Problems that the million-dollar ministers are not solving

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Welcoming foreigners requires an understanding on both sides​

Sep 29, 2021

I read with interest the article, "Foreign manpower: Making the global talent approach work for Singapore" (Sept 21). I agree with Associate Professor Terence Ho's central tenets of covering the Singaporean bottom line and observations such as how not all Employment Pass holders are better qualified than locals for the job.
On the point of making foreigners feel welcome, however, I feel this is something that has to happen from the ground up, with an understanding on both sides - the "welcomer" and the "welcomee" - on the nature of the welcome.
I am not talking about being a friendly porter who opens the taxi doors and carries a foreigner's bags for a day. I am talking about building longstanding relationships that are woven into the Singaporean social fabric.
In my experience, most foreigners come to Singapore with at least some measure of curiosity about the new place. Some get to know more about Singapore and its inhabitants, others are more concerned with the practical aspects of getting around the city. Not all will choose to settle down here.
So in tandem, I ask that government policy be fair in assessing the necessary contributions of, and appropriate privileges for, foreigners during their time in Singapore.
At the corporate level, government policy can make companies feel very welcome through levers such as tax relief. But the need to build local capability and promote Singaporeans to positions of senior leadership should also be spelt out and, perhaps, regulated.

Critically, manage the fundamentals of job creation. Someone who has just lost a job is not going to be in the mood to play the animated host.
Xenophobic tendencies and social fault lines can be cultivated in a Petri dish of economic instability.
What is key is the creation of jobs that allow Singaporeans to thrive, realise their unique potential and enjoy the fruits of Singapore's economic success.
Finally, at the heart of every foreign-local debate is a question of identity and space. Any nation with a changing demographic grapples with this.
Perhaps we have an advantage as a young nation with less historical baggage. Perhaps we are at a disadvantage because groups of people from larger nations with longer histories can easily threaten to displace what budding "Singaporean identity" we have, or exert pressure on our existing way of life in this crowded, cosmopolitan city.
Is there enough space on this island for the multitude of cultures we want to inhabit? Of course there is.
If folk who come to our shores choose to throw their lot in with us, not because of momentary gain or convenience, but because they love and want to build and contribute to the nascent culture we have here, appreciate the people and values on this island and believe in the country's long-term vision, Singapore and Singaporeans should embrace them with open arms. It is a big ask, but the only one that stands the test of time.
Mutual benefits change as time passes. Sustainable friendships are rooted in an alignment of principles, goals and values. We may all come from different cultures, but if our values and dreams are the same, we'll find a way to communicate.
So don't sell just the tangible benefits of governance, law and order. Sell the Singaporean ethic of hard work, pragmatism, equality and progress - soft power can go a long way, both ways.

Samantha Wong

 

[mahjongking]

Each family should be entitled to a "one car" without having to pay COE and high import taxes. Its a disincentive if families are penalised as cars are essential in any family.

like that how to cover up the big hole in cpf coffers?

 

[mahjongking]

Actually what is the KPI for our government?

- Is the ultimate aim about protecting and taking care of the local born?
or
- Ultimately, their organization's pay is pegged to how much money that they can bring in?

KPI is to take turns to suck cheebye loong's prick

 

[congo9]

People pay 500k for a small flat. How to create and reproduce.
Minimum living condition must be around 1400 sq ft.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: No success with job search after 2 years​

Oct 8, 2021

I refer to the letter from the press secretary to the Minister for Manpower, "Government listens to Singaporeans' concerns on jobs and livelihoods" (Sept 25).
It was mentioned that through the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, more than 128,000 local job seekers have been placed into jobs and skills opportunities.
For relevance, the conversion factor - to show how many job applicants were successful in getting jobs - should also be indicated.
The letter said job seekers can approach Workforce Singapore to get suitable placements. Unfortunately, my own experience with the Workforce Singapore website leaves much to be desired.
I am a maritime professional with more than 35 years of service, and I was made redundant in September 2019.
Since then, I have made at least 125 job applications using the Workforce Singapore website and have not received a single invitation for an interview.

Last month, I appealed to Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng for help. He replied very promptly and forwarded my request to Careers Connect, Workforce Singapore.
I was contacted by both an officer and a career coach but after a few calls and e-mail exchanges, there has been no follow-up.
I have made no progress in my quest to get employment for about two years despite using the Workforce Singapore portal, as well as trying to communicate with its staff.
Based on the comments and feedback on various social media forums, I think I am not the only one in this situation.
I hope that the Workforce Singapore recruitment process will be reviewed and reinforced with more dedicated follow-up to ensure that all eligible citizens find gainful employment.

Rajkrish Kumaran

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

This should have been done long, long ago.
WTF were the previous Ministers of Manpower not doing: Josephine Teo, Lim Swee Say, Tan Chuan Jin, Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Likewise, what did the previous NTUC Secretary Generals do: Dr. Koh Poh Koon, Chan Chun Seng, Lim Swee Say, Lim Boon Heng?

NTUC, SNEF call for unemployment support for PMEs, tighter process for employment passes​

Besides help for the unemployed, the task force also made recommendations to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce.PHOTO: ST FILE

Sue-Ann Tan


OCT 21, 2021


SINGAPORE - A support framework that includes financial aid is needed to help unemployed people move into new jobs.
The framework should include a basic tier to provide supplementary income relief and assistance, while an additional level could offer more support for union members and vulnerable, mature workers.
This was among nine recommendations that the labour movement released on Thursday (Oct 21) after a year-long consultation exercise to pinpoint better ways to assist professionals, managers and executives (PMEs).
The initiative, which was carried out by a task force from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), involved consultations with around 10,000 workers and business leaders.
NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said: "PMEs feel the pressure from foreign competition and for mature PMEs, they find it challenging to bounce back when they lose their jobs.
"Thus, we must do more to level the playing field for our local PMEs, while enabling other forms of employment and employability-related support, like unemployment transition support, job search or training support, for them."


The task force also called for a tripartite work group to be set up to assess the feasibility, conditions and size of the proposed unemployment support.
NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said more issues have to be studied, such as when to give out unemployment support, how much to give and for how long. He added that a survey showed that 80 per cent of unemployed workers took six months to find a new job.
This move must also go together with active labour market policies, he said, such as requiring workers on unemployment support to participate in employability camps, go for job interviews and show that they are actively trying to find work.
Specifically, there should be more help for PMEs who are over 40 years old, the task force added, calling on the Government to provide short-term salary support of up to 50 per cent, capped at $3,800 a month for six months, for firms that hire such job seekers.

There should also be more fast-track training programmes with certification to help them transition into new roles.
Besides help for the unemployed, the task force also made recommendations to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce by reviewing the application process for employment pass holders.
For one thing, foreign worker access should be differentiated by occupation, such as those that have an ample supply of locals who have the required skills, the task force said in its report.

The process could also use a point system that considers factors such as whether the employer has been hiring local workers and the diversity of nationalities within the firm. This goes beyond the usual considerations of education qualification and salary.
Companies should also facilitate skills transfer from foreign staff to local PMEs, it added.
The task force proposed improving human resources standards, including having shared services for smaller firms, and empowering the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices to enhance workplace fairness by imposing tough penalties on errant companies.

Dr Robert Yap (left), the president of SNEF, and Mr Ng Chee Meng, the secretary-general of NTUC during a media conference at the NTUC Building on Oct 20, 2021. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

SNEF president Robert Yap said: "Providing support to strengthen the employability of local PMEs is essential for employers to meet their manpower and skill demand. Through developing a strong Singaporean core complemented by foreign manpower, this will help employers to grow their business in and from Singapore."
He added that the recommendations also aim to help local PMEs develop deeper skills and gain overseas exposure so they can take on global roles.

For instance, the task force proposed more funding for PMEs to be groomed for leadership roles in multinational corporations and large local enterprises, as well as incentives for firms to send local PMEs for overseas opportunities.
More structured jobs and skills plans will also help them to upskill in line with industry requirements, the report said.
The task force said that its consultation exercise found that PMEs were most concerned about the lack of job security and required greater support in employment and training opportunities.
These issues also affect those in their 40s to 60s more acutely, the SNEF and NTUC added.
"Even as businesses transform to ensure business sustainability, the skill sets possessed by PMEs, including younger PMEs, may be at risk of becoming obsolete. These are especially so as the Singapore economy has been impacted by Covid-19," they said.

Mr Ng said the Government could consider its recommendations. He hopes to get some clarity next year.
"I think this is an important and urgent issue for the labour movement, and NTUC wants to step in - in the interest of our vulnerable PMEs," he said.

 

[Confuseous]

Mr Ng said the Government could consider its recommendations. He hopes to get some clarity next year.
"I think this is an important and urgent issue for the labour movement, and NTUC wants to step in - in the interest of our vulnerable PMEs," he said.

This pseudo union chief has just received orders to start laying groundwork for the next erections - GE and PE.

 

[laksaboy]

Career politicians never solve problems. However. those with no restraints on their power tend to make existing problems worse or create new problems.

 

[Confuseous]

The problem starts when career soldiers think they are career politicians because they were
invited for tea.

 

[Patriotmissile]

These assholes just sit in the office waiting for lunch break and knock off time.

 

[myfoot123]

Mr Ng said the Government could consider its recommendations.

This pseudo union chief has just received orders to start laying groundwork for the next erections - GE and PE.

Isn't he part of the government too? Talk cock! Come election, he will approved himself saying the Govt has approved his proposal thus self-glorify in the next election to claim his job well done. CCB

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Unsuccessful motor insurance claim because other party did not report accident​

JAN 1, 2022

My car was hit from behind by another car, and the accident was recorded by my in-vehicle camera. I made an accident report and a third-party claim.
Despite having video evidence that the accident had been caused by the other party, my third-party claim was unsuccessful because the other party did not make an accident report.
Even after reminder letters were sent, the other party refused to report the accident. Reminders with no legal consequences seem ineffective.
Engaging a lawyer to sue the other party is an option but this may be more costly than the repair work.
This leaves me with only the option of making a claim on my own insurance. This would affect my insurance premiums and my no-claims discount.
Searching online, I have found many others caught in the same predicament and feeling helpless.
It does not make sense to me that those who cause accidents with no injuries can get away scot-free by not reporting the accident.

The General Insurance Association of Singapore has published a set of guidelines on its website on what should be done in this scenario. However, these have no legal weight.
It is time to fix this motor insurance loophole.

Lim Gee Wee

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Private estate residents treating roads as private parking space​

DEC 23, 2021

Inconsiderate private estate residents continue to park their cars on public roads along residential estates. This is despite advisory notices from the authorities not to do so, and deprives visitors and public maintenance crew of a place to park.
I have even seen some residents take up space for an entire month, treating it as their private property and setting up closed-circuit television camera surveillance.
There is a need for the Land Transport Authority to address this situation. Time and again, it has been an issue of contention that hurts efforts to improve good neighbourliness and community spirit.
I suggest that people be required to pay to park on such roads by marking out paid parking spaces, with a short grace period for delivery services and other similar activities. The existing Parking.sg app could be used for this.

Low Li Li

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Deter live-out maid arrangements at all levels​

Jan 7, 2022

I first came across the live-out maid arrangement on a website that connects maids directly with potential employers (Secret lives of maids who live apart from their employers, Jan 2).
To nip this growing practice effectively, the authorities need to deter the phenomenon at all levels, including maids, employers, websites that advertise the availability of such arrangements and landlords who rent out rooms to such maids.
Some of the maids I spoke to were undeterred even when I reminded them that the arrangement is illegal and can result in their being deported and banned from Singapore.
Since it was reported that most of these employers are expatriates, the threat of a hefty fine and the loss of their employment pass should deter most.

Patricia Howe Tsan Peck

 

[Confuseous]

Forum: Unsuccessful motor insurance claim because other party did not report accident​

JAN 1, 2022

My car was hit from behind by another car, and the accident was recorded by my in-vehicle camera. I made an accident report and a third-party claim.
Despite having video evidence that the accident had been caused by the other party, my third-party claim was unsuccessful because the other party did not make an accident report.
Even after reminder letters were sent, the other party refused to report the accident. Reminders with no legal consequences seem ineffective.
Engaging a lawyer to sue the other party is an option but this may be more costly than the repair work.
This leaves me with only the option of making a claim on my own insurance. This would affect my insurance premiums and my no-claims discount.
Searching online, I have found many others caught in the same predicament and feeling helpless.
It does not make sense to me that those who cause accidents with no injuries can get away scot-free by not reporting the accident.

The General Insurance Association of Singapore has published a set of guidelines on its website on what should be done in this scenario. However, these have no legal weight.
It is time to fix this motor insurance loophole.

Lim Gee Wee

There was a second letter on same issue yesterday. The forum letter wrote that the POLICE had not been responding to HIS requests for info
pertaining to an accident he had with a POLICE CAR! Fish rots from the head.

 

[tobelightlight]

With 90% vaxx, your ability to conceive is gone. I hope this is not true but u inject yourself with poison and your ovaries do not like that.

That is why I do not want a vaxx female if I want a woman. I also dun want anything in her from the vaccine to be transmitted to me.

 

[bobby]

Omicron wave ‘imminent’, 17% of local COVID cases of variant now: Ong Ye Kung​

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Attendance bonuses for staff who refuse sick leave common in S'pore​

Incentivising workers to take less sick leave is prevalent in some industries here. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Calvin Yang
Assistant News Editor

Jan 23, 2022

SINGAPORE - John (not his real name) used to work for up to 10 hours daily as a pest control technician. He would attend to about 10 sites a day to earn a basic monthly pay of $1,400.
If he had a perfect attendance record for the month, he would get a bonus of $100. On days when he felt unwell, he would pop a few Panadol pills and soldier on.
"The allowance meant a lot. I skipped getting a medical certificate and went to work with a slight fever, just to put food on the table," said the 39-year-old, who has since left the job.
"The perfect attendance practice is ridiculous. But it's normalised practice."
Incentivising workers to take less sick leave is prevalent in some industries here, The Straits Times has found.
This is especially so for the logistics, transport, pest control, retail, cleaning, security, manufacturing, and food and beverage sectors, where work is labour-intensive.
Just last week alone, ST found more than 50 listings on job portals offering positions with incentives for those who take less medical leave.

These include vacancies for inventory planners, cooks, logistics coordinators, supply chain supervisors, marketing associates, forklift drivers, kitchen helpers and warehouse assistants. Interestingly, a few are human resources (HR) roles.
Some require perfect attendance records - with no medical leave or urgent leave taken - before incentives are awarded. These monthly bonuses range from $50 NTUC vouchers to $300 in cash.
Last Tuesday (Jan 18), a pest control technician was jailed for five weeks after flouting Covid-19 rules and refusing a swab test so that he could continue to work. The man had been concerned about losing his $100 attendance allowance if he went on medical leave.


The case was highlighted by President Halimah Yacob, who said this common practice can be detrimental to workers.
In a Facebook post last Tuesday, Madam Halimah noted how workers may refuse to take sick leave even when they are unwell in order to earn the extra attendance allowance.
"$100 for someone who earns $1,500 a month with a family to feed is a lot of money that can be used to purchase necessities," she said.
A search on job portals found that most of the roles offering attendance bonuses pay a basic salary of between $1,400 and $2,800.
The employment practice is not limited to lower-wage workers. Some management roles also include such incentives.

For instance, a logistics firm here is paying its HR manager a basic salary of $3,300 to $4,000, according to a job listing. There is an attendance bonus of $300 if the person is not late or absent from work.
Companies that offer attendance allowances said such practices are meant to stop workers from gaming their sick leave benefits and reduce unnecessary urgent leave.
One retail business said employees are briefed to seek treatment if they are ill, including getting tested if they show Covid-19 symptoms. It pays workers a monthly attendance incentive of $100.
"Staff are advised to take their sick leave... without facing any salary or incentive deduction or penalty," said the company, adding that it exercises flexibility in supporting workers' needs.
Meanwhile, a bakery, whose workers will forfeit a quarterly attendance bonus of $300 if they take medical leave, said it may eventually explore steps to ensure sick workers are not penalised.
Observers said work incentives spur better performance and encourage workers to be responsible for their own health.
PeopleWorldwide Consulting managing director David Leong said: "Most employers find it hard to ensure operational efficiency if workers are not bound by duty to turn up for work, or take medical certificates at will without considering work scheduling."
ManpowerGroup Singapore country manager Linda Teo added: "Some companies are operating on a very lean workforce due to the ongoing labour crunch and may not have the additional capacity to call for backup when one person calls in sick."
She noted that employers are unlikely to remove such monetary incentives as they risk losing their workers to other employers.
But these allowances could have unintended consequences amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Ill workers who do not rest or see a doctor might end up infecting their colleagues at their workplaces, observers pointed out.

Some experts urged firms to improve basic wages so that they are sustainable, while others called for supervisors to take greater responsibility of the workers' well-being.
Employers need to stress to workers that the incentives are to encourage them to look after their health, and to consult a doctor or rest when they are unwell, Ms Teo said. "Employees tend to view it as a penalty when they do not get these additional incentives."
She added: "The priority should be their employees' health first over good attendance records."

 

[sweetiepie]

John (not his real name) used to work for up to 10 hours daily as a pest control technician. He would attend to about 10 sites a day to earn a basic monthly pay of $1,400.

KNN there is a market for pest control bed bugs termites etc. After acquiring the skillset of a pest control technician John should have started his own freelance servit surelee more than 1.4k with low investment cost KNN

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Disappointing that residential second-hand smoke concerns were not addressed​

PUBLISHED

MAR 11, 2022

The recent initiatives announced towards a healthier Singapore are laudable (Budget debate: From July, smoking will be banned at more beaches, parks and gardens, March 7).
It was, however, disappointing that residential second-hand smoke concerns were not addressed as part of this plan, given that exposure to second-hand smoke is widespread and has been shown to have indisputable adverse effects on physical and mental health.
The principles of civil and human rights laws are firmly behind non-smokers - they have every right to enjoy their property and clean air without interference.
As there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, every exposure can be treated as "battery". It is therefore time that a law be introduced to tackle second-hand smoke drift in homes.
Having designated smoking points in residential areas has not lowered the number of complaints precisely because there is no legal requirement to use them. Few would voluntarily leave the comfort of home to smoke downstairs for the sake of others.
The number of cases of National Environment Agency (NEA) enforcement officers being abused by people who committed smoking or littering offences has risen - and these are officers who have the authority to enforce laws.
With NEA's approach of placing the onus on non-smokers to engage their smoking neighbours without the full backing of the law, it is only to be expected that most will be ignored or, worse, abused.

Many ministers have spoken up recently about doing the right thing even if it comes at a cost - this is certainly one area in which the Government can demonstrate this principle at home.

Evelyn Yap