REACH 504 - What do you think about the additional support under the ComLink programme to help families in rental flats achieve greater social mobility? How can we continue to uplift our lower-income Singaporeans and keep social mobility alive and well in Singapore?
(SK)
20 Oct 2023 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
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Megan π
20/10/23, 9:51 am - +REACH: *Dear Contributors,*
Welcome back! π
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Megan π
20/10/23, 10:00 am - +REACH: π’ *Topic* π’
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Government will provide families in highly subsidised public rental housing on the Community Link (ComLink) programme with additional support, which will be tied to specific action plans jointly developed between these families and their family coaches.
Low-income families with children will receive more support, which could include helping them to save up to buy their own homes or to stay employed. This is to “ensure that no family in Singapore gets trapped in a permanent underclass”, DPM Wong said.
π¬ *What do you think about the additional support under the ComLink programme to help families in rental flats achieve greater social mobility? How can we continue to uplift our lower-income Singaporeans and keep social mobility alive and well in Singapore?*
π *Reducing income inequality*
DPM Wong said the Government has been studying the issue and engaging many groups to tackle the issues of income inequality and social mobility as part of the Forward Singapore exercise to refresh the nation’s social compact.
"We know that more still needs to be done. We see early signs that social stratification is becoming more entrenched," said DPM Wong. "In other words, the Government wants to do more. But we want to do it in a way that empowers these families too… That’s why the Government has been tilting our policies in favour of the lower-income groups, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
“We want to ensure that no family in Singapore gets trapped in a permanent underclass. That means we have to do more to help – not just the parents, but also ensure their children have access to full and fair opportunities early in life."
π *A family-centric approach*
The Government will train ComLink officers to take up this role of family coach to motivate and work more closely with each family to work to achieve their goal. "They will ... play a stronger role to work with every family to determine the customised support each family needs. This will ensure ComLink families receive the right support at the right time," said DPM Wong.
"We can consider a higher quantum of support or even longer-term support to families that make progress in areas like staying employed, saving to buy a home or ensuring their children attend preschool regularly," he added, "family coaches will be able to use this additional support to encourage and motivate the families to work towards success."
π *Individuals and businesses must get involved*
DPM Wong urged the public and companies to get involved in the effort, such as contributing their time to befriend ComLink families or donating money to support programmes that help these families.
“We will take bold steps to uplift our lower-income Singaporeans, and to keep social mobility alive and well in Singapore,” he said. “The direction for our road ahead is clear: We want to see a fairer, more equal and more inclusive Singapore. Together, let’s make this vision a reality.”
π https://str.sg/ipHe
π https://str.sg/ipVH
π https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/rental-housing-flats-low-income-family-coaches-comlink-msf-3857491?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_19102023_cna
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20/10/23, 10:02 am - +~L: Wow - I love this. The cost of such a programme is very small compared to the long term benefits it brings. Really impressed we have a Gov that focuses on ensuring no one suffers in poverty, and that every Singaporean child has a safe, supportive environment is commendable.
20/10/23, 10:02 am - +Rama: Timely but will means testing adjust to accommodate current situation?
20/10/23, 10:03 am - +~L: Am interested to see how they can get local business and individuals involved so it really feels like a collective effort and not a government hand out.
20/10/23, 10:03 am - +Frankie Wee: I though govt given budget help support low income. Didn’t expect comes on news
20/10/23, 10:04 am - +Frankie Wee: Costing of living upward maybe not enough budget even inflation and GST increase
20/10/23, 10:04 am - +~L: Remember that supporting a low income family through services, actually puts that money right back into the economy.
20/10/23, 10:07 am - +~L: I find it so refreshing and so encouraging to read this - as you can tell. All around the world we see media and often governments attacking the lower income groups and creating division in their own societies. It would be great if other countries could look at the strength and benefit of supporting everyone and perhaps do the same themselves.
20/10/23, 10:09 am - +Frankie Wee: One woman retire lose her money $1m within 15 days over scam. She become brokem and poor.
20/10/23, 10:09 am - +~L: Children are all born equal. It's the environment they are in that differs and therefore the opportunities they have that mould them. Everyone has the potential to contribute, be a positive influence and build a great nation. Let's ensure we give them all that chance.
20/10/23, 10:09 am - +Frankie Wee: Can be possible govt help out low income
20/10/23, 10:10 am - +~L: Financial Institutions need to take some responsibility for this, unless she gave them cash.
20/10/23, 10:11 am - +Frankie Wee: She transfer oversea but CAD is trying to best but no guarantee return her money.
20/10/23, 10:12 am - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
20/10/23, 10:12 am - +E.H: Thank you @REACH Team for organizing this WhatsApp group for outreach, and good morning to all ! =)
My feedback:
1) As a GRL and also someone on the ground, I think more could be done to get families out of this trap, starting from government itself– my suggestion here is that, government as a start should work to have minimum % of employment of contractors via Govt contractors to hire low-income workers as part of their contract tender specifications whenever possible. This itself would drastically improve the % of employment opportunities for low-income families.
2) Food and supermarket vouchers – similar to a CDA Account, we should setup like a “bank” account for low income families where they can access top up from schemes and assistance. Digitizing our process will also allow for faster relief for low-income families. Of course this itself comes with their own set of challenges, but US has implemented the EBT card system for many years now. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 10:15 am - +E.H: the problems are existent in every other country. However whether it is successful or not depends on the family and individual receiving assistance. "Teach to fish, rather than fish for the person" =)
20/10/23, 10:17 am - +Frankie Wee: Other country in USA govt has $30 trillion dollars debt and limit borrowing. Biden Jose said student loan will stop. And they parent support themselves
20/10/23, 10:18 am - +Jap: Yes we don’t want to become the next welfare state.
Reasonable handouts with timeline and adjust accordingly based on needs and situation
20/10/23, 10:20 am - +Jap: Example to give jobless cover for short term unemployment, we review factor to ensure candidates take effort to apply. We understand there might be reasons the person cannot get employment. Maybe due to age, medical conditions.
But timeline will force the person be more proactive then just relay totally with no end to support. But case by case
20/10/23, 10:20 am - +Jap: We don’t have unemployment insurance here… some countries has it
20/10/23, 10:21 am - +E.H: yes there's a balance to strike to avoid being a welfare state like some of the western countries, but sure more can be done to "teach to fish". Being a citizen myself who has got out of this poverty cycle (lived in Block 5 Beach Rd 20 yrs ago), i think more can be done by the govt , but it depends on the individual - but we shouldn't let negative experiences affect our ability to help out low income families if they are a small % of them.
20/10/23, 10:21 am - +Frankie Wee: Borrow money time economy
20/10/23, 10:21 am - +~L: True but if you starve while learning to fish it's not much good giving a fishing rod. People need a combination :)
20/10/23, 10:22 am - +~L: maybe the term Support is more positive than Hand-Out. :)
20/10/23, 10:23 am - +Jap: I believe in Singapore system.. Got out of poverty when I finish my diploma. When ok income to supplement household.
Really depends on mindset. Singapore given way too many options to be successful. Or make a decent living as long as you willing to work. You will survive
20/10/23, 10:23 am - +Jap: That applies to most young singaporean
20/10/23, 10:23 am - +Jap: Elderly part is another problem π <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 10:23 am - +E.H: Yes on the point of unemployment insurance i gave this feedback before and i'm going to repeat it again: @REACH
Offering scheme for voluntary unemployment insurance should also be made available for folks who would like to subscribe to it using their CPF funds for up to a certain number of months. Of course this should be a last resort, but the government should offer a scheme where citizens contribute to for unemployment insurance instead of giving handouts, this way folks can be assured that there is some money to tide over in the event of retrenchment or extreme unemployment
20/10/23, 10:26 am - +Jap: It is what it is… beautifying don’t make it better.. π
We want them to look at it being negative to take handouts.
Able to survive without any support is the goal here. π
Yes I am blunt but it is what it is. People’s money.
20/10/23, 10:27 am - +Rama: Sad
20/10/23, 10:28 am - +Jap: Some enjoy the benefit of the welfare as it is much comforting to be under the umbrella.
My family rarely apply to any support other than schools. Cause we just eat lesser and don’t travel at all. Small birthday or no present is just normal.
20/10/23, 10:28 am - +Jap: No birthday dinners.. etc.. yes boring but it is still living within means..
20/10/23, 10:29 am - +Rama: Unemployment insurance in the form as practice overseas will not work here unless tweaked
20/10/23, 10:29 am - +Rama: <Media omitted>
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +~L: Interesting idea!
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +Smiley face: Be extra vigilant at 'home'
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +Jap: Why we need NS
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +Rama: Extremely important
20/10/23, 10:30 am - +Smiley face: Concept of "Tie through" (ε¨θ½¬)
20/10/23, 10:31 am - +Jap: To be frank we are very close to Israel.. they can easy turn the gun at us.. if we are weak
20/10/23, 10:31 am - +~L: You're right, it's just a word.... words can be powerful though! I like support because it is about providing a foundation to build and not replace. Hand out implies just a one way direction.
20/10/23, 10:31 am - +Jap: Thank god we have foresight in NS
20/10/23, 10:31 am - +Smiley face: Yes, yes, and Yes! Or when things go the wrong way, no folks will help us?
20/10/23, 10:31 am - +Rama: Thank god for our founding leaders
20/10/23, 10:32 am - +Smiley face: Yes, existential from the early beginning since 1600....unless you failed to read history?
20/10/23, 10:32 am - +Smiley face: Yes, yes, yes, yes and YES! That's true!
20/10/23, 10:33 am - +Frankie Wee: Singapore is small county but we have 2m support military whom are completely NS 2 years experience
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Jap: I am going KL in nov… I will see if it is true π
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +E.H: As much as reservist takes time off from our work and family, i diligently look forward to it every year and if SAF allows for me, i may even ROVERS if its possible. Call me siao on, but i think our training in NS and reservist does at least bring us to the level of competency required to defend our nation if needed.
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Smiley face: Rusty or ready?
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Frankie Wee: Riot how if it true
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Rama: Don't test the waters until the temperature is right!
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Frankie Wee: Safeguard
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Rama: Great
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Jap: Work trip…
20/10/23, 10:34 am - +Jap: π
20/10/23, 10:35 am - +Rama: Stay safe at all times
20/10/23, 10:35 am - +Jap: I believe majority still neutral… I hope
20/10/23, 10:36 am - +Jap: Far north hard to say.. our dear MFA just have to access the risk. If advice not to go I won’t go
20/10/23, 10:36 am - +Frankie Wee: I feeling nothing do with Palestinian π΅πΈ people
20/10/23, 10:36 am - +Frankie Wee: US said it’s a terror threat in history
20/10/23, 10:37 am - +Smiley face: Terrorism 5.0 !!!
20/10/23, 10:40 am - +Jap: I saw some isis flag inside π π
20/10/23, 10:41 am - +Smiley face: In the mist and heat of a riot, terror acts may occur? ( θΆζΊηΉη«)
To the enforcement agencies, take care and beware!
20/10/23, 10:41 am - +E.H: As what another member in this group say, our close perceived association with US and Israel puts us at a higher risk.
As much as we want to care about foreign affairs, there are domestic issues that we have to resolve. We don't have the luxury like US to care about other countries and give them $ and i'm sure our govt doesn't wanna do that too. There are other ways like donating or assisting in relief efforts to the Palestine people instead of protesting (anyway it is banned in SG already)
20/10/23, 10:43 am - +Jap: Some just take as an excuse to create trouble…. π
20/10/23, 10:44 am - +E.H: i'm thankful that we have our police, saf and scdf at work and standby everyday hard at work
(i won't let a few bad apples spoil my image of them =)) <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 10:45 am - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
20/10/23, 10:50 am - +Smiley face: Do not be persuaded by Disinformation, followed by misinformation!
20/10/23, 10:55 am - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
20/10/23, 10:59 am - +Frankie Wee: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNMmq7wL/
20/10/23, 10:59 am - +Frankie Wee: π¨
20/10/23, 11:26 am - +Smiley face: "Strategy with no tactic is the faster route to failure; Tactics with no strategy is the fastest to fail."
- - anonymity
20/10/23, 11:35 am - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 11:35 am - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 11:36 am - +Rama: Practical
20/10/23, 11:41 am - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. 2 values we must always bear in mind to ensure a mutually inclusive but sustainable and affordable Society.
2. Firstly, we must ensure a tight social compact whereby the strata of the high income group to low income group should not be too elongated and should be more compact.
3. More help can be granted to the lower income group to assist the family move up the social ladder in terms of providing education, train in skillset and landed jobs that provides good income - not only for the parents but also for their children.
4. This is to ensure lower income group not in their whole life depends on the State for financial assistance - but build a means to stand on their own feet and do well to emerge from the lower income group else:-
a. It will strain our country fiscal budget.
b. Taxpayers got to pay more tax to finance the welfare.
c. We are straddle with a large underclass group - that will cause social tension.
5. Secondly, we must ensure a welfare state mentality must not take root because:-
a. Singapore has no natural resources and we depend entirely on our human capital to build wealth.
b. Hence, training people with the education and skillset to fish rather than be given fish all the time is imperative.
20/10/23, 11:44 am - +Kelvin Ang: I am definitely for this and if possible, I would like to contribute to this. Perhaps another aspect of this is more towards non-financial issue which over time, became a financial issue being added into the issues. Care, family dynamics, appropriate support etc r all factors.....if you go onto the ground be with the ground, you will realised despite all the assistances, schemes etc, many r falling thru the gaps/cracks/red tape etc.....
20/10/23, 11:51 am - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Malaysians face poverty after retirement as pension crisis looms.
Many Malaysians dipped into their pension during pandemic, but 81 percent of contributors face poverty in retirement.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/4/18/malaysia-faces-pension-crisis-after-33bn-in-pandemic-withdrawals
20/10/23, 11:57 am - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. Another important aspect is to help every strata of our income group - from high, middle and low income group to build up their CPF to ensure they have sufficient savings to finance their retirement.
2. Hence ensuring employment especially the lower income group, gig economy workers, business not contributing to their CPF - will be imperative to contribute to their CPF savings for retirement.
3. This is another aspect of ensuring the lower income group have a mean to retire with sufficient nest egg - so that it will not strain our government fiscal budget to provide financial assistance to the lower income group that doesn't come with sufficient retirement savings. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 12:15 pm - +Mac: hahaha
if i was the passenger i would piss off that ignorant illiterate xenophobic idiot even more til he got a heart attack
20/10/23, 12:19 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. An important lesson we should learn - is not to let external events from stoking our domestic emotions - as we are make up of people with different races and religions.
2. We should stay calm and be cool headed - yet uphold the values of fairness, justice and even handedness.
3. At the same time, we should stay vigilance and alert as we travel or stay at home - because indeed emotions are running high - as people tend to take sides when external events stoke the religious bedrock that have been festering since historical time.
4. It requires tremendous restraint, calm mind and wisdom to see through this external events that will be unfolding.
5. It will now test many facets of safeguard and measures we have put in place since Independence - to ensure that our multi racial and multi religious Society can face the most difficult test of time. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 12:27 pm - +Mac: better they go to Palestine
20/10/23, 12:27 pm - +Mac: hahaha
20/10/23, 12:32 pm - +Rama: One way ticket
20/10/23, 12:39 pm - +Smiley face: Supporting a family unit:
Parents and/ or grandparents above, kids below! Is it called the 'sandwich' class?
20/10/23, 12:40 pm - +Smiley face: Let's estimate, up to 15,000 households or up to 40,000 individuals that need help, on an immediate and ongoing basis?
20/10/23, 12:41 pm - +KL: Maybe gov should check how many business put their family member as workers or to get FT quota before talking this ?
20/10/23, 12:41 pm - +KL: even char kway tiao stall do that
20/10/23, 12:43 pm - +KL: the unemployment data not sure accurate or not . As if six month not finding job is no under unemployment but out of the data . <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 12:45 pm - +Smiley face: 3+3 strategy, up to 2029
20/10/23, 12:50 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
When your DBS digibank prompt you to upgrade the digibank apps when you use it, click "upgrade".
It comes with "anti-malware" features.
When you use the apps and don't allow you to use - then it means that your handphone has malicious malware or APK files that are designed to steal your bank credentials and access your bank account to steal your savings.
20/10/23, 12:50 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ: <Media omitted>
20/10/23, 12:50 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ: <Media omitted>
20/10/23, 12:50 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
If you receive this message such as this when you use your DBS apps, that means your handphone got malware and need to remove the malware before you can access the bank apps.
20/10/23, 12:52 pm - +KL: I realise where every Friday seem to DBS have crash or slower . not sure is it cause by over use at the morning due to the 3 dollar freebies <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 12:52 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
DBS mobile apps version 23.10.1 - has anti-malware features ready.
When prompted to upgrade via Google protect, pse do so.
20/10/23, 12:56 pm - +Smiley face: <Media omitted>
20/10/23, 12:58 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
"Google updates security to detect more malicious apps and tackle scam scourge".
Please remember to update your Android handphone.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/google-updates-security-to-detect-more-malicious-apps-and-tackle-scam-scourge#:~:text=Google%20updates%20security%20to%20detect%20more%20malicious%20apps%20and%20tackle%20scam%20scourge
20/10/23, 1:30 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
"Mitigating online scams requires countries to address tech vulnerabilities: US cyber security chief".
Online tech are full of vulnerabilities according to cybersecurity chief.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mitigating-online-scams-requires-countries-to-address-tech-vulnerabilities-us-cyber-security-chief#:~:text=Mitigating%20online%20scams%20requires%20countries%20to%20address%20tech%20vulnerabilities%3A%20US%20cyber%20security%20chief
20/10/23, 1:47 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Just delete the message.
Don't click the block
20/10/23, 1:57 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
"$1.4 trillion lost to scams globally; S’pore victims lost the most on average: Study"
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/14-trillion-lost-to-scams-globally-s-pore-victims-lost-the-most-on-average-study#:~:text=%241.4%20trillion%20lost%20to%20scams%20globally%3B%20S%E2%80%99pore%20victims%20lost%20the%20most%20on%20average%3A%20Study
20/10/23, 1:58 pm - +Rama: Why us!?
20/10/23, 1:59 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Because Singapore is a financial hub.
Because Singapore Economy are most digitalised.
And Singaporeans are too trusting in the digital world without checking and verifying what the other parties (bad actors) are up to. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 2:00 pm - +REACH: π’ *Topic* π’
20/10/23, 2:41 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/today-webinar-failure-complexity-vocational-skills-low-wages-2286136
Failure to understand complexity of vocational work may explain low wages, say panellists.
20/10/23, 3:05 pm - +REACH: *Dear Contributors*
We want to *HEAR MORE* from you!
π¬ *What do you think about the additional support under the ComLink programme to help families in rental flats achieve greater social mobility? How can we continue to uplift our lower-income Singaporeans and keep social mobility alive and well in Singapore?*
Megan π
20/10/23, 3:12 pm - +E.H: @REACH
On top of ComLink, we should work across agencies with HDB to offer more subsidies for buying new flats for families to get out of the poverty cycle – I hear on an interview yesterday on CNA / 938 news that one family interviewed would like to get their own home instead of staying in a rental flat all the time as they want more space for their family. New flat subsidies based on income tier would help encourage home ownership for low-income families.
I’m going to repeat my suggestion from this morning - my suggestion here is that, government as a start should work to have minimum % of employment of contractors via Govt contractors to hire low-income workers as part of their contract tender specifications whenever possible. This itself would drastically improve the % of employment opportunities for low-income families. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:16 pm - +E.H: personally i can attest to that as my mum bought a 3 room flat from HDB via WIS about 17 years back after staying in HDB rental for 1 room flat, for $97,500. We wasn't picky and wanted a place of our own - even if it meant us moving out of a HDB rental flat.
With CPF OA balances, my mum ended not paying a single cent out of pocket for her 3 room flat in Potong Pasir. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:17 pm - +Frankie Wee: Choice short leases flexible or studio apartment committee
20/10/23, 3:18 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-publications/publications/hdbspeaks/public-rental-flats-for-those-in-need
Helping rental tenants progress onto home ownership <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:18 pm - +Frankie Wee: Require income
20/10/23, 3:18 pm - +Frankie Wee: Only low income allow rental
20/10/23, 3:20 pm - +Frankie Wee: 55 years old above can apply 2 room with fully paid 25 years lease
20/10/23, 3:32 pm - +Rama: Rental with two strangers us a huge problem
20/10/23, 3:32 pm - +Rama: Is not us
20/10/23, 3:36 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Rental is only a temporary stop gap measures for low income group.
There's always a push to get low income group to own their house.
The eligibility criteria is to get a job and a stable income to pay for the house with hefty subsidies.
The size of the house is relative to their income earned.
But they got to own their house rather than pay a monthly rental - and the house don't belong to them.
And rental is expenses. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:37 pm - +Frankie Wee: 3/4 room sold and downgrade to 2room all OA and SA transfer to RA
20/10/23, 3:40 pm - +Frankie Wee: Living HDB such bigger 5 room and above only couple and child grown up move out or got married. No point there is empty room there will be dusty no time take care of 5 room
20/10/23, 3:41 pm - +Frankie Wee: Too old left empty room become dusty or can rental
20/10/23, 3:42 pm - +E.H: thanks @Danny εΏ yes i saw that link ... was pushng for even more subsidies, and even trying to see if we can work with CommLink to even furish the flats with appliances via initiatives like PassitOn SG https://www.passiton.org.sg/
20/10/23, 3:50 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
As far as I know, such flats requires very little or no renovation.
It comes with embedded cupboard in the bedroom, embedded kitchen cabinet.
I was also told that the toilet is well design.
I happen to peek at the design, and I thought it was a condo, until I was told that they are flats meant for rental upgraders.
I was told that it was quite well design by the interior designer.
I thought it look like a condo.
Residents will only need to bring in their furniture and appliances from their rental flat to the new house.
Very little additional cost needed.
Upgraders only need to pay the movers cost of their furniture from their rental flat. <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:53 pm - +Frankie Wee: Yes already provide by HDB
Furniture budget cost $10k below
20/10/23, 3:56 pm - +Frankie Wee: Fact that flat those 2room apartments some elderly pass away resale to balance flat.
20/10/23, 3:57 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
This is the thought that went into the design for low income group.
20/10/23, 3:57 pm - +Frankie Wee: My parent told me when you grow old who can take care of 5 room
Too old can’t clean up <This message was edited>
20/10/23, 3:59 pm - +Frankie Wee: I wan there visit 2room it’s not bad design and eco-friendly elderly size 35sqm building 2010-2020
20/10/23, 4:00 pm - +REACH: π’ *Topic* π’
20/10/23, 4:05 pm - +JC: Sounds like a good plan. Let's do more to help those who need it e most!
20/10/23, 4:20 pm - +Smiley face: "Meritocratic Ladder" 《η²Ύθ±ιΆζ’―》
The concept of "Rent to Own" works like this; you rent a flats for the first 5 years or the first 10 years, you will receive a statement of accounts showing your paid rental and the amount should you opt to buy the flats and if you are thinking to buy, the monthly instalments all calculated on various loan period in the statement of accounts.
For longer rental beyond 10 years, the rental shall increased by 10-20% on a case by case basis, and rental review of rental shall be every three years and incremental rental shall be applied and the cap rental ceiling at a pre-determined amount.
On the other hand, should you choose to buy between 5th to 10th year, you will receive a discount on the offered price with the 5th year enjoying the best discount....
20/10/23, 4:25 pm - +Smiley face: No subletting allowed for all rentals HDB flats.
20/10/23, 4:26 pm - +Frankie Wee: Buy own flat better than rental but problem is CPF not enough saving or age limit to housing loan. HLF not approved to them.
20/10/23, 4:27 pm - +Rama: True
20/10/23, 4:28 pm - +Smiley face: Convert rentals into ownership! One hope for the people who cannot afford at the present moment and over the course of time, let them inclusively own one property of their own, called their own Home!
20/10/23, 4:28 pm - +Frankie Wee: Excellent π
20/10/23, 4:29 pm - +Smiley face: One way to equalise the inequalities starting from one crucial asset, that's own home!
This is HOME!
20/10/23, 4:30 pm - +Frankie Wee: This is our true called home
20/10/23, 4:30 pm - +Smiley face: Next is the starting pay scale for our FIRST TIME JOB SEEKERS!
20/10/23, 4:30 pm - +JC: Truly!
20/10/23, 4:30 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, GROUNDED AND ROOTED!
20/10/23, 4:31 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, that's compactness in the making!
20/10/23, 4:31 pm - +Rama: Start with lowest jobs
20/10/23, 4:31 pm - +Smiley face: Let's tackle one thing at a time...
Home, jobs and equality!
20/10/23, 4:32 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, wait...aka datang!
Thanks Andrew for driving it
20/10/23, 4:33 pm - +Frankie Wee: How about elderly can do a job farmer make vegetables and fruit next to HDB they will have a profit.
20/10/23, 4:34 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, another enabler and active ageing too!
20/10/23, 4:35 pm - +Rama: We need more communal garden areas in every hdb estate
20/10/23, 4:35 pm - +Smiley face: "You are not done until you are done!"
- - anonymity
20/10/23, 4:35 pm - +Frankie Wee: π
20/10/23, 4:35 pm - +Frankie Wee: Let’s building area garden and let them have a job
20/10/23, 4:35 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, open and creative spaces! URA and Nparks to champion it!
20/10/23, 4:36 pm - +Rama: This is a small step in helping achieve 30% self sufficiently.
20/10/23, 4:36 pm - +Frankie Wee: True
20/10/23, 4:40 pm - +Smiley face: Starting from early childhood up to IHL. Thereon to society and the first pay; less than 25% pay differentiation between a graduate from ITE/ A-level /Poly /Uni / doctors / lawyers /engineers; all first-time young adults into the job markets. A calibrated starting pay scale endorsed by the Tripartite.
20/10/23, 4:41 pm - +Smiley face: Coupled with NPO.
20/10/23, 4:45 pm - +Smiley face: There is a need to structure NPOs into clusters. The governance and the individual missions coming to form a united efforts to tackle a cluster of social issues and needs to optimize the deliveries at the end points; effectively and efficiently executed and implementations, all for one and one for All!
20/10/23, 4:49 pm - +Anne: Dear G,
It will help if you can do some survey and let us know specifically what kind of help the poor needs. A lot of times we just give them money and sometimes that’s not the best way to help them. Also, giving them money sometimes means making the middle income poorer.
Some ways I thought of helping them are in the area of
- food
- electricity and water
- childcare
- education
- taxes (GST, property tax, carbon tax, water tax etc)
- partial or complete debt write-off
We do not need a more EQUAL society in terms of wealth. There will always be a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Most of the middle income in the years ahead are going to become low-income. With AI and robotics, many are going to need some form of UBI in the medium-term to long-term future. What we need is a compassionate society where the rich willingly and generously help the poor. Hence, instead of taxing the middle income further, I suggest the G engage with the rich and raise funds from them.
In addition to helping the poor, you might wish to pay attention to the middle-income with huge expenses eg those supporting children and elderly parents, esp those saddled with huge medical bills.
20/10/23, 4:51 pm - +Smiley face: Capacity and Abilities
20/10/23, 4:53 pm - +Smiley face: Supporting a family unit:
Parents and/ or grandparents above, kids below! Is it called the 'sandwich' class?
20/10/23, 4:58 pm - +Smiley face: life is up and down, life can be up up all the way or life can be down all the way or life can be from nothing to something!
- - anonymity
(δΊΊηζθ΅·θ΅·θ½θ½，δΊΊηε―δ»₯δΈθ·―εδΈ，δΉε―δ»₯δΈθ·―εδΈ，δΊΊηε―δ»₯δ»ζ ε°ζ！)
20/10/23, 5:01 pm - +Frankie Wee: Elderly people alway outside collecting can or newspapers they have no life earning income and sleep outside street. Sometime life is broken down but they are happy meeting different group of older people chat and chat.
20/10/23, 5:02 pm - +Frankie Wee: At Chinatown Point most elderly waiting for free breakfast at tample house or committee centre. They never want to be sad but happy.
20/10/23, 5:03 pm - +Smiley face: How to uplift them or they just simply don't need any help, or they wanna be just the way they are?
20/10/23, 5:03 pm - +Smiley face: Good connecting point
20/10/23, 5:04 pm - +Frankie Wee: Hope for next generation future in Singapore will no longer carry like them. Our future will be different than before 1965
20/10/23, 5:05 pm - +Frankie Wee: We are ensure will have benefit and protection financial independence for young senior citizenships.
20/10/23, 5:08 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
France vows crackdown after multiple fake bomb alerts.
See how an external event can trigger chaos into a domestic society - if cool head don't prevail domestically?
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/france-vows-crackdown-after-multiple-fake-bomb-alerts-3856411
20/10/23, 5:09 pm - +Frankie Wee: At risk scammers attack senior unknown person victim. Hopefully technology Ai cryber security will alway stay alarm protected
20/10/23, 5:13 pm - +Smiley face: Are these elders embedded with self pride (θͺε°εΏ)? Are they lonely or not lonely? Or are they wishing to live the way it is till they are done with life? What is in their minds at this ending station of their lives?
They belong to the pioneership of our country workforce, they have proven the strength of hardworking and tolerances! They gave away their best of time to us! They gave their best, no regrets!
Soon comes the next wave of ageing, once again, we will face it with courage and audacity.
20/10/23, 5:16 pm - +Frankie Wee: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/new-wave-of-scams-coming-world-unprepared-with-authorities-playing-catch-up-former-obama-advisor
20/10/23, 5:18 pm - +Frankie Wee: Then we will sad to see senior lose money over scammer and emotional.
Thinking wisely new wave hit unprepared we don’t know the future.
20/10/23, 5:18 pm - +Frankie Wee: I am aware of it Singapore will be more developing coming near future.
20/10/23, 5:19 pm - +Frankie Wee: Lose money no one going outside for begged there is no longer in old century time.
20/10/23, 5:20 pm - +Smiley face: No money or no easy money = less scam
Full of money = scam
20/10/23, 5:21 pm - +Frankie Wee: π
20/10/23, 5:21 pm - +Smiley face: Try scamming in Africa
20/10/23, 5:21 pm - +Frankie Wee: Be careful CPF whom have million dollars
20/10/23, 5:21 pm - +Smiley face: Yes Sir
20/10/23, 5:25 pm - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
20/10/23, 5:25 pm - +Smiley face: SG lost to scam amounts to $677m and the global total is $1.4T, that's 48% hit rate!
Why?
Is it a structural issue or a human issue?
20/10/23, 5:26 pm - +Frankie Wee: Lost true trust become victim
20/10/23, 5:26 pm - +Frankie Wee: It’s can be underworld or did some countries govt is black market
20/10/23, 5:36 pm - +Smiley face: Modern days lifestyles?
Folks are willing to fork out money to benefit the luxury of comfort and conveniences with no foresight nor regards to the long term costs; starting from health to finances.
20/10/23, 5:50 pm - +Rama: Very sad
20/10/23, 5:51 pm - +Smiley face: Can we tweak to collecting Money?
20/10/23, 5:51 pm - +Rama: Private sector must contribute more
20/10/23, 6:00 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, how to cultivate and motivate Private donors to come forward privately and give?
Drop off e-boxes?
Seminars and talkshows to encourage and normalize such acts of goodness as a new way of living!
20/10/23, 6:01 pm - +Rama: This is something minister Grace fu said on a non related topic recently.
20/10/23, 6:02 pm - +REACH: π’ *Topic* π’
20/10/23, 6:04 pm - +Smiley face: Make GIVING a SOCIAL NORM..
Human are creatures of habits.
One step at a time to change the millions mindset!
20/10/23, 6:04 pm - +Rama: Hopefully
20/10/23, 6:05 pm - +Smiley face: Let's set targets ...
Strategy with tactics is the road to success!
20/10/23, 6:05 pm - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 6:06 pm - +Rama: What can we as a society see by end 2030!?
20/10/23, 6:07 pm - +Smiley face: Just don't scare the Cats... just like a covert Ops!
20/10/23, 6:07 pm - +Rama: Oops!
20/10/23, 6:08 pm - +Smiley face: Towards compact but the strata of social status remains structured and rigid!
20/10/23, 6:08 pm - +Rama: Lessen the stigma
20/10/23, 6:09 pm - +Smiley face: In order to catch the rats, you avoid fearing the Cats! Or it shall become a big fish eating small fishes and the smallest fish shall perish!
20/10/23, 6:09 pm - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 6:10 pm - +Smiley face: Stigmatization needs time to normalize through continuous interventions by means of social activities and holistic involvement from the top to the bottom!
20/10/23, 6:10 pm - +Smiley face: Not the opposite!
20/10/23, 6:11 pm - +Rama: Interaction without social status or class too
20/10/23, 6:11 pm - +Smiley face: Only through these interventions, activities and successful events... trust and bonding will emerge as a natural endings
20/10/23, 6:11 pm - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 6:12 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, but to break the ice is a skill and it takes loads of patience and sensitivity to operate...like a covert Ops!
20/10/23, 6:12 pm - +Rama: It takes two hands to clap
20/10/23, 6:13 pm - +Smiley face: The lower class is emerging with the middle class...
The higher class needs education, encouragement to open up!
20/10/23, 6:14 pm - +Rama: Higher class needs a lesson on humility
20/10/23, 6:14 pm - +Smiley face: More than hands perhaps HANDFUL of people from the disabled to the able folks!
Let's see each other and face each other, once in a while...a starting point!
20/10/23, 6:14 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, but track with care! They are our money pot!
20/10/23, 6:15 pm - +Smiley face: It's easy to encourage these well heeled folks.... respect (less recognition)
20/10/23, 6:15 pm - +Rama: No preferential treatment in coming down to earth
20/10/23, 6:16 pm - +Smiley face: Look for the soft spots!
20/10/23, 6:16 pm - +Smiley face: Yes,... however there are ways to handle each strata of life,....
20/10/23, 6:17 pm - +Smiley face: People to People! That's the game plan!
20/10/23, 6:19 pm - +Smiley face: Identifying the Archetypes and the Architecture of Trust and Bonding!
20/10/23, 6:21 pm - +Smiley face: What is the true meaning of Uniform?
School uniform to Army Uniform to NS?
One for All and all as One!
20/10/23, 6:21 pm - +Rama: The Musketeers
20/10/23, 6:25 pm - +Smiley face: What is a corporal in the Army?
What is a lieutenant in the Army?
Both are NSmen.
How about redefining both men as Officers?
One is an officer and the other is an Officer in charge?
Who's going to fight the tough and ground war for you?
It's all the MEN! Or an armchair officer and his men?
It's timely to rethink the ranking and policies of NS!
20/10/23, 6:26 pm - +Rama: Yes
20/10/23, 6:26 pm - +Smiley face: Who says SG cannot uniquely redefine our rank and file, AKA the historical and out dated system of classification!
20/10/23, 6:28 pm - +Smiley face: This is the beginning of Social strata and more unintended consequences shall arise in multiple forms and ways to the verge of cracking the social favors and fabric, aka compact!
20/10/23, 6:29 pm - +Smiley face: Who's gonna stay on and fight or to rebuild our city!
It's the MEN and women! Not in the Hollywood movies of "the Officer and the Gentleman" !
20/10/23, 6:30 pm - +Rama: We need factual not fiction
20/10/23, 6:30 pm - +Smiley face: Kinder teachers, Primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, university professors!
20/10/23, 6:31 pm - +Rama: ππ
20/10/23, 6:32 pm - +Smiley face: Who makes more Money?
Or do tuition teachers make just as good a lecturer?
You trained a teacher from nothing to somebody competent and then later on quit to go private tuition?
Is it a structural issue or a human error?
20/10/23, 6:33 pm - +Smiley face: Btw, NSmen pay differs from rank!
Why do so? Division of labor?
20/10/23, 6:34 pm - +Smiley face: Let's reexamine our ethos and inspect our escalators of merit?
20/10/23, 6:34 pm - +Rama: It's going up but will never come close ever
20/10/23, 6:34 pm - +Smiley face: An officer makes $1.4k...
A non-officer makes almost $1.0k
20/10/23, 6:35 pm - +Smiley face: 40% difference
20/10/23, 6:39 pm - +Smiley face: Let's conduct a civil defence recall for the private sector human resources. Specifically, the construction workers! How fast can we muster in thousands and cluster them into groups to be deployed into areas of damaged! Less than 8 hours will be the best case scenario to win against time!
Why?
Just in case one day we need hundreds of thousands of hands to rebuild things ...
20/10/23, 6:40 pm - +Rama: Aim for four eventually
20/10/23, 6:42 pm - +Smiley face: Logistics, tools, pre-determined skills and abilities!
You don't activate a carpenter to dig trenches...
20/10/23, 6:42 pm - +Rama: Centralised storage around the country
20/10/23, 6:42 pm - +Smiley face: Up to 6 months Worth of food!
20/10/23, 6:42 pm - +Smiley face: Water? Electricity, generators?
20/10/23, 6:43 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, allocated for specific tasks!
20/10/23, 6:43 pm - +Rama: Constant check on expiry date and serviceability.
20/10/23, 6:44 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, SCFF alone will not be able to cope! Plus the Armed Forces!
Factor in dislocations and disruptions and deaths...
20/10/23, 6:45 pm - +Rama: Agree
20/10/23, 6:45 pm - +Smiley face: Is not about disease X....is not!
20/10/23, 6:45 pm - +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 π
20/10/23, 6:45 pm - +Rama: ππππ€ππ
20/10/23, 6:51 pm - +Khuan Yew: I support initiatives to help the lower income and reduce inequality. However, from the announcement, it seems that the only change is to have a family coach. Would have been better if they could have shared it this was effective in their pilot runs? How would they know if this would effective since the rest of the initiatives are already existing.
I would have liked to know what are the specific problems that these families have and how the family coach is going to address them. Perhaps it would be better to fix the root of such problems such as parents being in jail, blended families as parents divorced and remarried etc.
20/10/23, 6:53 pm - +Rama: Will family coach cut across all race and religion!?
20/10/23, 6:54 pm - +Smiley face: Employability is one issue....
20/10/23, 6:54 pm - +Smiley face: Matching
20/10/23, 6:54 pm - +Smiley face: Needs skills
20/10/23, 6:55 pm - +Rama: Sensitive, confidential and understanding
20/10/23, 6:56 pm - +Khuan Yew: Lower income issues include employability but also many others. Some are low income because of poor health. Some families have both parents in jail and it’s the grandparents taking care of the kids.
20/10/23, 6:57 pm - +Smiley face: Yes, spectrum of social issues! MSF and staff are experts .
20/10/23, 6:57 pm - +Smiley face: Yes Sir
20/10/23, 6:59 pm - +Smiley face: 20 October, 2023
"Micro-segmentation of Households, Individuals and Dependants"
" How and who shall collate, compare and analysethese real time big data and micro segments into a range of affordability index as an early indicator of household income sustainability in up to five economic scenarios; starting from deprivations to dislocations. The time frame starting from 2017-2019 (pre covid) & 2020-2023 (covid & post covid) What is the median/average expenses vs actual income across types of dwellings with emphasis on public housings followed by private housings. With these "micro tagging" strategy, the tactical actions of distribution means or recalibrated intervention policies will achieve a higher situational accuracy, higher service quality, and optimizing the reaching out to households and individuals and dependants in combinations whether is monetary or medical subsidies or jobs opportunity."
- - anonymity
Who?
MOF, MSF, MOH, Govtech, IRAS, CPF
"Meritocratic Ladder" 《η²Ύθ±ιΆζ’―》
π *Reducing income inequality*
Starting from early childhood up to IHL. Thereon to society and the first pay; less than 25% pay differentiation between a graduate from ITE/ A-level /Poly /Uni / doctors / lawyers /engineers; all first-time young adults into the job markets. A calibrated starting pay scale endorsed by the Tripartite.
The concept of "Rent to Own" works like this; you rent a flats for the first 5 years or the first 10 years, you will receive a statement of accounts showing your paid rental and the amount should you opt to buy the flats and if you are thinking to buy, the monthly instalments all calculated on various loan period in the statement of accounts.
For longer rental beyond 10 years, the rental shall increased by 10-20% on a case by case basis, and rental review of rental shall be every three years and incremental rental shall be applied and the cap rental ceiling at a pre-determined amount. No subletting allowed for all rentals HDB flats.
On the opposite, should you choose to buy between 5th to 10th year, you will receive a discount on the offered price with the 5th years enjoying the best discount.
π *A family-centric approach*
Form a residence "ground ups" team to close up, to look out or to help out neighbors in need in every block (including despair or depressed individuals). A block is like a Kampong. A cluster of blocks is like a Village. And a big village is like a Municipal.
π *Individuals and businesses must get involved*
How about a new funds named "United" whereby companies-country-individuals are encouraged to 'chip-in' token sum based on headcount and it will be on a monthly basis (3-6-1 contribution metrics)?
This contribution is deductible under the individual or corporate tax.
This funds is to provide financial helps to any displaced workers and their dependents during retrenchment, during reskilling or in-between finding a job. The direct cash credited into affected workers bank accounts within 30 days.
For workers who don't utilise this funds other than for reskilling, by age of 60 years shall receive a bonus for staying employed and not drawing down on the allocated unity funds; this bonus shall be credited into the CPF RA accounts. The number of utilisation of the funds shall be determined, the bonus amount, it needs deeper discussions.
The growth of the United Funds will be managed by MOF that will use its savvy investment knowledge to sustain a good returns on the principles of prudence and perpetuity.
- - in progress - -
20/10/23, 7:00 pm - +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 π
20/10/23, 7:01 pm - +Frankie Wee: Goodnight Megan ☺️
20/10/23, 7:01 pm - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group
====
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