Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-invisible-people-in-class-conscious-society-10918552
(Updated: )
Ricky Lim
Prof Koh said:
I would say in Singapore, the elite does not show respect for people who work as cleaners, gardeners, petrol station attendants, security personnel. One of the problems in Singapore is that these low-wage workers are treated as invisible people.
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Singaporeans whether rich or poor, whether elites or blue collars, whether boss, professionals or security guards or cleaners etc ---- are dignified as long as they earn their salary and income through their own hard work and through their jobs ---- as long as they are not reaching out their hands to beg or steal.
If people look down on the blue collar workers --- it means they lack 修养, the moral culture of thinking highly of themselves as more superior than others - and look down on the lesser endowed.
I would say in Singapore, the elite does not show respect for people who work as cleaners, gardeners, petrol station attendants, security personnel. One of the problems in Singapore is that these low-wage workers are treated as invisible people.
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Singaporeans whether rich or poor, whether elites or blue collars, whether boss, professionals or security guards or cleaners etc ---- are dignified as long as they earn their salary and income through their own hard work and through their jobs ---- as long as they are not reaching out their hands to beg or steal.
If people look down on the blue collar workers --- it means they lack 修养, the moral culture of thinking highly of themselves as more superior than others - and look down on the lesser endowed.
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Ricky Lim
For eg.
(1) I will say thank you to the hawker assistant who deliver my meal to my table - even though I pay him.
(2) I will greet the security guard whenever I go past the gate.
(3) I will say "good morning, afternoon" to the cleaners that clean the toilet.
(4) I will open the door and hold the door - when a delivery man carry heavy stuff and try to manouevre through the door.
(5) I will say thank you to the cleaners that collect my utensils and clean the table after I finished the food in the food court.
etc.
Why? I respect these people for using their labour and hard work to do a decent jobs and earn a decent living.
Why should we look down at them, make life difficult for them -- as they are our fellow human beings trying to make a living.
(1) I will say thank you to the hawker assistant who deliver my meal to my table - even though I pay him.
(2) I will greet the security guard whenever I go past the gate.
(3) I will say "good morning, afternoon" to the cleaners that clean the toilet.
(4) I will open the door and hold the door - when a delivery man carry heavy stuff and try to manouevre through the door.
(5) I will say thank you to the cleaners that collect my utensils and clean the table after I finished the food in the food court.
etc.
Why? I respect these people for using their labour and hard work to do a decent jobs and earn a decent living.
Why should we look down at them, make life difficult for them -- as they are our fellow human beings trying to make a living.
Real McCoy
As a Singaporean, I have never understood why these seniors have to wash toilets and clean tables. With all the billions in reserve can't we give them a comfortable and dignified retirement. We are the richest people but we have the stingiest government. They care only for themselves - those useless buggers.
Ricky Lim
Posted on :- 01 Nov 2018 08:10PM (Updated: 01 Nov 2018 08:10PM)
Ricky Lim
On average, resident households received S$4,433 per household member from various Government schemes in 2017 while households in HDB one- & two-room flats received S$10,245 per household member.
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(1) There are 1,289,900 household in Singapore
(2) 5.8% are 1 to 2 room flat = 74,814 household.
(3) 1 to 2 room flat receive S$10,245 per household x 74,814 household = $766,471,479 benefits.
(4) 1,215,086 household received S$4,433 per household = $5,386,476,238 benefits
In total = $6.152 billion are given as benefit per year to Singaporeans.
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Ricky Lim
On average, resident households received S$4,433 per household member from various Government schemes in 2017 while households in HDB one- & two-room flats received S$10,245 per household member.
--
(1) There are 1,289,900 household in Singapore
(2) 5.8% are 1 to 2 room flat = 74,814 household.
(3) 1 to 2 room flat receive S$10,245 per household x 74,814 household = $766,471,479 benefits.
(4) 1,215,086 household received S$4,433 per household = $5,386,476,238 benefits
In total = $6.152 billion are given as benefit per year to Singaporeans.
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Ricky Lim
Ricky Lim
The main priorities is to help those underprivilieged to get the necessary skillsets to work.
For those with lower mental capacity - more menial works that is less mentally demanding but yet still can help them to earn income.
The moral of the story is that - we cannot preach the notion of giving away "social benefits" as the primary source of income for the underprivileged group.
We should help the underprivileged group to "develop skillsets and give them fishing rods to fish - and not relying on the Government (which in fact the taxpayer's money) - to feed them with fish".
Only when the underprivileged group face "career crisis or family crisis" - when they suddenly go under - social welfare will need to come in to 扶他们一把 to help them tide over the financial crisis and stand back on their own feet - so that they will not lost hope.
This should be the objectives of "social welfare benefit".
Not preach the notion of total reliance on Government, which is the tax payer money - to feed them perpetually.
Else the State will go bankrupt and the burden on the whole Nation taxpayers will be very heavy - and will not be sustainable.
Like · Reply · 1m · Edited
Ricky Lim
Singapore need to be a Compassionate Society.
But we to be Compassion with Wisdom ---- not Blind Compassion - that will not be sustainable --- and will pull the whole Nation down.
Like · Reply · 1m
The main priorities is to help those underprivilieged to get the necessary skillsets to work.
For those with lower mental capacity - more menial works that is less mentally demanding but yet still can help them to earn income.
The moral of the story is that - we cannot preach the notion of giving away "social benefits" as the primary source of income for the underprivileged group.
We should help the underprivileged group to "develop skillsets and give them fishing rods to fish - and not relying on the Government (which in fact the taxpayer's money) - to feed them with fish".
Only when the underprivileged group face "career crisis or family crisis" - when they suddenly go under - social welfare will need to come in to 扶他们一把 to help them tide over the financial crisis and stand back on their own feet - so that they will not lost hope.
This should be the objectives of "social welfare benefit".
Not preach the notion of total reliance on Government, which is the tax payer money - to feed them perpetually.
Else the State will go bankrupt and the burden on the whole Nation taxpayers will be very heavy - and will not be sustainable.
Like · Reply · 1m · Edited
Ricky Lim
Singapore need to be a Compassionate Society.
But we to be Compassion with Wisdom ---- not Blind Compassion - that will not be sustainable --- and will pull the whole Nation down.
Like · Reply · 1m
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