Inequalities in Singapore: income, wealth, class, opportunities...

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Wealth inequality concerns are over access to level playing field​

Oct 20, 2022

Even if we think that the policies suggested by others to tackle wealth inequality are not well thought out, we should avoid viewing them as the result of resentment felt by one group towards another (Don’t resent the wealth of others, Oct 18).
If we examine the concerns about wealth inequality in Singapore more closely, we can see that they are not about those with unfulfilled wish lists wanting to lambast the rich for amassing wealth.
By and large, I believe Singaporeans are not an envious lot who will simply resent those who are wealthier.
Rather, it is about having adequate access to a level playing field, where everyone can thrive.
It is certainly unjustifiable if we resent those who have worked hard to become wealthier than us. But, sometimes, wealth accumulation has little to do with one’s own merit. Wealth through inheritance, for instance, has little to do with whether a person is making his fortune legally or diligently.
As pointed out by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, while meritocracy remains the best way to organise society, it has its drawbacks (Lawrence Wong launches ‘Forward S’pore’ to set out road map for a society that ‘benefits many, not a few’, June 28). This is why the Government is putting in effort to do more for every child’s early life to provide a more equal starting point in life for everyone.
Without putting all this in perspective, it is easy to view the issue of wealth inequality in Singapore through a divisive lens. This can hamper Singapore’s efforts to build a cohesive society. We have seen how some societies are fractured badly when people believe it is always about “us” versus “them” in every aspect of their lives.

Let us confront the issue of wealth inequality as a compassionate society, and not as a battle between the haves and have-nots.

Wong Wan Hoong (Dr)

 

[SBFNews]

Forum: Wealth inequality concerns are over access to level playing field​

Oct 20, 2022

Even if we think that the policies suggested by others to tackle wealth inequality are not well thought out, we should avoid viewing them as the result of resentment felt by one group towards another (Don’t resent the wealth of others, Oct 18).
If we examine the concerns about wealth inequality in Singapore more closely, we can see that they are not about those with unfulfilled wish lists wanting to lambast the rich for amassing wealth.
By and large, I believe Singaporeans are not an envious lot who will simply resent those who are wealthier.
Rather, it is about having adequate access to a level playing field, where everyone can thrive.
It is certainly unjustifiable if we resent those who have worked hard to become wealthier than us. But, sometimes, wealth accumulation has little to do with one’s own merit. Wealth through inheritance, for instance, has little to do with whether a person is making his fortune legally or diligently.
As pointed out by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, while meritocracy remains the best way to organise society, it has its drawbacks (Lawrence Wong launches ‘Forward S’pore’ to set out road map for a society that ‘benefits many, not a few’, June 28). This is why the Government is putting in effort to do more for every child’s early life to provide a more equal starting point in life for everyone.
Without putting all this in perspective, it is easy to view the issue of wealth inequality in Singapore through a divisive lens. This can hamper Singapore’s efforts to build a cohesive society. We have seen how some societies are fractured badly when people believe it is always about “us” versus “them” in every aspect of their lives.

Let us confront the issue of wealth inequality as a compassionate society, and not as a battle between the haves and have-nots.

Wong Wan Hoong (Dr)

PAP pays lip service to all these lah. Walk the talk, increases taxes for the elite high income earners and impose estate duties. Otherwise, please don't talk cock.

 

[Leongsam]

PAP pays lip service to all these lah. Walk the talk, increases taxes for the elite high income earners and impose estate duties. Otherwise, please don't talk cock.

Why do you want the government to punish the successful? It's the useless, lazy good for nothing low income louts that should be in the firing line.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Why do you want the government to punish the successful? It's the useless, lazy good for nothing low income louts that should be in the firing line.

Why don't just Soylent Green the useless good for nothing low income louts etc etc..?

 

[Leongsam]

Why don't just Soylent Green the useless good for nothing low income louts etc etc..?

They are needed to clean tables, clear rubbish etc.

 

[Eisenhut]

Why do you want the government to punish the successful? It's the useless, lazy good for nothing low income louts that should be in the firing line.

Its not about hardwork, but rather opportunities. Many hardworking people who wish to move up economically cannot do so simply because their parents cannot afford.

While many useless lazy bums, get to be "entrepreneurs of the year" BS!

 

[Majulah]

They are needed to clean tables, clear rubbish etc.

chey ,, instead of clean tables or washing toilets they should gang up form a platoon of butchers and go on a shooting rampant targeting all those
wealthy crooks.

 

[Leongsam]

Its not about hardwork, but rather opportunities. Many hardworking people who wish to move up economically cannot do so simply because their parents cannot afford.

While many useless lazy bums, get to be "entrepreneurs of the year" BS!

That's rubbish take this character for example he came from a very poor family but today earns more than a million dollars annually.

Anyone can make it in Singapore if they work hard.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

There is a caste system in Singapore.
Unless you are elite, rich, educated, don't even think you can become part of their in-group and be accepted by them.

#trending: Youth mocked for calling S$80 Charles & Keith bag a 'luxury' item reveals humble upbringing, reminds others to be kind​

zohtaco / TikTok
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok, and join our Telegram channel for the latest updates.

• TikTok user "zohtaco" was mocked by some netizens for calling Charles & Keith a "luxury" brand
• She had posted a video of herself acquiring and unboxing her "first luxury bag" from the Singaporean footwear and accessories brand
• A number of netizens left negative comments, casting doubt over the brand's luxury status
• Most online users, however, came to "zohtaco"'s defence, flooding the comments section with words of encouragement and support
• "zohtaco" posted a video revealing her family's humble background in response to the negative comments

BY

IZZAH IMRAN​

January 9, 2023


SINGAPORE — What is luxury? The word may hold different meanings for different people.
For TikTok user “zohtaco”, luxury comes in the form of a brand new Charles & Keith tote bag gifted to her by her father. Unfortunately, some netizens have chosen to rain on the youth’s parade by casting doubt over the brand’s “luxury” status.
“Zohtaco”, who identifies herself as Zoe in her profile, posted a TikTok video of herself acquiring and unboxing a Charles & Keith bag on Saturday (Jan 7).
Calling it her “first luxury bag”, the 17-year-old can be seen excitedly tearing off its protective wrapping before modelling her new arm candy.
The 30-second clip carried the caption "thank you dad", suggesting the bag was a gift from her father.

The unboxing video has chalked up over 2.2 million views and 170,000 likes in less than two days.
However, not everyone seemed to share in Zoe’s joy.
One top comment by user “cressy” read: “Who’s (going to) tell her?”, implying that someone should break the news to the teenager that Charles & Keith supposedly does not fall under the category of a luxury brand.
The price of a Charles & Keith bag typically ranges between S$36.90 and S$199, according to the brand's website.
Another user wrote: “That’s not even famous or expensive #tryinghard.”
A number of commenters pointed out that the Singaporean women’s footwear and accessories company is not typically considered to be of the same level as well-renowned luxury brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Prada.

In response to the negativity, TikTok users came to Zoe’s defence and flooded the video’s comments section with words of encouragement and support.
One user reasoned: “To youngsters or even adults, Charles & Keith is (a) luxury. As long as she loves it. She will be more motivated to buy even nicer bags later.”
Another person wrote: “Comparison is the thief of joy. Let her be happy.”
Some people said that the bag was even more valuable since it was a present from a parent.
One person remarked: “Doesn’t matter if it is a luxury brand. It's love from your dad, no Chanel or Hermes can replace a father’s love. Still happy for you.”
Another user wrote: “Anything that is bought by our parents is (a) luxury. It's not always about (the) price tag...sentimental value has no price tags.”

Several users also revealed that their first luxury bags were from the same brand, while others congratulated her on the purchase and advised her to ignore the naysayers.
A user shared: “Charles & Keith was the first expensive bag I earned before Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton. Each of them felt luxurious to me.”
Charles & Keith itself left a comment on the video that read: “Love your pick.”

OPENS UP ABOUT FAMILY’S HUMBLE BACKGROUND​

Zoe published another video the following day in response to the top negative comment by “cressy”.
Zoe begins by explaining that money is an uncomfortable topic for her to talk about as her family “did not have a lot” growing up and even something “as simple as bread from BreadTalk” was considered a luxury to them.
“When we first moved to Singapore (from the Philippines), every time we would pass by a (BreadTalk) store, my parents would just say ‘next time’, but ‘next time’ would never come,” she recalled.
Directing her words to “cressy” with tears in her eyes, Zoe said: “Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth. To you, an S$80 bag may not be a luxury. To me and my family, it is a lot.”
She then said that she was grateful to her dad for buying the bag for her with his hard-earned money.
“I can’t believe I got hate over a bag that I was so excited to have.”
Many netizens tagged Charles & Keith’s TikTok account in the video, urging the company to “sponsor” more bags for Zoe. Some people praised the teenager’s upbringing and said that she did not owe anyone an explanation.
In a second follow-up video posted on Monday, Zoe thanked TikTok users for their support.
“I just first want to remind everyone that just because you’re not well off doesn’t mean you don’t deserve or cannot have nice things…for some of us it just might take a little bit longer to get to them,” she said.
Zoe also addressed a TikTok account that was apparently created “just to comment” on her previous video.
The account by “zoetacoco” has one video accusing Zoe of exaggerating her experience of growing up poor in Singapore.
In text over a black background, the anonymous user pointed out that a Filipino seeking employment in Singapore would have to have a profession with a “minimum salary” to be able to work in the country.
The user then alleges that Zoe only wanted attention and that her story of her humble background did not “make any sense”.
Claiming that “zoetacoco” may have missed the point of her video, Zoe rejected the user’s claim that she exaggerated her experience or made the video to gain clout.
“If you received the same amount of (negative comments) that I did, what would you do? How would you feel? Wouldn't you want to defend yourself as well?”
She ends the video by reminding everyone to be kind and have compassion.
TODAY has reached out to Zoe for comment.

 

[Devil Within]

Thomas Sowell SLAMS Welfare System; Explains How It's More Harmful Than Helpful​

 

[Hypocrite-The]

There is a caste system in Singapore.
Unless you are elite, rich, educated, don't even think you can become part of their in-group and be accepted by them.

#trending: Youth mocked for calling S$80 Charles & Keith bag a 'luxury' item reveals humble upbringing, reminds others to be kind​

zohtaco / TikTok
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok, and join our Telegram channel for the latest updates.

• TikTok user "zohtaco" was mocked by some netizens for calling Charles & Keith a "luxury" brand
• She had posted a video of herself acquiring and unboxing her "first luxury bag" from the Singaporean footwear and accessories brand
• A number of netizens left negative comments, casting doubt over the brand's luxury status
• Most online users, however, came to "zohtaco"'s defence, flooding the comments section with words of encouragement and support
• "zohtaco" posted a video revealing her family's humble background in response to the negative comments

BY

IZZAH IMRAN​

January 9, 2023


SINGAPORE — What is luxury? The word may hold different meanings for different people.
For TikTok user “zohtaco”, luxury comes in the form of a brand new Charles & Keith tote bag gifted to her by her father. Unfortunately, some netizens have chosen to rain on the youth’s parade by casting doubt over the brand’s “luxury” status.
“Zohtaco”, who identifies herself as Zoe in her profile, posted a TikTok video of herself acquiring and unboxing a Charles & Keith bag on Saturday (Jan 7).
Calling it her “first luxury bag”, the 17-year-old can be seen excitedly tearing off its protective wrapping before modelling her new arm candy.
The 30-second clip carried the caption "thank you dad", suggesting the bag was a gift from her father.

The unboxing video has chalked up over 2.2 million views and 170,000 likes in less than two days.
However, not everyone seemed to share in Zoe’s joy.
One top comment by user “cressy” read: “Who’s (going to) tell her?”, implying that someone should break the news to the teenager that Charles & Keith supposedly does not fall under the category of a luxury brand.
The price of a Charles & Keith bag typically ranges between S$36.90 and S$199, according to the brand's website.
Another user wrote: “That’s not even famous or expensive #tryinghard.”
A number of commenters pointed out that the Singaporean women’s footwear and accessories company is not typically considered to be of the same level as well-renowned luxury brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Prada.

In response to the negativity, TikTok users came to Zoe’s defence and flooded the video’s comments section with words of encouragement and support.
One user reasoned: “To youngsters or even adults, Charles & Keith is (a) luxury. As long as she loves it. She will be more motivated to buy even nicer bags later.”
Another person wrote: “Comparison is the thief of joy. Let her be happy.”
Some people said that the bag was even more valuable since it was a present from a parent.
One person remarked: “Doesn’t matter if it is a luxury brand. It's love from your dad, no Chanel or Hermes can replace a father’s love. Still happy for you.”
Another user wrote: “Anything that is bought by our parents is (a) luxury. It's not always about (the) price tag...sentimental value has no price tags.”

Several users also revealed that their first luxury bags were from the same brand, while others congratulated her on the purchase and advised her to ignore the naysayers.
A user shared: “Charles & Keith was the first expensive bag I earned before Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton. Each of them felt luxurious to me.”
Charles & Keith itself left a comment on the video that read: “Love your pick.”

OPENS UP ABOUT FAMILY’S HUMBLE BACKGROUND​

Zoe published another video the following day in response to the top negative comment by “cressy”.
Zoe begins by explaining that money is an uncomfortable topic for her to talk about as her family “did not have a lot” growing up and even something “as simple as bread from BreadTalk” was considered a luxury to them.
“When we first moved to Singapore (from the Philippines), every time we would pass by a (BreadTalk) store, my parents would just say ‘next time’, but ‘next time’ would never come,” she recalled.
Directing her words to “cressy” with tears in her eyes, Zoe said: “Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth. To you, an S$80 bag may not be a luxury. To me and my family, it is a lot.”
She then said that she was grateful to her dad for buying the bag for her with his hard-earned money.
“I can’t believe I got hate over a bag that I was so excited to have.”
Many netizens tagged Charles & Keith’s TikTok account in the video, urging the company to “sponsor” more bags for Zoe. Some people praised the teenager’s upbringing and said that she did not owe anyone an explanation.
In a second follow-up video posted on Monday, Zoe thanked TikTok users for their support.
“I just first want to remind everyone that just because you’re not well off doesn’t mean you don’t deserve or cannot have nice things…for some of us it just might take a little bit longer to get to them,” she said.
Zoe also addressed a TikTok account that was apparently created “just to comment” on her previous video.
The account by “zoetacoco” has one video accusing Zoe of exaggerating her experience of growing up poor in Singapore.
In text over a black background, the anonymous user pointed out that a Filipino seeking employment in Singapore would have to have a profession with a “minimum salary” to be able to work in the country.
The user then alleges that Zoe only wanted attention and that her story of her humble background did not “make any sense”.
Claiming that “zoetacoco” may have missed the point of her video, Zoe rejected the user’s claim that she exaggerated her experience or made the video to gain clout.
“If you received the same amount of (negative comments) that I did, what would you do? How would you feel? Wouldn't you want to defend yourself as well?”
She ends the video by reminding everyone to be kind and have compassion.
TODAY has reached out to Zoe for comment.

Can eat don't waste

 

[batman1]

That's rubbish take this character for example he came from a very poor family but today earns more than a million dollars annually.

Anyone can make it in Singapore if they work hard.

View attachment 165344

It's not about working hard .It's about having the right connections.

 

[Leongsam]

It's not about working hard .It's about having the right connections.

Networking is part and parcel of life. Nobody can get ahead if they just sit in a well and hope for the best!

 

[ODACHEK]

 

[Patriotmissile]

You will surely notice all top management jobs in sinki are all recycled among you know who. This is to ensure that opportunities are not let go to outsiders. U just content to be a peasant and enjoy your cdc vouchers once in a while.

We are just like cina.

 

[LaoHongBiscuit]

You will surely notice all top management jobs in sinki are all recycled among you know who. This is to ensure that opportunities are not let go to outsiders. U just content to be a peasant and enjoy your cdc vouchers once in a while.

We are just like cina.

then why dbs ceo position give to ceca people and he bring his whole kampong of cecas and invaded dbs and posb

 

[Patriotmissile]

then why dbs ceo position give to ceca people and he bring his whole kampong of cecas and invaded dbs and posb

He is a lackey a.k.a. own people.

 

[Willamshakespear]

You will surely notice all top management jobs in sinki are all recycled among you know who. This is to ensure that opportunities are not let go to outsiders. U just content to be a peasant and enjoy your cdc vouchers once in a while.

We are just like cina.

In truth, there are MORE than 400,000 biz enterprises in Singapore, as per ACRA 2022 stats, 37,000 which are foreign & 7,000 are MNCs. Even if CECAs or the privileged are to hold mgmt positions, they would NOT be able to fill every sector.

The concerns of fellow Singaporeans are real, but only the truth can set us free, to discuss & find solutions, than to wallow in self defeating pity. DBS is just one bank, among the many other more in Singapore which offers opportunities to citizens. It is often considered the National Bank, with a national budget in mind to serve citizens & back in time, it could not offer the higher salaries other banks were giving, & thus led to an employment debacle as grads & service staff abandoned DBS & went to better offerings, even overseas. Thus, in order to keep it operational, it did what it had to do, to look overseas for supposed talents.

And with such policies, it led to other biz enterprises seeking foreign talents to fill their employment needs. At least the govt did try to limit it & set policies to limit it to give citizens at least a chance thru numerous economic restrictions & incentives such as upgrading of skills, education relevance, etc, & thus our unemployment rate remained low, even for fresh grads from Uni or ITE.

However, many would be shocked that some CECAs are drawing higher salaries than the average. The insignificant nobody me found out that the avg salary of an construction site supervisor/engineer is between $3K to $5k, but the CECA had reported salary of $10k. Worse was that the CECA, whom was recommended by a CECA employment agency, whom was a village friend, knew NOT even what Autocad is, which even a 14yr old Singaporean citizen would know.

Thus, there may had been some 'dirty' deeds going on by despicable employers or its managers whom may had intended to earn some side hustle. A CECA supposed with a degree would be happy with $3k a month salary & live like a king in India when he goes back on holiday. Was there some dishonest personal agreement between the CECA & their mgmt - to pocket the difference in reported salaries? So far I have no concrete evidences as none whom benefitted would talk.

However, MOM is keeping a close eye on such shenanigans & would NOT tolerate such, & would NOT hesitate to prosecute as per our Laws, should evidences be available. In the meantime, should any firm in Singapore that does such, it would be instantly recognizable. Most Singaporeans have big heart & will help, but each must recognize such & step away - stop mentoring the CECAs, let them rise or sink according to their job scope, as they are PAID to do the job. Often heard stories are of kind hearted low level but knowledgeable staff assisting them, but once the CECA is performing, ended up the local assistants being retrenched or replaced & sacked. Two can play such game, so be smart....

 

[birdie69]

PAP pays lip service to all these lah. Walk the talk, increases taxes for the elite high income earners and impose estate duties. Otherwise, please don't talk cock

 

[birdie69]

Our government should increase the private property tax by another 200-300%, much higher tax for those with more than one property and rental income. Then use these revenue to help the poor so as to narrow the wide gap of wealth inequality