Singapore has to address 3 potential divides when tackling crisis
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 May 2009 1528 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
PM Lee gives a speech at the annual May Day rally
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Singapore has to address 3 potential divides when tackling crisis
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there are three potential divides in Singapore's society which need to be addressed when tackling the current economic downturn.
Mr Lee was addressing some 1,500 union leaders, workers and employers at the annual May Day Rally on Friday.
He said that a board member of an American multinational company (MNC) recently asked him where the stress lines in Singapore's society are.
"I gave the board member of the MNC a very frank answer because he needs to know that I am not bluffing him, I am telling him the truth, sharing our worries with him," said Prime Minister Lee.
The first potential divide is between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans.
"In hard times Singaporeans think the non-Singaporeans are taking their jobs away from them," said Mr Lee.
However, he said this is a mistaken view because without non-Singaporeans working alongside Singaporeans, the jobs may not be there in the first place, citing the integrated resorts as an example.
The second concern is between the more successful and less successful. Mr Lee noted that the income gap has widened over the last few years but the government has done much to help lower income Singaporeans.
In this downturn, Singapore will have serious strains if the less well-off feel left behind. As such, there is the need for a fair sharing of the burden with the more successful taking the lead in belt tightening.
Hence, companies imposing austerity measures must start with top management taking the lead by having cuts made earlier and deeper.
The third potential strain is between races and religions.
"In a downturn, we are concerned that minorities, non-Chinese workers will be more affected because larger proportions of the Malay and Indian workers have lower skills and lower skilled workers are more vulnerable," said Prime Minister Lee.
Hence, there is a need to make special efforts to get these workers trained and ready for available jobs.
Singapore will be celebrating its 50th year of self-government this year and Prime Minister Lee said that's a significant milestone. He said Singaporeans must not let the anniversary pass unnoticed, even in the midst of a recession.
Mr Lee said Singapore has made tremendous progress over the last 50 years, and the most meaningful way to celebrate it is to renew the dedication for the next 50 years and beyond.
Mr Lee said: "Then for many years from now, we can look back with satisfaction on how in the midst of a global crisis, we in Singapore dedicated ourselves to building a better home for ourselves and brighter future for our children, a place we are proud to call Our Home, Our Future, Our Singapore."
Prime Minister Lee ended the rally by wishing all a "Happy May Day".
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 May 2009 1528 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
PM Lee gives a speech at the annual May Day rally
Related News
• Govt announces more programmes under SPUR to tackle economic crisis
PM Lee's May Day Rally - part two
Singapore has to address 3 potential divides when tackling crisis
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there are three potential divides in Singapore's society which need to be addressed when tackling the current economic downturn.
Mr Lee was addressing some 1,500 union leaders, workers and employers at the annual May Day Rally on Friday.
He said that a board member of an American multinational company (MNC) recently asked him where the stress lines in Singapore's society are.
"I gave the board member of the MNC a very frank answer because he needs to know that I am not bluffing him, I am telling him the truth, sharing our worries with him," said Prime Minister Lee.
The first potential divide is between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans.
"In hard times Singaporeans think the non-Singaporeans are taking their jobs away from them," said Mr Lee.
However, he said this is a mistaken view because without non-Singaporeans working alongside Singaporeans, the jobs may not be there in the first place, citing the integrated resorts as an example.
The second concern is between the more successful and less successful. Mr Lee noted that the income gap has widened over the last few years but the government has done much to help lower income Singaporeans.
In this downturn, Singapore will have serious strains if the less well-off feel left behind. As such, there is the need for a fair sharing of the burden with the more successful taking the lead in belt tightening.
Hence, companies imposing austerity measures must start with top management taking the lead by having cuts made earlier and deeper.
The third potential strain is between races and religions.
"In a downturn, we are concerned that minorities, non-Chinese workers will be more affected because larger proportions of the Malay and Indian workers have lower skills and lower skilled workers are more vulnerable," said Prime Minister Lee.
Hence, there is a need to make special efforts to get these workers trained and ready for available jobs.
Singapore will be celebrating its 50th year of self-government this year and Prime Minister Lee said that's a significant milestone. He said Singaporeans must not let the anniversary pass unnoticed, even in the midst of a recession.
Mr Lee said Singapore has made tremendous progress over the last 50 years, and the most meaningful way to celebrate it is to renew the dedication for the next 50 years and beyond.
Mr Lee said: "Then for many years from now, we can look back with satisfaction on how in the midst of a global crisis, we in Singapore dedicated ourselves to building a better home for ourselves and brighter future for our children, a place we are proud to call Our Home, Our Future, Our Singapore."
Prime Minister Lee ended the rally by wishing all a "Happy May Day".
