault. I think you people are just a bunch of ungrateful kids.
recommended!!!!
the govt has not spend it yet. -
And what happens when the govt spends it, will you then praise them? Have you ever praised them? I know its hard thinking for you but please try. It may turn out nothing but at least you do it for the first time.Originally posted by dragg:read properly!!!
recommended!!!!
the govt has not spend it yet. -
why dont you ask me when that day comes?Originally posted by Salman:And what happens when the govt spends it, will you then praise them? Have you ever praised them? I know its hard thinking for you but please try. It may turn out nothing but at least you do it for the first time. -
I think it is very vague leh...In any case seems to be a step in the right direction. I like the notion of 'Workfare'.Originally posted by TooFree:SINGAPORE : The Ministerial Committee on Low Wage Workers, chaired by Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, has recommended up to S$1 billion worth of measures to help low-wage workers over two years.
The emphasis is on the concept of Workfare, where rewards will be given to those who work.
It is targetted at the lowest 20 percent of income earners who earn S$1,200 or less monthly.
They will benefit from proposals like the new Workfare Bonus Scheme and Housing Grants for First Time Buyers.
Other key proposals include more social support to enable low-wage workers to look after their children and work at the same time, through a "WorkSupport" programme.
And with half a million workers with below secondary qualifications, the committee also called for more skills training and funding, to improve English and IT literacy at the workplace.
The aim is to help workers take on better paying and higher value-added jobs in future.
Another measure is to expand job opportunities for this group by accelerating the Job Re-Creation Programme over the next few years and facilitate opportunities for them to be self-employed.
And to give their children a better future, the committee called for initiatives to engage and support out-of-school youth, and to ensure education and childcare remain affordable.
The measures are aimed at encouraging low-wage workers to take up jobs, upgrade their skills and stay employed.
The report has been submitted to the Government.
In his reply to the committee, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it is an important and timely report, and the Government will study the proposals carefully before responding to them in the Budget statement due in February.
- CNA
In any case, because the elections are coming and because the proposals are being studied, I urge those who support the proposal to voice their support here, even if you are sceptical that the proposal will be adopted.
After all, something is better than nothing and i Firmly believe those that want to work should be able to make a decent living for themselves. -
That means you don't know much about singapore.Originally posted by dragg:why dont you ask me when that day comes?
Remember govt gave out $11billion during the recession? -
you will notice its only for those in the workforce. There are many unfortunate people not in the workforce and really need money or help. What about the disable or helpless people or poor retirees or old folks that you see in hdb areas. there are people really cannot be hired, work hrs washing plates and toilets for $10 bucks a day and collecting waste stuff for cents in many areas in singapore.
if a low wage person is in a workforce and legally recorded, gov still can get back what they give.
If poor housewife, helpless people and retireee not in workforce and those in lowest tier of workforce, like wash plates but not recorded, there is no way the gov can get back a cent.
i am sad to say, its still the same as i give you right hand $1 and left hand take back $1 for those in workforce. They will never give to the right hands of those grps that the gov has no way to take back from the left hand. -
Really?Originally posted by Salman:That means you don't know much about singapore.
Remember govt gave out $11billion during the recession?
Got source?
No, I am not playing with you. I genuinely want to know. -
where do u think gov get money from? from thin air?Originally posted by Salman:Govt spend 1billion to help the poor. What did you people do for the poor in Singapore?
Govt generous also want to find fault. I think you people are just a bunch of ungrateful kids.
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Go ask your frens, colleagues and mama. It was just 3 years ago.Originally posted by charlize:Really?
Got source?
No, I am not playing with you. I genuinely want to know. -
I ask them already.Originally posted by Salman:Go ask your frens, colleagues and mama. It was just 3 years ago.
They also want to know the source. -
Certainly not from you.Originally posted by RaTtY81:where do u think gov get money from? from thin air? -
Lest see now, you took 1 minute to read and 1 minute to write. That didn't leave you time to ask anyone. You must be a liar then.Originally posted by charlize:I ask them already.
They also want to know the source.
Liars out! -
wah i so special ah, no ned pay gst?Originally posted by Salman:Certainly not from you. n y u so sure its not from me? u jus assume rite?