HK to launch subsidy for low-wage households
Workfare-style scheme will help families with at least one employed memberBy Li Xueying and Pearl Liu, The Straits Times, 16 Jan 2014MARKING a "philosophical" shift in official attitudes on how poverty...
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Mandatory wage ladder a clean sweep for workers
Moral suasion and accreditation didn't work but a new scheme with the weight of law will lift cleaners' payBy Toh Yong Chuan, the Straits Times, 16 Jan 2014FROM September, a new wage system will govern...
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Public transport fares to go up, more concessions introduced
Transport fare hike offset by slew of concessionsTargeted help means many will pay less under adjustments starting April 6By Christopher Tan, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2014AROUND a million commuters...
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HDB sets quotas for renting out flats to foreigners and PRs
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2014QUOTAS have been placed on the proportion of public flats which can be rented out to foreigners and permanent residents (PRs).No more than 11 per cent of...
View ArticleNew homicide laws likely to deal with violent crimes
Courts can then differentiate between offenders of varying culpabilitiesBy K.c. Vijayan Senior Law Correspondent And Ian Poh, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2014OFFENDERS who cause death as a result of...
View ArticleLucasfilm's regional HQ opens in S'pore
Singapore targets 'creative ecosystem'New sectors like digital animation will offer exciting options for S'poreans: PMBy Goh Chin Lian, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2014SINGAPORE aims to create an open,...
View ArticleAre protests the best way to bring reform?
By Pasuk Phongpaichit, Published The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2014HOW did Thai politics get to this juncture? To answer this question, we need to understand the drastic changes experienced by the Thai...
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Risk burden too heavy on the public
Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam is the Workers' Party's point man on health-care issues. He speaks to Andrea Ong about what he thinks needs to change in health-care financing and public transport...
View ArticleWP's 'predictable' response criticised
The Straits Times, 18 Jan 2014THE Workers' Party (WP) yesterday welcomed a slew of new public transport concession schemes, but called for fare hikes to be delayed until all of these schemes are rolled...
View ArticleIs a tax hike in sight?
It won't be imminent, but if taxes have to be raised in future, bet on a hike in GST rather than an increase in personal or corporate income tax.By Lim Gek Khim And Grahame Wright, Published The...
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Secrets of the NWC's success
A new book by Prof Lim Chong Yah, founding chairman of the National Wages Council, gives the reasons for the success of the council since its establishment in 1972 and why it may be difficult for other...
View ArticleWhy S’pore needs a deterrent military force
NUS forum participants question quantum of military spending, size of armed forcesBy Kok Xing Hui, TODAY, 18 Jan 2014Whether it was time for the role of defence in Singapore to evolve with the times...
View ArticleGovt gives social services a $250m boost
PM Lee pledges to match donations to VWOs to spur private givingBy Rachel Chang, The Straits Times, 18 Jan 2014A WAR chest of $250 million has been set aside by the Government to match donations to...
View ArticleNew programme to pair up special needs students with peers from mainstream...
Students from ITE to be buddies with those at special schoolBy Carolyn Khew, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2014Intellectually disabled students will soon have more opportunities for interaction with others...
View ArticleHospitals gear up for spike in dementia cases
IMH to open homely wards with 'memory cubby holes' by bedside for patientsBy Janice Tai, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2014New facilities for dementia patients are being launched as hospitals and help...
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NUH switching to disposable bedpans for all patients
New system is more convenient and hygienic, and will save nurses' timeBy Poon Chian Hui, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2014THE "sharing" of bedpans, portable urinals and vomit bowls among National...
View ArticleCommunity Health Assist Scheme crosses half a million mark
140,000 more covered under subsidy scheme after Govt lifts age restrictionsBy Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2014ABOUT 140,000 people have automatically come on board the Community Health...
View ArticleSupporting local musicians: MCCY replies
WE THANK Mr Louis Francis Albert for sharing his thoughts on the challenges faced by Singaporean musicians ("Tune in to needs of musicians"; last Thursday).We empathise with the challenges our...
View ArticleAddress social and emotional needs of migrant workers, say NGOs
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia, 20 Jan 2014Observers Channel NewsAsia spoke with said foreign workers’ well-being in Singapore has improved over the years, with tougher laws against errant...
View ArticleBudget: Govt will press on with restructuring
Tharman: More ways to help firms, lift productivity, keep seniors healthyBy Yasmine Yahya, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2014SINGAPORE has started to see some progress in its efforts to raise productivity,...
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