Feb 24, 2007 (ST forum)
Contract workers and housewives left out in Budget hongbao
I am disappointed that the recent Budget does not benefit two groups of Singaporeans -
contract workers and housewives.
Most working mothers find it tough to bring up the family. In families where both parents
are working, there is hardly quality time spent between them and their children.
Children with both parents working come home to an empty house and fall prey to bad habits.
On the other hand, full-time housewives can spend quality time with their kids, enabling
the fathers to become more productive and focused in their jobs.
Despite this, I do not see housewives getting rewarded through the Budget year after year.
Contract workers are another group bypassed by the Budget.
A contract worker does not have medical/dental benefits, allowances, bonuses, fixed
increments, transport allowance or even CPF contributions. He can lose his job any time
without compensation. But he has to pay his bills like everyone else - home rental or
instalments, 7 per cent GST, property tax, utilities charges, service and conservancy
charges, children's school fees, radio/TV licence fees, et cetera. There are no savings for
a rainy day.
It looks like a considerable proportion actually goes back to the authorities whereas
benefits from the Budget for them are negligible. We need to realise that these two groups
of people also contribute to the country in their own way.
Peter Fabian Andrew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement
http://www.straitstimes.com/portal/site/STI/menuitem.c2aef3d65baca16abb31f610a06310a0/?vgnextoid=f832758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=vgnartid:e01da98d98fe0110VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD