More Equitable Assistance Necessary

Global inflation has affected the market worldwide, as well as the political stability of many nations. Consequently, many responsible governments have initiated a variety of programs to tackle inflationary problems, some of which involved cutting down on national expenditure. Others have introduced policies and other administrative measures to help reduce the otherwise runaway rate of inflation.

The rapid hike in the cost-of-living has created considerable tension amongst the people everywhere. Recently, the Hong Kong Government abolished import duty on diesel. The move was much welcomed, especially by public transport operators and the public at large. Public transportation is an essential need; it constitutes a main determinant in any cost-of-living evaluation.

At home, the PAP Government alleges that it has assisted the lower income families to tide over rising consumer prices all across the board. Many local Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have also contributed much efforts in helping the less fortunate community. But all those assistance may not be universally equitable, in the sense that the spread may not be thorough enough -– not everyone benefit.

In view of our comparatively stronger economy, the Government should do more to alleviate the peoples’ sufferings brought about by the inflation. Whilst it may be concerned with the probable economic slowdown and its potential impact on our employment rate, the Government is not well focussed on the dangers of a prolonged inflation. It is apparently too fist-tight with its fiscal assistance.

Without liberalising its monetary policy, the Government still retains a great deal of fiscal leverage. More effective administrative measures are required to ease the problem of domestic inflation. The PAP government owes the people a responsibility of care to help all Singaporeans during these difficult times.

By Elvin Ong

Amendment of regulation Ministry of Manpower for employing foreigner in Singapore

I am glad that finally MOM have realise the critical situation of the current employment rate of Singaporean. I personally encourage such amendment of this regulation to prevent the miss use of the relax regulation.

During the past few years, PAP government have come out with more relax and flexible policies to allow more companies to employ more foreign workers to prevent the so call lack of manpower in Singapore to fill up job vacancies. Because of more competitive lower pay that these workers are willing to take and longer hours they are willing to work, this have attract many companies to find ways to get them by finding "loop holes" in policies and to replace the local workers with them. Many lower level employees are affected as they are the major group to be replaced.

Result show in statistic of MOM is that this cause many Singaporean to lose their job and have many problems to encourage companies to keep them, especially the recent increase of retrench rate announce.

During May Day on 2008, many opposition party politicians bring up this topics regarding about too many new job vacancies taken up by foreigners. These have given Singaporean and PAP government another round of "Alarm Call".

Although PAP have run and hide from this problem causes by these policies, I personally is encouraged with the progress and result that many voices of our people are heard after a series of pressure to PAP government. Let us together again be watchful for the outcome and continue to voice out our view of this current amendment of MOM policies for employing foreigner.