Following the recent announcement of the 2013 Budget, union leaders felt their calls had clearly been heard, and measures had been rolled out to benefit more workers, especially those from the lower- and middle-income groups.
Rising up to speak on the first day of the Budget Debate in Parliament, four Labour MPs shared their united voices on what more could be done to uplift the quality of life and create better jobs for Singaporeans. Their resounding theme: Value every worker.
To value every older worker, Labour MP Heng Chee How made three proposals. He called on the tripartite partners to discuss on further extending the re-employment age band from the current (62 to 65) to (62 to 67).
He also spoke about workplace healthcare cost-sharing and doing more to the ADVANTAGE! Scheme. You can get the full speech here.
Labour MP Patrick Tay pointed out that the introduction of the Wage Credit Scheme will definitely serve to benefit junior to mid-level Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), including PMEs entering the workforce.
He added that the Progressive Wage Model DPM Tharman mentioned in his budget speech applies to PMEs as well. You can get the full speech here.
Labour MP Zainal Sapari hoped companies will leverage the Wage Credit Scheme (WSC) to offer higher wage increases or more bonuses to their low wage workers. However, he was also very concerned that the WCS may not bring immediate or short term benefit to low wage workers who are working under outsourced contracts.
He called on the government to mandate that the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to be a requirement for licensing to enable companies to operate in sectors like cleaning, landscape, and security. You can get the full speech here.
Nominated Labour MP Mary Liew urged the Government to take bold steps to empower women to combine their jobs with family commitments.
She hopes the Government can legislate flexible work arrangements, incentivise employers to redesign jobs and provide infrastructure that will allow for flexi-work arrangements, increase maternity leave from four to six months and strengthen childcare facilities and infrastructure. You can get the full speech here.
Fast links to Labour MPs Budget Speeches in Parliament
Budget Speech by Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office
Budget Speech by Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, MP for Nee Soon GRC
Budget Speech by Mr Zainal Sapari, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
Budget Speech by NMP Mary Liew at Budget Debate 2013
More Budget speeches made by other Labour MPs in Parliament are available in this article: A Singapore where your every contribution is valued
