In her maiden speech as Member of Parliament on 31 August 2020, NTUC Director for U SME and Women & Family Yeo Wan Ling highlighted that COVID-19 had pushed more women into the workforce to support their families.
She called for more flexibility in the workplace, such as telecommuting and flexible hours to allow women to juggle their career and family responsibilities better.
Ms Yeo noted that the pandemic has replaced and redefined traditional career paths. She also stressed the importance of recognising and respecting non-traditional occupations and unconventional career paths.
She pledged to fight for better job prospects and work arrangements for all in the community.
Additionally, Ms Yeo underlined the crucial need for solidarity and a shared sense of identity to tide over these uncertain times.
She cautioned that although it is tempting to turn inwards as a response to the pandemic, it is not the right way forward.
“This could bring us down the slippery slope of apathy and distrust. Therefore, at every juncture, we must evaluate the lengths to which we will go in the name of self-preservation, and what that could cost us,” she said.
Ms Yeo also hopes for more kindness in the community, built on understanding and empathy, towards the challenges others may be facing.
“The incessant shouting you have been hearing at home could be a couple in financial distress. The tired homemaker who has been moving furniture at odd hours could have had her hours stretched due to having more people at home in the day.
“It is on us to open our hearts to the stories that run deep and to extend a helping hand to those in the community who might need it. Have we been too quick to judge?” asked Ms Yeo.
She added that although the Government will do its best to ensure Singaporeans emerge stronger post-COVID-19, the community must do its part to band together.
“We must heed the President’s call to embrace our plurality and diversity,” she said. “Then, and only then, can we work out community solutions that will allow us to become greater than the sum of our individual parts,” said Ms Yeo.
