The Wayangs and Window Dressings Before General Election

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Apr 26, 2010
SNEF accepts calls to restore CPF cuts
Wage hikes could go to Medisave, Retirement accounts, says federation
By Sue-Ann Chia & Kor Kian Beng

EMPLOYERS have come round to labour chief Lim Swee Say's view that a partial restoration of their Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rate is in order.

In a Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) statement, its president Stephen Lee said there was room for wage increases to be channelled into CPF Medisave and Retirement accounts.

He was responding to fresh comments by Mr Lim that just as the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) had rallied workers to accept CPF cuts, employers should reciprocate when the time came for their restoration.

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Apr 26, 2010
NTUC seeks funds for low-wage
It hopes to tap on 'tens of millions' from National Productivity Fund
By Kor Kian Beng & Sue-Ann Chia

THE labour movement is eyeing a significant amount of funds from the new National Productivity Fund to broaden its Job Re-Creation Programme and expand other help schemes for workers.

Labour chief Lim Swee Say said the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is already in talks with the new National Productivity and Continuing Education Council for additional funding support.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Straits Times ahead of May Day this week, he said: 'We intend to broaden our Job Re-Creation Programme to cover as many job sectors as possible. Our starting point is that in every job sector, there are always some low-wage workers.

'If you go to a bank there will be some low-wage workers in the job; you go to a hotel, there are some. You go to restaurants, you go to shopping centres, everywhere we go, if you look hard enough there are some low-wage workers in all these establishments.'

Under the Job Re-Creation Programme, the NTUC works with employers to identify and redesign jobs in order to offer workers better career prospects with better pay.

The new national council, tasked with overseeing Singapore's push for higher productivity in the next 10 years, is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. Members will include ministers and business and union leaders.

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Apr 25, 2010
Centre for abused elderly

Elderly folk facing abuse now have a one-stop service centre where they can seek help.

Trans Safe Centre was officially opened yesterday by the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

The family service centre is dedicated to the prevention of family violence and elder protection.

The facility in Bedok North is the first one-stop point in Singapore for elderly abuse cases.

Its services include counselling, referrals and mediation.

The Trans Safe Centre has its roots in the Stop Abuse in Families (Safe) programme that began at Trans Centre - now known as Trans Family Services - in 2000 as a spousal violence programme.

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Apr 23, 2010
Tech helps workers earn more
By Kor Kian Beng, Political Correspondent

HIS monthly pay as the driver and operator of a vehicle equipped to carry out tree-pruning work was around $2,800. But after undergoing training early this year to operate new tree-pruning equipment and take on a supervisory role, Mr Soh Cheng Chuan, 40, is now earning $200 more monthly.

Besides higher pay, his job is also now safer, more efficient and productive, thanks to the new equipment. On Friday, labour chief Lim Swee Say and union leaders learnt more about the new equipment and the re-designed work process during a visit to Kiat Lee's tree-pruning project at the Esplanade Park, next to the Padang.

Mr Royston Soh, managing director of Kiat Lee, said the firm went on a visit to several Australian cities - including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth - in November last year where it saw new tree-pruning machinery being used there. Upon returning, Kiat Lee bought $250,000 worth of tree-pruning equipment.

Mr Soh said the firm received a $50,000 grant from the NTUC's one-stop skills upgrading and job-placement centre, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), under the Job Re-creation Programme.

The new equipment has allowed the firm to deploy only 28 workers, instead of 35, for the project at the Esplanade Park, said Mr Soh. He added that the workers who perform additional roles have received around 15 per cent pay rises.

Mr Ong Ye Kung, NTUC's assistant secretary-general and e2i chairman, said both Kiat Lee and APRO are examples of how technology can improve productivity, reduce the demand for manpower and help workers draw higher pay. Addressing workers' fears that technology could threaten jobs, Mr Ong said: 'We had computers that came into our offices before but it created more jobs.

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Apr 23, 2010
Woman of the Year

SINGAPORE'S first woman minister Lim Hwee Hua was named Her World Woman of the Year on Friday night at a gala dinner to mark the bestselling women's magazine's 50 fabulous years.

The Young Woman Achiever award went to the first 'courageous and relentless' Singapore Woman's Everest Team.

Her World gives out the two prestigous awards every year to outstanding Singaporean women who have contributed significantly to society and are inspirational role models to other women.

There were many outstanding candidates, but this year's winners were a shoo-in, said the chairman of the judging panel for the awards CapitaLand's chief corporate officer Jennie Chua.

The Her World award was initiated to celebrate the achievement of women in Singapore society, many of whom have made their mark in the world, said Dr Tony Tan, chairman of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), who was guest of honour at the event.

Her World, published by SPH Magazines, has established itself as Singapore's leading fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine since its launch in 1960.

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Apr 23, 2010
HDB resale prices stabilise

HOUSING Board resale flat prices are still going up - but at a slower pace, in a sign that the market is stabilising.

Resale prices rose by 2.8 per cent in the first quarter, compared with the 3.9 per cent from the third to fourth quarter last year.

Resale transactions also declined by about 5 per cent, from 8,926 cases in the fourth quarter to 8,484 cases between Januarh and March, said the HDB on Friday. The median cash-over-valuation (COV) among all resale transactions has stabilised at $25,000, a marginal increase of $1,000 over the fourth quarter.

To ensure there are enough new flats to meet demand, the HDB plans to launch about 12,300 new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats by September.

Besides the launch of two Punggol BTO projects on April 20, HDB is adding another 1,100 BTO flats in Yishun and Jurong West. More details will be provided during the launch in May.

Meanwhile, private home prices rose by 5.6 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared with a 7.4 per cent climb in the fourth quarter of last year, according to data released by the Urban redevelopment on Friday.

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Apr 23, 2010
New look for Siglap mosque

THIS will be the new look of the Kampung Siglap Mosque which was damaged by fire in October last year. Works on the mosque in Marine Parade Road will start in July and is expected to finish around June next year.

The project will cost an estimated $6.2 million. This includes restoring the mosque's two-storey prayer building, gutted by the fire, adding on facilities like a lift and a multi-purpose hall to existing space, and adding more safety features.

For instance, clay roof tiles will be supported by steel instead of timber. It will be adding heat detectors, and more fire hoses on each floor of the prayer building.

To date, the mosque has received $1m in donations from well-wishers, including non-muslims.

The Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund will also contribute $500,000 towards the restoration and enhancement works.

The sum of the insurance payout is expected to be known around June.

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Apr 23, 2010
Looking for S'pore's Happy

THE search is on again for Singapore's Happiest Person, with organisers refining the criteria to include resilience as the trademark of a happy person.

The recent economic downturn led him to highlight the fact that being resilient helped people to be happy, explained Mr Philip Merry, CEO of Philip Merry Consulting Group (PMCG), which is organising the search, first held in 2008.

'The search is focused on looking for and celebrating the happy people of Singapore, the heroes and heroines who are a shining inspiration to the people around them," he added.

Any Singaporean citizen aged over 18 - who is consistently positive, an inspiration to those around them, and is resilient - can be nominated for the search, which will conclude on 21 May. Details willbe available on at http://simply-happy.com on Saturday morning.

The Happiest Person for 2010 will be revealed on June 10, in conjunction with a conference on happiness, resilience and optimism held by PMCG.

Organisers also announced a search for Singapore's happiest workplace, which will be conducted in the later half of this year. Details are being finalised.

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Apr 23, 2010
Service centre for students

A ONE-STOP centre for students to seek information on private schools, file complaints or seek redress opened yesterday.

The Student Services Centre (SSC), which aims to raise awareness of students' private education options and thus protect them from unscrupulous private school owners, signals the Government's determination to raise private education standards.

The sudden closure of a number of private schools in recent years has left hundreds of students owed the fees they paid upfront and cheated of the diplomas or degrees they were working for.

The SSC, located in the YMCA Singapore building along Orchard Road, was set up by the Council for Private Education (CPE), a five-month-old Ministry of Education statutory board.

Its staff will dispense information on, for instance, the quality and cost of courses and which schools would best meet a student's needs.

The centre will also stock brochures and handbooks and run outreach programmes, talks and campaigns.

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Apr 30, 2010
Remaking of S'pore pays off

THE implementation of Singapore's plans to remake Singapore has improved the quality of life for people.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said a lifestyle survey conducted recently by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) offered encouraging results.

Among some 4,000 respondents surveyed through face-to-face interviews, more than 80 per cent agreed that Singapore is a great place to live, work and play in.

Over 90 per cent of them said they were satisfied with the living environment, over 85 per cent were satisfied withthe working environment while over 80 per cent were satisfied with the leisure offerings here.

Mr Mah pointed out that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong.

'The survey results are showing a positive trend - that Singaporeans love their city more,' he said.

The survey also pointed out areas that can be improved such as Singapore's nightlife offering.

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Apr 30, 2010
Remaking of S'pore pays off

THE implementation of Singapore's plans to remake Singapore has improved the quality of life for people.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said a lifestyle survey conducted recently by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) offered encouraging results.

Among some 4,000 respondents surveyed through face-to-face interviews, more than 80 per cent agreed that Singapore is a great place to live, work and play in.

Over 90 per cent of them said they were satisfied with the living environment, over 85 per cent were satisfied withthe working environment while over 80 per cent were satisfied with the leisure offerings here.

Mr Mah pointed out that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong.

'The survey results are showing a positive trend - that Singaporeans love their city more,' he said.

The survey also pointed out areas that can be improved such as Singapore's nightlife offering.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_521086.html

Apr 30, 2010
Push ahead for a good year

SINGAPOREANS can look forward to the year ending on a good footing with the economy having emerged from the recession in a strong position, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said on Friday.

His outlook was bolstered by latest labour figures that showed a healthy job market: While job creation slowed slightly in the first quarter compared to the previous three months, the overall jobless rate held steady at a low 2.2 per cent.

Still, Mr Lee cautioned that the first quarter performance must be seen in perspective as the spectacular 13.1 per cent growth is not likely to be sustainable.

Putting the economy's performance in perspective in his May Day message, he said: 'The jump represents a transient rebound from the sharp dip last year, and is not a sustainable long term growth rate.'

'Nevertheless, we have emerged from the storm in a strong position, and can look forward to a good year this year. We must make the most of this opportunity to push forward our longer term plans: transforming the economy, upgrading our workforce and raising our productivity.

In his message, he also noted that with the strong pickup, many companies were restoring wage cuts and shorter work-hours introduced during the downturn; or were awarding bonuses and increments, depending on their performances.

'These companies have remembered the sacrifices made by workers during the crisis,' he said.

'Their actions are strengthening the trust between workers and employers. They should work with the unions to look beyond the immediate optimism, build up variable bonuses and structure their wage systems to be sustainable and flexible over the longer term.'

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1053608/1/.html

Manpower Minister says labour market shows clear signs of recovery
Posted: 30 April 2010 1836 hrs

SINGAPORE: Commenting on the first quarter employment report, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said: "The labour market shows clear signs of recovery, in tandem with the strong economic recovery chalked up in Q1 2010.

"We can expect job creation to continue for the rest of this year. Singapore has emerged from the downturn stronger, thanks to our strong tripartite relationship between workers, employers and the government.

"Nevertheless, even as we get onto the path of recovery, I urge employers and employees to remain committed to Continuing Education and Training (CET).

"SPUR is still in place till the end November 2010. Companies can and should continue to tap on SPUR to upgrade and upskill their workers. This will place them and their employees in a better position to capitalise on the opportunities that come with the recovery."

Singapore can look forward to good year
By S Ramesh | Posted: 30 April 2010 1837 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has declared this year a "good year", with Singapore emerging from the financial storm in a strong position. In his May Day message, he urged Singaporeans to take the opportunity to push forward with improving productivity and transforming the economy.

Prime Minister Lee's optimism comes on the back of a revised growth forecast of 7 to 9 per cent for Singapore economy this year. But he cautioned Singaporeans to see the remarkable performance in perspective. The first-quarter growth of 13 per cent year on-year reflects the volatility of a small open economy.

And Mr Lee said some sectors like electronics and biomedical sciences expanded sharply but others had not done quite as well. Prime Minister Lee believes that with everyone's concerted effort, Singapore can maintain its lead. While firms push on with the productivity effort, workers need to improve and achieve greater mastery at their jobs.

Workers' upgrading is a marathon without a finish line, said Prime Minister Lee. He noted that during the downturn last year, workers had taken the opportunity to upgrade their skills. Mr Lee said this momentum must continue even as the economy has improved.

He noted that with the strong pickup, many companies are restoring the wage cuts while others are awarding bonuses and increments, depending on their improved performances. He said these companies have remembered the sacrifices made by workers during the crisis. These actions are strengthening the trust between workers and employers, said Prime Minister Lee.

He urged companies to work with unions to build up variable bonuses, and structure their wage systems to be more flexible over the longer term. Mr Lee credited tripartism as a key competitive advantage in Singapore, and promised to continue to pay special attention to low-wage workers. "Singapore has successfully tackled past challenges because of our strong tripartite partnership. Unions work with employers and the government to enlarge the pie so that all will have more to share," he said.

"Investors and businesses value highly our collaborative spirit, facing difficulties and solving problems together. Our track record of tripartism is a key competitive advantage that wins investments and brings in jobs for Singaporeans," added Mr Lee. "Our union leaders understand what Singapore's prosperity, and our workers' well-being, depend upon. They know that there is no substitute for hard work, ingenuity and enterprise. They have done much to help workers understand the economic trends affecting them, and encourage them to go for retraining and upgrading," said Mr Lee.

- CNA/ir

Unemployment down with job market adding 34,000 more workers
Posted: 30 April 2010 1042 hrs
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Singapore: Employment continued to grow strongly in the first quarter of 2010, amid the robust economic recovery. Total employment is estimated to have grown by 34,000 in the first quarter, following the third quarter increase on the back of two quarters of decline in the first half of 2009.

With the strong job gains, the seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate dipped to 2.2% in March 2010 from a revised 2.3% in December 2009. Similarly, among the resident labour force, the unemployment rate dipped to 3.2% from a revised 3.3% in December 2009.

The bulk of the latest employment gains came from the service sector, with 31,200 more workers added in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 31,500 in the previous quarter. Manufacturing saw a second consecutive increase adding 3,400 workers after shedding workers over four consecutive quarters, while construction registered a small decline of 800 workers after 20 successive quarters of employment gains since 2005.

Preliminary estimates from the Manpower Ministry also showed that 1,600 workers were retrenched and 500 contracts were terminated prematurely, resulting in a total of 2,100 workers made redundant in the first quarter of 2010. This was comparable to the 2,220 workers made redundant in the previous quarter and way lower than the record 12,760 workers affected in the first quarter of 2009. While redundancies in manufacturing and construction edged up, the number of workers laid off in services was down.

CNA/sf

More satisfied with life in S'pore, next step is to build endearing home
By Claire Huang | Posted: 30 April 2010 2111 hrs
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SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has said the key to creating an endearing home is to develop the city's soul, now that the key infrastructure is in place. He said this on the back of the latest survey findings that more Singaporeans are satisfied with their living, working and leisure environment.

Data collected from the Lifestyle Survey 2009 as well as the Concept Plan 2011 online survey found that the number of people who think Singapore is a great place to live, work and play has gone up by about 10 per cent to 84 per cent, compared with a Public Perception Survey conducted in 2006.

Downtown districts like Bras Basah and Waterloo Street will get special attention from the government. The aim is to make them more vibrant. Speaking at the URA Corporate Plan Seminar on Friday, Mr Mah said: "Government agencies will put more effort in 'making places', or place management....(What this means is that) you get the stakeholders in the place to also manage the place, to be involved in it so that key areas in the city can be activated.

"We've done so for Marina Bay, we are going to apply place management to Singapore River, to the Orchard Road area, Bras Basah, Bugis and the historic districts." Place management is part of the plan to develop Singapore's distinctive character to create a more endearing home.

Mr Mah said: "The character of a city, what makes it stand out among many new cities, goes beyond new buildings or iconic structures. Take Times Square, New York and West End, London for example. Their claim to fame is not based on the latest or best infrastructure, but they are distinctive in character and have established a personality of their own in peoples' minds." Place management appears to be working, going by the findings of the Lifestyle Survey 2009 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Nine out of every 10 respondents in the survey said that Singapore is their home. That's 20 per cent more than the previous survey.

Meanwhile, seven in 10 wanted to retire here. Similarly, over 70 per cent of them hoped that their future generations will be based in Singapore. The majority would rather live in 4-room HDB flats. Older folks preferred regular housing over HDB studio apartments and retirement villages. Respondents also said they were willing to pay more for a place that incorporates green technologies.

Respondents added there are areas for improvement, especially in the working environment. More than half (66%) would like to work near their homes. Many also indicated that they would like to take a shorter time to get to work via public transport. In addition, it was felt that Singapore could do with a more vibrant nightlife. As for foreigners, more than 80 per cent said Singapore is a vibrant city. The survey also noted that more than 70 per cent of the respondents thought that Singapore's landscape is changing too quickly. They felt that the government has to keep enough familiar buildings and places at all costs so as to strengthen peoples' sense of belonging.

The URA has more than doubled the number of conserved buildings from 3,000 to 7,000 over the last two decades. But Mr Mah said conservation is particularly challenging in a land-scarce nation. "For each potential conservation site, there is a tension between the redevelopment and conservation and we have to weigh the trade-offs. There will be cases where conservation will mean excessive costs to society in terms of financial loss to property owners or serious loss of redevelopment potential," he said.

The Lifestyle Survey 2009 was done over a seven-month period from August 2009 to March 2010 while the Concept Plan 2011 online survey was conducted in January and February this year. The findings will be used to map the long-term directions for Singapore's land use.

- CNA/ir

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_521095.html

Apr 30, 2010
Unite to boost productivity



THE drive to boost productivity ramped up another notch, when private and public sector union members met for the first National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC) meeting on Friday.

Council chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, said members will focus on improving productivity at all levels, from the individual worker to various enterprises and sectors.

Besides ensuring workers are properly trained and skilled to keep up with market needs, enterprises and sectors have to innovate to be more competitive.

' This will raise the overall productivity of Singapore's economy to sustain future economic growth,' DPM Teo said.

For a start, the Council will focus on forming work groups to study strategies to raise productivity in 12 sectors, from construction to manufacturing and professional and business services. It will also develop benchmarks for productivity.

President of the Singapore National Employers' Federation (SNEF), Mr Stephen Lee, pledged to support the Council : 'Workers and businesses have to work together so the fruits of business and economic growth can be shared by all.'

NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say said: "The Labour Movement will reach out to companies and workers to identify and break productivity bottlenecks, and upgrade the skills and capabilities of our workforce through continuing education."

URA survey shows Singaporeans satisfied with life in Singapore
By Claire Huang | Posted: 30 April 2010 1136 hrs
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SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans are satisfied with the living, working and leisure environment, according to an Urban Redevelopment Authority Survey. Data collected from the Lifestyle Survey 2009 as well as the Concept Plan 2011 online survey, found that the number of people who think Singapore is a great place to live, work and play has gone up by about 10 per cent to 84 per cent.

Compared with a Public Perception Survey conducted in 2006, more respondents also feel that Singapore is a vibrant and exciting city. The surveys, conducted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), found that satisfaction levels have gone up in areas like quality of life, public housing and sense of belonging.

In terms of the living environment, the surveys found that the majority prefer to live in 4-room HDB flats. Older folks also indicated that they prefer to stay in regular housing as compared to HDB studio apartments and retirement villages. Respondents also said they're willing to pay more for a place that incorporates green technologies.

Foreigners, who comprise about 10 per cent of the Lifestyle Survey respondents, indicated that the safe and clean environment here is the most appealing factor to them. Meanwhile, there are some areas which the respondents say can be improved. One area is the working environment.

While participants are mostly happy with their working environment, 66% of them prefer to work near their homes. Many also indicated that they'd like to take a shorter time to get to work via public transport. Also, it was felt that Singapore could do with a more vibrant nightlife. More than 70 per cent of the respondents also felt that Singapore's landscape is changing too quickly. They feel that the government has to keep enough familiar buildings and places at all costs, so as to strengthen people's sense of belonging.

Describing the survey results as 'encouraging', National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said what heartened him more is that Singaporeans identify more with the country. He noted that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong - 20 per cent more from the last survey. And more than 70 per cent want to retire in Singapore. Similarly, over 70 per cent of them hope that their future generations will be based in Singapore. Speaking at the URA Corporate Plan Seminar, Mr Mah said the survey showed that the remaking of Singapore efforts are showing a positive trend.

He told the seminar that with more Singaporeans travelling round the world and working across borders, Singapore must still mean something special, as home, to its people. "A house is not a home. Simply having a good living environment and first world infrastructure will not create an endearing home. The character of a city, what makes it stand out among many new cities, goes beyond new buildings or iconic structures.

"Take Times Square, New York and West End, London for example. Their claim to fame is not based on the latest or best infrastructure, but they are distinctive in character and have established a personality of their own in peoples' minds. "While we congratulate ourselves for our achievements, there's still work to be done," said Mr Mah. He added that with the new hardware in place, Singaporeans need to look beyond the physical, to search for the 'soul' of our city, and work towards enhancing it.

The Lifestyle Survey 2009 was done over a seven-month period from August 2009 to March 2010 while the Concept Plan 2011 online survey was conducted in January and February this year. The two surveys are meant to identify lifestyle needs and aspirations of the public. Information gathered from the surveys will be incorporated into the ongoing Concept Plan 2011 review, which maps out the long-term directions for Singapore's land use. - CNA

I love Singapore. Come GE time, and suddenly things look even better than ever - it's like a rainbow after another rainbow - chasing the pots of gold from one rainbow to another.

I remember the echoes - more good years!!! and more good years..... and more good years......

Thank you Marina Sand and Resort World!!! Huat Ah !!!!!