REACH 272 - How can Singapore better support our local workforce while reaping the benefits of an open economy (SK)
14 Sep 2021 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[2:01 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: ๐บ Watch live: MPs debate job security, foreign manpower, CECA in Parliament
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ceca-job-security-foreign-talent-lawrence-wong-leong-mun-wai-psp-2175606
[6:09 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: Dear contributors,
Welcome back! ๐
⏰ We will be opening the chat from 6.10pmto 8pm today. ⏰
House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:
1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views.
2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited.
3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment.
4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time.
5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential.
Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms
We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.
Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.
The topic will be posted shortly.
Thank you.
Megan ๐
[6:16 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: ๐ข Topic ๐ข
Singapore will continue to address the downsides of an open economy as it strives to stay open to the world and bring benefits to its people, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong this afternoon (Sept 14).
He acknowledged in Parliament that globalisation is not an "unmitigated good", and that while being a hub economy brings benefits to Singapore, it also comes with certain costs, including how some people will be displaced from their jobs.
๐ฌ How can Singapore better support our local workforce while reaping the benefits of an open economy?
During a speech in Parliament, Mr Wong outlined three ways in which Singapore will mitigate the downsides of an open economy.
๐1. Continually updating manpower policies
The Government will continually update its manpower policies to manage the flow and quality of work pass holders. Mr Wong said that Singapore constantly reviews criteria for work pass holders over time, noting that last year, the qualifying salary for the Employment Pass was raised twice.
๐ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/local-qualifying-salary-will-not-be-further-raised-now-wage-increases-be-sustainable-zaqy-mohamad-2175671
๐2. Combatting workplace discrimination
Mr Wong noted that Singapore takes a strong stance against workplace discrimination, and pointed out that Singapore will enshrine into law current anti-discrimination guidelines. Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon separately stated that the Tripartite Committee aims to complete its recommendations for enshrining workplace anti-discrimination guidelines into law in the first half of 2022, and that mediation would be a "first and necessary step" in resolving disputes.
๐ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/mediation-a-first-necessary-step-to-tackle-workplace-discrimination-even-with-new
๐3. Supporting the local workforce
Lastly, Mr Wong affirmed that the Government will do everything it can to support local workers, such as through investments in SkillsFuture and improving employment and training support, especially for mature workers.
๐ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/committee-to-look-into-better-protection-for-delivery-riders-private-hire-drivers
------
[6:31 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3148658/coronavirus-chinese-embassy-urges-nationals-not-travel
China s rethoric on SG Covid policy is changing and Singapore can not be economically isolated from China for too long.
This could prompt the government to come back to the 0 case policy and therefore change everything we have been told over the past few weeks.
[6:35 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: S'pore will continue to address downsides of open economy, help displaced workers: Lawrence Wong
Singapore will continue to address the downsides of an open economy as it strives to stay open to the world and bring benefits to its people, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Sept 14).
More: https://str.sg/3SNy
[6:46 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Progressive Wage Model (PWM) must inherit the attributes of :-
a. Productivity increase
b. Not rise in cost to business
c. Not rise in price to consumers
---- and hence not a Minimum Wage.
2. Then PWM will be useful in improving the income and standard of living of the low income workers.
3. Else if PWM works like a Minimum Wages - by setting a minimum wages across the industrial sectors - with no regard to improving productivity or maintaining business cost or rising prices of products or services to consumers without corresponding improvements in quality or better services ---- then our business will lose competitiveness. This pitfall of Minimum Wages must be avoided.
4. Eg. if increase in income for low-income wages is commensurate with skill upgrade to produce more products and better services - than business cost will not rise as the same workers produce more products and better services leading to more business revenue and profits.
Which means the PWM wage increase to workers - will still keep the business competitive.
[6:57 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Singapore vaccinated controlled endemic policy - need not be altered just because China adopt a zero-covid policy.
2. We have move beyond the zero-covid policy - as our vaccination rate have reached a very high threshold of 85% with 1 jab and 81% of 2 jabs.
3. Singapore is an open business hubs - that connect to every part of the World. Being a small Country - we need to connect and do business with the World - and cannot afford to shut our borders.
4. China being such a big country can afford to close their borders - by just relying on domestic travel and domestic tourism.
China has not open their borders to any other Countries - not even HK.
5. Conversely, no Countries can be immune from the covid - and achieve zero-covid. Many Countries have realised this such as Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam etc which have adopted very successful zero-covid - and now seeing a big spike in covid.
6. Singapore can negotiate with China to arrange for cross-border travel. It will come a time China realise zero-covid is not sustainable and will transit to endemic.
[6:58 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Time will will tell
[6:58 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: But China is in a position of force
[7:00 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
As of Sep 9, 81 per cent of Singapore's population have completed their full vaccine regimen, while 85 per cent have received at least one dose as of the vaccine. (CNA news 14 Sep 2021).
This means that 5% more elderly and adults - yet to vaccinate.
285,000 more adults and elderly to vaccinate.
If soft approach works, then mandatory vaccination may not be required.
[7:01 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
But Singapore government has not rule out Mandatory Vaccination.
When conditions are ripen, Mandatory Vaccination could be possible.
[7:01 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Based on total population of 5.7 million people, if 4,556,377 have received 1st dose - then 1,143,623 people have not Vaccinated.
That means 20% unvaccinated.
10% are infant still cannot be vaccinated.
10% will be elderly and adults.
But news say 85% has Vaccinated.
This means 5% or 285,000 adults and elderly has Vaccinated via not the national vaccination program - but through the private special route.
This means, only 5% or 285,000 adults and elderly need to be vaccinated.
[7:05 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: I personally don't think Singapore is living with Covid
If It was the case the government would not quarantine people who have been in closed contacts with positive cases and would just take care of the most serious cases
To me it s more dangerous to go out than last year during CB since there s no CB and the government is looking to quarantine as many via testing
[7:06 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Then go vaccinate if you have not Vaccinated.
Vaccination is the only means to protect yourself and your family.
Singapore cannot afford to lockdown indefinitely.
[7:11 pm, 14/09/2021] +Caleb: +1
[7:11 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Then y forcing to be tested
[7:12 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: The government misused the reserve last year splashing money to hotels and SIA
I m working from home until further notice
[7:13 pm, 14/09/2021] +Caleb: Now if someone in the house got covid, the whole household on QO
[7:14 pm, 14/09/2021] +Alvin Lim: Wonder how they enforce this
[7:18 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors, hoping to hear more from you on today’s topic ๐
Megan
[7:18 pm, 14/09/2021] +Caleb: If unsuitable, MOH will make the arrangements for you to recover at a community care facility or hospita
[7:19 pm, 14/09/2021] +Caleb: U need to raise middle income.
If not all the basic needs may increase? Cost of living will increase?
[7:19 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Living with covid doesn't mean throw all caution to the wind.
That's what happens to Israel, UK, US and EU - when they go out maskless and do everything like pre-pandemic.
Living with covid is the new normal whereby we still need to take precaution as we open up and keep the vaccination going until we hit 100% vaccination.
Thanks goodness for the parliament update that we have hit 85% vaccination.
Now only 285,000 elderly and adults need to vaccinate.
[7:21 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/13/us/california-family-covid-death-orphan-five-children/index.html
A California couple died of Covid-19 weeks apart, orphaning 5 young children including a newborn
[7:21 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
My close friend comments:-
Surely people can insist on their rights to choose to wait and see but Delta may not give that chance
[7:21 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
That's why all this stubborn and silly people.
Now 5 young children left without parents to look after them.
[7:21 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Then 0% 3rd jab
[7:21 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: we will have the same narrative on the 3rd jab soon
[7:22 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/3rd-booster-jab-not-needed-162450739.html
3rd 'Booster' Jab Not Needed, Vaccines Effective at Preventing Severe Covid Even for Delta: Lancet Study.
[7:23 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: We will see
[7:24 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Also at the start the narrative around the vaccine was it is not needed
[7:24 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Israel is the leading indicator for what SG has done so far in Covid
[7:25 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Y can t we use ivermictin to treat Covid like a flu
[7:26 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Ivermictin is the way to treat benign Covid but it doesn't make anyone rich so it s ignored
[7:27 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: I don't give 2 months that the government call every body for the 3rd jab
[7:27 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ivermectin-not-approved-treatment-covid-19-consumers-strongly-advised-not-self-medicate HSA added that it will take strong enforcement action against anyone who engage in the illegal sale and supply of medicines such as ivermectin.
Anyone convicted of the illegal sale of these medicines could be fined up to S$50,000 or jailed up to two years, or both, under the Health Products Act.
[7:28 pm, 14/09/2021] +Laurent: Do you work for the government?
[7:29 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: S'pore could lose investors, firms and jobs for locals they bring if it turns inwards: Tan See Leng
There are severe consequences if Singapore, a small country devoid of natural resources, turns inwards and loses its lustre as a regional hub, causing companies to leave with the jobs they provide, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng on Tuesday (Sept 14).
More: https://str.sg/3SxR
[7:31 pm, 14/09/2021] +Elena Woo: +1
[7:35 pm, 14/09/2021] +Ah Heng: Very true and neither can we be complacent about us being the regional hub. But what is it wrong with the current formula compare to the old guards time where they can attract yet allow local to grow as well? Dun tell me times change sometimes basis of certain aspect still remains
[7:36 pm, 14/09/2021] +Thomas: There r reported cases of poisoning in US for some who took incorrect dosage. This Ivermectin is promoted by anti-vaxx and trump supporter
[7:36 pm, 14/09/2021] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Attracting foreign investors with good investment in leading edge technologies is necessary for us to do well Economically and bringing good jobs and good income to our people.
2. Hence it will not be surprising that we will have to welcome some foreign talents or foreign workers that will bring us value in term of business, investment and jobs - that will create good jobs for Singaporeans.
3. Such investments and foreign talents or workers - should help to improve our local workers knowledge and skillsets - as well as help to produce high-value Economic output for our Economy.
4. So we should continue to maintain an Open Economy, calibrate the inflow of foriegn talents and workers - that can positively contribute to our Economic growth, business, investment and create jobs for Singaporeans.
[7:40 pm, 14/09/2021] +Ben: Very good to see this. Suggest to make it easier for companies and workers to engage with Gov though online surveys etc.
[7:40 pm, 14/09/2021] +Ben: Training, opportunity and investment by companies and gov are the way to ensure economic stability.
[7:41 pm, 14/09/2021] +Ben: Well said
[7:47 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan
[7:50 pm, 14/09/2021] +RH: Whatever schemes r being discussed, pls ensure tt they r implemented properly and fairly.
Someone shd be supervising the implementation to see tt the various schemes r launched properly for a year or two, then hv a review after tt.
Dun let it go the similar way of wat happened w implementation of CECA. ๐
[7:52 pm, 14/09/2021] +RH: That the guidelines r not being exploited for either corporate profit at the expense of sth / someone else or for personal objectives.
[7:56 pm, 14/09/2021] +Dan: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/rights-to-wedding-photos-will-default-to-photographers-not-couple-with-copyright
I think we need to redraw the boundaries for artistic expression.
[7:58 pm, 14/09/2021] +Dan: What abt the Software designers, app designers who were engaged by companies to come up with products for the companies.
[7:58 pm, 14/09/2021] +Alvin Lim: There’s nothing to say about this actually. The gov only sees the old ways of GDP by opening up at the sacrifice of the population. The people will remember.
[7:59 pm, 14/09/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan ๐
=====
No comments:
Post a Comment