Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)
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Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)›Budget67 turns · 26,578w
· 204 highlighted
budget-1863recorded 2022-03-04
Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines)1535 words
Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head S of the Estimates be reduced by $100." COVID-19 precipitated sudden and pervasive changes to how we work, why we work and what we want at work.[+13 sentences] Our manpower policies must adjust dynamically to such structural changes. The Singapore workforce and the manpower policy system that supports the workforce are core national assets. Without our world-class workforce, companies would not invest more and there would be no continued creation of good jobs. It is a critical pillar to Singapore's success. Businesses and investors, both local and overseas, watch our manpower policies closely for the same reason. It requires years of building, innovating and fine-tuning this system. It is inherently complex, balancing sometimes diametrically opposite intentions and expectations. For example, we need to strengthen our Singaporean Core, but not lose access to talent needed for Singapore to be competitive. We need to create good work opportunities for our locals without starving businesses of the manpower to grow and survive. We must grow our economic pie but not weaken our compact with workers. I will speak on structural changes from COVID-19 and how we need to respond to survive and thrive in the new world order while navigating difficult policy tensions. Digital and technological changes driven by COVID-19 have created many jobs, but also destroyed many others. We can no longer take sustained full-time employment for granted. The rapid growth of platforms or marketplace work has created a much bigger group of gig or contract workers and these workers do not have mandated CPF contributions.[+11 sentences] Workers are likely to not stay in full-time or traditional employment for as long as before. How can the Ministry continue to safeguard the retirement adequacy of our workers amidst such structural changes? Workers might not be accumulating CPF savings consistently or there might be disruptions to building up their retirement nest when they do gig or contract work. It is tempting to ask for flexibility in withdrawals to make up for lost income. But this comes at the expense of retirement adequacy. The complexity deepens with a volatile investment climate. With increasing investment uncertainty, how can the CPF Board still ensure good returns for our workers? There has also been a pervasive shift towards greater focus on skills rather than jobs. This was precipitated by a global marketplace where skills rather than occupations or academic qualifications reap ever higher economic rent. This trend will only intensify. There are three implications. First, our foreign manpower system must gradually pivot to accord greater weightage to skills when giving out work passes.[+6 sentences] This strengthens complementarity with our local workforce. Second, how do we employ artificial intelligence (AI) in our work pass system to identify skills and bring in foreign manpower that creates better value for Singapore? Third, for employers, it is more relevant and intuitive to hire based on skills rather than job titles or school qualifications. But the default is still rather traditional, relying on the presumed hiring certainty of job titles. How can the Ministry help businesses to develop a new dimension in hiring and rewarding for skills? Next, on the "Great Resignation". Since the early part of 2021, the developed world has seen resignation of workers en masse.[+13 sentences] COVID-19 has stretched on long enough for workers to re-examine their careers, working conditions, reward system and purpose. This was particularly stark amongst the younger workers. Many were as concerned about their work prospects as they are about wellness. Their definition of success has changed. The perhaps already archaic 5Cs that were once deemed as the Singaporean dream is now overtaken by other non-traditional aggregators of success, such as work-life balance and purposeful careers, aligned to their passions and aspirations. This has far-reaching consequences for the workforce and workplace. First, the importance of wellness as a capability within the workplace. Over the years, there are decreasing numbers of jobs that pose physical harm and safety worries as Singapore develops into a service and higher technology economy. However, mental stress hits all of us, regardless of industries. Globally, companies have introduced well-being programmes in the wake of the pandemic. These programmes help employees with mental health and physical health. The improvements in personal outcomes have a direct impact on productivity and retention. Wellness goes beyond just providing yoga classes during lunchtime. A well-designed employee wellness framework looks at mental health education, work practices aligned to creating a safe and empowering environment. We certainly neither envisage legislating wellness within the Workmen Injury Compensation Act, nor is it wise to do so at this point without understanding the issue better.[+17 sentences] In Sweden, there is a concept of fika. It roughly means drinking coffee, eating sweet or savoury pastries and chatting with co-workers. There is even a sequence to doing fika. One starts with cinnamon buns and ends with a princess cake. Many companies have mandatory designated fika time. The Swedes see this as an essential part of managing work stress. This is not to say that mandating fika or, in our context, "kopi breaks" is that panacea to our workplace issues. There is a bigger cultural and work construct to it and fika is possibly that symbolic reminder of the need for work-life balance. The takeaway is that we can no longer treat employee mental wellness as just another good-to-have if we want to deal with changing workplace demands. Bigger and bolder moves are needed. Second, the bliss or curse of the hybrid workplace. Some workers like it, others detest it but nearly all can see the value of working from home. COVID-19 forced most companies to have their workers to work from home but few have well-developed hybrid workplace policies. Thus, work time and place become increasingly and agonisingly blurred. Where it was the flexible work arrangement that workers have been craving for years, it is now a bane, especially for younger workers. The solution is also not to bring all workers back to the office. Workers have experienced the savings from commuting and employers do save from office rental. What we need is to establish a national common code of practices so that workers and employers have a common understanding on how to make hybrid workplaces work.[+3 sentences] According to a 2021 CNBC/SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey, nearly 80% of workers want to work for a company that values diversity, equity and inclusion. This might not fully reflect the situation in Singapore but there is clearly a greater desire amongst younger workers for similar aims. Workers increasingly want their companies to take a position on such matters. Last year, we made a big stride in signaling our intention to enshrine the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices into law.[+2 sentences] This is a clear signal that Singapore does not tolerate discrimination in workplaces. This move underpins a whole-of-nation desire for greater inclusivity. Can the Ministry provide us with an update on this move?[+9 sentences] While the law provides for minimal standards, we need to push the front end of the charge for greater inclusivity. We need to look into establishing public indices, so that companies can benchmark their progress. This can provide for broader and faster progress on the important issue of inclusivity. Next, going green is no longer a tagline but a real driver of change in the workforce. The green economy will be a key driver in the global economy. We have the Green Plan 2030 to advance our pursuit of sustainable development. We must now prepare our workers to make the transition into the green economy. Some jobs in the petrochemical sector might, indeed, be lost. Other opportunities might take their place. Can the Ministry outline its plans to prepare our workers to transition into the green economy?[+6 sentences] The proliferation of remote working has shrunk the global workplace into one global connected office. Physical presence at the workplace is not tied to productivity. During the deepest of COVID-19, many companies have started sourcing services from overseas for work that used to be done here in Singapore. Remote working has allowed them to capitalise on global talent pools while saving costs and even rental costs of office spaces. While this means that the workforce is now presented with global opportunities, the converse is also true. Our workforce now faces greater competition, competing for jobs with counterparts from across the globe. How will the Ministry continue to ensure that the Singaporean workforce remains a strong value proposition for their businesses, especially that of multinational companies (MNCs)?[+7 sentences] Building a robust and dynamic workforce and policy system is a multi-year effort. There can be short-term adjustment issues. For example, implementing an increase in minimum qualifying salaries for work passes can, indeed, result in some work pass holders getting a bump in wages. But adjustment to dependency ratios and the longer run signals will help locals get better wages and a higher quality foreign workforce. Therefore, we must be careful not to avoid longer-range changes because of shorter-term pains. As we debate the cuts, we must be mindful of the strategic imperatives in building a great workforce and the inherent policy tensions. With this, Mr Chairman, I beg to move.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang)184 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, the joint NTUC and SNEF PME Taskforce recommended a points system for Employment Pass (EP) applications which factors in whether the employer has been hiring and developing local workers and the diversity of nationalities within the company. The Minister for Finance also mentioned in his Budget Statement speech that beyond qualifying salary, MOM will assess EP applications on the basis of complementarity and the diversity of our foreign workforce.[+4 sentences] Can I ask: what is MOM's assessment of whether a points system will be useful in improving the complementarity of the local and foreign workforces? If, indeed, we are going on this approach, can the Minister share details on the basis of determining complementarity and how the system will be administered? Is this approach of assessing applications expected to lead to a higher total number of EPs issued and whether could it also lead to a situation where an employer who can find a local hire but choose to hire an EP instead, because the company is able to meet the complementarity and diversity criteria? Would it go against the spirit of this proposal?
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang)305 words
[+8 sentences]Mr Chairman, businesses continue to face a challenging operating environment. Operational costs are going up with the upcoming increase in GST, carbon tax and foreign worker levies. Border restrictions have led to some foreign talent leaving the country and not returning. There is an urgent need to review our strategies concerning the hiring and retention of foreign talent. The competition for talent at the high-end is global. In 2021, 69% of companies globally reported talent shortages. By 2030, the global talent crunch is estimated to reach 85 million people. This translates into a potential loss of trillions of dollars in economic opportunity for companies. For Singapore, the loss is estimated to go up to $143 billion.[+10 sentences] Knowledge-intensive industries, like financial services, technology, media and telecommunications and manufacturing are expected to take the hardest hit. We need a framework that gives more certainty to companies for manpower planning. But the bigger question is, how do we overcome our talent crunch, be very selective and attract the cream of the crop to come here? As we are also extensively upskilling local workers to reduce the skills gap, we should only aim to attract the best from overseas to complement the local workforce. How do we determine what is the best, compared to the mediocre? How can we attract the next Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk to contribute their expertise to Singapore? What will it take to build the next Amazon, Facebook or Tesla here? What are our strategies to do so, as we come out of COVID-19? Amongst talent hiring strategies shared by industry experts, many of them have to do with the hiring process itself and human resource management. Will the Human Resources (HR) Industry Manpower Plan take this into consideration and help our HR practitioners to develop better hiring and talent management practices?
Mr Cheng Hsing Yao (Nominated Member)354 words
[+6 sentences]Chairman, Sir, some have said that certain economic or social sectors are over-reliant on foreign workers, for example, in retail, F&B, construction and healthcare amongst others. This implies that at least some companies or organisations in these sectors are unwilling to change, slow to adopt technologies and redesign jobs to make them attractive to Singaporeans. When I look at these sectors, I see potential for process and production redesigned to increase productivity. However, the delivery of their products and services also encompasses a particular type of work, the type which requires dexterity and eye–hand–leg coordination. This type of work is difficult to be replaced or designed in a way, not until mobile robotics are advanced and economical enough to be widely deployed. Most of these jobs may not qualify as complementary because they can, theoretically, be done by Singaporeans. Meanwhile, we may not have enough Singaporeans interested in such jobs, especially when other economic sectors are also competing for Singaporeans to join them.[+6 sentences] We also demand more from these sectors. For example, we want better service at retail and F&B shops, more BTO flats, more MRT lines and stations closer to homes and more help to care for our young, our old and the sick. I understand the objective of tightening access to foreign labour is to drive companies and operators to improve productivity. However, there may be scope for a more differentiated approach. I would like to suggest we work with the various industries to quantify, from bottom-up, how much improvement in productivity can really be achieved. So, we roughly know what is an achievable target, what is a stretch target, within a certain timeframe. Can MOM consider a deeper dive into the nature of the work of various economic or social sectors that we are trying to drive higher productivity and differentiate them into two categories?[+2 sentences] One, jobs that can be significantly reduced through job redesign and use of technology. Two, the dexterous and eye–hand–leg coordination type of jobs that cannot be easily replaced by automation or process redesign. Following that, a set of differentiated and more targeted policies can be applied.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer)232 words
To safeguard our Singaporean Core and curb discriminatory hiring, we must ensure that our Singaporean Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) have access to a level playing field for jobs while, at the same time, balance companies' manpower needs in the immediate and longer term. I am glad to note the upward revision of the Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass qualifying salaries announced during the Budget Statement 2022.[+2 sentences] However, this alone is inadequate. I am glad that we are looking at introducing workplace fairness legislation to weed out all forms of discrimination, including nationality discrimination. Today, the eligibility criteria for EP focuses largely on the applicant's educational qualifications and salary. I look forward to MOM taking into consideration the NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce's recommendation to further enhance the EP application process and include a points system which factors in, first, sectoral input; second, whether the employer has been hiring and developing local workers; and third, the diversity of nationalities within the companies, including seeking inputs from the tripartite partners, which is NTUC.[+1 sentence] In the same vein, I hope MOM can provide an update on the effectiveness of the Fair Consideration Framework; the work of TAFEP and the drive to weed out the triple weak companies; and refinements of the various tripartite standards and guidelines so that we can build upon all these various initiatives and policy measures and further strengthen our Singaporean Core.
The Chairman8 words
[+3 sentences]Ms Sylvia Lim. Not here. Mr Patrick Tay.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan111 words
The last time when CPF contribution wage ceiling was raised from $5,000 to $6,000 was six years ago on 1 January 2016. With rising wages, especially of our PMEs and the Government's commitment during the last round of review to realign the salary ceiling to cover wages up to the 80th percentile of resident incomes, I wish to ask the Minister if MOM will consider a review of this contribution wage ceiling to ensure it keeps pace with income growth over the years?[+1 sentence] This will allow CPF savings to be tagged to real wage growth, and it is also one way to improve retirement adequacy for Singaporean workers, especially the PMEs.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied)283 words
[+11 sentences]Sir, many residents have approached me for help to appeal to CPF to allow more flexible use of their CPF for housing. Some elderly residents have insufficient cash to complete the purchase of their 2-room Flexi flats because their CPF Ordinary Account (OA) monies are automatically transferred to the retirement account upon turning 55. As home loans are not available for Flexi flats, the purchase of a $100,000 flat is often a strain on their cash flow. Can I request that CPF Retirement Account (RA) funds which originated from their OA be allowed to be used for the purchase of 2-room Flexi flats by default as long as the CPF member's RA balance is above the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS). There should be a simple and clearly stated application process for this. For those whose RA funds for below the BRS. I hold CPF can exercise greater flexibility so that elderly residents are not denied a Flexi flat despite large balances in their CPF funds. For the payment of the resale levy, can CPF consider allowing applicants who have sufficient funds in their RA or SA to take out an advance from one of these accounts which must be returned with interest within a few years. The applicant could be required to show income documents to prove that they are able to return them amount drawn. This could smoothen the cash flow problem that might be preventing them from completing the purchase of their home, while ensuring they do not prematurely exhaust their retirement funds. It will not just elderly flat buyers but also divorcees who have to sell the matrimonial flat and have only half the proceeds to buy a new flat.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang)398 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, while CPF has maintained its interest rates at a point where it preserves purchasing power and guards against long-run inflation, the longer time horizons that retirement presents mean that expected increases in longevity and higher retirement income needs should give additional motivation to empower CPF members to enhance their returns when able. And it is, indeed, true that, generally, long-term investments with some risk should provide higher expected returns than the CPF interest rates. We know that 75% of CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) OA members have earned some form of profits as of FY2020, but only 645,000 members are part of the CPFIS.[+11 sentences] This is a mere 16% of the over four million total CPF members as of 2021. There could be many who may wish to see their CPF returns do better than the interest rates offered by CPF but are not confident enough or knowledgeable in the financial markets to buy into the CPFIS. Moreover, while the world has been moving toward ETFs as an investment product, the available number of ETFs available under the CPFIS is a grand total of six. Many of the global ETFs such as those listed in the US, have total expense ratios which are lower than ETFs and Unit Trusts here in Singapore. As a start, can more passively managed ETFs be made available for Singaporeans? I note from my cut last year, then-Minister for Manpower shared that the Ministry had still been studying if a CPF Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme (LRIS) can be introduced to help such members who have the risk appetite and investment horizon but not enough investment knowledge. However, the Ministry is updating planning assumptions to strike the right balance between risk and return. I would like to seek an update if the Ministry has finished work on this front, as it has been close to six years since August 2016 when the plans were first announced. Is there a more concrete timetable that can be shared? Finally, I would like to make an observation that GIC's 20-year returns have been consistently above the 2.5% interest rate offered to CPF-OA. Should the average Singaporean get access to the diversified investment portfolio of GIC, CPF members could reach retirement adequacy in a way that minimises the risk of short-term market volatility and protect their purchasing power against not just local inflation, but global inflation as well.
The Chairman15 words
[+5 sentences]Prof Hoon Hian Teck. Not here. Ms He Ting Ru. Not here. Mr Dennis Tan.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Hougang)561 words
[+1 sentence]Extending from my Budget debate speech earlier this week, I wish to highlight the need for a Just Transition for the manpower currently within the petrochemicals industry, otherwise known as the energy and chemicals industry. While Singapore is accelerating the green transition, we must not forget that there are around 27,000 people working in the sector, a majority in their 30s and 40s.[+6 sentences] With an increasing resistance to working within this space, we may be losing sight of the forest for the trees as we do require petrochemicals, albeit at a reduced level, as we transition to a green economy and society. This does also mean that many in the sector may be at risk of losing their jobs in the near to medium-term. Those who remain in the fossil fuel industry may find some of their jobs fundamentally changed to fit the greening economy. Many workers in the field should be looking to make mid-career switches into the green economy. But how can we integrate a Just Transition in this sector then, so that no one is left behind? This requires buy-in not just from the Government, but from companies which are invested in the green transition. Shell announced in November 2021 that it is halving its crude processing capacity at its Singapore hub and reducing fuel exports as it transits from fossil fuels to cut emissions and meet global low-carbon energy needs.[+3 sentences] How will such industrial developments in our petrochemical industry affect existing employment? For a start, I hope that both the employers and the Government will work to ensure that as many existing workers as possible can be retrained and converted to new positions under new green ventures within the organisations. Next, at this point in time, our aggregate level of green skills level may not be sufficient. LinkedIn published its first-ever report on the state of the green economy in a Global Green Skills Report on 22 February, which noted that Singapore ranks 24th out of the top 25 countries in terms of relative green skill intensity, lower than the global average.[+3 sentences] Therefore, it is not enough to emphasise on skills and competencies to incorporate into Singapore's education curriculum. Our workers in the industry must develop the ability to think at a systems level, to have grit and resilience in order to transit and compete in the global green economy and ready with global talent. I, therefore, ask the Minister for Manpower to give more specifics on transitioning our workers in the fossil fuel industry towards jobs within the green economy. How will Career Conversion Programmes being offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) be augmented to reskill existing workers or train new hires in the sustainability sector?[+2 sentences] Will more Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses be jointly developed by NEA together with industry and partner stakeholders and offered by Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), such as Polytechnics and ITEs? How will they plan to reach the individuals working within the industry to ensure that they are ready for the transition? How will the Ministry collaborate with the companies within this sector to provide the necessary information for their employees in this green transition? I, therefore, ask the Minister to give an update on how MOM intends to keep a domestic talent pipeline for the petrochemical segments where petrochemicals are still envisioned to be used in the green future.
The Chairman9 words
[+3 sentences]Miss Cheng Li Hui. Not here. Ms Hazel Poa.
Ms Hazel Poa (Non-Constituency Member)651 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, CPF is our main social safety net. It can be used for housing, healthcare education and retirement income. Self-employed persons do not have the benefit of employer CPF contributions. Their housing and retirement adequacy are areas of concern. About a third of the 228,000 self-employed persons (SEPs) work for platform companies that assigned delivery or transportation work to them.[+2 sentences] The UK Supreme Court decided to classify them as workers, a category between employees and self-employed, with some benefits like paid leave and pensions. These gig or platform workers often engage in physically strenuous work with low entry barriers and they also tend to earn less. The median monthly income of resident employees in 2018 was $4,000 for permanent employees, but only $1,322 for gig workers.[+2 sentences] Furthermore, delivery or transportation jobs have a high chance of being replaced by machines with advancements in technology in the not-too-distant future. Researchers in Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) warned of platform workers being caught in a poverty trap. The Advisory Committee on Platform Workers was set up six months ago, to look into better protection for platform workers. Can MOM provide an update on the progress of the committee and when we can expect the committee to make public its recommendations?[+14 sentences] In addition, I would like to seek further information from MOM: what is the latest number of platform workers? What is their median age? How many are unable to meet the basic retirement sum (BRS) now? For those who are unable to meet the BRS, what is their average CPF savings? How many are making CPF contributions voluntarily? How many have recently completed or are currently attending SkillsFuture courses to upgrade their skills? I would also like to provide two suggestions. The lack of CPF savings is a major concern. To encourage platform workers to make voluntary CPF contributions, can MOM consider a special scheme to allow them to voluntarily contribute CPF and withdraw their voluntary contributions on demand? The income of gig workers is not stable. Due to this volatility, it is important to keep cash on hand. Gig workers are understandably hesitant about making voluntary CPF contributions over fears that when they need that money, they cannot access it. If, however, they have the flexibility to withdraw these contributions when needed, they would be incentivised to contribute CPF to benefit from the higher interest rates offered by CPFB, as salaried employees do. My second suggestion is on training. According to Grab, and I quote, "Around 70% of our partners have expressed interest in attending training and skills development programmes to improve in their current role, while two-thirds of our partners hope to leverage skills gained to transit into other career fields." Do platform companies have to pay SDF for their platform workers?[+13 sentences] If not, can MOM consider making platform companies contribute SDF and use these funds to give extra training support to platform workers? In Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): CPF is our main social safety net. It can be used for housing, healthcare, education and retirement. CPF inadequacy among platform workers is one area of concern. These gig workers or platform workers often engage in manual labour and usually have lower income. In addition, delivery and transport jobs may be replaced by machines in the near future. In this regard, I have two suggestions. In order to encourage platform workers to make voluntary CPF contributions, will MOM consider a special scheme that allows them to withdraw their voluntary CPF contributions at any time? The income of platform workers is unstable. If they have the flexibility to withdraw their CPF in times of need, they may have less concerns. Meanwhile, they will also enjoy higher CPF interest, like other employees. My second suggestion is for MOM to consider requiring platform companies to contribute to the SDF, so as to provide additional training support to platform workers.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis468 words
[+2 sentences]Chairman, last year, I spoke in this House about the importance of FWAs and called upon the Government to lead the adoption of FWAs. In the past two years, COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we work, but as we start to get back on track to living with COVID-19, there is considerable anxiousness and concern that the gains we have made on FWAs could be lost. The Public Service Division (PSD) has introduced FWAs, but I read with grave concern the Government's stance that hybrid work is not an entitlement, and that the requirements of the job take precedence.[+3 sentences] I am concerned that the signalling from PSD may roll back such efforts in the private sector as well. Research shows that FWAs bring various economic benefits, including increased productivity and innovation, better employee morale, as well as attracting more talent. For employees, this can also bring improved work-life balance and mental health. In response to my Parliamentary Question in February, Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that some 60% of the Civil Service is in frontline functions, such as schools or the uniformed services agencies, which are not suited to be performed from home on a sustained basis. However, where operationally feasible, Public Service agencies can exercise flexibility and discuss FWAs with these officers.[+6 sentences] To me, the starting point has to be that FWAs are an obligation on the part of employers, and, thereafter, discussions can be made on how these can be tailored to individual job circumstances. A related point on FWAs is the idea of a four-day work week. I shared in a speech last year the benefits that this could bring. Since then, the UK has also announced a four-day work week pilot. As shared by the director of the four-day work week campaign in the UK, similar programmes are set to start in the US and Ireland, with more planned for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Many companies and governments have already started to implement FWAs and four-day work weeks. For example, the Victorian state government has made flexible work available by default to all employees since 2021, focusing on service delivery outcomes, as well as employee support and well-being.[+2 sentences] Finland's Working Hours Act, first passed in 1996, was updated to give employees flexibility to shorten or extend their workday by up to four hours. Closer to home, local banks, such as UOB and DBS, have also instituted permanent FWAs. I ask that the Government demonstrate a commitment to this new way of work and maintaining the attractiveness of Singapore as a place to work. I hope the Government will take decisive steps to increase the adoption of FWAs, through legislating a baseline level of flexible work, conducting four-day work week pilots and allowing the Public Service a leadership role to implement more FWAs.
Ms Janet Ang (Nominated Member)640 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, Dylan D'Souza was a COVID-19 graduate. Not being able to secure a long-term job, Dylan decided to take up the SGUnited Skills Programme at NUS-ISS in December 2020. After the six-month full-time Train and Place Programme, during which he was attached to AXA, Dylan successfully contracted to continue at AXA as a data specialist. Mr Chairman, the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package has supported thousands of Singaporeans like Dylan in several hundreds of companies during the pandemic.[+27 sentences] It was a big deal for the industry. Meanwhile, as the economy recovers, human resources are the great challenge ahead. I have time to only touch briefly on three points and I hope you will not buzz me. One: Singapore being open to global talent is not an option. There are two truths: one, there are simply not enough Singaporeans to do all the jobs that are needed to be done; and two, in fact, our ability to attract the best global talents to work here and complement our local workforce has been a Singapore competitive advantage. I did speak in Parliament about holding our businesses accountable to Fair Practices in the Workplace (FPW). I hear from the Singapore Human Resource Institute that companies, especially the MNCs, are committed and some have set up a HR compliance unit to ensure FPWs. Ideally, fair practices in the workplace should not just be about compliance but an intentional commitment by employers to renew their social compact with their Singapore employees, a key stakeholder. As for us, the Singapore workers, let us continue to work hard to create value in our roles, to get reskilled to stay relevant, embrace change, think, innovate and adapt and, most of all, act with integrity, responsibility and respect. We ought to be the difference why companies invest in Singapore. My second point: FWAs to attract, retain, diversify and include. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in work from home becoming the norm. As we shift gears to live with COVID-19, it is a great opportunity for companies to rethink the workplace of the future for their workforce. I think that is not just simply about working from home, but having the choice of flexi-work arrangements. With flexibility, I believe that more women, more persons with disability and more seniors can choose to work. My third point: will AI take away jobs? I would like to suggest that if robots or AI can replace work that humans used to do, humans would be more than happy to have those tasks automated away. We have seen many examples from our lived experience. AI systems should augment work and, in fact, that is actually urgently needed so that the work that needs the human touch, the service quality, the intuition or compassion will have enough people to do them. However, trust and understanding are critical and we need as much communication and education in this space, as we need innovation. Can the Minister give us an update on the progress of the tripartite guidelines being written into law? Can the Minister update us if MOM will be advocating and, therefore, supporting companies to move forward with FWAs? Can the Minister also update if the Public Service will take the lead and how will the Public Service take the lead to build AI systems to solve part of the manpower challenge? Let me close with the story of Bin Rong, a lighting technician, whose role was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He applied for the NUS-ISS Professional Conversion Programme in Full Stack Development and was matched with Works Application Company Limited. This training enabled Bin Rong to successfully transition into a new profession as a software engineer. As Singaporeans, we should be proud and heartened to know that our Singapore Budget supports Singaporeans like Dylan and Bin Long, one person at a time.
The Chairman19 words
[+2 sentences]I did not buzz you, but please try to keep your speeches shorter next time, Ms Ang. Thank you.
Ms Janet Ang2 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, Sir.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Liang Eng Hwa.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa240 words
[+7 sentences]Sir, credit to the hardworking team of the MOM family, past and present, we have made great progress in improving the employability, employment and well-being of our workers in the last decade. However, one segment of workers where their employability and employment continue to face steep challenges is that of the mid-career jobseekers, those in their 40s and 50s. They are most vulnerable to disruptions and restructuring at the workplace. It is a more uphill task for anyone in the middle of their careers to reskill for new jobs. Hence, we need to intensify support and encourage continuous learning. But, of course, there are some who face age discrimination, biasness by their employers and that, we will address it through TAFEP as well as workplace fairness legislation. We already have a range of support measures to help mid-career workers. So, can I ask the Minister for an update on the outcomes of these schemes so far? I welcome another new scheme that was announced by the Finance Minister, namely, the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Attachment.[+1 sentence] Securing attachments to companies for these mid-career jobseekers can be a good way to help overcome the skills or experience mismatch issues. Can the Minister share the details how this scheme would work and does he anticipate any difficulties?[+1 sentence] Also, can I ask the Minister to share the details on the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme which would be enhanced to achieve better outcomes?
Mr Yip Hon Weng198 words
Mr Chairman, I am glad to hear that the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) has been extended to September 2022.[+3 sentences] To a certain extent, it has helped to encourage employers to retain local staff and expand local hiring. But this will be a mere stop-gap measure when the JGI ends, if there is no mindset change towards employing seniors. What other measures are we taking to improve the employment of seniors? Can we set specific targets with regard to senior employment rate in the growth industries?[+3 sentences] Some of Britain's biggest companies recognise the importance and value of senior workers and had, on their own accord, set targets and plans to increase the number of over-50s they employ by 2022. The American Association of Retired Persons has an Employment Pledge Programme to recognise companies that are committed to hiring persons aged 50 and above. We must do more to identify the companies that are age-diverse, and work on expanding this group. On the new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, which will replace the SGUnited Skills Programme and the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme, can the Ministry elaborate on which industries will it focus on and how long will the training be for?
Miss Rachel Ong (West Coast)501 words
[+20 sentences]Chairman, mid-career workers were some of the most affected groups due to the pandemic season. Many experienced loss of jobs and great challenges in being hired over younger workers, despite their wealth of working experience. Some of these mid-career workers are women returning to the workforce after choosing to dedicate their time to the formative years of their children's lives. For these, the pandemic made their re-entry into the workforce more challenging. WSG's SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme introduced in 2020 provides many benefits for the mid-career worker. Apart from learning skills with income supplementation, the attachments and traineeships allow for immersive real-world practice that sets in context their new knowledge. This is particularly valuable for women returning to work in adjusting to the workplace environment that would have changed in their years away from the workforce. However, one key challenge that many of the mid-career individuals face in embarking on this journey is the exploration phase and eventually deciding on the alternative career pathway to choose. We understand from Executive Career Coaching workshops for PMEs that one of the most important attributes to equip our mid-career workers with is in confidence – confidence for the next phase of their lives. Often, one is unsure of his or her employability in the market, especially if they have only been in one particular role for an extended time. As such, helping mid-career PMEs understand their transferable skills from past experiences, interests, what energises them will allow them to identify their transferable skills and understand the value they bring to their next role. This also accords a more holistic assessment of the individual and builds their confidence for the job search. One career coachee, a tech support specialist for 23 years in the same company, was informed in November 2020 that his company was closing their operations and that he would be retrenched by the following April. He was turning 50 that year and was the sole breadwinner for his wife and two school-going children. He was very concerned about his employability at the age of 50 and expected not to be employed for a long time after retrenchment. Through the career coaching he received, he was able to discover his skills and recognise areas he could contribute to the current job market and built his LinkedIn profile accordingly. He was headhunted shortly via LinkedIn as an Automation Engineer and was able to start work immediately after retrenchment. His story has encouraged many. I believe that if we were to invest more time helping our workers discover transferable skills and strengths they have for the current job market prior to the start of their mid-career pathway programme, they will see greater opportunities for selecting a pathway programme that they can flourish in. I would like to ask the Government how this programme looks like beyond March 2022 under the new scheme SkillsFuture Transition Programme and what specific updates there would be in the enhanced pre-training and post-training support, especially for the mature worker segment.
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol)49 words
Chairman, in the Budget, $100 million has been set aside to support NTUC to scale up the Company Training Committees (CTCs) and introduce new grants to support company transformation plans. What is the resource to support this and how will NTUC work with CTC to render the transformation support?
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song254 words
[+1 sentence]Over the years, the length of service an employee must serve before qualifying for paid sick leave has been reviewed in Parliament. In 2008, the minimum qualifying period was reduced from six to three months, with the entitlement adjusted on a pro-rated basis.[+2 sentences] This was in response to an increase in short-term employment contracts. Since these legislative amendments, short-term employment contracts have become even more commonplace. In 2021, 8.4% of the workforce was on fixed-term contracts, up from 7.7% in 2009.[+3 sentences] The percentage of workers on contracts of less than one year has also seen an upward trend. Many workers find themselves transferred to new employers without even changing their jobs. This happens when their previous employer loses a cleaning or building maintenance contract and they are transferred to the new contractor. When this happens, they are treated as a new employee requiring them to forgo paid sick leave for the first three months of the new contract. I wish to propose that legislation be amended to allow workers who complete one month of service to be entitled to two days of paid sick leave, eight days of hospitalisation leave.[+3 sentences] This could increase to four days and 10 days, respectively, after the completion of two months of service. Concurrently, to protect the interests of employers, tax reliefs and public recognition could be extended to employers who implement these more progressive paid sick leave arrangements. This also complements the Government's stance of encouraging workers to isolate themselves and seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)176 words
[+12 sentences]Some say Singapore is the most fatigued country in the world. Working hard is important, but one cannot work hard without enough rest. Our minimum annual leave entitlement of seven days is not sufficient for many. Many other countries provide a higher minimum entitlement, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Qatar, Iran, Japan, South Korea and lots more. Many not only have a higher number of minimum days of annual leave, but also provide a higher number of paid public holidays. It is hard to see how raising the minimum entitlement will affect employability. Forty-seven percent of employees already get more than 14 days of annual leave. For many businesses which understand the importance of rest, nothing will change. Lower-income workers whose jobs are labour-intensive, are likely the ones with the minimum entitlement. It is ironic that those who need the most rest have the least rest and also have no access to FWAs. We work hard to increase the salaries of lower-income workers. We should also work hard to increase the time they have to rest.
The Chairman9 words
[+3 sentences]Ms He Ting Ru. Not here. Mr Melvin Yong.
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Radin Mas)398 words
Mr Chairman, 2021 saw 37 tragic workplace fatalities, a steep rise, compared to 30 fatalities in 2020.[+4 sentences] Every death at the workplace is avoidable and we must do all we can to stop them from happening. What is the Ministry's plan to improve workplace safety for 2022 and beyond? As we move to relax broader safe management measures (SMMs), when can we lift cohorting rules at the worksite, so that workers at construction sites can cross zones and resume helping one another during high-risk work activities? According to MOM's data, smaller construction firms – most of them sub-contractors – have a higher workplace fatality rate than bigger contractors. This begets the question – why are the good safety practices not being filtered down to the sub-contractors? I propose that we hold developers and main contractors jointly liable for poor WSH practices of sub-contractors working on their sites.[+10 sentences] Sir, the Return-to-Work Programme was launched in 2017 to help injured employees return to work after an accident. Can the Ministry provide an update on how many workers have participated in the programme since its launch, and what is the success rate of placing the injured worker back to his workplace? Are there any lessons that we can learn from the programme in the past five years and does the Ministry have any plans to enhance the programme moving forward? Sir, the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has also placed a heavy toll on our workers' mental health, and I am glad that the Government has worked closely with the Labour Movement and has taken steps in the right direction to improve the mental resilience of our workforce. However, there remain concerns on whether we are doing enough. For example, we need to pay more attention to the mental health of our lower-wage workers, who often find themselves on the stressful frontlines of our whole-of-nation response to the pandemic. What are the Ministry's plans to improve the physical and mental well-being of our frontline workers, in particular, those in the lower-wage segments? Lastly, research suggests that peer support systems are beneficial for the mental health of employees. Today, every company has a Safe Management Officer (SMO). Let us upskill all SMOs to become Work-Life Ambassadors, so that every company will have a representative to look after the work-life harmony of their workers and implement proper peer support systems customised to the individual companies.
Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang)72 words
[+2 sentences]Sir, COVID‐19-era protocols give new ideas for the future of work, from work from home to the dispensation of the need for a medical certificate (MC) when self‐isolating after a positive COVID-19 test. Will the Minister consider changes to the Employment Act to dispense of the need to produce an MC for paid sick leave of up to, say, three to five days out of the 14 days entitlement, being for COVID‐19?
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan134 words
The last round of Employment Act amendments was effective from 1 April 2019.[+2 sentences] In the past few years, fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic and technological transformations, there have been accelerated changes and developments in our workforce, at work and in the workplaces. We had to issue a series of tripartite advisories to keep pace with the curveballs and demands of the new landscape, fuelled by the pandemic and technological developments. Considering these developments, I think it is appropriate to review the Employment Act or related labour legislation again to better address the plethora of issues arising from gig work, workplace fairness, whistle-blowing, treatment of sick leave and MCs, grievance handling, workplace harassment and discrimination, hours of work and overtime work, hybrid work, leave classification and contractual termination of workers without giving of termination reasons.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis374 words
[+8 sentences]There is an increase in gig economy workers in recent years, but many are in a precarious position. This is something that the Government has taken note of. Prime Minister Lee had spoken in his National Day Rally last year on how most gig workers earn only a modest income and they lack protections, such as work injury compensation and, of course, employer CPF contributions. However, there have been arguments made on how, if changes are implemented, markets may be distorted resulting in consumers bearing the costs. This may be a false premise, however, as to the extent that the cost burden falls on more relatively better-off consumers who regularly utilise services provided by gig workers, such as food delivery and private hire transport, this could be beneficial from a societal point of view. After all, the benefits to gig workers discussed should outweigh the costs to relatively better-off consumers of a marginal increase in the price of food delivered to their door by a cyclist on a wet rainy day. Since the UK Supreme Court ruling that Uber drivers should be treated as workers in February 2021, other jurisdictions have moved strongly on gig worker protections. The EU has proposed a test on how digital platforms manage gig workers. Malaysia is also looking into a need for gig worker regulations. Hence, I would like to ask the Ministry if legislation will be introduced to protect the rights of gig workers and provide them with at least the minimum levels of benefits and protection and safety nets, such as insurance and work injury compensation.[+1 sentence] Further, with effect from 1 September 2022, all companies which hire foreign workers will be required to pay all their local employees at least the local qualifying salary (LQS). While not named a minimum wage per se, this provides for local workers with, at least, the ability to earn a minimum of $1,400 per month.[+2 sentences] Gig economy workers today have no control over their earnings and are subject to the ever-tightening incentive schemes in order to barely make ends meet. Could efforts be done to ensure that they earn at least a fair wage, with reference to locals working part-time earning at least $9 per hour, as per the LQS?
The Chairman15 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Abdul Samad. I thought I saw him. Is he around? No? Dr Shahira Abdullah.
Dr Shahira Abdullah (Nominated Member)229 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, I am heartened that at this Budget, the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) will be expanded to help more workers. However, the payments depend on gig workers making MediSave contributions. Considering that gig work income may be unpredictable, unstable and, sometimes, insufficient to support their household, they may be discouraged to contribute to MediSave due to more urgent, current needs. Therefore, would the Ministry consider relaxing the MediSave requirements on a case-by-case basis to allow the gig workers who are struggling during this period of heightened inflation to benefit from WIS? In future, though, with no mandatory contributions to CPF, there is a likelihood that their retirement preparations are affected. Moving forward, would the Ministry consider mandating or incentivising the gig workers and platform companies to make CPF and MediSave contributions? The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will also not cover these workers. Career progression with accompanying wage increases will be difficult. I am also concerned about the gig workers if accidents occur. They may have to pay for their own medical bills while being out of work. Several platforms provide benefits and protection, in the form of sponsoring skills training courses and providing insurance, though not all. How can we assist the gig workers pivot to new careers? Will the Ministry consider including them in WICA so that the gig workers will have mandatory protection while doing their jobs?
Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol)361 words
[+4 sentences]Since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago, concerns over the long-term viability of freelancing in our gig economy have been a major topic of discussion in our society. Our increased reliance on multiple segments of this economy, from ride-hailing to food delivery, has shone a spotlight on the plight of this particular group of platform workers – workers who are engaged with major platform companies to provide transport and delivery services. While there are platform workers who take on this job as a secondary source of income to supplement an already decent wage and quality of living, our main concern is for those whose sole source of income is from platform work. These workers resemble employees in a company, yet, due to their present status, are not afforded the protections and perks that employees enjoy. Under today's classifications, work injuries, which our delivery riders are more at risk of, will not be compensated on a national standardised level. Employers' CPF contributions, which contribute to a significant portion to meeting requirement and housing needs, are also not provided.[+5 sentences] Furthermore, with limited prospects for wage progression and advancement, the present situation has led to deep concerns being raised over the lack of basic protection for our platform workers. The matter at hand has been widely discussed in Parliament, and our Labour Movement has recognised these concerns, having taken steps to set up the National Delivery Champions Association in December 2020 and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association in May 2016. The Labour Movement, indeed, has been pushing for greater protection and representation and welfare benefits that platform workers should be entitled to. While these efforts have been looked to to push the agenda forward, the Ministry has the ability to engender significant improvements in the prospects and livelihoods of these platform workers. It is with this in mind that we seek clarification on the findings and recommendations the Advisory Committee has to better protect the rights of these workers. In particular, we recognise the importance of having significant and sufficient CPF savings to meet basic needs. We seek clarification on how CPF will be shared between the platform and the workers.
Mr Leong Mun Wai (Non-Constituency Member)324 words
[+9 sentences]Chairman, importance of job statistics. On 7 February 2022, MOM's rebuke of prominent blogger Leong Sze Hian's intuitive post last Christmas on job statistics highlighted the issue of job security for Singaporeans once again. Do foreign PMETs complement Singaporeans, or do they threaten to take over jobs from Singaporeans? The reality is: it is probably more of a threat. So, policy intervention is needed to rebalance the job market. This reality, however, is not obvious from MOM's job statistics. The basic problem lies in MOM's reluctance to present the employment data in individual categories of original citizens at the start of the statistical period, new Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs). Instead, it has lumped all the figures into one category as locals. So, we do not have a clear picture of how policies have affected each category of people. We have previously pointed out that while the Government has insisted that the 380,000 PME jobs created for locals between 2005 and 2020 have benefited Singaporeans, that is highly unlikely. This is because more than 635,000 new Citizens and PRs were added to the "locals" statistics during the same period.[+2 sentences] And most of the 380,000-job increase would have been because of that. In other words, the composition of the "locals" statistics in 2005 and those in 2020 are different, and most of the job increase is not a real increase. Hence, not enough jobs are created for the 250,000 fresh Singaporean University graduates who joined the job market from 2005 to 2020. We can estimate that there is a shortage of 100,000 to 150,000 PME jobs for Singaporeans in the last 20 years, not counting those who were demoted due to discrimination.[+2 sentences] If it truly wants the foreigners to complement the Singaporean Core, then MOM must ensure that the Singaporean jobs are not being threatened. MOM should spend its time tackling this problem, rather than wasting time and resources trying to rebut Leong Sze Hian.
Mr Sharael Taha113 words
[+5 sentences]Chairman, many of us have come across platform workers who are unable to save enough to purchase their own flats, or platform workers who are unwell or isolated and could not earn their daily wages. During this pandemic, platform workers who contracted COVID-19 were able to seek assistance from the Courage Fund. Beyond these one-off assistance schemes, our platform workers need more help to meet their retirement and housing needs and a baseline level of coverage for work injuries. Will MOM be able to provide an update on the discussions of the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers? How do we ensure that the platform operators are responsible for the well-being of their associates?
The Chairman15 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Leon Perera, if you would like to take your two cuts together, please do.
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied)526 words
[+3 sentences]Yes, Chairman. First cut on easing movement restrictions on migrant workers in dormitories. Sir, migrant workers have experienced movement restrictions for almost two years. While the December update allows up to 3,000 workers out daily, workers are often not able to go out on workdays.[+2 sentences] What is the Ministry's roadmap to ease restrictions? Can the Government explain specific criteria needed for the next round of easing, be it caseload, ICU usage and so on? The vaccination rate among dorm residents is 98% and that ought to be a consideration in easing movement restrictions.[+7 sentences] Sir, the restrictions are taking their toll on the mental health of migrant workers and pose social risks. Experienced workers might prefer to go home, worsening the manpower shortage and making our economy haemorrhage experienced, more productive workers. We are suffering reputational damage in international news. Al Jazeera quoted one worker as saying: "I feel very sad about the difference in the lives between me and the rest of the people." Chairman, there are practical reasons to ease restrictions, but it is also the decent thing to do. Mr Chairman, Sir, there are economic benefits to retaining migrant workers in our economy who are familiar with Singapore and to increase their productivity, which would mean we need to employ fewer. Currently, a Work Permit holder (WPH) can only transfer to a new job with employers' consent. An exception is the Retention Scheme, which gives eligible workers 30 days to match with a new employer.[+13 sentences] I support the thrust of this scheme, which is similar to what Workers' Party Members have called for. But it does not go far enough, as it does not apply to all WPHs. I call for it to be extended to all WPHs. In addition, if their existing employer cancels their work permit through no fault of the worker, the worker should be allowed to stay in Singapore for 30 days to enable him to find a new employer, regardless of whether his employer consents. The worker will be responsible for his own food and lodging during this time. He can elect between joining the Retention Scheme, if eligible, or relying on this window. An article by non-governmental organisation TWC2 states that many workers had their Work Permits cancelled and were repatriated because their employers had no work but did not allow them to transfer jobs, even though other companies needed workers, worsening the manpower shortage. The 30-day transfer window addresses this. This proposal will not encourage turnover of workers because it only applies if the employer unilaterally decides to cancel a Work Permit. Second, to grow productivity and incentivise work pass holders to stay with employers, I propose allowing employers to bond them for up to two years in exchange for sponsoring formal training. The length of the bond period can depend on the number of training hours, provided that the duration of training and fees meet certain requirements. ITE could partner BCA, which already runs training courses, to develop appropriate courses to increase our migrant worker productivity. Sir, upskilling is important in reducing the number of semi-skilled foreign workers needed and, hence, our dependence on foreign labour.
The Chairman15 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Ng, if you would like to take your two cuts together, please do.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang345 words
[+5 sentences]Working mothers who breastfeed need support at work. A survey by Singapore's Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group found that the top reason for stopping breastfeeding was the challenges of expressing milk at work. For those still breastfeeding, they reported difficulty in finding time to express their milk at work. Sadly, the majority of working mothers surveyed could not express milk as much as they had wanted during work. Laws that guarantee breastfeeding breaks are not new or uncommon. A 2020 study of 97 countries found that 82% of countries had laws for paid and unpaid breastfeeding breaks. Singapore is in the minority of 18% of countries studied that do not legislate breastfeeding breaks.[+16 sentences] Countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, India, China, the Philippines, Thailand and South Korea, provide breastfeeding breaks at work or reduction of work hours daily. Will MOM support working mothers who breastfeed by legislating to guarantee breastfeeding breaks at work? Next, I miss my father very much and I regret not spending enough time with him. I especially regret that I did not take him for his many medical appointments in the year before he passed on. Spend time with those you love. One of these days, you will either say "I wish I had" or "I'm glad I did". We all need time to spend with our loved ones, especially when they are not feeling well. With an ageing population, many of us will need more time to look after our parents. The Government clearly agrees with this and introduced parent-care leave in the Civil Service more than a decade ago. It really was time we legislate the same leave for all other workers. Again, let us not use FWAs to justify not having parent-care leave. If this reason is true, then why do civil servants with FWAs also have parent-care leave? If it is important for civil servants to have both FWAs and parent-care leave, then why not others? We are a family-friendly employer. Now, we need to be a family-friendly Government. We should introduce parent-care leave for all workers.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Sharael Taha.
Mr Sharael Taha10 words
[+2 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. Can I take my three cuts together?
The Chairman11 words
[+1 sentence]That depends on whether Mr Abdul Samad is in the House.
Mr Sharael Taha10 words
[+2 sentences]Alright. So, I will take just my first cut first.
The Chairman1 words
[+1 sentence]Yes.
Mr Sharael Taha93 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. In his speech, Minister Lawrence Wong mentioned that the tighter foreign worker policy is more about calibration. He mentioned that it is a calibration to ensure that foreign workers and professionals coming into Singapore are of the right calibre and coming in areas where we really need them, in areas of shortages. To ensure its effectiveness, we must also ensure fair employment and hiring practices and also fair treatment at the workplace. How are we progressing and legislating TAFEP guidelines to ensure fair employment practices and treatment at the workplace?
The Chairman13 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Abdul Samad. Not here. Okay, Mr Sharael Taha, next two cuts, please.
Mr Sharael Taha261 words
[+7 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. The next one will be on advancing the well-being of low-wage workers. Our efforts to uplift low-wage workers have been ongoing for the past decade. It is important to ensure that productivity continues to improve, so that wage growth is sustainable. If real productivity is not achieved, wage growth will drive up costs and make us less competitive in the global market. Workers have a responsibility to upskill. However, businesses also have a part to play. In this Budget, we have apportioned significant resources, such as $600 million for the Productivity Solution Grant and $100 million to scale up CTCs to support transformation plans.[+1 sentence] How can we encourage and support more SMEs to transform their businesses, so that low-wage workers can be deployed more productively with more scope for progression? How can we get business associations to get more SMEs involved? I am heartened that the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will be extended and wage increases for low-wage workers will be co-funded under the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS).[+1 sentence] This will be further boosted by the Enhanced Workfare Income Supplement scheme. The qualifying monthly income cap for the scheme has been raised, age eligibility has been extended and the payout increased, especially for people with disabilities.[+2 sentences] While companies transformed to drive real productivity growth, how do we encourage low-wage workers to continuously upskill and upgrade? Can we consider a yearly Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) bonus or a tiered supplement scheme, if the worker uses his SkillsFuture credit or attends training or courses yearly to upgrade himself or herself?
The Chairman10 words
[+3 sentences]Miss Cheng Li Hui. Not here. Ms Yeo Wan Ling.
Ms Yeo Wan Ling417 words
[+3 sentences]In the recent decade, changing dynamics in the workplace and at home have rendered dual-income families greater ubiquity, with many seeking to outsource household duties in order to allow women to work. This has meant that Singapore's 1.3 million households are increasingly turning to external help, often in the form of full-time foreign domestic workers, to alleviate domestic responsibilities at home. However, there still remains a gap in the market for part-time help. The Household Services Scheme (HSS), first piloted in 2017 and made permanent in 2021, has been a popular and innovative scheme welcomed by families.[+13 sentences] This programme allows eligible companies to employ female migrant workers to support part-time cleaning services to households. This flexibility has allowed families who are unable to afford or provide accommodation in their homes for full-time helpers some access to respite care. Currently, this arrangement is limited to only providing domestic services to households, such as home cleaning. Yet, there continues to be a demand for further support in a household's caregiving needs. Our community's social and aged care needs continue to change and have become increasingly intertwined. We need to allow our seniors to age in place within their homes and their communities, give young mothers peace of mind when they are at work and support family caregivers with respite care alternatives. My resident, Mdm P, who is in her 40s, came to see me teary-eyed and tired and shared that she is the sole caregiver in a family of six people. She has three children – one of them has a medical condition – two seniors and a husband who is fastidious with cleanliness. The family is unable to afford a full-time helper as they neither have the space for a live-in helper, nor the budget to provide for full board. She told me that she would like, from time to time, help in child-minding, assistance in caring for her seniors and support in cleaning her home. In order to have more savings for herself and her family, she takes on food delivery at night after her children have gone to bed. Mdm P's situation is neither unique nor rare. But we have made strides in augmenting our infrastructural facilities and support systems to advance the caregiving ecosystem. There is also a great deal of untapped potential within the HSS to serve our residents better. Hence, I invite the Ministry to look into expanding the programme beyond the provision of housekeeping services into offering caregiving support for our families.
Mr Yip Hon Weng142 words
[+6 sentences]Expanding the HSS is a good way to support households that need help with certain aspects of their family but do not wish to hire a live-in foreign domestic worker. How does the Ministry ensure that there are merits for two distinct schemes and that the policy intent remains for both schemes? In the area of respite care for seniors, will workers be equipped with skillsets to care for the elderly with special needs and challenging conditions, such as dementia? Will MOM work with MOH to provide training and certification for these workers? Additionally, some social service agencies specialising in eldercare as well as nursing homes may already provide such services for elderly caregiving. How does MOM work with MOH and MSF to streamline and harmonise the availability of such services and make it easier for the public to assess their options?
Miss Rachel Ong544 words
[+7 sentences]Chairman, while calls to improve mental health awareness in the workplace are not new, the issue has taken on an added urgency in the last two years, with the pandemic creating new stressors in the workforce. May I first speak on the stress impact on two groups of people in our workforce. First, the workforce that works remotely. Second, our educators. Work-from-home and hybrid work arrangements are at an accelerated pace. While this has raised work-home flexibility for some households, this also means the lines between work-life and life become increasingly blurred for some and for others, the lack of suitable workspace in their home can take a further toll on the mental health of many employees. In some nations, the negative impact of remote working on mental health of employees has led to implementations of new labour laws in Europe. Given that hybrid work arrangements are likely to stay and for good reason, I would like to ask if the Government also set in place guidelines and policies that safeguard the mental wellbeing of our workers.[+1 sentence] Our educators. In a 2021 survey by Singapore Counselling Centre, more than 80% of teachers surveyed say that their mental health has been hurt by the pandemic.[+16 sentences] From the adjustments to home-based learning in 2020, the stressors our educators in preschool through to Junior College have also evolved over the last two years, with new additional roles, on top of e-learning lesson development. Our teachers took on partial roles as safe management officers, MOH officers and social workers. They are tasked with enforcing evolving safe management measures while finding ways to keep lessons engaging with minimal interaction between students. When students started getting COVID-19, teachers were tasked to inform parents of the cases and monitor the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) status of students. In addition, with the pandemic's negative impact on the students' well-being, our teachers have also been tasked with needing to check in with students more intentionally and this is despite restricted in-person time allowed outside of class. Additionally, with teachers also falling ill or being on Health Risk Warning (HRW), they cover each other's duties, thus taking on additional load. This is especially significant in our childcare centres. May I thank our educators for the sacrifices that they have made. I know that the well-being of this large population of our workforce would be looked into. There is also a need to continue to destigmatise mental illness at the workplace. While some workplaces offer counselling services as mental health support, many employees do not seek help promptly and hide their illness for fear of being overlooked for a promotion or being treated differently by colleagues. This fear is understandable. The definition of what strong mental health is needs to change. Strong mental health is not about being unaffected by mental strains but knowing when to seek help. Some employers are concerned that those facing depression and other mental disorders result in lower productivity at work but may not realise that those who are seemingly highly productive can actually be mentally strained. Productivity should not be viewed as the key indicator of a person's mental wellness and those who seek help with their stressors should not be viewed as weaker than those who do not.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Are you finished?
Miss Rachel Ong36 words
[+1 sentence]Yes. Can MOM update on the plans to better support employees' mental wellbeing at the workplace and to support the employment and recovery of persons with mental health conditions transitioning back to work?[+1 sentence] Thank you, Chairman.
Mr Yip Hon Weng209 words
[+5 sentences]Many of our Singaporean workers want FWAs to continue post-COVID-19. Failure to accommodate would lead to an outflow of talent, especially with Singaporeans being able to work remotely for overseas companies. Likewise, foreigners are able to work remotely for companies based in Singapore. Such cross-border virtual employment can complicate labour laws, CPF obligations and taxation matters. What are we doing on this front to ensure that our laws keep up with the trends? I understand that the legislation of hybrid workplaces is not the most tenable at the moment, lest we impose too many restrictions on businesses. I am glad that the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being introduced guidelines for employers to set reasonable expectations for after-hours work communications.[+2 sentences] But besides guidelines, we should do more to nudge companies in the right direction. Other countries have started implementing new work laws to cater to this trend. For example, in Portugal, employers are prohibited from contacting employees after office hours.[+2 sentences] Written contracts for teleworking arrangements, equalising rights for remote and on-site employees and requiring employers to cover remote work expenses are amongst the popular items in remote working legislations around the world. Are we learning from other countries and exploring some of these new laws to update our legal framework?
Ms Yeo Wan Ling347 words
[+1 sentence]COVID-19 has encouraged novel ways of working. Many firms have made FWAs a part of their new normal, such as working from home, staggered hours and compressed work weeks and varying work duties.[+1 sentence] As more companies experience success with this transition, especially when FWA measures allow staff to enjoy better work-life harmony without compromising on productivity, they have been more open to increasing the scale of policies that offer greater work-life balance and flexibility to workers. Indeed, surveys have shown that nearly 80% of our workers hope that their employers will continue offering this flexibility in a post-pandemic age.[+7 sentences] Although COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, it is pertinent to ensure that beneficial practices adopted during this time will continue to be enforced. Given the advantages and demands of FWAs amongst workers, how will the Ministry be encouraging employers to sustain the implementation and expansion of these policies in the long run even after the pandemic has abated? Beyond making work-life harmony policies a permanent mainstay in the workplace, it is equally important that all aspects of FWAs benefit both employers and employees and remain fair for both parties involved. This means that employers, on their part, should keep an open mind while employees should exercise responsibility while using FWAs. However, potential challenges inevitably remain, such as in monitoring performance with remote working. In light of this, how will the Ministry ensure that employer appraisals are conducted in a way that is fair to our workers? The prevalence of FWAs and work-life harmony (WLH) policies differs greatly across professions and industries. For instance, various reports have suggested that occupations in the PMET sector are more suited for FWAs since their work hinges on more access to technology than physical interaction. However, FWAs have been more difficult to implement in industries that need it the most, especially frontline workers and employees involved in shift work.[+1 sentence] As we acknowledge the imperative to better WLH measures, how will the Ministry extend FWAs to workers across all sectors of employment, particularly in industries where progress has been slower?
Mr Sharael Taha133 words
Chairman, inclusive growth should create opportunities for seniors, workers with special needs, back-to-work mothers and those with caregiving responsibilities.[+5 sentences] With the increasing prevalence of FWAs, including work from anywhere and flexible hours during the COVID-19 pandemic, how will MOM encourage employers to sustain these arrangements post-COVID-19? How can we use this opportunity to make our workforce more inclusive and make FWAs a viable option, especially for this group of workers? How can we use this opportunity to realise the latent potential from this group of individuals and encourage more to join the workforce? Can the Ministry consider promoting FWAs, flexible work hours and work-sharing to create opportunities for this group of individuals? Can we create second careers for our seniors who are still able to work but do not want to work full-time?
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui (Holland-Bukit Timah)698 words
[+7 sentences]Mr Chairman, Sir, COVID-19 has changed the way we work, bringing about a paradigm shift in where and how we work. This shift includes working remotely, flexible working hours and optimising a mix of virtual with face-to-face meetings. As we transit into a COVID-19 endemic environment, further changes in work conditions could create stressors to our employees' mental well-being. Many workers will face the challenge of managing their work-life balance in a hybrid work model, thereby compounding levels of anxiety. Conversely, these shifts could also present opportunities for better work-life harmony and encourage those who have left the workforce due to caregiving needs to return to the workforce. To tap on the opportunities and mitigate the downsides, there needs to be continuous efforts to support evolving HR practices. An important question here is how our tripartite partners continue to support our HR practitioners with progressive practices, which will lead to effective work-life harmony, better mental wellness outcomes for workers, thereby leading to better productivity and better business outcomes. My proposal is to have a common accreditation for the HR industry. This will set the foundation for workers' future work arrangement as companies respond differently to this new reality. This proposal bears similarity to one of the recommendations by the NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce on enhancing fair employment practices through improving HR standards.[+5 sentences] This ensures that there is a standard recognition of good HR practices across the board. There have been ongoing efforts made in providing FWAs for employees who are non-frontline and in non-shift roles. These efforts, therefore, should be translated to include more frontline and shift workers because such jobs will only increase. As we work towards aligning these common HR practices, I would also like to raise questions on how will MOM encourage employers to sustain this increasing prevalence of FWAs during and post-COVID-19. What are the areas in the Employment Act that require a review to recognise these changes to work arrangements? MOM should consider framing clear guidelines and consider updates to the Employment Act for such practices, in partnership with SBF, SNEF, NTUC and the various HR professional associations.[+5 sentences] For this to work, we need to support our SMEs because, despite much effort over the years, many still lack solid HR policies and capabilities due to resource constraints. These SMEs often do not have policies and procedures in place to be able to adapt to new hybrid environments or necessary HR practices. As their challenges are real, we need some fresh ideas on equipping these groups of enterprises with forward-thinking HR practices. With that, I would like to raise the following questions pertaining to our SMEs. What has been the assessment of the Government of all previous efforts to create support services for HR for SMEs? Would a HR-as-a-service, similar to IMDA's CTO-as-a-service, be worth considering?[+7 sentences] And if previous efforts to bring SMEs to such services had resulted in a lacklustre response, could there be ideas where our relevant Government agencies design solutions that are brought directly to SMEs? Another critical area of our HR policies relates to the foreign workforce component. Singapore needs a resilient foreign workforce that can withstand future global and regional disruptions. As structural changes continue to take place, MOM could consider how it can further facilitate companies' decision-making on their foreign workforce strategy so that it is more than just complying with set policies. How a company determines the best sources for their foreign workforce, in line with the diversity of capabilities required to complement our local expertise, is a strategic choice that cannot be underestimated. It impacts how companies will be able to acquire the talent and skills needed to compete and this requires more collaboration with MOM, trade associations and SME management. The shift in our work environment is real and, therefore, how we work together requires innovative solutions. HR has always been important, but the nature of its value is fast-evolving. This is the time to set guidelines for FWAs, enforce workplace mental health wellness, engage SMEs for deeper capability building, design strategic conversations for foreign manpower choices and encourage our relevant Government agencies, such as ESG and WSG, to triple-down in their joint engagements for results.
The Chairman15 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Patrick Tay, if you would like to take your two cuts together, please do.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan360 words
[+2 sentences]Chairman, the human capital/human resource function is particularly vital, especially as we adapt to the "next normal" of work in the workforce and at workplaces. Our human capital/HR professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that every company and business has in place fair, responsible and progressive practices for their workforce. One of the key recommendations from the NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce report is to enhance fair employment practices through improving the human capital/HR standards among the human capital and HR professionals. I, therefore, urge MOM to seriously consider supporting and increasing the take-up of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) certification for these professionals.[+2 sentences] This is so that the majority of these professionals operating in Singapore can be equipped with a rudimentary working knowledge of the norms, standards and practices, including how tripartism works in Singapore as well as how to work with unions and the Labour Movement in Singapore. In the longer term and in the future of work, some form of accreditation, besides certification, as highlighted by Member Edward Chia, will also be beneficial for this important profession. The Human Capital Partnership (HCP) Programme is a tripartite initiative that brings together a community of exemplary employers in Singapore who have progressive employment practices in their organisations and are committed to developing their human capital. I wish to ask MOM for a progress update of the HCP since the start of the programme and what are its plans to further enhance and make the programme even more pervasive. Does the award of the HCP Mark demonstrate that these employers are employers of choice who value their people and are committed to investing and developing their employees across all levels? I am asking whether there will be a regular review of the key qualifying criteria for the HCP Mark and whether those awarded the Mark can have their mark removed if they fail to meet the criteria.[+1 sentence] As we evolve and adapt to new post-pandemic work norms, good labour-management relations as well as the introduction of more forward-looking and progressive practices, such as PME representation and fair work arrangements, can be valuable factors to consider in awarding the mark.
The Chairman8 words
[+2 sentences]Replies from the Ministry. Minister Tan See Leng.
The Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng)2189 words
[+5 sentences]Mr Chairman, I thank the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) Members of Parliament and the others who spoke in support of our workers and our businesses. Over the past two years of battling COVID-19, our manpower policies had focused on shoring up local employment and keeping foreign workforce policies responsive. We supported businesses in hiring and investing in the skills of a wider pool of jobseekers and helped many jobseekers move into new opportunities. Through updated work pass requirements, we also ensured local-foreign complementarity and spurred business transformation. These efforts helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and facilitated the recovery of our economy. Despite a slight dip in 2020, the median gross monthly income of residents has risen to above pre-COVID-19 levels. Resident unemployment rate has come down from the high of 4.8% to 3.2% today.[+2 sentences] Given the Ukraine war, we are cautiously optimistic that the unemployment rate will fall back to pre-COVID-19 levels in the months ahead. To capture the opportunities created by a recovering global economy, businesses are starting to increase their hiring. For the full year 2021, total employment saw an encouraging rebound of 40,800, close to 41,000.[+4 sentences] We want to provide the necessary support and incentives to restructure our workforce so that we can emerge stronger. We want to build an inclusive and comprehensive labour market, where businesses can access the manpower needed for their growth and where continued growth leads to a more equitable and progressive society. The recovering economy provides a better and firmer footing to do so now. If we get this with surgical precision and the right timing – in Chinese, it is 天时地利人和 – Singapore will be a top global city brimming with opportunities for our businesses and our people. Against this backdrop, MOM's priorities will focus on the three "Up"s: Upgrade, Uplift and Uphold.[+4 sentences] The first focus is to upgrade the capabilities of locals and the complementarity of foreigners. We will strengthen support for locals so that they are equipped with skillsets to take on jobs of the future. Through our foreign workforce policies, we will ensure our businesses have access to the complementary manpower that they need. For our growth to be sustainable, we must ensure every Singaporean worker benefits from Singapore's growth and no one is left behind. Hence, our second focus is to uplift our vulnerable workers and mature workers. We will implement the recommendations from the Tripartite Work Group on Lower-Wage Workers and double down on our efforts to uplift these workers.[+31 sentences] Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad will elaborate more in his speech. Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon will share our approach to uplifting self-employed persons and strengthening support for mature workers. Finally, every one of us desires a fair opportunity to contribute and to thrive at work, which brings me to our third focus – to uphold inclusive and progressive practices at the workplace. We will continue to support our workforce to meet caregiving needs at home, support their mental health and well-being. Minister of State Gan Siow Huang will elaborate more in her speech. And we will continue with efforts to transform the migrant worker ecosystem to improve their physical, social and mental well-being. This will be further covered by Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon later on in his speech. Let me start by sharing how we intend to upgrade the capabilities of locals and complementarity of foreigners. I will spend the bulk of the speech today elaborating on this segment. As mentioned, Senior Ministers of State Koh Poh Koon and Zaqy Mohamad and Minister of State Gan Siow Huang will elaborate further on our other two focus areas. Structural shifts in the economy mean new growth opportunities for our businesses and workers. As highlighted in the cuts by Mr Desmond Choo and Mr Dennis Tan, some of the shifts include the greening and digitalisation of our economy. The green economy is an area of growth that we are taking very seriously. As Minister Gan Kim Yong shared earlier, we have developed a whole-of-Government green economy strategy which looks into the jobs and skills that will be transformed and created as a result of the green transition. It is thus important that our workers are equipped with the necessary skillsets to thrive in this fast-changing environment. Helping our businesses to transform and preparing our workers for the future of work have been longstanding priorities for this Government. Since 2016, we have rolled out Industry Transformation Maps, or ITMs, for 23 sectors to chart their transformation journey. As Minister Gan Kim Yong has shared, the Government is working closely with industry stakeholders, unions and academia to update our ITMs to address emerging trends and opportunities. In 2021, we announced that Jobs Transformation Maps (JTMs) would be launched to map out the impact of technology and digitalisation on individual jobs over the medium term. These provide very detailed, job-level insights to help businesses and workers prepare for future jobs and skills. To support our scale-up of these programmes, I set up the Jobs Taskforce in September last year to derive strategies to increase the placements of local workers into our key sectors, such as ICT, Manufacturing and Financial Services. For example, our Career Conversion Programmes, or CCPs, support employers to reskill jobseekers and workers for in-demand job roles. They provide targeted support to workers whose job roles might be at greater risk of redundancy. One such individual is Mr Cheng Kim Ann, a 30-year-old who previously worked on aircraft maintenance. He had just completed his Degree in Mechanical Engineering and wanted to seek out opportunities in the aerospace sector when COVID-19 hit. He re-evaluated his career options and came across a job opening as a manufacturing and equipment engineer with Micron Technology. To help Mr Cheng assimilate into his role, the company put him on the Career Conversion Programme for the Electronics Sector in November 2020. During the three-month programme, Mr Cheng was introduced to the processes in the semiconductor industry which he had to apply in his new job role. Coupled with the on-the-job training provided by the company, Mr Cheng quickly picked up new skills required for the industry and moved on to learning more advanced skills. During the pandemic, the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package and the Jobs Growth Incentive were introduced as extraordinary measures to preserve human capital and expand local hiring. All these initiatives helped to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market and provided much-needed relief for the businesses to meet their manpower needs. More than 174,000 local jobseekers have been placed into jobs and skills opportunities as at end-December 2021. All in all, a total of $11 billion has been allocated to support these initiatives.[+30 sentences] As announced by the Minister for Finance, we will continue to provide support for businesses and worker segments, such as mature workers. However, moving forward, we will be tailoring our support levels in line with the improved economic and labour market situation and Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon will elaborate further in his speech. Ultimately, support for workers will require a whole-of-society effort. I urge all of our businesses and all of our employees to support our efforts to help you do better. Furthermore, the Government will always provide the necessary support for businesses. But businesses must be willing to set aside time and resources to train up the local workforce. And employees must also be willing to reskill and upskill. The support for businesses under the ITMs is complemented by our foreign workforce policies. Foreign workforce policies are key levers to keep our labour market tight and incentivise businesses to transform, move up the value chain and maintain their competitive edge. Let me now move on to our foreign workforce policies. Last September, we debated extensively on the issue of foreign manpower in this House. Parliament affirmed the need for Singapore to stay open and connected to the world and for the Government to continue updating its policy levers to secure the well-being and livelihoods of our people. MOM has been working steadily on a review of our foreign workforce policies. We remain committed to our goals of upgrading our workforce, comprising a strong Singaporean Core and a high-quality and diverse foreign workforce. After careful deliberation and extensive consultation with our Tripartite Partners, we are ready to make several important updates to our work pass framework. The updates aim to achieve the following. One, to bring in a higher-quality foreign workforce with specialised skills, networks and expertise to complement our local workforce. Two, to support employers that invest in reskilling their workers and the transfer of capabilities to build a strong Singaporean Core. Three, to ensure diversity in our foreign workforce, because a truly open and connected labour market must also be able to draw the best from all around the world. And four, to drive productivity growth, while keeping our reliance on foreign labour at a sustainable level. Above all, these updates will ensure that Singapore can continue to remain open and connected to the world. As borders start to reopen and labour demand picks up, I want to lay out the roadmap for these changes, which will be phased in gradually. This is to give businesses the certainty they need to plan ahead as they gear up for growth. Let me start with the Employment Pass, or EP. At the EP level, we need to bring in highly-skilled foreign professionals, as part of a strong team of locals and foreigners, to grow our economy and to create more good jobs. Hence, we do not set quotas or levies on EPs. Instead, we focus on ensuring quality. As announced in the Budget Statement, we will aim to ensure that EP holders are comparable in quality to the top one-third of our local PMET workforce. To do so, we will set a benchmark for the EP qualifying salary based on the top one-third, or the 65th percentile, of local PMET wages. And we will revise our EP qualifying salaries based on this benchmark. The EP minimum qualifying salary will be revised from $4,500 to $5,000. For the Financial Services sector, which has higher wage norms, this will be revised from $5,000 to $5,500.[+1 sentence] Given that local PMET wages rise with age, the qualifying salary will also rise with age, to reflect the years of work and experience. To give businesses sufficient time to adjust, these changes will apply to new EP applications from 1 September 2022 and to renewal applications from 1 September 2023.[+12 sentences] We know, and we empathise, that the labour market for skilled workers is sufficiently tight. So, this latest move is not intended as a tightening measure. Instead, it is part of MOM's regular updates to ensure that our qualifying salary keeps pace with local wage growth, so that foreigners are not coming in just because they are cheaper than local PMETs. As this is a regular updating of our policy, most EP holders will not be impacted by these changes, because, today, they earn well above the qualifying salary. There are, however, some EP holders who do not meet our quality bar. This group will be impacted, but this is how we constantly ensure that we maintain a high-quality EP stock that complements our local workforce. More importantly, we have also set a clear benchmark for the qualifying salary, so that our businesses will have greater transparency, clarity and predictability on how it will be adjusted in future. Businesses should expect regular updating of the qualifying salary to keep pace with local wage trends. We will, of course, consider prevailing economic conditions when making a decision to update the qualifying salary and provide sufficient lead time before each change is effected. While the qualifying salary is simple to understand and easy to administer, it is also a blunt tool. There are limits to relying solely on it to select complementary foreign talents. Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mr Yip Hon Weng would like to know whether other factors could be taken into account to more holistically assess a candidate's complementarity. This is something that MOM has considered and studied carefully for quite some time. We are now ready to introduce a new Complementarity Assessment Framework, called COMPASS.[+2 sentences] COMPASS is an acronym. The C-O-M-P stands for Complementarity and then the Assessment Framework – COMPASS. COMPASS is a points-based system that considers both individual and firm-related attributes to holistically evaluate an EP applicant's complementarity.[+4 sentences] It is designed to be a transparent system, so that businesses have clarity and predictability for manpower planning. The NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce recommended a points system for EPs last year. Mr Patrick Tay has also raised this earlier. I am glad that there is strong tripartite support for COMPASS. With the introduction of COMPASS, the future EP framework will comprise two stages. First, applicants must meet the EP qualifying salary. Second, they must also score sufficient points under COMPASS, in order to qualify for an EP.[+1 sentence] With your permission, Mr Chairman, may I ask the Clerks to distribute a copy of the handout on the COMPASS construct, please?
The Chairman14 words
[+1 sentence]Please do.
Dr Tan See Leng5862 words
[+3 sentences]Let me briefly explain how COMPASS will work. Members can rest assured that all the details will come later. If I could ask Members to refer to the first page of the handout, under the section "How COMPASS works". Under COMPASS, EP applications will be assessed based on four foundational criteria: (a) the candidate's salary relative to local PMET wages in their respective sectors; (b) the candidate's qualifications; (c) the firm's nationality diversity and whether the candidate improves the firm's nationality diversity; and (d) the firm's support for local employment compared to their industry peers.[+5 sentences] These are termed criteria 1 to 4, or C1 to C4. Beyond these four foundational criteria, we are mindful of two scenarios that warrant special attention. One, where the candidate possesses skills that our workforce has a shortage of, such as AI developers and cybersecurity specialists. Our locals may have such skills, but we do not have sufficient locals to fulfil the demand. Two, if the firm is undertaking ambitious innovation, hub or internationalisation activities in partnership with the Government, in line with our strategic economic priorities. In such cases, it would be in Singapore's interest to allow the firm to bring in this candidate. So, we will accord bonus points for these two areas – these are termed C5 and C6.[+19 sentences] MOM will work closely with our Tripartite Partners – NTUC and SNEF – and economic agencies to assess industry needs, so that COMPASS is kept current and responsive. An EP application that "meets expectations" on the four foundational criteria would pass COMPASS. On the other hand, if an application fares "below expectations" in certain foundational criteria, it needs to make up for it by "exceeding expectations" on other foundational criteria or by scoring bonus points. All of the criteria – they are tradeable; none is a veto factor. Let me give you an example. Consider a firm in the IT sector that scores "below expectations" on both support for local employment and diversity. It has a low PMET share relative to its industry peers and is bringing in a candidate whose nationality is already over-represented in its firm. If the EP candidate only "meets expectations" on salary and qualifications and is performing a generic job role, the application will not score enough points to pass. However, if the firm is bringing in a candidate in an area where skills shortages exist, the application could make up for it with bonus points. Alternatively, the firm can hire a candidate from a nationality that improves its diversity and "exceeds expectations" on diversity. This will allow the candidate to pass. In this way, COMPASS incentivises firms with a weaker workforce profile to strengthen their local workforce and diversify, so as not to be disadvantaged. At the same time, it still allows them to access highly complementary EPs in areas where skills shortages exist. Members of the House, let me be clear – COMPASS is not designed to make it harder for businesses to obtain an EP. A good majority of the applications today would not have issues – this demonstrates that our businesses, in general, are progressive and our policies thus far have brought in complementary EP holders. Some firms, however, would need to make adjustments under COMPASS. And they would know exactly which areas to improve on and how to respond accordingly, given the transparency, clarity and predictability of COMPASS. SMEs may be concerned about what COMPASS means for them. Will they be disadvantaged relative to bigger firms? We recognise that for smaller firms, their workforce ratios can change significantly and drastically with only a few personnel changes. Hence, for this practical reason, firms with less than 25 PMETs will automatically be scored as "meeting expectations" on firm-related attributes.[+9 sentences] Some may notice that the firm-related attributes under COMPASS are considered as part of MOM's Fair Consideration Framework, or FCF, Watchlist today. COMPASS builds on our current efforts under the FCF, by applying these considerations upstream, at the point of application. Businesses will have clarity on what these considerations are. Once COMPASS is fully rolled out, the FCF Watchlist will be re-purposed to focus on engaging businesses that score poorly on the firm-related attributes. We will walk with these firms, to help them to strengthen their workforce profile and to adjust to the new framework. Mr Patrick Tay will be reassured that even with the changes to the FCF Watchlist, MOM continues to take fair consideration seriously. The FCF Job Advertising requirement will continue to apply. Employers must practise fair consideration in their selection of candidates and MOM will not hesitate to take action against employers who are found to be discriminatory. We are also working on plans to enshrine existing fair employment guidelines into workplace fairness legislation. We recognise that the introduction of COMPASS is a significant change and companies will need sufficient time to adjust to it. Hence, COMPASS will come into effect for new EP applications from 1 September 2023 and for renewal applications from 1 September 2024.[+1 sentence] Coming from the private sector myself, I fully understand and appreciate the importance of transparency. Following this announcement, we will publish the COMPASS scoring rubric on MOM's website.[+25 sentences] We will progressively roll out educational materials and further details on specific criteria. When COMPASS is in place, employers can use the Pre-Assessment Tool to obtain a "balanced scorecard" of how each application fares prior to submission, so that they know what areas they must improve on. In summary, we have designed COMPASS to be balanced and reasonable. For employers, they will find that the system is responsive to industry's needs and easier to navigate with a transparent, predictable and clear framework. It also recognises their efforts to build up a strong local pipeline and maintain a diverse foreign workforce. For our local workforce, they will have greater confidence that the EP holders here are of high calibre and will better complement their teams, and that their employers will also take efforts to develop their local pipeline and to maintain workforce diversity seriously. And, lastly, for Singapore, COMPASS will allow us to remain open to complementary talent in short supply here so that we can grow our frontier industries to bring us into the next stage of growth. Mr Leong Mun Wai continues to assert that the Government's policy is poor, because its statistics are poor. As the Minister for Finance said in his round-up speech, we get the sense that the persistent requests coming from him for more information are red herrings. They are distractions from the key problem at hand. During the 6 July Ministerial Statement, I had already shared that the majority of local PME growth over the last decade went to Singaporeans born in Singapore. I repeated this in Parliament in September and stated that this is the same for PMETs. But Mr Leong Mun Wai persists in drawing these divisions, asking for statistics to be split into original citizens, new citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs). I have also alluded, at that particular point in time that, as a society, we should not constantly be drawing such lines. Many of our new citizens and PRs share family ties with Singaporeans, or they had studied, worked, contributed and have lived here for some time. They contribute to our strength as a society and as an economy. Singapore is an immigrant nation and openness is one of our society's core strengths that have defined who we are. I urge Mr Leong Mun Wai – have a care – please do not undermine the cohesiveness we have painstakingly built over the years and please ask people who share your point of view to also have a care for the rest of us. Let me emphasise once again – Singapore is and will always be committed to remaining open to foreigners who complement our local workforce and who are able to add vibrancy to Singapore's economy. For the framework, we think deeply, we consult widely because we know that whatever we do, whatever we implement, will have a significant impact on businesses, locals and Singapore. And once we are confident that our proposals are sensible and implementable, we move. That is why we earlier on rolled out schemes, such as Tech@SG and Tech.Pass, to meet strong demand for skilled workers in the tech sector. COMPASS will buttress these schemes to facilitate access to complementary talent. We have also received feedback from employers who are concerned about bringing in young, high potential employees. These are big global firms which have international rotation programmes, where they send both foreign and local employees for overseas postings to gain exposure. We will make sure that our EP framework has the flexibility to allow for such rotations. Therefore, we are piloting the Global Rotation Scheme. This scheme will facilitate the entry of high-potential employees from abroad. But, in return, these companies must also post our local Singaporeans abroad on the same leadership development programme.[+12 sentences] We are starting with a small group of firms and we will expand the scheme once we have worked out the full details. At the S Pass level, foreign workers perform specialised, technical roles. These are skilled jobs with good opportunities, which many of our Polytechnic and ITE graduates have an interest in. We want to continue to ensure that our locals have a level playing field to take up these roles and that S Pass holders are coming in to fill skills gaps and not just because they are cheaper. We also want to spur transformation and job redesign efforts. And this is why we have in place controls for the S Pass, namely qualifying salaries, levies and quotas. As announced, we aim to ensure that S Pass holders are comparable in quality to the top one-third of the local Associate Professionals and Technicians, or APT, workforce. How much a firm is willing to pay is a practical indicator of the quality of the S Pass holder. Thus, we will benchmark the cost of hiring an S Pass holder to the top one-third of local APT wages. We will raise both the S Pass qualifying salary and levies to reach this benchmark. This is a bigger change, compared to the EP salary criteria. So, we will move towards this goal over three steps, to moderate the impact to businesses. As a first step, we will raise the S Pass minimum qualifying salary from the current $2,500 to $3,000 and introduce a higher S Pass qualifying salary for the Financial Services sector at $3,500. These changes will be implemented for new applications from 1 September 2022 and for renewal applications from 1 September 2023.[+5 sentences] Similar to the EP, the qualifying salary for older S Pass holders will be higher. Thereafter, we will raise the S Pass minimum qualifying salary for new applications in September 2023 and in September 2025. Each increase will apply to renewals a year later. The exact salary values will be announced closer to implementation date, based on the prevailing local APT wages. Just to give a rough sense, based on current local APT wage levels, companies should expect the economy-wide S Pass minimum qualifying salary to be at least $3,150 in September 2023 and to at least $3,300 in September 2025. MOM will also progressively increase the S Pass Tier 1 levy rate from $330 to $650 over three steps, again, in tandem with the S Pass qualifying salary increases. It will be raised to $450 in September 2022 and then to $550 in September 2023 and $650 in September 2025. The Tier 2 levy rate will be maintained at $650.[+8 sentences] As with the EP, the setting of a clear benchmark will give businesses clarity and predictability on how the S Pass qualifying salary and levies will continue to adjust over time. Mr Chairman, there have been concerns about the increase in qualifying salaries. Locals have asked if their foreign colleagues will, therefore, automatically get a pay raise, at their expense. The short answer is no. Please let me explain. Take a firm that hires 10 employees – nine locals, one S Pass holder. These employees are all doing the same job, earning the same pay of $2,500. Will the foreigner immediately get a $500 pay increase, just because of the increase in the qualifying salary? No. First, the higher qualifying salary will only apply to EP and S Pass renewals in September 2023.[+41 sentences] That is about a year and a half from now. I earlier mentioned that this could even stretch out to September 2026, depending on when the S Pass holder is due for renewal. That is about four and a half years away at the extreme. The firm will have ample time to think about alternative options, for instance, finding or training up another local. This is especially so if the foreigner is not bringing in enough value to justify the pay increase. Businesses are, ultimately, profit-driven and they will not just blindly raise costs. Employers have said that it is difficult to find locals in a particularly tight labour market, given the low unemployment rate. But as I had said a few days back, there is still significant untapped supply from both women and seniors outside the workforce. With our population rapidly ageing, we would want to encourage people to work longer when they are able to and should they choose to. My constant exhortation to everyone is to bring them back into the workforce, encourage them, give them an opportunity. If businesses can do more to redesign jobs to make the jobs more flexible, more inclusive, I think they can attract more of these segments of workers. Next, there are quotas at the S Pass level. If the firm insists on giving the S Pass holder a pay increase without fairly reviewing the pay of its locals, it could find itself in a difficult situation. If the locals leave because of the pay discrepancy, the firm may find that it does not have enough quota to retain the S Pass holder at the next renewal. And let us not underestimate the negative impact on productivity of the company when employee morale is poor, or if the company finds itself shorthanded. Finally, what happens if, in spite of all these, employers still unfairly raise the foreigner's pay, without fairly reviewing the pay of locals? We know, on the ground, there will be egregious cases such as these. In such situations, locals can take their grievances to TAFEP. And TAFEP will engage the firm to conduct a proper salary review, because unfair remuneration practices run counter to the Tripartite Guidelines for Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP). So, you can see, there is a whole thought process that the firm will go through. If after all of these, the firm still chooses to retain the S Pass holder, it would be because the value that the S Pass holder brings to their operations more than justifies the higher salary. On the other hand, suppose we left the S Pass qualifying salary untouched at $2,500. Yes, the foreigner may not get the pay raise, but our locals' wages will stagnate as well. The firm can continue to renew the S Pass holder on the lowest salary required, as long as he is willing to accept it and the firm will then have little reason to raise the pay for the other nine locals who are doing the same job. As the Minister for Finance said in his Budget round-up speech, keeping the cost of employing foreign workers low ultimately ends up depressing the wages of local workers. Some locals tell me that they appreciate the need to raise the cost of hiring S Pass holders but asked us why we could not load it all on levies instead. In that way, the foreigner will not get a pay increase and the Government will get more revenue. But let us just be clear here. We are already increasing S Pass levies. But this is asking us to increase it even more. It does sound like a solution that we can adopt. But why did we not do it? Suppose we load all the cost increases onto levies. The levy will have to be much higher than $650. And these levies will be applied equally to all S Pass holders. The more productive firms that hire high-quality S Pass holders well above the qualifying salary will face the same cost increase as less productive firms who are paying just the bare minimum. Both groups are equally affected. Raising levies makes no distinction or differentiation between them – between the productive ones and the less productive ones. And if all firms have to pay more to the Government, they will have less to pay their workers. Will they still have the ability to incentivise their employees to take up new and bigger job roles as they transform? Members of the House, there are no perfect solutions. I hope that we do not let perfection be the enemy of the good. That is why, after weighing our options carefully, we moved – raising both the qualifying salary and the levies to safeguard good employment outcomes for our locals.[+17 sentences] We know that the changes to the S Pass framework are not trivial. But we must do what is difficult now, to build a stronger and more inclusive economy for all. With the S Pass moves, businesses that are reliant on low-cost S Pass holders will have to adapt. They will have to redesign their operations to become more productive. They will have to improve the pay and working conditions for these jobs. And because of this, they will be in a stronger position to attract locals. I understand that SMEs are more constrained in terms of financial resources and many are worried about these moves. I have previously spoken about how we will support SMEs through this transition. They can tap on schemes, such as the Support for Job Redesign under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG-JR). To reskill existing employees and new hires to take on redesigned job roles, they can also tap on programmes, such as the Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs). There are many of such schemes out there. SMEs will not have to undertake this transformation journey alone. We will walk with them. Let me now move on to the Work Permit changes. At the Work Permit level, migrant workers take on important roles which locals are less keen on doing. Yet, COVID-19 has shown us that it is not sustainable to continue to rely heavily on foreign manpower, especially at the semi-skilled level. Excessive reliance will leave businesses vulnerable to various disruptions. In order for our businesses to survive and thrive, they will need to transform, they will need to increase their productivity and, ultimately, reduce their reliance on Work Permit holders. To support these transformation efforts, we will make further changes to the foreign workforce policies for the Construction and Process sectors from 2024. First, we will reduce the Dependency Ratio Ceilings, or DRCs, for the construction and process sectors from 1:7 to 1:5, to nudge the sectors towards reducing reliance on migrant workers and improving the productivity of workers.[+1 sentence] That is a reduction from 87.5% to 83.3%. Second, we will dismantle the Man-Year Entitlement (MYE) framework, to reduce allocation inefficiencies.[+11 sentences] Third, we will revise the levy structure for both sectors. To incentivise businesses to adopt more productive technologies, such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) and employ more productive workers, levies will be lowered for off-site construction and higher-skilled workers. The Minister for National Development will share more in his Committee of Supply speech. The changes will help support the sectors' transformation and automation. To help defray costs to adopt automation, businesses can tap on grants, such as the Enterprise Development Grant and the Productivity Innovation Project. The changes to our foreign workforce policies aim to strengthen the complementarity between local and foreign workforce at the EP and S Pass level and to spur industry transformation at the Work Permit level. I understand that Mr Cheng Hsing Yao and Ms Janet Ang suggested calibrating our foreign workforce policies further to address persistent shortages in certain sectors. We already do so today. Sectors, such as Construction and Process, have higher foreign worker quotas as we recognise that fewer locals join these sectors. We also exercise flexibilities to support essential services like healthcare and the cleaning of public housing estates. Going forward, we will adopt an even more targeted approach by providing flexibilities to businesses that contribute to our economic priorities and in job roles where there are more pressing manpower needs but fewer locals. To support the growth of businesses that contribute to Singapore's strategic economic priorities, MOM is supporting MTI and participating economic agencies to launch the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities, or M-SEP scheme.[+6 sentences] The scheme will provide such firms some flexibility to hire S Pass and Work Permit holders beyond the prevailing DRCs for a limited period of time. For a start, MTI and participating economic agencies will support firms that meet their criteria of undertaking ambitious investment, innovation or internationalisation activities. This would include firms that participate in existing schemes, such as ESG's Scale-up SG and EDB's Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies. In addition to supporting our strategic economic priorities, we will require these businesses to commit to developing our local workforce. The details are being worked out and we aim to introduce the scheme later this year. In addition, we recognise that some businesses hire rank-and-file workers on S Passes due to the source restrictions for Work Permit holders. With the moves to increase the benchmark for S Pass quality, MOM will allow businesses in the Services and Manufacturing sectors to hire some of these S Pass holders on Work Permits. We will introduce a Non-Traditional Source (NTS) Occupation List, which is a tight list of rank-and-file occupations where employers will be allowed to hire NTS foreign workers on Work Permits.[+19 sentences] The list will be introduced on 1 September 2023. The list will include occupations, such as welders, food processing workers and specialty chefs. I know many enjoy the multicultural cuisines in Singapore. I hope that this will reinforce our position as a food paradise, supporting the cultural heritage of Singapore. The list will be subject to a quota, amongst other controls, and we will study carefully if more occupations should be added to the list. However, I would like to make it clear that this does not signal a broader liberalisation of Work Permit sources across the board. The Tripartite Partners have a clear consensus on the importance of uplifting our local lower-wage workers whom the Work Permit holders directly compete with. Hence, we will continue to keep the Work Permit sources tight to support the efforts to uplift lower-wage workers and the ongoing moves to be more manpower-lean. Taken together, the two schemes, the M-SEP and the NTS Occupation List, will complement the changes we are making to our work pass framework by supporting the growth of businesses that contribute to Singapore's strategic priorities and, ultimately, creating good job opportunities for locals. I have spoken at length about our upcoming moves. I have explained why they are necessary to restructure our workforce to prepare for the opportunities ahead and move towards a more equitable society. Many businesses, both local and foreign, whom I have spoken to generally understand this. They have been very supportive and also want to be good, progressive employers. However, they also share two challenges. One, difficulties in finding workers; and two, increase in business costs. We take this feedback very seriously. On the difficulty in finding workers, I earlier touched on the schemes we have to address this. The calibrated reopening of our borders should ease some pressure and, as mentioned earlier, there is still an untapped supply of various segments of our population, and businesses can do more to redesign their jobs to attract these segments of workers. On rising business costs, MOM has put in place measures to support our businesses. Our support measures will provide up to $6.8 billion to businesses in financial year 2022.[+18 sentences] This includes the provision of the Jobs Growth Incentive. We will also roll out transitional offsets for the increases to senior worker CPF contribution rates and transitional support for the moves to uplift lower-wage workers. The moves are also timed carefully and implemented gradually to moderate the cost and manpower impact on businesses. At the same time, I also want to assure our fellow Singaporean workers that they will always be at the heart of our efforts to drive economic growth. We will also endeavour to create good jobs. Mr Chairman, let me now say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): This year, we are making various moves to upgrade the capabilities of our local workforce and complementarity of our foreign workforce, uplift vulnerable workers and senior workers, and uphold inclusive and progressive practices. Most business owners whom I have spoken to understand the need for these moves. However, some employers, more so amongst the SMEs, are concerned. They share that they face difficulties hiring locals and the announced moves may make it worse. In addition, they worry about the higher business costs. I would like to assure SMEs that we hear your concerns. We will help in several ways. Let me make three points. Firstly, our foreign workforce policies will be sensitive to the profiles of our SMEs' circumstances, which may require differentiated treatment. Under COMPASS, candidates will be assessed on not just their qualifications and wages but also the hiring firm's diversity and support for local employment. For firms with less than 25 PMETs, they will, by default, be treated as having "met expectation" on firm-related attributes. Secondly, we will provide some flexibilities to firms and for certain job roles. For example, currently, some firms are unable to hire foreign workers they need due to certain Work Permit restrictions. We will allow firms in the Services and Manufacturing sectors to hire their workers from non-traditional sources on Work Permits, for a tight list of occupations with fewer locals, for example, in Precision Engineering and Food Manufacturing. MOM will also support MTI in introducing a scheme to give additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas to firms that contribute to Singapore's strategic economic priorities.[+4 sentences] More details of these schemes will be available around the end of this year. Thirdly, we will continue to support our SMEs in their transformation journey. For SMEs looking to automate and transform, they can tap on the Productivity Solutions Grant, the Enterprise Development Grant or the SMEs Go Digital programme. Last month, Workforce Singapore launched the new Career Conversion Programme for SME Executives. SMEs can enjoy up to 90% salary support to hire mid-career local jobseekers.[+11 sentences] These are just some of the many schemes out there. I urge SMEs to tap on the schemes available and begin their transformation journey. Singapore is a small country, devoid of natural resources. The road to nation-building has never been smooth-sailing since Independence. Back then, Singapore was often likened to a small fishing boat in a big ocean, which could be easily swept away in a big storm. Our pioneers built on their resilience to ride out the odds and propel Singapore forward. After decades of hard work, Singapore has grown and progressed. We are no longer a small fishing boat, but a steady big ship. I hope businesses will bear in mind the perseverance of our forefathers and continue to adopt the same attitude in their transformation. Let us create better employment prospects for our workers and work together for a better future! (In English): Mr Chairman, before I close, allow me to share one aspect of uplifting our workers, which is to strengthen their retirement adequacy. As announced in the Budget Statement, we will do so in three ways. First, we will adjust the Basic Retirement Sum to provide members with higher monthly payouts to keep pace with long-term inflation and rising standard of living. We expect more members to receive at least the Basic Retirement Sum payout, with about eight in 10 active CPF members turning age 55 in 2027 being able to do so.[+5 sentences] This is up from 67% for the cohort that turned 55 in 2021. Second, we will implement the next step of the CPF contribution rate increase for senior workers. Finally, the enhanced Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, we will top up the income of half a million lower-income workers, with payouts amounting to over $1 billion in CPF and in cash from 2023. Mr Patrick Tay asked in his cut about raising the wage ceiling for CPF contributions and Mr Heng Chee How also raised this at the Budget debate. We are encouraged by the union's support for the CPF system. The CPF wage ceiling has been periodically updated since 2003 to keep pace with wages of resident workers.[+1 sentence] The most recent update was in 2016. We will review the CPF wage ceiling and engage employers and employees ahead of any changes.[+25 sentences] These efforts are aimed at helping Singaporeans save more and boost their retirement income. This will, however, be meaningless if we do not continue to safeguard the savings that Singaporeans set aside for old age. This is why we must carefully assess any calls for more liberal use of members' CPF monies. In her cut, Ms Sylvia Lim suggested allowing members with CPF balances beyond the required retirement sum to make lumpsum withdrawals from their CPF savings before age 55, highlighting those who face income disruption. The Government already provides targeted and directed support to these members. For example, to help those who face financial hardship during this difficult period, we introduced an entire suite of support measures, including the COVID-19 Recovery Grant. Singaporeans will also receive support from existing broad-based permanent schemes, such as Workfare and ComCare. Importantly, all of these do not draw down on Singaporeans' CPF savings and, as Mr Desmond Choo wisely highlighted, it will not come at the expense of retirement income. In his cut, Mr Gerald Giam requested for additional flexibility for seniors to use CPF to purchase 2-room Flexi flats and to pay for the resale levy. Before members turn 55, they can request for their Ordinary Account (OA) savings not to be transferred to their Retirement Account (RA) if they intend to use it for housing. After they turn 55, members committed to a housing purchase may also use their CPF balances in excess of the Basic Retirement Sum to finance the housing purchase. I would also like to reassure Mr Gerald Giam that CPF Board already exercises some flexibility for seniors facing financial hardship seeking to use CPF to purchase a 2-room Flexi flat. To pay for any resale levy, home buyers can use the proceeds from the sale of their first subsidised flat. Members who still face difficulties affording a property, including 2-room Flexi flats, can approach HDB for assistance. And I am sure HDB will also work with relevant agencies like CPF Board to provide help to members based on their specific needs. Next, Mr Louis Chua suggested having members seek higher investment returns on their CPF monies by expanding the range of financial instruments available under the CPF Investment Scheme or allowing members to invest alongside Government investment vehicles. We have said this before and, Mr Louis Chua, coming from his financial background, should be familiar that there is no silver bullet in achieving higher returns. Higher returns come with higher risks and a greater potential for losses. And this is true of any investment fund, and Government investment entities are not immune to this. As Mr Desmond Choo pointed out, there is volatility and uncertainty in the investment climate. Today, CPF members can already invest in a diverse range of products, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), shares and gold products. The CPF Board welcomes more ETFs to join the CPF Investment Scheme. However, ETF providers' decision to apply for inclusion are, ultimately, based on their own commercial assessment. To safeguard members' interest, the CPF carefully considers these factors, such as investment-related fees and track records of the products, before approving any such applications. Only products listed under the Singapore Exchange or registered with local authorities are included under the CPF Investment Scheme as foreign products are subject to changing regulations in jurisdictions over which we have no oversight and no control. As Mr Louis Chua mentioned, 75% of CPF Investment Scheme members made profits or broke even in the reporting period of FY2020. This means that 25% of members made cumulative total losses.[+3 sentences] More product offerings do not necessarily equate to higher returns. To ensure that the list continues to remain relevant, the CPF Board will continue to review it on an ongoing basis. It strikes a balance between allowing CPF Investment Scheme participants the flexibility to diversify their investment portfolios to enhance their retirement nest eggs, while safeguarding members' interest. So, we have to be very careful when striking this balance, because it involves CPF monies which should be safeguarded for retirement. We are also studying if a lifetime retirement investment scheme can be introduced for members.[+10 sentences] It is meant for members with the risk appetite and sufficient investment horizon who may not wish to actively manage their investments. We will provide further information and updates when ready. Meanwhile, members who prefer not to take any risks with their retirement savings already enjoy interest rates of up to 6% per annum on their CPF savings, where investment risk is entirely borne by the Government. We will continue to look at how we can strengthen retirement adequacy for all of our members, so that they can enjoy financial security in their later years. Let me conclude. We are making many moves to upgrade the capabilities of locals and complementarity of foreigners, uplift vulnerable workers and mature workers and uphold inclusive and progressive workplaces. But we acknowledge there will always be more work to be done. But we will continue relentlessly to put in the hard work of supporting our workers and the businesses. Charting new waters is never easy. I am sure Members here are familiar with the teach-a-man-to-fish analogy to equip ourselves for the lifelong journey ahead. Well, the essence of what we have laid out today reinforces this. But it also acknowledges that the waters are choppier, the fishes are harder to come by and catch, and if we just stay put and do not shift our anchor, we will soon run out of time and opportunity to fish! So, we will have courses to teach you how to catch the harder-to-catch fish, we will equip you with upgraded equipment – all the advanced rods, the sonar equipment – to fish, including using the new COMPASS to guide you to bountiful sources of fish, notwithstanding choppier waters. With workers, unions, businesses and the Government on the same ship together, I have no doubt that Singapore will continue her voyage into an even brighter future!
The Chairman8 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon)4943 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Chairman, I will continue along the lines of Upgrade, Uplift and Uphold as outlined by the Minister. I will elaborate on how we will upgrade the capabilities of our local workforce, uplift our vulnerable workers, as well as transform our migrant worker ecosystem to support their well-being and resilience. The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package and the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) were introduced as extraordinary, time-bound measures to preserve human capital and expand local hiring amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Jobs Council's efforts saw more than 174,000 local jobseekers placed into jobs and skills opportunities as at end December 2021.[+15 sentences] The labour market is recovering steadily and unemployment rates continued their downward trend. But we are not completely out of the woods. The COVID-19 situation may yet evolve further. There are segments of the workforce, such as mature workers that we were more concerned about even before COVID-19 and they have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Nonetheless, we have made good progress despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the close to 509,000 local hires supported through the JGI from September 2020 to August 2021, about half were mature workers. Some mature jobseekers continue to face difficulties in finding permanent jobs. So, we will press on with tackling three structural issues. First, vulnerable workers who might need additional support in the hiring process; second, mature workers who might need help transiting to new job roles; and third, continuing the outreach to jobseekers requiring career matching services. In all three areas, some of the schemes launched during the pandemic have been especially useful and valuable in supporting the vulnerable jobseeker segments. We will continue to keep them in our toolkit of schemes, with some adjustments to their parameters. To address the issue of vulnerable workers who need additional support in the hiring process, we will extend the JGI. As noted by Mr Yip Hon Weng, the JGI has been effective in encouraging employers to expand on local hiring. It was introduced in September 2020 and has been extended twice since then to March 2022. Close to 509,000 locals were hired into new jobs by 67,000 businesses from September 2020 to August 2021. JGI-eligible employers have continued to hire from a wide pool of jobseekers, including half who were not employed at the point of hire. Therefore, we will extend the JGI by another six months from March 2022 to September 2022.[+1 sentence] But we will concentrate our resources on the more vulnerable jobseeker segments as I had mentioned earlier, namely, mature workers not in work for at least six months, persons with disabilities and ex-offenders. In the next phase of the JGI, employers of these groups of jobseekers will receive up to 40% salary support for the first six months, and up to 20% for the next six months. In line with previous JGI phases, employers should achieve local workforce growth and growth in local workforce earning at least $1,400 a month. This means that eligible employers may receive up to $21,600 per hire over a 12-month period.[+16 sentences] The JGI will continue to work in concert with other existing structural programmes. For instance, to support employment of persons with disabilities, we have introduced the Enabling Employment Credit, which Minister of State Gan Siow Huang will elaborate on. Together, these schemes ensure that persons with disabilities continue to be well-supported during the economic recovery. We hope that this will encourage employers to give them a chance, to hire them and train them if needed, so that they can eventually form an integral part of your workforce. Mature workers may also need more help in making career transitions or re-entering employment. Through the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme, we have equipped workers with skills and opportunities to take on new employment. The company attachment programme allows employers to take a greater chance on unproven candidates, provide them with on-the-job training and evaluate their job fit. Even trainees who are not offered a job by the host organisation come out of the attachment equipped with skills, experience and industry contacts. Seventy-six percent of trainees who completed or exited their attachments found employment as at October 2021. Some mature workers who may continue to face challenges in finding permanent jobs may already have years of experience and would only require some training to take on their intended roles. Hence, we will retain the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme for mature jobseekers. This will complement the deeper reskilling provided by our existing Career Conversion Programmes, or CCPs. One such mature worker who was willing to undergo further training is Chan Wan Chuen. As a 45-year-old back-to-work mother who re-entered the workforce in 2020 after four years, she enrolled in the programme to upskill and improve her employability. I am glad to note that her positive mindset had paid off and she has transited well into her role as a Technology Assurance Domain Lead in UOB bank with her newly acquired skills in data analytics. Miss Rachel Ong and Mr Liang Eng Hwa have asked for more details on how this scheme will be extended. Mature trainees will continue to receive training allowances of up to $3,800. However, with the recovery of the labour market, we will scale back Government funding from 90% to 70%, with the host organisations co-funding 30% of the allowance to the jobseekers. To encourage host organisations to hire the trainees earlier if they are found to be a good fit, we will allow host organisations to receive the full support quantum if the trainees were hired at least three months into the attachment.[+3 sentences] Ms Janet Ang has called on local workers to keep reskilling and to stay relevant and has highlighted CCPs as a useful way of helping our local workers to do this. I agree with her. The CCPs provide employers with substantial salary support when they hire and train mid-career hires for new job roles. Since 2016, Workforce Singapore has placed over 39,000 locals into new job roles through CCPs.[+9 sentences] We want to continue to do more. But this will require both employers and jobseekers to also do their part. I encourage employers to adopt a "plug-train-play" mindset and be prepared to train their new hires instead of expecting a perfect fit from the word go. The CCP and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme will support you. I also want to encourage jobseekers to have a more open mind to new possibilities, new opportunities and to acquire new skills. To help scale up efforts to reach out to more jobseekers, SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres were introduced in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 situation in all of our 24 HDB towns to provide career advisory and coaching services, as well as curate job opportunities available in the vicinity of our jobseekers. To ensure that our job matching services remain readily accessible to our jobseekers in the heartlands, we will maintain SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres in all 24 HDB towns. Besides having career ambassadors deployed to the centres, we will roll out job kiosks and phone advisory services so that we can flexibly deploy career ambassadors while best meeting the needs of our jobseekers. We will also continue working with partners to provide more options for local jobseekers who are mature, long-term unemployed or persons with disabilities. We appointed Adecco as an SGUnited Jobs and Skills Placement Partner in March 2021 and have appointed two additional employment agencies, Charterhouse and Good Job Creations, this month. We will not extend the SGUnited Traineeships after it expires in March 2022.[+11 sentences] The SGUnited Traineeship programme was introduced amidst a weak labour market to provide fresh graduates with traineeship opportunities to acquire industry-relevant experience and to build up their skillsets and networks. With the economy recovering, fewer graduates are participating in the scheme. But current trainees will be supported to the end of their traineeships. Sir, I will now move on to how we can drive transformation through working closely with our Tripartite Partners and industry players to provide greater support for companies and workers in their transformation journey. NTUC shares a close relationship with the Government. They champion workers' interests, as well as trust with employers and the Government to achieve win-win outcomes. Brother Heng Chee How suggested for a tripartite focus to identify priority sectors and occupations for re-skilling, especially for older workers, tapping on NTUC's Company Training Committees (CTCs). As shared by Brother Chee Hong Tat, since April 2019, NTUC has mobilised more than 800 companies to form CTCs and supported companies to develop and implement their transformation plans, including re-skilling of workers. This has enabled unions and companies to work together to respond with agility during COVID-19, to pivot operations to survive and, at the same time, to help workers sustain livelihoods. The efforts of the unions via the CTCs have achieved positive outcomes and MOM wants to accelerate these efforts to benefit more companies and workers. Mr Sharael Taha has asked for the resources to support NTUC to scale up the CTCs. The Minister for Finance has shared in the Budget speech that we will support NTUC's efforts to scale up to 2,500 CTCs by 2025.[+11 sentences] This will double the coverage from 250,000 workers today to 500,000 workers in 2025. About $100 million will be set aside to support NTUC. We will invest $28 million to support NTUC to drive this transformation and another $70 million grant to enable companies to operationalise the transformation plans through the CTCs. Next, I will talk about our efforts to uplift the different workforce segments, starting with senior workers. As announced during the Budget, the Government will continue to support the retirement adequacy of our seniors by raising the CPF contribution rates. By the time we are done with the full increase around 2030, a 55-year-old member currently earning median income can expect his monthly retirement payouts to be boosted by about 10%. Sir, I would like to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): The Government spares no effort to improve the quality and skills of the workforce so that every worker can enjoy better employment prospects. Now, let me focus on senior workers. By 2030, our citizen population aged 65 and above will nearly double to 900,000. With an ageing population, it is important to tap on the accumulative human capital of our seniors to keep our economy growing. To allow more senior workers to work longer if they wish to, from July this year we will raise the statutory retirement age from 62 to 63 and the reemployment age from 67 to 68.[+5 sentences] In addition, employees who are hired at age 55 and above can qualify for reemployment, as long as they have worked for their employer for two years. According to the 2019 recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup of Senior Workers, the Government will start to raise the CPF contribution rate for senior workers from this year and will continue to do so in 2023 to support the retirement adequacy of our seniors. By 2030, a 55-year-old member currently earning median income can expect his monthly retirement payouts to be boosted by 10%. (In English): Sir, I will now go on to talk about how we will support self-employed persons. For our self-employed persons (SEPs), the Government has progressively strengthened support for this segment of the workforce over the years. As announced at Budget 2022, eligible lower-income SEPs can receive enhanced Workfare payouts of up to $2,800 from 2023.[+21 sentences] The Government has worked with insurers to introduce prolonged medical leave insurance, which covers many self-employed drivers and riders. The Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management provides mediation services to SEPs to address disputes with their service buyers and SEPs can have their rights enforced at the Small Claims Tribunal. One group of SEPs that we are paying closer attention to are those that work with online matching platforms which provide transport and delivery services. Known as platform workers, they work as private hire car and taxi drivers, or deliver food and goods to our consumers. The Government shares the concerns that Mr Louis Chua, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Dr Shahira Abullah, Mr Sharael Taha and Ms Hazel Poa have raised about the welfare and job opportunities for platform workers. Mr Don Wee also highlighted this issue at the Budget debate. With the emergence of digital platforms, it is now easier for people to source for work on online platforms. The profile of platform workers is diverse. We find that the majority of those who depend on platform work as their main job are older residents aged 50 and above, with non-tertiary qualifications, although delivery workers tend to be younger than other groups. Platform workers have consistently cited flexibility as a reason for taking up platform work. Some do it to supplement their main source of income, while others rely on it as their main source of income. Earlier this week, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) published a study on platform work, involving a survey of more than 900 private-hire car drivers and in-depth interviews with both the drivers as well as delivery riders. The study found that the flexibility offered by platform work comes with caveats. For instance, platform workers often have to follow working arrangements and pricing policies set by the platforms, which can change without their consent. Some have indicated that they view platform work as a temporary arrangement and would like to transit to regular employment. Even as we support them in their job search through career matching services and programmes under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, they may still face challenges, such as lacking the time to job hunt or having the requisite skills to take on new jobs. This is a complex issue but, clearly, more needs to be done to close the gap in the protections provided for platform workers to ensure a fairer relationship between the platforms and the platform workers. Hence, we convened an Advisory Committee in September last year that includes representatives from Tripartite Partners to review this carefully. Since then, the Committee has been consulting widely through a public consultation exercise. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of our preliminary observations from the exercise. On retirement and housing adequacy, most platform workers expressed concern over their ability to meet both current and future needs. More than half of platform workers who responded to our public consultation exercise felt that mandatory CPF contributions to their Special or Ordinary Accounts would be important for their retirement and housing needs. And on this issue, the IPS survey found that 84% were worried about whether they have enough savings for retirement.[+8 sentences] Take the example of Ms Peh Xin Xuan, a 28-year-old who has been working as a food delivery rider for many years. For a period, it also served as her main income; it was her full-time job at that point in time. But over time, she found that the irregular earnings, without CPF contributions and the sheer physical demands of platform work took a toll on her financially, physically and mentally. Furthermore, Ms Peh recently applied for a BTO flat with her fiancé. Like many young Singaporeans, she hopes to use her CPF savings to finance the flat and would like more support to help riders like herself better save up for their long-term needs. Clearly, this concern warrants intervention. Failure to do so will result in unmet needs in the future and impose costs on other parts of society. Today, platform workers already contribute up to 10.5% of their earnings to their MediSave accounts. The Committee is considering the idea of requiring platform companies to make CPF contributions to support the retirement and housing needs of platform workers. Platform companies have raised concerns that such a move will result in a sudden increase in business cost, something which I can understand. So, an option being considered is a phased approach which will allow time for the platform ecosystem to adjust.[+24 sentences] To Ms Hazel Poa's suggestion to allow a special scheme that allows platform workers to contribute and withdraw CPF on demand, I do not wish to pre-judge the deliberation of the Committee, but I would like to make a few clarifications. Firstly, there are already private savings products which are available in the market for everyone, including platform workers. It is common for returns to be commensurate with the length of holding the funds in the account, such as a fixed deposit account. It is impractical to have our cake and eat it by allowing platform workers to withdraw and deposit like a savings account, while still enjoying interest rates higher than what is being offered by a fixed deposit account, for example, in the banks. Secondly, allowing withdrawals on demand will also go against the objective of improving their long-term retirement adequacy by setting aside savings for old age and allowing for the compounding of interest to take place over time. So, I would say that the PSP's suggestion is populist but impractical. On financial protection in the event of work injury, platform workers said that they were concerned that injuries would affect their livelihoods, and that the insurance coverage provided was not consistent across different platform companies. We are heartened by the general consensus among platform companies that they should provide some coverage against work injuries. The Committee is exploring how the overall Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) framework can be applied in this setting, but the Committee also recognises that any solution will need to take into account the nature of platform work, including flexibility in working time and the ability to work for more than one platform simultaneously. On the issue of representation, some platform workers said that they lack avenues to voice concerns and expressed the hope that the unions could represent and assist them if there were disputes. Others wanted a say in contract terms that impact their well-being. We are encouraged that, in response, platforms have indicated their willingness to support good industrial relations and improve the working conditions of platform workers. Suggestions from the platforms include the establishment of industry-wide norms through tripartite discussions or with an independent body. The Advisory Committee will be studying these possible solutions, including the idea for unions to represent the platform workers. Mr Patrick Tay asked if the Ministry will be reviewing the Employment Act. We do regularly review our legislation, including the Employment Act, in consultation with Tripartite Partners to ensure that they are relevant. Several major policy reviews are still ongoing, such as in relation to the work of the Advisory Committee for Platform Workers. It is too early to say how the recommendations would be implemented or what legislative changes are needed. We will consider the recommendations holistically and see how to ensure that our legislative frameworks can support the policies. The eventual recommendations will contribute towards a more sustainable equilibrium – one where the costs of labour protections are more equitably distributed and shared across the stakeholders in the platform ecosystem. Sir, I will now talk about our migrant worker community. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone, not least for our migrant workers. They have shown remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their health and well-being have been a priority over the past year. As of 20 February 2022, 99.4% of migrant workers residing in dormitories are fully vaccinated.[+1 sentence] During the last COVID-19 wave in September, migrant workers who tested COVID-19 positive were given timely access to medical support, through regional medical centres, mobile clinical teams and telemedicine consults. Most experienced mild or no symptoms and were able to recover safely in recovery facilities, with fewer than 0.1% requiring hospitalisation.[+4 sentences] Beyond physical health, we co-created a mental health support ecosystem for migrant workers with our partners, including the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) and HealthServe. To date, close to 600 frontline officers have been trained in basic psychological first aid and more than 200 migrant worker peer leaders have undergone self-care and peer support training. They help to detect signs of distress amongst migrant workers more quickly and link them up with counselling services and support helplines in their native languages. As mentioned in my response to the Adjournment Motion put forth by Mr Louis Ng last month and in response to Mr Leon Perera's question on easing of restrictions on migrant workers, let me say that migrant workers can visit any Recreation Centre, or RC, daily since September 2021. Vaccinated migrant workers are allowed on community visits and, as of mid-February 2022, more than 95,000 migrant workers have visited the community.[+1 sentence] The current community visit quotas are not fully used up and we will be easing in steps the quota and restrictions and as the COVID-19 situation improves. From 18 February, we have also stepped down the requirement for migrant workers to undergo the Rostered Routine Testing, or RRT.[+7 sentences] This would provide a return to normalcy for these workers. We are also prioritising the granting of entry approvals for migrant workers to return to Singapore after they go on their home leave. This will facilitate them to go on home leave for visits. As we restore economic activities, we will need to continue bringing workers into Singapore safely and help newly-arrived migrant workers settle in. Therefore, in March last year, we started the Migrant Worker Onboarding Centres, which have now been renamed Onboard Centres. These function as a one-stop centre for newly-arrived migrant workers, bringing together various entry requirements into an integrated and seamless end-to-end process. Workers can serve their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) as required, complete a medical examination, and undergo a residential Settling-in Programme (SIP), all under one roof. To date, more than 55,000 workers have gone through the Onboard Centres.[+5 sentences] Going forward, MOM will continue to improve the well-being of our migrant workers by fortifying housing standards, improving medical support and increasing recreation options. First, fortifying housing standards is an ongoing process and is necessary to create a safer and more comfortable living environment for our migrant workers. As announced last year, the Government will build two new purpose-built dormitories (PBDs) at Kranji and Jalan Tukang. These dormitories will be built to improved standards to minimise future outbreaks of diseases. We will also work with dormitory operators and other partners to test new and innovative ideas for dormitory living and management. MOM is also reviewing the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA) to expand its coverage to smaller dormitories with fewer than 1,000 beds.[+2 sentences] Second, we will support employers in managing healthcare costs while improving medical support for our migrant workers. I will talk about this in the outpatient setting and the inpatient setting. On the outpatient front, as announced on 19 February 2022, employers will be required to purchase a Primary Care Plan, or PCP, for migrant workers with effect from 1 April this year.[+4 sentences] MOM has appointed four medical service providers to deliver primary healthcare services over six geographical sectors. This integrated primary healthcare system builds on the medical support plan we set up amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Migrant workers can expect to access a range of primary healthcare services, including acute and chronic care, 24/7 telemedicine services as well as mobile clinical teams, to ensure rapid responses to public health emergencies and concerns in dormitories. The appointed medical service providers will minimise language and cultural barriers in care provision through hiring healthcare workers who can speak the native languages of our migrant workers. Employers can purchase the PCP at a fixed fee of between $108 and $138 for each worker per year, or about $9 to $12 per worker a month.[+13 sentences] This gives employers cost clarity and will meet most of the primary care needs of their workers. To mitigate the moral hazard of overconsumption and instil personal responsibility, migrant workers will also be required to co-pay a small fee, ranging from $2 for a telemedicine session to $5 for each visit to the medical centre. This PCP will be made mandatory for all workers living in the dormitories or working in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors, as part of work pass requirements. On the inpatient front, MOM will enhance the coverage of the mandatory medical insurance to better protect employers against large medical bills for their Work Permit and S Pass holders, including those of migrant domestic workers (MDWs). Today, employers are responsible for the medical expenses of their Work Permit and S Pass holders that are incurred in Singapore. Unlike that of locals, the medical bills of migrant workers and migrant domestic workers, or MDWs, are not subsidised. They are also not covered under the national schemes, such as MediShield Life and MediFund. To help employers better manage the medical bills of their migrant workers, employers are required to purchase medical insurance with at least $15,000 coverage for their Work Permit and S Pass holders. As medical costs are expected to increase over the years, more employers may end up incurring larger out-of-pocket expenses on their workers' medical bills. To provide employers greater peace of mind in financing their workers' inpatient and day surgery bills, the coverage of the mandatory medical insurance will be enhanced with the following features. First, we will maintain the first dollar cover of at least $15,000. This ensures that the bulk of employers whose workers' medical bills fall under $15,000 continue to be fully protected under the enhanced model. On average, there are over 1,000 employers per year who face bills that are larger than $15,000. A co-payment component will be introduced for them, up to an annual claim limit of at least $60,000.[+4 sentences] This ensures that healthcare costs remain affordable and sustainable. Let me illustrate this with an example. Under today's existing requirement, if a migrant worker or a migrant domestic worker incurs a $70,000 bill, the insurer will cover the first $15,000 and the employer will be left to bear the remaining $55,000. With the enhanced medical insurance, the insurer will continue to cover the first $15,000 in full, as per today. For the remaining $55,000, the insurer will co-pay 75% while the employer will pay the remaining bill.[+11 sentences] This means that the employer pays $13,750, which is significantly lower than the $55,000 he would otherwise need to fork out today. The second enhancement is that we will standardise a list of baseline allowable exclusions across insurers. This will provide greater clarity to employers on the coverage that they are entitled to. For example, insurers may exclude procedures that are not medically necessary, treatments arising from workers' criminal acts or repeat occurrences of undesirable acts by workers such as self-inflicted injuries as well as venereal diseases. Insurers may also exclude treatments for pre-existing illnesses that occur within the first 12 months of the worker's employment with the same employer. The third enhancement is that insurers will have to offer age-differentiated premiums for workers aged 50 and below and those who are above the age of 50. This will help to keep premiums affordable for the vast majority of employers, given that 95% of our migrant workers and migrant domestic workers are below 50 years old. The fourth enhancement will require insurers to reimburse the claims for inpatient and day surgery bills directly to the hospitals instead of making employers pay for their workers' medical treatment upfront and then claim it from the insurers later. This will help employers who are cash-strapped and free up cash flow for businesses and help families who have migrant domestic workers in this process. Employers with existing Work Permit and S Pass workers will also progressively transition onto the new medical insurance policy when they renew their work passes. The enhanced coverage for medical insurance will be effected for all new work pass applications by the end of 2022. The enhancements have been carefully calibrated to provide better support for businesses and migrant domestic worker employers in managing large medical bills while keeping premiums affordable.[+5 sentences] I want to thank employers, industry associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which have expressed their support for the enhanced medical insurance scheme during our engagements with them. The third area we want to do for our migrant workers is to enhance their social well-being and recreational needs. Our partnerships with NGOs and other whole-of-society partners have been crucial in helping us to support our migrant workers. We have been working hand-in-hand with our migrant worker community, too, as they would better understand the needs of their fellow workers. Mr Rajarathinam Sankaralingam has been a dormitory supervisor since 2012 and assigned to oversee activities in two dormitories. On top of his regular activities and duties, such as conducting briefings to fellow migrant workers on the latest Government advisories and guidelines, Mr Lingam often goes above and beyond by accompanying residents who require medical treatment at hospitals even when these incidents take place at night.[+1 sentence] We are thankful for their partnership. We are working with NGO partners to make our eight Recreation Centres livelier by bringing in more programmes and activities that our migrant workers enjoy, such as retail bazaars as well as sports and cooking competitions. A ninth Recreation Centre will be ready later this year in Sembawang. Workers are able to visit the Recreation Centres for essential services like topping up and purchasing telephone cards, going to the barber, buying groceries as well as for other recreational activities, such as movie screenings, live performances and meeting their friends.
The Chairman31 words
[+2 sentences]Dr Koh Poh Koon, my apologies for having to stop you. As we are approaching 7.30 pm, I would have to invite the Deputy Leader to move the Exempted Business Motion.
The Deputy Leader of the House (Mr Zaqy Mohamad)37 words
[+2 sentences]Sir, may I seek your consent to move that the Chairman do leave the Chair? This is to enable me to move a Motion to take the proceedings on the business of Supply today beyond 7.30 pm.
The Chairman43 words
[+3 sentences]I give my consent. Deputy Leader. . (proc text)]
Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)›Budget4 turns · 171w
· 1 highlighted
budget-1865recorded 2022-03-04
Dr Koh Poh Koon127 words
[+2 sentences]Thank you, Sir. Sir, as mentioned earlier, migrant workers have been visiting the community. Today, the visit slots are not fully utilised, but we are prepared to adjust the quota to allow more migrant workers to visit the community as the COVID-19 situation improves.[+3 sentences] Mr Chairman, to help sustain the resilience of our workforce, we have put in place measures to drive workforce transformation, to uplift our vulnerable workers as well as transform the migrant worker ecosystem by improving existing healthcare, housing and recreational needs. As we continue our work for these groups of workers, there is still much work to be done for others, such as our platform workers. Strengthening our workforce will always be a priority to ensure that we remain resilient in future storms.
The Chairman5 words
[+1 sentence]Minister, you have a clarification?
Dr Tan See Leng30 words
[+3 sentences]Yes, Mr Chairman, I have a clarification. With regard to the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) List, I mentioned that the NTS List will start in 2021. It should start in 2023.
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Deputy Leader, may I invite you to report progress?
Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023›Budget1 turns · 20w
· 0 highlighted
budget-1870
Speaker not recorded20 words
[+2 sentences]. (proc text)]
Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)›Budget59 turns · 12,864w
· 82 highlighted
budget-1871
Speaker not recorded52 words
[+2 sentences], (proc text)] . (proc text)]
The Chairman6 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Mr Zaqy Mohamad)266 words
Mr Chairman, in his National Day Rally speech last year, Prime Minister Lee accepted the recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers.[+3 sentences] This refreshes the Government’s social compact with our lower-wage workers to better support them, provide stronger wage outcomes and for all of us to play a stronger role to create a more inclusive and cohesive society. We have already made good progress in uplifting our lower-wage workers through efforts such as Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model (PWM). In the last five years from 2016 to 2021, we have seen good wage growth across our workforce. Real median income of full-time employed residents has increased steadily at 2.1% per annum. In comparison, real income at the 20th percentile – our lower-wage workers – has risen faster than median at 2.7% per annum.[+1 sentence] This means that we are reducing the income gap even as we move up as a workforce. Our moves to enhance wage growth in the PWM sectors and introduce the new Local Qualifying Salary, or LQS, provide us with further opportunities to narrow income inequality in the coming years.[+3 sentences] In my speech, Mr Chairman, I will elaborate on the progress of the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers recommendations, and how Progressive Wages and Workfare will continue to be the key thrusts in our efforts to uplift our lower-wage workers. I will also elaborate on our efforts to strengthen HR capabilities, so that HR professionals are better able to support businesses. With your permission, Chairman, may I ask the Clerks to distribute a handout detailing our efforts to support our lower-wage workers.
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Please do.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad3600 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you. The Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers report was released in August 2021 and outlines our recommendations for a refreshed approach and ambition for an inclusive and uplifting society. We have seen good progress since the release of the recommendations. New PWM sectors, such as Retail and F&B, have been identified and negotiations are underway. We can expect to see significant progress in wage outcomes in the coming years for our existing PWMs in the Cleaning, Security, Landscape and Lift and Escalator sectors. For example, from 2022 to 2028, entry-level cleaners will see a cumulative wage increase of up to 84%, to receive baseline wages of about $2,400 in 2028.[+8 sentences] The other existing PWMs have also shown similarly strong momentum, and you can find them in our factsheet; you will see significant increases across the various PWMs. They reflect the Workgroup’s commitment to narrow income dispersion between workers at the lowest 20th percentile and median and this will strengthen our social compact. At the same time, our overarching principle continues to be that wages and productivity should rise in tandem. Hence, we not only want wages to rise, but we also want to see productivity increase, through upskilling of workers and through the transformation of businesses. We have seen more Singaporeans joining sectors with the PWM, such as Security and Landscape, as wages and working conditions improve. For example, the employment of locals in the Security sector grew by an average of 5% per year, compared to 2015, which was before PWM was introduced. This is different from some other countries where broad-based minimum wages caused unintended unemployment. It is this sustainable progress that gives the Tripartite Partners confidence and the impetus to expand the Progressive Wage Model to cover new sectors and new occupations. Starting in September this year, we will implement the new Local Qualifying Salary requirement, as well as the Retail PWM and the extension of PWM to cover in-house cleaners, security officers and landscape workers.[+1 sentence] This will be followed closely by our second wave of moves in March 2023, just next year about this time, when we implement the Food Services PWM and Occupational Progressive Wages. Overall, by early 2023, 234,000, or more than eight in 10 full-time lower-wage workers will be covered by Progressive Wages.[+18 sentences] Given the competitive labour market, we are confident that the PWMs will continue to set the pace for the wage growth of our lower-wage workers. Hence, even when lower-wage workers who are not covered directly by any PWM should still see good wage growth, as their employers will likely have to adjust their wages to keep pace with the market and to retain them. Beyond uplifting wages, we also want to encourage our employers to pay more attention to other aspects of the well-being of our lower-wage workers. Therefore, following the recommendation of the Tripartite Workgroup, I am pleased to now launch a new Tripartite Standard on Advancing Well-being of Lower-Wage Workers. The Tripartite Standards (TS) are a set of good employment practices that all employers should implement at their workplaces. The new Tripartite Standard on Advancing Well-Being of Lower-Wage Workers will encourage employers to provide better workplace support for our lower-wage workers, focusing on areas of training and career development, to provide rest areas as well as care for their mental well-being, as mentioned by Mr Melvin Yong. We recognise that our workforce has experienced significant disruptions to their jobs during COVID-19. Therefore, it is important that employers cultivate a healthy working environment. Minister of State Gan Siow Huang will elaborate on these efforts in her speech. To strengthen our social compact, the efforts of the Tripartite Partners and employers alone are not enough. We must recognise that all of us have a role to play – all of us as consumers. It is in this light that the Tripartite Workgroup recommended establishing a new Progressive Wage Mark, or PW Mark, accreditation. We want to help individual consumers and corporate buyers easily identify progressive employers that are supporting lower-wage workers, and support these employers through their purchases. The PW Mark will be launched in the second half of this year. Employers that pay at least the relevant Sectoral or Occupational Progressive Wages to eligible workers, as well as the Local Qualifying Salary to all other local workers, will be accredited with the PW Mark. For employers that have gone one step further to adopt the new Tripartite Standard on Advancing Well-Being of Lower-Wage Workers, they will be recognised with the PW Mark Plus accreditation. To rally the industry to adopt the PW Mark, the Singapore Business Federation has agreed to help administer the PW Mark. The Government will do our part to lend strong support to the PW Mark. From March 2023, we will require all suppliers awarded Government contracts to be accredited with the PW Mark, starting with contracts with larger value.[+2 sentences] More details will be announced in the coming months. We encourage potential suppliers to apply and obtain the PW Mark early once it is launched. Chairman, putting our Progressive Wage measures together, this increases our coverage of Progressive Wages further up to 266,000, or 94% of full-time lower-wage workers – put together, 94%.[+3 sentences] As we significantly widen the coverage of Progressive Wages and introduce the new Local Qualifying Salary requirement, we recognise that the employers would need some transitional support to adjust to the changes in the immediate term. The Government has thus committed its strong support through the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme, or PWCS, which was announced by the Minister for Finance earlier. To recap, under the PWCS, there will be two tiers of funding. First, the Government will co-fund the first two most recent years of wage increases given to resident workers up to a wage ceiling of $2,500, for a five-year period from 2022 to 2026. Co-funding will be at 50% in the first two years, 30% in the next two years, before tapering off at 15% in 2026. With economic conditions remaining uncertain in the immediate term, the PWCS will also provide a second tier of funding to cover those earning between $2,500 and $3,000, for a shorter period of three years.[+15 sentences] With PWCS, the Government is providing direct support to the firms as they adjust to the Progressive Wage and LQS moves. We want to encourage all firms, including those not in the PWM sectors, to provide wage increases voluntarily in the immediate term when the Government’s support is the strongest. We urge employers to use this period of support to also accelerate the structural transformation of their business processes. Employers must take the lead in improving firm-level productivity, so that wage increases will be sustainable for businesses, even when the support ends. I thus agree with Mr Sharael Taha that employers must press on to innovate and digitalise. The Government is expanding the range of solutions under schemes such as the Productivity Solutions Grant and Advanced Digital Solutions scheme to support such efforts. Working in tandem with these schemes, I encourage our trade associations and chambers to play a key role in promoting innovation and digitalisation efforts, and share best practices. Workers should also continue to take the initiative in upgrading their skills and applying these skills at work, be it to increase productivity or to take on new roles. This will help them continue to support business transformation and ensure that wage improvements are sustainable in the long run. Therefore, I fully support Mr Sharael Taha’s suggestions for encouraging lower-wage workers to upskill. Today, the Workfare Skills Support scheme provides incentives to encourage lower-wage workers to upskill, through training allowances and a training commitment award. In 2020, MOM expanded the income qualifying criteria, and increased the amount of allowance and award. I hope that our workers will take the opportunity to upskill and improve their career prospects. Moving on to the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme, or what we know as Workfare for short. Workfare was introduced in 2007 to narrow income inequality; to help our lower-wage workers save more for their retirement; and to encourage our lower-wage workers to work regularly, whether it is for full-time or part-time work, depending on what best suits their circumstances. Fifteen years on, almost a million workers have benefited from over $8.6 billion dollars in Workfare payouts.[+13 sentences] One worker who benefited from Workfare over the years is Mdm Timah Binte Mohamad Kasan. Being the sole breadwinner while raising two children was not easy for Mdm Timah. Workfare made it better for her and her family by topping up her income since 2007. In total, she has received over $34,000 cash and CPF top-ups from Workfare. This has helped her support her husband, who is unable to work and her children while paying off her mortgage for her 3-room HDB flat. Mdm Timah is also supported by other Government schemes. For example, she currently receives Silver Support payouts of $720 per quarter. She also chose to boost her retirement income via the lease buyback scheme and received a $30,000 cash bonus on top of the proceeds from selling part of the flat's lease. The support from Workfare has not stopped, Workfare will continue to boost her income for as long as she wishes to continue working. Uplifting our lower-wage workers is a collective responsibility. As businesses and consumers pay our lower-wage workers better, the Government, too, will do our part. As announced by the Minister for Finance, the Government will be making significant enhancements to Workfare from 2023. Let me briefly recap the enhancements here. Workers earning up to $2,500 a month will now be able to qualify for Workfare, up from the current qualifying income cap of $2,300.[+17 sentences] Workers will also need to earn at least $500 a month to qualify for Workfare. Members have debated this extensively. We understand and share your concerns. But allow me to first clarify a statement that I made at the Budget debate about the number of Workfare recipients that would be affected by the new criterion. The 20,000 figure, as cited by Minister Tan See Leng, had already taken into account the expected wage growth from the PWM expansion and new LQS requirement. Our objective, in line with Workfare's overall design, is to nudge all our workers, part-time and full-time, towards more gainful employment so that we give them a higher sense of achievement. We also want to better target Workfare at those who need it, our lower-wage workers, those with lower household incomes and not casual workers doing vacation jobs, for example. At the same, we will ensure that those deserving and in need, will continue receiving Workfare, by providing concessions for them. For low-income part-time workers who qualify for ComCare, they will continue receiving Workfare, even if they earn less than $500 per month. There are some who want to work more but are unable to do so, due to various personal circumstances, such as persons with disabilities (PwDs). They too, will continue receiving Workfare. In fact, PwDs will receive the highest tier of Workfare. I hope this assures Members of this House that those who are in need and who are deserving of Workfare will continue to receive it. Here, I wish to reiterate a point that Minister Tan also made at the Budget Debate – Workfare is not the endgame for these workers earning less than $500 per month. We need to help these part-time workers find jobs of the appropriate quality and quantity of working hours to earn at least $500 or more if they can. And we have a whole suite of employment facilitation programmes and initiatives, ready to assist. Finally, we will increase the payouts. Older workers, like Mdm Timah, will continue to receive the highest Workfare payouts, of up to $4,200 a year or $350 per month.[+1 sentence] Workfare has supported our persons with disabilities (PwDs) for more than a decade and certainly they can do with some extra support. From 2023, with the enhancements, we will provide a stronger helping hand by placing all PwDs on the highest payout tier of $4,200 a year.[+17 sentences] We recognise that our younger and middle-aged workers are also dealing with greater family and financial obligations. Many of them are taking care of both their children and their elderly parents, while still paying off their housing loan. This is why we will also be increasing Workfare payouts for them. Mr Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab suggested to exclude overtime pay when assessing a worker's eligibility for Workfare. Overtime pay, together with basic pay and bonuses make up a worker's total income that will help support the worker and his or her family. As Workfare helps lower-wage workers by supplementing their income, looking at the total income earned by the worker enables us to better assess the additional support to be provided via Workfare. If we had only used basic salaries to determine who will qualify for Workfare, some workers with low basic salary but high overall pay may displace another worker with higher basic salary but overall, he does not get much more, that is all he gets. The worker displaced would have needed Workfare more but does not get it. But the worker with high bonuses gets Workfare. Therefore, you can see the challenges of why we go towards gross wages. Mr Chairman, Workfare has supported generations of workers and helped them save more for retirement. We will now extend this same support to younger workers, like Ms Lily. Ms Lily is an anonymised name as she prefers for us to not use her real name. Ms Lily is turning 30 years old next year. She works at a pest control company. She bought a flat four years ago and is living with her six children and her elderly mother. She is current receiving a suite of Government support to help her with her household expenses, including financial support such as the ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance and the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme for her school-going children. From 2023, workers aged 30 to 34 like Ms Lily, many of whom are just starting their families or supporting elderly parents, can expect to receive up to $2,100 Workfare payouts a year.[+6 sentences] She is looking forward to the boost in income, which will be an additional source of help with her household expenses. She says that the Workfare monies will be used to pay her HDB instalments and buy school supplies for her children. Chairman, these enhancements will apply to all lower-wage employees and self-employed persons (SEPs), regardless of occupation. As pointed out by Dr Shahira Abdullah, to qualify for Workfare, SEPs need to declare their incomes and make the required MediSave contributions. The need to meet CPF obligations is part of Workfare's eligibility criteria and applies to both employees and SEPs. Nonetheless, CPF Board does exercise flexibilities to help SEPs facing difficulties make their CPF contributions. Overall, the enhancements will benefit more workers, over half a million lower-wage workers from 2023 will benefit from Workfare, up from 460,000 today.[+11 sentences] Progressive Wages and Workfare will continue to form the foundation of the Government's multi-layer support for our lower-wage workers. Even as we roll up our sleeves and implement these moves over the next two years and beyond, I am reminded of our workers like Mr Mohammed Ali. In 2017, Mr Ali was an entry-level Security Officer, earning about $1,700 per month. As a worker earning less, he received some support from Workfare. Guided by the PWM's career pathway and with training support from Workfare Skills Support, he upskilled and took on new responsibilities. Today, he is a Senior Security Supervisor overseeing around forty officers. He earns about $3,100 per month, an increase of $1,400 compared to when he first started. He has since graduated from Workfare as his income exceeds the current Workfare qualifying income cap. This is a good and intended outcome. While Workfare provided Mr Ali with income and training support when he needed it, Progressive Wages also offered a progression pathway to higher wages and better skills for workers like him. Mr Ali, I am glad, made the most out of it and I am happy to share that he has graduated from the Workfare scheme, as Progressive Wages has enabled him to earn more. With the new recommendations for the Security PWM, Mr Ali will earn $3,550 per month in 2024.[+1 sentence] And by 2028, Senior Security Supervisors like Mr Ali will earn at least $4,430, a significant progress compared to $1,700 when he first started. Members may also be pleased to know that under the PWM, entry-level Security Officers will earn at least $3,530 by 2028.[+10 sentences] Mr Ali’s story is also situated within the larger story of progression for his company, APRO Asian Protection. Spurred by the PWM and industry transformation efforts, APRO has adopted various tech-based solutions to increase their productivity and their value-add to service buyers. Moving onto a separate but pertinent topic, HR plays a vital role in supporting our workers and businesses. I thus echo Mr Edward Chia, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr Patrick Tay's calls for companies to build up their HR competencies and capabilities. The Institute for HR Professionals (IHRP) accredits and certifies HR professionals as well as guide their continuous professional development. To date, there are more than 5,000 certified aspiring and practising HR professionals who support one another developing and sharing HR best practices. IHRP also provides curated learning resources such as HR playbooks as well as facilitates peer-led Communities of Practice and networking opportunities. We encourage more employer and HR professionals to join this expanding network. MOM will also continue to work with NTUC, SNEF and the TACs to strongly encourage more HR professionals to be certified by IHRP. Mr Patrick Tay also asked for an update on the Human Capital Partnership (HCP) programme. Since the launch of the HCP Programme in 2017, we have awarded the HCP mark to more than 600 employers, who employ over 210,000 locals, or about 10% of the total local workforce.[+19 sentences] We will continue to work with the Tripartite Partners to identify and recognise our progressive employers. Mr Chairman, allow me to recap some of MOM's efforts in Malay. (In Malay): As Minister for Manpower has shared, MOM is committed to shape our manpower policies to enable greater opportunities for all and for us to progress as a vibrant nation. Let me start by talking about our workforce policies. Our foreign workforce policies are guided by our goals of a strong Singaporean core, complemented by a high-quality and diverse foreign workforce. First, we will ensure that Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders are comparable in quality to the top one-third of our local PMET and APT workforce respectively. The qualifying salaries and levies will be raised accordingly to meet this benchmark. We will also introduce Complementarity Assessment Framework, or COMPASS, as part of the Employment Pass framework. COMPASS is a points-based system that holistically evaluates the complementarity of EP applicants. It will take into account; firstly, salaries of applicants relative to local PMET wages in their sector; second, the applicant’s qualification; third, the firm's nationality diversity; and fourth, the firms support for local employment. We will also look at other factors like whether the candidate possesses skills that are in shortage or whether the firm supports our strategic economic priorities. In future, EP applicants must meet the EP qualifying salary, and also score sufficient points under COMPASS. Existing EP holders must also meet these criteria when their work passes come up for renewal. So what does all these mean for our local workforce? COMPASS will take into account many more factors in the assessment of EP applications. Together with the requirement for a higher EP qualifying salary, locals can be assured that EP holders here are of good calibre, and not just because their salaries are lower than locals. With COMPASS, locals should also feel more assured that firms will be incentivised to improve their employee diversity and strengthen their support for local employment. Chairman, we will also build on our existing efforts to uplift lower-wage workers. We will expand the PWM and implement a new Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) requirement. By early 2023, 234,000, or more than 8 in 10 full-time lower-wage workers will be covered by progressive wages.[+2 sentences] The Government is doing its part, through the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) which funds the wage increases of our lower-wage workers. We will also enhance the Workfare Income Supplement scheme, to provide higher payouts to all our Workfare recipients. Overall, the Government will spend $9 billion over the next five years on these two schemes.[+1 sentence] (In English): Mr Chairman, to conclude, our suite of measures will benefit both lower-wage workers and businesses, and allow us to renew and strengthen our social compact. The Government will spend $9 billion over the next five years for the Progressive Wage Credit scheme and enhance Workfare.[+5 sentences] And this reflects this Government's, the PAP Government's strong belief and commitment to uplift our lower-wage workers and to build a fair and inclusive society. Our social compact must be one which everyone enjoys the fruits of growth and that no worker is left behind as Singapore progresses. We must be careful to not let our social compact be eroded by inequality, otherwise our society, including our businesses, will not function well and much less thrive. We have made significant progress over the last decade. And Mr Chairman, we will do even better in this decade in creating a more progressive and inclusive society.
Mr Chairman6 words
[+1 sentence]Minister of State Gan Siow Huang.
The Minister of State for Manpower (Ms Gan Siow Huang)2659 words
[+7 sentences]Mr Chairman, I would like to thank our Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) Chair, Mr Desmond Choo, for painting very clearly the challenges that businesses and workers are going through and that are lying ahead of us. Our workplaces have seen major changes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In these unprecedented times, we have had to adapt and be flexible. Working from home, which was not so common pre-COVID-19, became the default mode of work for many of us for the past two years. As our workers navigate uncertainty and stresses during this period, the importance of supporting their well-being has come into even sharper focus. My speech will focus on how the MOM team will uphold inclusive and progressive workplace practices, so that everyone has fair opportunities to contribute and thrive at work. Women have made significant progress in Singapore. The employment rate for women aged 25 to 64 has been growing over the past two decades and continues to grow from 73.2% in 2020 to 75.1% in 2021, despite the pandemic.[+13 sentences] As we prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day tomorrow, we should take pride in the resilience of the female workforce in Singapore. While there is progress made, there is room for more women to be active in the workforce. I participated in the nation-wide Conversations on Singapore Women’s Development last year. A key concern raised amongst women was the need to help caregivers remain in or re-enter the workforce. We recognise that women carry heavier caregiving responsibilities at home. To manage the caregiving roles, some women work part-time with reduced pay or even leave their careers early. I agree with Ms Janet Ang and Ms Yeo Wan Ling that one of the ways to enable more women to continue their careers is having access to flexible work arrangements. This can be in the form of flexi-time, flexi-place, or flexi-load. Flexi-work arrangements apply to men too and allow more balanced sharing of caregiving responsibilities between women and men. The pandemic has underscored how flexible work arrangements can strengthen business continuity and resilience. As pointed out by Mr Yip Hon Weng, flexible work arrangements help companies better attract and retain talent. Flexible work arrangements also allow businesses to tap on a larger pool of workers including seniors and differently-abled workers, as suggested by Mr Sharael Taha. Businesses recognise these benefits. In 2021, 73% of companies that adopted flexible work arrangements said they were likely to continue offering them post-COVID-19.[+3 sentences] We applaud the many employers who have made the shift towards flexible work arrangements. Some have shown their commitment by adopting the Tripartite Standard on flexible work arrangements. Adopters are recognised as progressive employers that put in place HR practices for effective communication and implementation of flexible work arrangements. Today, one in four employees work in companies that have adopted the Tripartite Standard.[+5 sentences] And this coverage is steadily growing. The Public Service has taken the lead by adopting the Tripartite Standard and I urge more companies to come on board. I agree with Mr Edward Chia, Ms Janet Ang, Mr Sharael Taha, Ms Yeo Wan Ling and Mr Yip Hon Weng, that we have made much progress in flexible work arrangements in the last two years and we must not lose momentum. Similar to the trend in other parts of the world, flexible work arrangements will become the norm of future workplaces. MOM will work with our Tripartite Partners to see how we can sustain flexible work arrangements, even as the safe management measures are relaxed. On the idea of legislating flexible work arrangements brought up by Mr Louis Chua and Mr Yip Hon Weng, we should be careful not to take an overly rigid approach that risks creating a litigious workplace culture with more disputes, or inadvertently affecting the employability of the people whom we seek to help.[+8 sentences] For countries, such as the UK and Australia with legislation that provide employees and caregivers the right to request for flexible work arrangements, employers can still reject the request on business grounds. To create real change on the ground in the next few years, our priority is to help employers overcome barriers in implementing and continuing flexible work arrangements. For some, the nature of business operations makes it challenging to offer flexible work arrangements and they lack the know-how to overcome these barriers. These concerns and hesitations are understandable, as different sectors will have different needs and circumstances. As Ms Yeo Wan Ling and Mr Louis Ng have raised, work from home is not as practical for frontline work. Employers could consider other forms of flexible work arrangements, like flexi-shift scheduling, staggered work hours and job sharing, which offer workers alternative flexibilities. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) has started training HR professionals to implement hybrid work and after-hours communication policies. Separately, the Institute for HR Professionals (IHRP) has developed a playbook on hybrid workplaces to help employers and HR professionals implement hybrid work, as well as update their HR processes, fair appraisal of employees on flexible work arrangements. I encourage companies to make use of these resources that are available. We will be sharing more details on how we will ramp up provision of flexible work arrangements in the coming White Paper on Singapore Women's Development.[+7 sentences] It is important to build mutual understanding and trust between employers and employees. That is why instead of taking a legislative approach for various workplace practices such as flexible work arrangements, after-hours communication, mandatory breastfeeding breaks, we first focus on equipping employers to find the right balance between supporting employees needs and business needs. "Take care of your employees and they will take care of your business" – these wise words are from Mr Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group. I believe many employers here feel the same way too and will support employees' requests, if they are reasonable. At the same time, employees need to demonstrate that progressive workplace practices help to improve staff morale, productivity and loyalty. Those who feel aggrieved and are not able to address their grievances within their companies, may approach TAFEP for assistance and advice. Members have also asked for further review of leave provisions. Mr Louis Ng suggested raising minimum annual leave entitlements, introducing parent care leave and increasing parental leave provisions, while Mr Gerald Giam and Ms Mariam Jaafar spoke about sick leave. We regularly review our leave provisions and acknowledge the real needs underpinning the Members' suggestions, but increasing leave provisions should not be the default solution. We have been advocating the adoption of flexible work arrangements precisely because they are flexible and able to cater to all forms of individual needs. We should also recognise that there is a cost to increasing leave provisions and we must balance this carefully against what businesses can sustain in order to avoid dampening jobs growth.[+6 sentences] On Mr Louis Chua's suggestion on a four-day work week. Members may wish to refer to the TAFEP website for information on how companies can implement such flexible work arrangements, including policy templates on four-day work week and case studies of companies that have successfully done so. And Mr Louis Chua perhaps may want to consider implementing four-day work week in his company or department too and share the useful insights with the rest of us. On the issue of sick leave for employees on short-term contracts, we encourage employers to exercise flexibility in granting medical leave before the three-month mark. To attract manpower in a tight labour market, it is in the interest of employers to be flexible. Ms Mariam Jaafar suggested that we do away with the need for employees to produce a medical certificate in order to take sick leave. The Tripartite Partners' current position is the employees should produce a Medical Certificate (MC) when utilising sick leave, this helps to deter malingering and maintain a more disciplined workforce.[+8 sentences] Nonetheless, the Employment Act does not prohibit employers from providing sick leave without MC and companies are free to do so as part of their talent attraction and retention strategies. This pandemic is, however, an exceptional time. Tripartite Partners agreed that employees should not request MCs from workers who test positive for COVID-19, so as to alleviate the stress on healthcare workers and avoid compromising the standard of care of other patients who genuinely require medical care during this period. Given our ageing population, challenges faced by our workforce in meeting caregiving needs of elderly family members will increase. Mr Yip Hon Weng and Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked how we could better support household's needs for domestic services, including caregiving. In 2017, MOM introduced the commercial Household Services Scheme (HSS) which allows HSS companies to hire more migrant workers to provide part-time home cleaning services. HSS workers are deployed to multiple households on a part-time basis to provide selected households services. This gives households, especially those that need domestic help for only a few hours a day or a week, more options. To better help Singaporeans balance their work and family commitments, we will broaden the scope of HSS to include basic child-minding and elder-minding services.[+4 sentences] Households will be able to engage services of HSS companies to look after their children at home or provide some basic assistance for their family members in activities of daily living. Mr Yip Hon Weng and Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked about the safeguards that the Government will put in place to ensure HSS workers are qualified to provide child-and-elder-minding services. Today, there are already private companies that provide such services. We will study the industry best practices as we expand the scope of HSS companies. MOM will also be conducting engagements with the stakeholders, such as households and HSS companies to work out the implementation details over the next few months. We aim to implement the HSS expansion in the second half of this year.[+6 sentences] Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): To give households more options to meet their needs for domestic services, the HSS allows eligible companies offering domestic services to hire more migrant workers to provide part-time home cleaning services. Given the growing caregiving needs due to our ageing population, and to better help parents to balance their work and family commitments, we are looking to broaden the HSS scope to allow participating companies to provide the basic child-minding and elder-minding services. Households will be able to engage HSS workers to look after their children at home or provide some basic assistance for the elderly in activities of daily living. We aim to implement the HSS expansion in the second half of this year. (In English): I will now touch on our efforts to enhance mental health and well-being of our workforce, an issue that Miss Rachel Ong and Mr Melvin Yong had raised. The Government has been working with our partners to roll out tools and resources to encourage companies to adopt mental well-being initiatives, for instance, the Tripartite Advisory on mental well-being at workplaces was released in 2020.[+3 sentences] Last year, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council expanded the code of practice on WSH Risk Management (RMCP) to explicitly cover mental well-being. The expansion included examples on how employers can identify, evaluate and manage risk related to mental health at the workplace. This marks a significant step in recognising that workplace safety and health includes mental well-being, beyond physical injuries. In 2021, we launched iWorkHealth, a free, company-administered survey to help employers identify workplace stressors and improvement areas.[+2 sentences] There is also an Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) playbook on "Workplace Mental Well-Being” to guide HR professionals to support their colleagues as well as mental well-being talks and workshops by the WSH Council and the Health Promotion Board that employees can attend at little or no cost. We still have some way to go ahead of us. Based on NTUC’s 2021 Special Report on Mental Wellness at the Workplace, 54% of employees were not satisfied with their companies' mental well-being initiatives.[+15 sentences] The Government will step up our support to help organisations become more progressive in adopting mental well-being initiatives. We are studying how Employee Assistance Programmes, which provide confidential counselling services to employees, can be made more accessible. As raised by several Members of the House, there is growing demand for support for workers with mental health conditions. According to a recent Singapore mental health study, one in seven people in Singapore had experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime. We need to strengthen employment support for persons with mental health conditions so that they are not excluded from employment. Persons with mental health conditions may need flexibility in their work schedules to continue with therapy or counselling while remaining in employment. For those who had to leave their previous jobs or even take an extended break from the workforce, they may need help with the job search process. Agencies, including the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore Association for Mental Health and Singapore Anglican Community Services, provide pre- and in-employment support to persons with mental health conditions and their employers. Dawn is one of the individuals who has benefited from the support provided by the Singapore Anglican Community Services (SACS). Dawn’s bipolar condition started in her teens and she received counselling during her times in the University. A year into her job, she suffered a relapse. She found out about SACS’ Integrated Employment Services programme where she enrolled for training in conflict resolution, stress management and personal effectiveness. With support from SACS’ job-matching services, Dawn successfully gained employment in a full-time job and she has since remained in employment for more than two years. Dawn’s story is a positive example of how some persons with mental health conditions manage to receive the right support. But we worry that some may not be referred to available employment support and some employers, through lack of awareness about mental health support and conditions, wrongly believe that it is too difficult for them to support employees like Dawn. The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) is currently piloting an Employer Support Grant to incentivise employers to implement workplace adjustments for their employees with mental health conditions.[+5 sentences] We will study the effectiveness of the pilot and develop further plans to support employees with mental health conditions. MOM will also work with other members of the Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-Being to strengthen the ecosystem. We will be engaging stakeholders and members of the public to get their views. Finally, I wish to touch on workplace fairness, which Mr Sharael Taha, Mr Patrick Tay, Mr Heng Chee How, Ms Janet Ang and Mr Raj Joshua Thomas have raised. The pandemic has not stopped our efforts to foster fair workplaces. As announced recently, we have decided to take the very significant step of enshrining the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices in law.[+10 sentences] This move will help to manage longer-term anxieties over ageism and provide better protection for vulnerable groups. A wider range of penalties can also be imposed on errant employers, commensurate with their wrongdoing. To this end, we must put in place a robust system to deal with claims, while keeping it efficient for workers and employers. The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness is deliberating these important matters and continuing to consult widely. The committee will report on its recommendations in due course. To conclude, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges and given rise to new stresses at the workplace. At the same time, it has created opportunities and stronger impetus for us to push ahead for changes to make workplaces fairer and more inclusive. In his speech, Minister Tan See Leng spoke about sailing our ship into an even brighter future. The MOM team will do our best to support employers and employees as they chart the path towards more progressive workplaces where everyone can thrive in. Together, we can sail our ship sustainably for many more years to come.
The Chairman7 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon)101 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. I would like to make a correction on my speech made last Friday at the COS and I quote: "As mentioned in my response to the Adjournment Motion put forth by Mr Louis Ng last month and in response to Mr Leon Perera's question on easing of restrictions on migrant workers, let me say that migrant workers can visit recreation centres, or RCs, daily since September 2021." It should be December 2021.
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, I have two clarifications for the Minister for surfacing COMPASS as a framework to improve foreign worker complementarity. I would like to ask why is COMPASS limited to only workers who have a fixed monthly salary of below $20,000. How does it work hand-in-hand with the Fair Consideration Framework to prevent abuse for companies hiring workers above that pay range? Second clarification: how can the HR community also play a role in supporting capability transfers and localisation efforts?
The Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng)394 words
[+8 sentences]I want to thank the Member Mr Desmond Choo for checking with us on the $20,000 bar. We took a practical approach on this. The EP holders at the $20,000 mark are typically senior management. They include C-suite personnel and specialists at the top of their field. This is especially so in certain sectors, including even some of the SMEs. They would most likely have gone through even more selective hiring processes to be appointed in their company since these roles typically require very specific capabilities or skillsets. Regardless of these exemptions, firms are expected to practise fair hiring and also to develop their own local talent pipeline. More importantly, our focus is to continue to help Singaporeans rise to the top by enabling them to compete strongly. Just like the qualifying salaries, this $20,000 exemption bar is also not carved in stone and we will review it from time to time.[+6 sentences] As an aside, we actually look at the number that would cover local PMETs and we find that this is the level at this particular point in time, that COMPASS would cover quite a high majority of individuals. Hence, the bar, at this point in time, is at $20,000. In terms of the HR community playing a role in supporting capability transfer and localisation efforts, we work closely with the community, whether it is Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) and IHRP, and beyond that, with companies, trade chambers and so on. We exhort them to encourage HR managers to undergo courses to continue to keep themselves updated with regard to our policies and the improvements towards our framework, whether it is the Fair Consideration Framework to now, the new COMPASS that we are going to roll out. And we believe that for those companies that have a very progressive and forward-looking vision in terms of improving their workforce, we will not hesitate to roll out schemes to support them to transform because, at the end of the day, our focus is raising the quality of the EP holder, to the top one-third in the local PMET space. Of course, we believe that, with that, we will be able to uplift our entire workforce to compete globally and also not just develop and grow our own timber, but to be complemented by foreign talent in those areas that we have a need for.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Yip Hon Weng.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang)40 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. I have two clarifications for the Minister. One, will the transparency of the COMPASS framework allow employers to game the new system and, two, would the new COMPASS framework allow for more EP holders into Singapore?
Dr Tan See Leng405 words
[+1 sentence]Perhaps I can answer the Member's second question first. COMPASS is an additional stage in the entire EP application process. So, in no way will it loosen our current EP framework.[+7 sentences] The fact that the majority of our existing EP holders pass COMPASS is an encouraging one. And COMPASS affirms the value they bring. It instils the discipline on such firms to continue to select complementary candidates, uphold diversity and also support local employment. So, COMPASS is an added framework on top of the first stage, which is the EP qualifying salary. There are and there will be some firms which do not pass COMPASS. These include firms that make a habit out of hiring EP holders not due to their high calibre or skills but based on the convenience of networks, such as an old boys' club, and without taking heed of our calls to develop the workforce. COMPASS ensures that these firms cannot simply carry on with their status quo and they must fundamentally relook their hiring practices. As far as the gaming itself is concerned, we will strengthen our enforcement process.[+8 sentences] We will have in place strong governance measures to guard against any dishonest attempts to game COMPASS. Today, we already have processes to enforce against fraud for criteria considered in our current framework, such as salary and qualifications. Similarly, we will also develop processes around additional criteria, such as the shortage occupation list. And the necessary verification processes upon which we look at the educational qualifications criterion will also be put in place. And, of course, employers certainly will not be able to get away with changing the job title to claim bonus points. We have spent many, many weeks and months deliberating this framework. Two of the criteria which concerns the firms are, I believe, a couple of firsts that we have achieved as a nation. My exhortation to all employers is to support us, strengthen and work with us collectively, as a country, as an economy, as a nation, to build this complementarity and to build our local workforce to compete globally. Having said that, it is not our intention, but we will not hesitate to take employers to task if they are found to have falsely declared information to get the EP application approved.[+1 sentence] And we have embarked on a fairly seamless process in terms of data analytics and we will be able to pinpoint and triangulate this.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Patrick Tay.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer)66 words
[+3 sentences]Sir, I have two clarifications for the Minister. First, under the new COMPASS framework, what constitutes top-tier institution and at what level and if qualification needs to be relevant to the job that is going to be performed? And the second clarification is, besides qualifications, does MOM evaluate the quality of these candidates to determine if they are, indeed, high-quality talents that complement our local workforce?
Dr Tan See Leng180 words
[+1 sentence]I thank Mr Patrick Tay for highlighting this point. Today, qualifications from the top-tier universities remain a fairly useful standardised measure of a candidate's quality and competency levels.[+6 sentences] Other factors such as relevant working experience are more subjective and are more difficult to assess at-scale. Qualifications is one criterion under COMPASS. The description of the top-tier universities as available on the MOM's website. They do not just involve and include universities, they also include top-tier technical and vocational institutions as well. A firm can still hire a candidate with no degree-equivalent qualifications if they perform well on other criteria. In fact, under COMPASS, there is greater flexibility. As a candidate without a degree-equivalent qualification can still qualify for the EP if the application scores well on the other criteria.[+1 sentence] As I have said earlier on, there are vocational institutions which are highly recognised in specific fields that can be included in the list of top-tier institutions. MOM will work with other sector agencies to recognise professional certifications that are well regarded by the industry.[+1 sentence] I hope that answers your question.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Chua.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang)173 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I have just got two clarifications. The first is regarding the own account workers' welfare cut that I filed on the gig economy workers. I just wanted to ask if efforts can be done to ensure that they at least earn a fair wage in terms of reference to locals working part-time earning at least $9.00 per hour as per the LQS, given that these workers are not really in control in terms of their earnings power and are subject to all these incentives? The second is in relation to the cut on the Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme (LRIS). My question is whether or not the Expert Investment Council has completed its work and whether the Government still intends to roll out the LRIS.[+1 sentence] The reason being if you look at where the global markets have been since August 2016 when the recommendations were put forth, they have been up 67%, so this delay does have real cost and opportunity cost to our members in terms of their retirement adequacy.
Dr Koh Poh Koon192 words
[+6 sentences]Sir, I will take the first clarification from Member Louis Chua about the equivalent of minimum wage for gig workers in the platform economy. The whole definition of a gig worker is that they have the flexibility to work as many hours as they want, whenever they want and with whichever platform they want. So, it is very hard for us to then decide what would be the minimum wage that they can earn if they do not clock certain minimum number of hours. That is the flexibility that is inherent in the nature of the work. We must recognise that it is difficult for us to set that. The market, of course, can decide at some point but in our work looking at the platform workers, we are specifically working at three areas, which are the housing and retirement adequacy, basic workplace protection against injuries, and some of these payment-related algorithms or wage-related outcomes could well be left to the third part of the work, which is on representation by either a body of platform workers; or the unions as a voice for the workers to seek better compensation and remuneration.
Mr Chairman6 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Liang Eng Hwa. Yes, Minister.
Dr Tan See Leng94 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, may I answer Mr Louis Chua's second point. Just to reassure the Member, we are indeed still evaluating. There has been a black swan event that has happened within the last two-and-a-half years and, given the current volatility and the crisis in Russia and Ukraine, if we had taken on certain positions just prior to this in, say, 2019 and so on, we would have been quite badly affected.[+2 sentences] So, I think that when it is ready, we certainly will come back and update everyone in Parliament. Thank you for your patience.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Liang Eng Hwa.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang)173 words
[+8 sentences]Thank you, Sir. I thank the Minister for his assurance that MOM will be very watchful of companies who will game the system and I am referring COMPASS. So, can I further ask Minister, under this framework, if the employer were to meet all the requirements under COMPASS, is MOM obliged to give the EPs? And if that is the case, will that lead to a situation where the total number EPs issued would be even higher than before? My second question is to Senior Minister of State Koh. I am really happy that Senior Minister of State is going to continue the Skills and Future Centre at the 24 HDB hubs. We have one in Bukit Panjang and the residents are really grateful for the convenience and advisory provided there. So, can I ask the Senior Minister of State whether would the centre go further to beef up capabilities to do more local job-matching and with the intent to bring back or facilitate stay-at-home mothers or the seniors to rejoin the workforce?
Dr Tan See Leng382 words
I will take the first question and Senior Minister of State Koh will take the second point.[+1 sentence] I thank Mr Liang for his thoughts on whether this will increase. We have not, in our considerations, decided on setting a quota or number for the EP framework because EP holders are meant to be the top-tier in terms of all our work pass holders.[+6 sentences] Our design of COMPASS is, as it has arisen as an acronym, the "C-O-M-P" part stands for "complementarity" and the "A-S-S" stands for "assessment". For us, the complementarity is what is most important. We are trying to make this framework a very highly differentiated system. A set of criteria which allows us to titrate, to be able to right site and continually uplift our level of competitiveness vis-a-vis globally. Our aspiration is to be a global city, brimming with opportunities for our Singaporean Core, continue to provide opportunities for our young. But we are also cognisant of the fact that with the multiple disruptions, the pace of the disruptions, the accelerated change and transformation that is happening around the world, it behoves us to now move into a system where every EP holder coming, every foreigner coming in, will have to pull his weight in working, complementing our locals, at the same time supporting and driving our economy. The long answer to his question is that we do not have an aspirational target in terms of a fixed number of EP holders.[+1 sentence] As long as the economy continues to grow, as long as it continues to uplift all of our Singaporean Core in terms of their skillsets, their competencies and, most importantly, their take-home wages, I think the framework will be one which is going to help us to continue to do so. Having said that, notwithstanding, the criteria being where they are today, as I have shared earlier to the Member of Parliament Mr Desmond Choo's point about setting this $20,000 exemption, it is not carved in stone.[+2 sentences] As long as the general economy and industry can accept and be able to stomach, we will continue to improve this framework. So, I hope that the Member can take away that this is a very highly differentiated framework that we are trying to achieve for all of our Singaporeans.
Dr Koh Poh Koon214 words
[+6 sentences]Sir, in response to Mr Liang Eng Hwa's question, as of end December 2021, the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centre assisted more than 24,000 jobseekers. Let me explain that these 24 centres are an extension of the five main centres that are distributed around the island, run by WSG and NTUC's e2i. They are actually forward-deployed nodes, to be more embedded in the heartlands to allow easier access by many of our heartlanders who are jobseekers as well. In that sense, the main career centres curate all the jobs that are available, including those on the MyCareersFuture portal but, at the same time, as the main centre looks at the jobs that are put onto the market, they do curate them according to the vicinity of each of the forward-deployed centres and push out these job lists to the centres as well. For jobseekers who are probably within one of the nearer centres when they look for jobs, the centres can also recommend jobs that are closer to where the jobseeker stays so that it helps to facilitate some of these part-time work, or for people who may have mobility issues who want to work closer to home. So, I want to assure Mr Liang Eng Hwa that this is already being done today.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Gerald Giam.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied)215 words
[+7 sentences]Sir, I have clarifications on COMPASS and the low-wage workers. Will the shortage occupation list factor in both occupation and industry? For example, we may have a shortage of software developers in general, but not necessarily software developers in the financial services industry. And if such a distinction by industry is not made, MOM might be making it easier for companies like banks to hire foreigners without necessarily improving the opportunities for talented Singaporeans? Secondly, does MOM already use the COMPASS framework internally for evaluating EP applications? If so, does the Minister expect that the outcomes in terms of the foreign-local talent mix in companies to remain largely unchanged, moving forward? On the national diversity attribute of COMPASS, can I understand if MOM sees some concentration risk in having too high a percentage of any one foreign nationality in a firm? If not, what is the policy intent of this criterion? And lastly, on the wages of low-wage workers, I know that by 2023 about 6% of full-time, low-wage workers will still not be covered by the PWM. Who are most of the workers in this group and does MOM intend to eventually extend PWM to all of them so that every Singaporean would be able to receive a decent minimum wage on their work?
Dr Tan See Leng330 words
[+2 sentences]Let me try to categorise Mr Gerald Giam's questions. I think to his first point in terms of whether COMPASS was from the FCF. COMPASS has actually taken into consideration the many months of data analytics, in terms of the hiring patterns, based on diversity, based on qualifications, salaries and also the concentration of PMETs within the firm, to come up with a fairly nuanced framework.[+9 sentences] The fact that the vast majority of the companies actually passed when we put them through the COMPASS framework is actually a testimony to the fact that many companies for the past many years have been very progressive, very responsive and very nimble to the needs of our economy. As far as the diversity itself is concerned, it is a function also of the ability of the company to access the skill sets based on the individual sector. So, let me put it across in a perhaps, in a more illustrative way. For those that are in IT, particularly when you deal with a lot of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and very advanced deep machine learning, even with deep-tech itself, depending on the sources where this group of skill sets are developed, you are not able to completely assume that you are able to get these skill sets from all around the world. Hence, we designed it to be such that in those areas that we have shortage of, and the fact that when we decided to pivot into the Industry 4.0 roadmap, we therefore needed to complement these gaps. So, when we took all these into account, we felt that this is what is needed for our economy to get to the next step. The exact details, going into the granularity of why we want to do the cut-off at the various benchmarks, I think I have already explained it before in my speech. I hope that sort of gives the Member some insights into the thinking behind it. What was your third point?
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song49 words
[+4 sentences]My third point was asking about the national diversity criteria inside COMPASS. What was the thinking behind that? Is it because MOM sees certain concentration risks in having too many people, too many employees from one nationality in the organisation? If not, what is the reason for including that?
Dr Tan See Leng184 words
The nationality diversity consideration was also the result of making sure that we diversify our risk in terms of our dependency on the source of talent itself.[+7 sentences] To a certain extent, it is also guided by the current pandemic that is still ongoing. When certain restrictions came about, we were not able to let this group of EP holders travel freely back to their home countries to visit their relatives and come back. So, taking all of these into consideration, taking into account our various needs, we came up with a very nuanced approach in terms of the framework. In fact, there are many foreign media articles out there that claim that we have become extremely unattractive because of the fact that many of these EP holders could not come back. And actually, it is not because of the fact that we did not allow them to come back. It was just because of public health border controls that we were not able to bring them back here to work. So, with that, this framework, to a certain extent, was also influenced by that.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Zaqy Mohamad.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad402 words
[+2 sentences]I thank the Member for his question on lower-wage workers and recognising that the Government has worked hard to cover 94% of our lower-wage workers with our progressive wage moves. On his question on the remaining 6% of lower-wage workers not covered, what their profiles are like. Actually, for the majority of them, they are already earning $1,400 and above.[+3 sentences] I think more than half are earning $1,400 and above, even though they are not covered by progressive wage moves, they are already earning that. But the question would more be, what are the exclusions and why did we exclude this group. But really, if you look at most minimum wage systems around the world, there are exclusions. In our case, we found that many of them are actually small businesses with less than 10 persons and most of these are actually micro-SMEs in your heartlands, typically your mom-and-pop shops.[+3 sentences] What we can we all do? Well, in our estates, I think we probably know many of them, mom-and-pop shops who employ their own family members sometimes to help them out and one way we could do is to support in our Progressive Wage Mark. I hope that in Aljunied and Sengkang, you can also encourage many of these merchants, mom-and-pop shops to come on board the Progressive Wage Mark and say yes, please support and pay our workers more, and we will be happy to give you the Progressive Wage Mark if they do so. These are ways in which I think there is moral suasion. But overall, if you look at where we are in terms of the kind of wage growth that you are expecting for the other PWMs shared here, ranging from fifty-plus percent to eighty-plus percent wage growth, for the vast majority of our lower-wage workers, that would also set the tone and drive competition in terms of the labour market at that level, and perhaps for such merchants, when they need to retain or pay their workers better, I think this is where their workers, too, will start comparing benchmarks in other sectors which are paying far better.[+2 sentences] So, to that extent, rest assured, for this set of workers, they will still get Workfare and other benefits, whether it is Silver Support and so forth. Back to your question, what are their profiles, they are typically your micro-SMEs in the heartlands and typically family businesses too.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Abdul Samad.
Mr Abdul Samad (Nominated Member)211 words
[+13 sentences]Chairman, I thank Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad for sharing regarding the Workfare Income Supplement. I would like to enquire more clarifications for Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad. My understanding of the $2,500 is actually basic salary plus allowances. Today, maybe it is my first time, or just maybe it is my ignorance, that it has to include bonuses. That means, every year, that worker cannot be earning more than $30,000. If he or she earns more than $30,000 annually, hence he or she does not qualify for the Workfare Income Supplement. Next question. Why I ask to exclude overtime pay, I believe the Government and us as a society want to help those low-income, right? So these low-wage workers, why do they actually need to do the extra overtime work to actually supplement the cost of living daily? So, I hope while today the Government, as Senior Minister of State has explained, that they have to include, moving forward, can we really explore? Because someone that needs to do overtime, he wants to earn that extra income to meet the cost of living and also he is spending time away from his family. Do we actually want to take that into consideration by excluding overtime pay? Thank you.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad350 words
[+2 sentences]I thank the Member for his question. In my speech earlier, I did explain why we do so. In fact, moving forward, that is why we are also moving all our PWMs towards gross wages to include the full package, not just overtime pay but also allowances.[+1 sentence] Why do we do so? We certainly want to ensure that we support our lower-wage workers well and really, these are the bottom 20%. So, for example, if you have a worker earning, say, $2,400 base, but his overtime pay adds up to $3,500 or even $4,000, then that does not qualify him as a low-income technically, because the real income that he gets home is much more than what lower-wage workers are getting. So, our target is really the bottom 20%.[+8 sentences] If you look at Workfare, we push it slightly above that to cater for wage growth in the coming years and what we hope is to continue supporting lower-wage workers at that level. So, imagine this. A worker earning $2,400 for example, earns overtime pay and it goes much higher, compared to another worker who earns maybe $2,500 on the dot, looks more in terms of basic, but he does not earn any overtime pay because his sector, like administration, for example, that is all they have, hardly much overtime, but that is their base salary. So, is the guy earning $2,400 lower base with higher overtime pay, or the person earning $2,500 with no overtime pay, earning more? So, who is more deserving? In that sense, I think we also have to be very mindful that as we scope our schemes for lower-wage workers, we have to also be calibrated, at the same time also fair, to ensure that equity is maintained. While I agree that many of our lower-wage workers do have the intention to earn more because some can do more overtime, for example. But in reality, we also have to take into account all their incomes as a whole, because I think we have to also be fair in terms of how we support our lower-wage workers.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Assoc Prof Jamus Lim.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang)229 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you Chairman. Two clarification questions about the COMPASS framework. The first has to do with the scoring which currently gives 20 points default to firms smaller than 25 PMETs and I understand the premise behind that. The concern here is, of course, that it creates potentially a cliff edge effect for firms that are growing, such that it will be trickier for them to attain C3 and C4 to get up to 40 points, in the event that they want to grow and become a medium-sized firm.[+5 sentences] The concern here of course is that we create an artificial ceiling for firms, just like it is for small firms in Italy, where they intentionally just stay below the medium-size threshold. My second question has to do with public data releases for the foundational criteria used to construct COMPASS. It would really help, I feel, if MOM will consider releasing data for sub-sectors to ensure firms and Singaporeans understand the reality of the given business environment. So, for example, for C1 in salary, we have data reported on gross monthly income from work at the median as well as the 20th percentile, but it will be useful to have it for the other sectors. Similarly, for C2 qualification, it would also be useful to understand the level of the highest qualification for our resident labour force and of those employed.
Dr Tan See Leng390 words
[+7 sentences]I thank Assoc Prof Jamus Lim for his two points. Well, I was an entrepreneur and I founded a firm and subsequently, I have also in due funded a couple of startups. I think that as a growing firm, the first thing that you would assess, for the founder or the entrepreneur, is to assess the market and to know what are the rules that they will operate under. Having said that, I think the length of time that we have given for everyone to try to adjust to the framework itself, I think it is a fairly long runway. And the flexibility, the nimbleness, the responsiveness of the entrepreneur or the founder, is going to be quite paramount in ensuring that the firm will ultimately succeed. And I am pretty sure that there are many private equity affiliate professionals here amongst us, I think who would probably agree and testify to that. So, on paper, it looks like as if it may cause a cliff effect, but I think in reality, given the nuanced approach, we believe that there will be enough time for people to adapt. As far as the foundational criteria is concerned, we are going to start this on 1 September 2023.[+1 sentence] I think there is still time for us to see when it comes to the implementation, how we can actually get a set of nuanced data for everyone to be able to access and also to understand. Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, the reassurance that I want to give to all startups, all SMEs, is that we are trying our best to support our own Singapore business ecosystem. We have the Singapore Global Enterprise Aspiration, earlier on, we have also shared the Enterprise 2030 vision and we do have multiple schemes available to support them.[+4 sentences] However, as we support them, as we use funding to support this group, the moment they get to a certain size, I think it is also the social compact and their responsibility to ensure that our Singaporean Core continues to be supported, to be brought along with them as well. So, it is not just about caring for our fellow Singaporeans, it is also about carrying them alongside with us as well. That is the intent of this initiative. I hope to get your support and your concurrence on this.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied)376 words
[+10 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. Just two questions. One really builds on the point that the Minister spoke about with regard to the support to build a strong Singapore Core, which is I think the substance of this initiative to review the EP qualifying criteria, exemplified by COMPASS. My question really picks off from a point I raised in the previous Budget, in the Committee of Supply debates last year about the Capability Transfer Programme. Just to enquire whether MOM considers in the renewal of the EPs going forward, a contribution of EP or their companies as a bonus criterion, if there has been a real transfer of skills to the Singapore Core? Whether that could be a part of the system structure in renewing EP holders, getting more EP holders into Singapore in areas there clearly is a need? Because I think this really will address a long-term bugbear that is a perception nonetheless that somehow the foreigners not playing their part in contributing to the growth of the Singapore Core. If there is some data set, some matrix that can show that that is not the case and that actually there is a skills transfer that can be objectively assessed, I think this will be helpful for the programme. Just another question, dealing with the EP framework. I understand today there are probably about 160,000 to 170,000 EP holders. Under the new qualifying criteria, how many EP holders today would not have been issued with an EP, under the new criteria? So, today, we have got a fixed number. I think it is about 166,000 based on last year's data.[+8 sentences] If the new scheme applied today, how many of these individuals would not actually be given their EP? I am just wondering if the Minister has that information. My final point is a very short one. In his speech this morning, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad spoke about workers who earn less than $500. I think he made a clarification of the 20,000 figure but I did not catch what the new figure was. I do not believe the Minister shared it. I apologise if he did. But I would be grateful if the Senior Minister of State would share what that number actually is.
Dr Tan See Leng356 words
[+9 sentences]The short answer to your first point about whether we can consider firms' support in terms of the local training, the transfers of skillsets, I think as we evolve the framework, we are not closed off to this thinking. At some stage, we will be able to continue to tweak the framework. Of course, we need to ensure that tweaking is not done in such a frequent manner that after a while, companies who want to look into investing into our country itself would think that we are having a series of moving goal posts. That is not the intent. So, the consistency, the constancy of this framework must be preserved. However, at the fringe, anything that would strengthen it, to see how we can continue to improve our Singaporean Core, the transfer of skill sets, I think would be something that we can consider. If you talk about comparing with the numbers today, how many would pass the framework, I think it is difficult to compare. Because in terms of, for instance, even at C1, notwithstanding the fact that we have a qualifying salary, even at C1, we measured according to the sector, what is the 65th percentile. So, I think, just off the cuff, finance in general, already you can see that there are two separate categories. Suffice to say, from now till the next four to five years, when all the renewals of existing applications have been taken that into consideration, I think that the churn in EP holders would take care of whatever slack that exists together, even if the numbers do not meet the COMPASS framework that we put up today, the churn will take care of that. In terms of the perspective, today, on any given year, our churn in EP holders is about 40,000 a year.[+3 sentences] So, that is the number of new applicants applying to join and people leaving. So, this churn, when put through COMPASS, will more than adequately take care of what we intend to do over the horizon. I hope that sort of gives you a picture of where we envisage we will move to.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad62 words
[+4 sentences]I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. My clarification was basically to say that the Minister's speech quoting the 20,000 is the right number. Because the way I mentioned it, the way I clarified, some might interpret it as the number was different or lower. So, I thought just to clarify that the Minister's speech was the correct number.
The Chairman7 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Sharael Taha. Keep it tight, please.
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol)33 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I am heartened to hear about the role of COMPASS to strengthen the complementarity of our foreign workforce. However, I would like to raise a few clarifications to the Minister.
The Chairman15 words
[+1 sentence]I request that you could just to keep to one clarification and let others clarify.
Mr Sharael Taha51 words
[+4 sentences]Okay, Chairman. So, the clarification will be – how will it be administered? Will the companies do self-assessments on an automated system or will every application be assessed by an MOM officer? How do we ensure that the process is effective but does not create a bottleneck in the recruitment process?
Dr Tan See Leng197 words
[+1 sentence]I think in the interest of time, I will keep it short. COMPASS will not make the application process more cumbersome or lengthier. Much of the information required is already collected upstream in our databases such as the firm's workforce profile.[+7 sentences] We would be able to automate these processes so that the processing times will not be lengthened. Earlier on, in my main speech, I have also shared that there will be a rubric that published on our website. Companies, before they even apply, they can actually score the potential candidate on the rubric. And they will also know before they even apply, what is the chance of this EP being approved. Most of the businesses that we have spoken to, that we have gotten feedback from, appreciate the transparency, the clarity that COMPASS brings. I think this is a very important feature for us in designing and implementing COMPASS. COMPASS is meant to tell the world we are open, we are connected and we are welcoming of foreign work pass holders to come in and work as long as they can help uplift our economy, contribute to our workforce in uplifting and strengthening the Singaporean Core.
The Chairman13 words
[+2 sentences]End of clarification. Mr Desmond Choo, would you like to withdraw your amendment?
[+2 sentences]I said, there are still questions. The debate is not over when there are still questions.
The Chairman11 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Leong, we are moving on. Thank you. Mr Desmond Choo.
Mr Desmond Choo196 words
[+7 sentences]Mr Chairman, I would like to thank Minister Tan See Leng, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad and Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon and Minister of State Gan Siow Huang for their indulgence in their clarifications in preparing for this Committee of Supply. I also want to congratulate them for taking very bold but measured steps to build workers' compact but at the same time, keeping the workforce competitive. We know that it is a difficult policy tightrope for them to walk and they can be reassured of the tripartite support to their efforts. At the same time, I also want to thank Permanent Secretary Aubeck Kam and his team. This will be his last MOM COS. He has done quite a fair bit to strengthen tripartite relations and we want to extend our appreciation for his efforts. With this, Chairman, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.
Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)›Budget69 turns · 29,687w
· 206 highlighted
budget-1872
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer)1224 words
Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head K of the Estimates be reduced by $100." Sir, with the half-life of skills shortening in an increasingly disruptive, transformative, highly unpredictable and uncertain world and future upon us, I see an urgent imperative for Singapore to build and forge an even more future-ready and future-proof education system – one that encourages a learning continuum where our education system and a Continuing Education and Training (CET) ecosystem where our teachers and adult educators, our students and our adult learners are seamlessly aligned and well-connected to be best prepared for the future of skills, jobs, education and training.[+12 sentences] Implementing lifelong learning will require more than expanding opportunities for adult learning. Lifelong learning will push systems to fundamentally rethink the timing and sequencing of education and skills development over an individual's life course. This includes the early stages of learning from childhood and into early adulthood and beyond. Learning trajectories will become more complex for people of all ages, requiring more sophisticated support arrangements. Establishing how individuals learn best at different stages in their lives and how to distribute learning opportunities and resources over the life cycle will become key policy paradigms. We have done much over the past years in building and fortifying our education system to help ensure that each and every student has an opportunity to the provision of multiple pathways offered by our education system. Moving ahead, the challenge falls on how to marry, match the passions and interests and aspirations of every Singaporean and to help every Singaporean to realise fully their true potential. To ensure our education system continues to be future-ready and future-proof, I opine that that should be greatest synergy, collaboration, linkages and integration between the mainstream education, pre-employment training all through to adult and worker continuing education training and learning. In short, the entire continuum and ecosystem needs to rethink what we teach, when we teach, where we teach and how we teach. We need to better align the future of education and learning to the future of work and workplaces. This is crucial if you want to truly embrace the love of learning and lifelong learning. The old adage of "learn, work and retire" will become passé. The next normal will be "learn, work, learn, work, learn, work and then, perhaps, retire".[+8 sentences] If I may draw on some learnings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the future of education. Tomorrow's educational institutions will need to help learners to think for themselves and join others in work. Educators will need to learn to learn learners develop a strong sense of right and wrong and a sensitivity to the claims that others make. Individuals will need to learn to live with themselves, with others and with the planet. At work, at home and in the community, people will need a deep understanding of how others think, whether as scientists or artists, and how others live in different cultures and traditions. Technology is also creating new, alternative channels for human learning outside of institutional frameworks. Isolated time and space for learning was necessary when teachers and resources were scarce. But the ubiquity of opportunities will allow learning to move beyond its institutional confinements. Enhanced by technology, learning will gradually flow to informal contexts and move beyond age defined limitations. We will shift from qualification oriented attainment upfront to a new distribution of learning and skill development.[+3 sentences] Technology can support both learning throughout life as well as ways to recognise such learning. Moving learning out of its institutional and age-related barriers will create important public policy challenges, requiring the development of new partnerships, support learning with innovative arrangements on both the supply and demand side. Teachers in our schools and educators in our Institutes of Higher Learning, including in the PEIs and CET centres, have undergone much change and have had to grapple with the many exacting requirements. I am particularly concerned with the mental well-being of our teachers, as well as adult educators, in light of such curveballs constantly hurled at them and having had to cope with the demands and expectations of students, learners, the administration as well as parents, and so on. I therefore urge MOE to embark on an in-depth study and survey of our teachers and educators, together with our tripartite partners to better assess the current state of stress, mental health, and wellness of our education fraternity so that better interventions and support can be provided for them in their teaching journey.[+2 sentences] In a similar vein, the future of teaching is fraught with new challenges. The age old one-size-fits-all teaching method has long been outgrown, with the focus moving on to catering teaching methods to different styles of learners. Educators also need to not just use technology but make use of the right technology.[+6 sentences] Classroom management and curriculum will also need to keep pace with changes across industries, including a need to foster a global mindset in today's students. To keep pace and stay abreast of what is happening across industries and sectors, I suggest that MOE allow our teachers and adult educators an opportunity to take sabbaticals and industry attachments, including secondments outside of MOE and the private sector for an extended period of time so that they can translate their learnings, experiences in their teachings, when they return to the education space. For our students, classrooms would continue to move towards being paperless and more computer based. Coaching and mentoring will become more important. Though the students will incorporate much independence into their learning process, mentoring will become fundamental to our student and learner success. As such, more resources should be dedicated by MOE to this function, which actually integrates leading with early career guidance, which I submit, we can do more of and better in across the board. On the adult learner front, NTUC recently embarked on a study with 564 business leaders across industries, looking into how CET can be enhanced to upskill our workers to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's labour market. The five key findings revealed: (a) skills mismatch continues to be the most prevalent form of mismatch; (b) the top five transferable skills sought after by business leaders are adaptability, customer orientation, communication, problem solving and collaboration; (c) only 50.9% of business leaders have sent their workers for training in the past six months. Out of those business leaders who sent workers for training, only 33.6% of their workforce actually attended training; (d) workers with skills gaps are not the top priority for training as compared to workers with higher potential; and (e) majority of the business leaders are reported to have observe positive changes in their workers post training.[+2 sentences] In conclusion, it is therefore submitted that to succeed in CET for adult learners and workers, it has to be in collaboration with our tripartite partners and a multi-stakeholder approach. We need to promote more equal distribution of training opportunities for workers. With the $100 million announced at Budget 2022 to support the Labour Movement in our company training committee formation and CET, MOE and SkillsFuture can now leverage on NTUC's training and placement ecosystem as a strategic partner to drive the CET agenda for workers and adult learners.
Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar)715 words
[+2 sentences]Singapore’s education system, as we know it, will lose its currency and relevance if we do not make some important moves. There are enough evidence and inputs to inform us on what the future of education will look like. The frontloading of education – cramping most of learning before one’s first job – has to change.[+10 sentences] Traditional content such as basic literacy, English, Mathematics, will need to be updated; adding to them, digital literacy, data literacy, financial literacy and a slew of competencies, attributes and values needed to survive in this age of unprecedented change. Person-centred, competency-based, mastery-based, self-driven, bite-sized, just-in-time, chasing skills, not paper; classrooms without walls, schools without walls – these are all quoted as the future of education. The entire education ecosystem has enlarged. Members of this House have just seen the National Library Board’s latest blueprint that talks about learning marketplaces, learning superstores that serve all Singaporeans. And NLB is not even part of MOE. Sir, the future of education is now. Think big, believe big and act now. Let me propose five ways to begin this exciting journey. First, update and cascade the vision of education so that more Singaporeans are aligned in our end in mind, from K to 12, from young to old. I fully resonate with Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s views of what education should be – of continual learning, connecting, collaborations and confidence building. Minister spoke about having to stop thinking of educating cohorts and the traditional KPI of "Cohort Participation Rates" and replace it with the concept of "Lifelong Learning Participation Rate".[+12 sentences] Makes a lot of sense, if we think of how every Singaporean ought to prepare for each of the average four to five job changes he makes in his working life. Second, address the restraining forces of change, the often unspoken elephants in the room. The glaring and valid concern of educators in the face of an ever increasingly overloaded curricula; an expectation of the educators to pivot to become content curators, learning designers and life coaches; and then to teach in a way that they themselves had not quite experienced before. What about the less glaring but stronger restraining force that is unseen, below the waterline? The beliefs, the conditioned behaviours and fears of the very people involved in education: our school leaders, educators, parents and employers? Someone once quipped that education is an inherently conservative social enterprise and changing education systems is sometimes like trying to move a graveyard. It will be hard for Singapore. We are a victim of our success. We are so used, for example, to use the academic yardstick in parenting, in hiring and even in judging each other. Three, show it can be done. Be bold. Pick a few strategic pilots and go for broke. For instance, pilot through-train schools without the PSLE – an idea I brought up for years. If PSLE, regardless of what the MOE has tried, is still a sacred cow and if slain, can free time and space for change, then let go of it![+7 sentences] The risk is not high. Singapore will not be the first in the world to operate through-trained Primary to Secondary schools. Four, start with the educator of educators. Singapore is blessed to have a teaching workforce that is well regarded, professional and motivated. Their mothership, the National Institute of Education, will need to be prepared to raise our educators to find their place in the new enlarged education ecosystem. NIE will have to rethink its traditional modes of management, collaborate and connect with local and global partners, to reframe and to refresh its institution and offerings. Lastly, let us start addressing the challenges of adult learners. Andreas Schleicher, OECD’s Special Adviser, has observed the striking skills gap between Singapore’s younger and older workforce, and he advised the strong need for Singapore to seriously develop our older workers.[+5 sentences] There are of course challenges – not availability of courses only but likely the motivation to learn or the way by which adult learning is designed and offered. But focus, we must, seriously on our adult and older learners. If we do not, many of them will become Singapore’s future low-wage earners. Sir, the future of education is now. Think big, believe big and let us act now.
Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio)372 words
[+5 sentences]Mr Chairman, Marva Delores Collins, an American educator who is famed for her teaching method and for her work in educating impoverished students once said that “when someone is taught the joy of learning, it becomes a lifelong process that never stops, a process that creates a logical individual. That is the challenge and joy of teaching.” Although this adage was made years ago prior to the advent of the Internet and before the age of technology assisted learning, it is now truer than ever. In today’s day and age where new knowledge is constantly being created and new skills render old ones irrelevant, it is important for educators to inculcate the joy of learning in students so that they are truly educated and have learned how to learn, not just schooled. While we know the importance of inculcating the joy of learning in students, it is a challenge to do so in an assessment-driven and exams- focused education system where rote learning and regurgitation might reap great rewards. Some time ago, MOE took the step of removing exams for Primary 1 and Primary 2 to allow for a learning experience and learning environment that would allow children to grow and develop without having to deal with the pressures and burdens of major exams.[+4 sentences] I believe this was a step in the right direction, I commend MOE for this, as it encouraged students to uncover the joys of learning without having to worry about how well they do in summative assessments like exams. Without a doubt, summative assessments are still important because they allow us to assess how much the students have absorbed the material and knowledge, and tests and exams are useful indicators of one’s progress in knowledge acquisition. But, as I have said before in this House, formative assessments can also provide an indication of a student’s development and academic growth. Grades can also be apportioned to coursework and there are many subjects that are based on 100% coursework. Would the Government review the need to have less summative assessments across all levels of Primary school even up to Secondary school levels, and move towards having more formative assessments that cater to more holistic and complete development of our students?
Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten)430 words
[+10 sentences]Sir, last year, MOE cancelled the year-end examinations for Primary 3 and Primary 4 students to mitigate the disruptions to schooling caused by COVID-19. Many parents and students alike heaved a sigh of relief as they were uncertain of the requirements due to the disruptive nature of the pandemic. Exams do add a huge amount of stress to students. Frequently, students spend hours trying to memorise the content of the textbooks which they had studied during the year in order to regurgitate the answers to which their teachers want to read in the student’s exam script. But in today’s world, knowledge content, while it is still important, is no longer the sole criterion of a person’s ability. The Dean designate of the new NUS College, Prof Simon Chesterman, wrote an Opinion article for The Straits Times in January this year. In his article, he shared that in the past, “teachers and professors were in possession of knowledge, and they were paid by students, or their parents, or the state, to pass on that knowledge to the students. However, today, every student holds a device that can access almost all of human knowledge. Thus, our phones are a portal to vastly more knowledge than will ever fit into any of our brains.” In view of the availability of technology, I urge MOE to review the current curriculum of the students. MOE had previously said that they had reduced 20% of the school curriculum under the “Teach Less Learn More” initiative. However, the previous reduction in curriculum had not resulted in less stress or less workload for the students. Hence, I urge the schools and tertiary institutions to consider reducing the content of the subjects taught to the students.[+6 sentences] Instead, more focus can be placed on how the student can do research or acquire information; how to discern truth from false information. It is the training of the mind to learn how to acquire knowledge that is more important. Can MOE also emphasise on the overall development of a student’s character so that the student can be prepared for life ahead in the real world? May I ask the Minister how can MOE help our students to develop future-ready competencies through a more varied and engaging pedagogy in the classroom as well as self-initiated learning? Education should be a journey where a student enjoys and takes delight in learning and the discovery of new things which are important to him in life. It should not be a stressful period because of the need to memorise school work and to pass year-end examinations.
Dr Tan Yia Swam (Nominated Member)454 words
[+9 sentences]Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): Mr Chairman, I have two kids who are in Primary school. Parents all want the best for our children, and we may have different ideas of what is "best", and have different levels of means to provide. Some people send their children for enrichment classes, some assign their kids chores at home. Whatever method is used, there’s generally more awareness now to teach life skills and resilience. There have been many positive changes in our formal education since when I was in primary school. There is more structured learning, and improved communications with parents. There are great resources on the MOE website on social and emotional learning. But theory is just the beginning, the challenge is in the real life implementation. How may we truly teach emotional wellness and resilience: that it is okay to not be liked all the time, that it is okay not to be perfect. How does one teach children to think for themselves, shrug off failure, handle disappointment, and to have the strength and courage to keep on going.[+3 sentences] I want to register my thanks and appreciation for school teachers and educators of all levels, who have been working doubly hard in these COVID times, to provide face-to-face lessons, and to also standby for home-based learning, in addition to doing safe distancing measurements. I am thankful to them for keeping such a close eye on our children. Parental involvement is essential to a child’s educational journey, but I have to constantly remind myself not to solve every problem for them. In previous speeches, Mr Tharman spoke on how Singapore parents must evolve, and avoid the trend of helicopter parenting.[+4 sentences] I have met older teenagers holding part-time jobs and doing their part to pay for their schooling. I have also met people in their 40s, who still need to ask their parents for all decisions, because that is how it has been their whole lives – to check with their parents. Personally, I see that my role as a mother is to provide for them and to teach them to be the best they can be. I cannot be around for them forever. So, I need to teach them to be independent. I know it is hard, but we have to let our children make their own decisions and accept the consequences of their actions.[+1 sentence] This may start from the playground, to allow them to climb and fall- while we stand ready to catch them, rather than forbid them to climb at all. Fellow parents, let us stop pursuing the perfect checklist, and truly enable our children to be ready to face the challenges of the real world.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang)676 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, this House has previously debated the possibility of later school start times. Those in favour have cited evidence, which was compelling in my view, that phase delays in adolescent Circadian rhythms predisposed them towards sleeping and waking later, typically by about two hours, although some, like my sister, appear to have never grown up and exited this phase.[+3 sentences] The counter arguments are often two-fold. First, that any delay would simply mean that students go to bed even later and, second, that such delays could give rise to disruptive rush-hour crunches. The first assertion, as it turns out, is one that is weakly supported by evidence. Students who have later start times sleep longer, with bedtimes that either remain unchanged or delayed by a smaller amount than the additional time afforded.[+3 sentences] Many credible studies have shown that affording adolescents additional sleep can have yielded payoffs in terms of improved behaviour, health and academic outcomes. This is even so, with a relatively modest delay of just half an hour or so. More importantly, the reality is that students are already experiencing sleep deprivations from the status quo. One study placed this proportion at a staggering 80% of Singaporean teenagers hailing from high-ranked schools.[+4 sentences] Think of all the marginal steps that parents take – the additional hours of supplemental tuition, the move to a neighbourhood closer to a preferred school, the endless bottles of essence of chicken. And it strikes me as failing to pick the lowest hanging fruit when we look at more expensive and intrusive educational interventions but neglect this relatively simple one. As for the second assertion, I am sure that we will all agree that we should not be compromising as important an outcome as student performance simply in favour of one of logistical convenience. My proposal today is simple. Delay upper Primary school start time by half an hour and Secondary school start time by an hour. For schools currently starting at 7.30 am, the earliest start time at the moment, this would mean a meantime of 8.00 am for the Primary cohort and 8.30 am for the Secondary cohort.[+12 sentences] While I am not suggesting any strict guidelines for post-Secondary levels, it is reasonable that ITEs, Polytechnics and Junior Colleges start even later, at 9.00 am. The additional half hour for upper-Primary students is consistent with how sleep phase delay may occur as early as the onset of puberty and also, certainly, by the time that they are teenagers. And since Primary cohorts are also comparatively larger than Secondary cohorts, it also makes sense to balance out the inflow of students headed to schools in the morning. While delays for upper Primary and Secondary school students will, undeniably, alter traffic patterns, its contribution to the overall morning rush-hour jam is likely to be somewhat limited. The half-hour delay for half the Primary cohort would likely add a limited number of additional vehicles to the road, seeing that many upper Primary school students would already begin travelling to school by public or private buses by then. Moreover, these buses would, in any case, begin their pick-up rounds between 7.00 am and 8.00 am, well before typical work start times. And as more Secondary school students already know how to travel to school independently by public transportation, their even later start time will also likely have a limited impact on traffic patterns. Indeed, with more parents working from home or exercising flexible work schedules in a post-pandemic world, it could easily be the case that any anticipated increase in rush-hour traffic be offset by the reduction in working commuters. The staggered school start times could also carry a tangential logistical benefit. Schools currently often face jams during arrival and dismissal times, with roads surrounding schools ensnarled by traffic. This is an isolated but genuine problem as those of us who have received complaints from residents living near schools would well understand. Staggering school start times could reduce the incoming traffic by as much as a third, which would help alleviate this morning school rush-hour crunch.
Ms Hazel Poa (Non-Constituency Member)580 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, first of all, I declare that I run an education company operating education centres and a private school. Today, I wish to again urge MOE to consider implementing a pilot project of a 10-year through-train programme for Primary and Secondary school students, bypassing the PSLE.[+31 sentences] Members of Parliament across time and political parties – Ms Paulin Straughan, Mr Hri Kumar, Mr Yee Jenn Jong, Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, Mr Kok Heng Leun, Ms Denise Phua and myself – have spoken up either for the scrapping of PSLE or a through-train pilot programme giving parents and students the option of bypassing PSLE. The PSLE remains the most stressful examination for local parents and students. Despite changes to the assessment, the PSLE stakes are high for parents, educators and students. Chronic stress from high-stakes examinations on young children is undesirable. Neuroscience tells us that long-term negative stress impedes the brain development of children. These are bad outcomes for their esteem and mental health. Lately, tragic incidents have given us a rude wake-up call to pay more attention to the mental well-being of our students. Over the years, efforts have been made to reduce stress on students by removing examinations at certain levels. However, the PSLE is the elephant in the room. A previous Education Minister has said that “removing the PSLE and having a through-train will only transfer the stress on parents and students elsewhere, such as at the P1 registration”. But if the through-train programme is implemented in a limited number of schools while the mainstream is still on the PSLE system, this would not happen. This would, at least, give parents and students a choice. As we learn from the experience, we can decide later whether the through-train programme should be extended to more schools. In Mandarin please. (In Mandarin): Today, I wish to again urge MOE to consider implementing a pilot project of a through-train programme. Over the last 10 years. Members from different parties have urged the Government to scrap PSLE and allow parents and students to bypass PSLE. PSLE remains the most stressful examination for local parents and their children. Chronic stress from high-stakes examinations form a long-term negative stress that can impede the brain development of children and also affect children's esteem and mental health. Lately, tragic incidents have given us a wake-up call to pay more attention to the mental well-being of our students. A previous Education Minister has said that "removing the PSLE and having a through-train will only transfer the stress on parents and students elsewhere, such as at P1 registration". But if the through-train programme is implemented in a limited number of schools, while the mainstream is still on the PSLE system, this will not happen. This will at least give parents and students a choice. As we learn from the experience, we can then decide whether we should extend it to more schools. (In English): In 2020, MOE announced the introduction of student-initiated learning (SIL) in Secondary schools, Junior Colleges and MI. I would like to seek more information from MOE on this initiative. One, how many schools have implemented SIL? Two, if there are schools that have implemented SIL last year, how was it implemented and what was the outcome? PLD was also rolled out last year. Can MOE confirm that no students are without access to PLD due to financial reasons? After one year of implementation, how has PLD affected the students’ learning?
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied)333 words
[+2 sentences]Sir, when the Compulsory Education Act was implemented in 2003, MOE implemented a minimum academic benchmark for madrasah students, requiring them to attain a PSLE aggregate higher than the average PSLE aggregate score of Malay students in the six-lowest performing national Primary schools. It was deemed necessary for madrasah students to meet this benchmark to ensure that they will be able to complete their Primary education and will possess the minimum academic standards required for them to qualify for Secondary school. Regrettably, a madrasah was not able to meet MOE’s benchmark in 2008 and 2010, which resulted in the madrasah being barred from taking in Primary 1 students from 2012 to 2014.[+3 sentences] Aside from that, all madrasahs have been able to meet MOE’s benchmark. In fact, the PSLE results of madrasah students in the past two years have been extremely encouraging. Through the efforts of the madrasah administrators and teachers and support from both MUIS and MOE, madrasahs have become private educational institutions that provide quality education to its students. Although the MOE benchmark was born out of good intentions, it may cause undue stress for the madrasah administrators and teachers, as well as for madrasah students and their parents. This is because the MOE benchmark disallows a madrasah to take in Primary 1 pupils for three years if it fails to meet the benchmark.[+1 sentence] A madrasah that cannot take in new students may find it difficult to continue operating as a private education institution. As such, I would like to ask MOE to work with MUIS and the madrasahs to review the necessity of this benchmark and to consider either removing it completely or easing the benchmark. Alternatively, instead of the two mentioned options, the Ministry could also consider issuing warnings to the madrasahs that do not meet the benchmark, accompanied by a requirement for them to conduct an independent audit of its practices.[+1 sentence] Sir, I would like to declare that I have a child who is studying in a full-time madrasah.
Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines)316 words
Chairman, full Subject Based Banding (SBB) was implemented in 28 Secondary schools from 2020. Students are grouped in different classes for both STEM and Humanities subjects, according to the levels at which students take them.[+10 sentences] When MOE announced this new arrangement, it was to provide students with a more customised learning experience according to their subject-specific strengths and interests and to empower students to take greater ownership of their learning. May I ask the MOE what has the experience been in these 28 schools over the last two years? Have we been able to quantify and qualify the benefits enjoyed by the students? Although I hope that is not the main indicator of the performance of the programme, I would like to ask the Minister what is the proportion of students who have been able to move to a more demanding level? I would also like to ask about the experience of teachers, Allied Educators and executive and administrative staff of the schools in running SBB. Unfortunately, SBB started around the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic. With students being grouped in different classes for different subjects, this might prove challenging when we are trying to minimise interactions in a school. I am aware that providing a safe learning environment is already taking a toll on everyone in school. I hope that our school staff well-being is also taken into consideration when SBB is being piloted and rolled out. With these learnings, are we in good stead to progressively roll out SBB to more Secondary schools this year? The MOE has committed that from 2024, the Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) courses will be removed.[+2 sentences] I welcome this move as it will do much to remove the stigmatisation of being in a less academically demanding stream. More importantly, it recognises and reminds us that each of us has different strengths, even among various academic subjects.
Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar)138 words
Chairman, based on the 2020 Population Census, more residents are using English as the most frequently used language at home, that is 48.3% in 2020 as compared to 32.3% in 2010.[+4 sentences] Unfortunately, this means that more residents are speaking less of their mother tongue at home. Our ability to be bilingual or trilingual gives us a huge advantage when it comes to competing for jobs locally, regionally, globally, and this makes us an attractive business hub. Having a strong command of our mother tongue is not only important culturally, but also economically, if we want to stay relevant and remain ahead in the global competitive market. Hence, I would like to ask the Ministry if there are any initiatives that students can get to expand their opportunities to learn about their mother tongue languages and culture, beyond exams.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang)268 words
[+15 sentences]Mr Chairman, similar to Member Denise Phua, I agree with Minister Chan Chun Sing's speech on the three Cs that our universities should achieve: continual learning, connections and collaboration for value creation, and confidence building. And certainly, learning must not stop at a tertiary level. It needs to be a lifelong passion. However, the challenge ultimately lies in implementation. How do we track and monitor progress, both at the individual learner level and also at the societal level? What measurables do we use to define whether someone is a lifelong learner? These days we try to avoid labels, but it is still important to have some tangible ways to determine whether the various programmes are effective. This is to help promote lifelong learning in our youth and prepare them for the new challenges ahead. What does this mean for IHLs in shells in terms of delivery of content and certification? In the past, students were largely graded based on how they performed on paper. Assessments have since evolved over the years, with internships, project work, exchange programmes and 360° evaluations counting to their graduation results, but COVID-19 has nevertheless disrupted in-person learning and training. How will IHLs work with industry players to enhance the learning process for our students? For most students, the hands-on work experience with industry stakeholders will be their first taste of formal working experience, so it should be a meaningful and enriching one. How do we encourage more on-the-job training (OJTs) with industry players? Lastly, are there other societies and countries that we are studying with regards to the best practises for continuous learning?
Mr Chairman10 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Mariam Jaafar, you can take your two cuts together.
Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang)267 words
[+4 sentences]Sir, for a lot of young Singaporeans, education, especially higher education, is a series of check the boxes. Choosing the best course they can get into, based on "cut-off points, study hard, get good grades, get a job". What is the Government doing to encourage young Singaporeans to explore opportunities and embrace the lifelong learning mindset from a young age, even while they are still in the formal education system. For example, taking part in boot camps outside of the university curriculum or during NS. Will the Minister consider extending SkillsFuture credits to younger Singaporeans perhaps from the age of 18 or 21?[+6 sentences] My next cut. Globally, the world of education is transforming. Governments need to move away from the idea that they can educate and prepare our workforce of X number of graduates for the labour market, that has led to their configuration of schools, universities, polytechnics, ITEs and other institutions that we know today. Sir, education systems must evolve, every Singaporean will have his or her own lifelong learning journey, and there will be new forms of education to deliver learning at the right time, right context, right format as part of this journey These education systems must be closely intertwined with work and delivered as part of digital ecosystems. Learning would include specific technical skills demanded by industry, but also digital skills, life skills, and as we work towards a greener future, sustainability skills. How can the Government encourage our IHLs to strengthen partnership with industries and develop these ecosystems, in order to better serve their evolving role in higher education and continual learning?
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui (Holland-Bukit Timah)493 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Chairman, Sir, I would like to declare that I am an advisor to the National Instructors and Coaches Association, an association formed by the NTUC. As CCAs are essential to students holistic education through the discovery and development of talents, interests, characters and values, our MOE instructors and coaches play a significant role in this aspect. Throughout this pandemic, MOE instructors and coaches who experienced difficulties in conducting CCAs in schools, COVID-19 uncertainties surfaced the issues of pay-per-use contracting model. As a result of the pay-per-use contracting model, many CCA instructors had to leave the industries as it is no longer viable with the number of paid CCA hours greatly reduced. It is indeed heartening that there is an implementation of a new contract mode that ensures a minimum level of commitment towards contracted CCA hours.[+10 sentences] This was a result of discussions between MOE and National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA) last year. NICA appreciates MOE's intervention, especially given a time when MOE had to implement various learning modes due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. NICA hopes to foster this dialogue and partnership further with the common goal of providing high-quality CCAs for the holistic development of our students. I believe we can achieve more. Firstly, the existing practice of most schools procuring service in the last month of the year means that contract opportunities are bunched up, resulting in instructors bidding for different schools’ CCA contracts simultaneously. As a result, some instructors and coaches may win multiple contracts. For those with too many contracts, they are forced to withdraw their bids. Often, this creates a delay in CCA start date, as affected schools then have to issue new Invitations to Quote (ITQs) with a later award. This affects students’ CCA learning outcomes and opportunities. Secondly, contract terms are usually one to two years. Instead of a short-term period, which increases the chances of disruptions to students’ learning experience, I propose a term that is based on key milestones and development runway for events such as National School Games (NSG) and Singapore Youth Festival (SYF).[+2 sentences] This ensures that MOE instructors and coaches are able to design and execute structured programmes based on the development runway for NSG or SYF which often takes more than a year to train for. In this way, students can be assured of learning with a clear structured runway. Thirdly, I seek MOE to recognise instructors’ value of work through intellectual property and copyrights.[+4 sentences] The curriculum created and proposed by the instructors and coaches should be the intellectual property owned by them. Being a key stakeholder in the education ecosystem, instructors and coaches are nurturing partners that can be counted to support schools, teachers, and students. I would like to recommend that MOE partners closely with NICA to enhance the development and delivery of high quality CCAs. Through this partnership, I believe our children will benefit from a balanced and well-rounded education that is aligned to MOE’s mission.
Mr Darryl David365 words
[+9 sentences]Chairman, a strong education system is built around a few key pillars, one of which is to have passionate educators who are committed to bring out the best in every learner. Educators who not only teach textbook knowledge but also bring with them different perspectives and experiences that can enhance the learning of our learners. I believe that our MOE educators are committed professionals who have been given very good preparatory training that equipped them with the academic and pedagogical development knowledge, as well as with classroom management skills before they are deployed to teach in our schools. That said, that continuous professional development is very important, especially in the area of pastoral skills. Today, teachers not only have to deliver and teach, Chairman, they also have to manage the emotional and mental well-being of students and deal with interactions with parents, which are likely to be outside regular classroom hours. These are chronic stressors that might negatively impact the mental well-being of teachers, especially sustained over a prolonged period. I would like to encourage MOE to consider how we can better equip our educators with stress management and self-care techniques, so that they can better manage their own mental and emotional wellness. Another area where I hope MOE can consider is how to enrich the learning experience of our students, by encouraging educators with more diverse backgrounds to join the profession, or to ensure that our educators have diverse exposures, so that they can bring additional perspectives to the curriculum that they teach. Many educators went straight into the teaching service from NIE out of a passion for wanting to educate young minds and to serve the community through education. As such, many of them might not have had much opportunity or exposure to other industries or professional environments before they become teachers. It would thus be good if MOE could explore industry attachments, not only for the teachers’ own personal and professional development, but also so that they can contextualize the subjects that they are teaching in the classrooms to the students.[+1 sentence] So, could MOE please share if there are such plans for the professional and holistic development and training of our educators?
Dr Wan Rizal208 words
[+9 sentences]Chairman, I began my career as a teacher more than 20 years ago, and have taught at various levels from Primary to Secondary schools, Polytechnics and University. Like many of my fellow educators, what keeps us going is our love for teaching. The joy of curating lessons and imparting knowledge to students is hard to describe. But being an educator it not just about teaching. The inconvenient truth is, educators wear many hats. They are administrators, disciplinarians, confidantes, counsellors, peer support advisors, CCA coaches and managers, amongst others. And certain hats require them to work beyond their work hours. In my recent Budget speech, I mentioned about the need for individuals to undergo phases to re-invent themselves, to prevent them from going through physical and mental burnouts. I also believe that it is important to expose educators to new and different opportunities beyond their teaching scope. This experience will rejuvenate them and help them to inject fresh ideas into their work. Thus, I would like to ask, how is the Ministry supporting and managing teachers' well-being?[+1 sentence] And this includes the deployment and workload as well as defining clear working hours and discourage educators from responding to emails and texts so that they are well rested mentally and physically.
Mr Chairman10 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Ng, you can take your three cuts together.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)541 words
[+6 sentences]Sir, We should be fair to our teachers when reviewing their performance. In my Budget speech last year, I called for a performance management system or stack-ranking to be more standardised, transparent, fair and informative for teachers. We have done a lot for our students, we stopped ranking them and comparing them to their peers during PSLE, we tell them learning is not a competition. Why then do we make teaching a competition? It seems contradictory that teachers are the ones telling students that students are no longer ranked and compared with their peers when they themselves are ranked and compared with other teachers. MOE has bee engaging teachers on improving the performance management systems. After one year of further engagement, I hope MOE will remove the quota for grades, provide objective criteria for certain performance grades, starting with A, C and E; remove punitive implications of getting lower grades and allow for professional development leaves for those who get C- grades.[+4 sentences] Like our students, our teachers deserve a nurturing environment. My next cut. Teachers wear many hats from teaching the curriculum, to holistic development, CCAs, and now COVID-19 regulations. We keep adding to teachers’ workload, but we still expect the same quality output from them. A 2019 study already found that working hours of Singapore teachers is higher than the OECD average.[+1 sentence] The working hours have increased over the pandemic and our overstretched teachers are reaching out for help. The average number of teachers seeking support through MOE's counselling services has almost doubled from before COVID-19.[+16 sentences] Teachers shared with me that they are stressed and overworked. One shared, "Many teachers are burning out, but seeking help is not an option because we are expected to show up for our students. I’ve had multiple anxiety attacks in school but I have to put up a front to go back to class." Will MOE consider setting limits for teachers’ working hours and workload? Other than enhancing the Parents Gateway, reducing coverage of national exams, removing some school-based exams, how else will MOE reduce teachers’ workloads? Next cut. Like many of us, teachers should enjoy flexible work arrangements (FWAs). Many are parents themselves. They prepare and send their children to school every morning before rushing to their own school. As a parent myself, I experience this chaos every morning. Some teachers struggled with this, including my resident who told me that her principal does not allow her to have staggered working hours. On the other hand, I know of teachers who do and I used to take the elevator every morning with a teacher who sends his child to school before going to his school late. We should ensure consistency across schools and all teachers should have FWAs, including staggered working hours. Another teacher shared with me about flexible working hours for teachers without children. She shared that her school allowed her to leave school after 11.30 am if there are no matters in school. However, another school only allow teachers to leave after 2.30 pm even if they have classes before that. Can MOE require all schools to offer FWAs, including staggered working hours and allow teachers to leave as long as there are no matters to take care of in school?
Shawn Huang Wei Zhong (Jurong)110 words
[+5 sentences]It is important to have diverse experiences. A carefully curated learning experience will enable students to better understand local and regional culture, traditions, work ethics, people and history. We must also ensure that sufficient amount of time is spent in the region to enable one to form an assessment and better understanding of the region, develop useful engagements and relationships that would enable them to build up familiarity and courage to further engage the region in the future. How is the Ministry strengthening the diversity of experiences to better understand culture, people and history of the region? How can we give everyone an opportunity to have a immersive overseas experience?
The Chairman8 words
[+3 sentences]Ms Sylvia Lim. Not here. Mr Leon Perera.
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied)179 words
Mr Chairman, I filed a Parliamentary Question last November, asking for data on the socio-economic backgrounds of students admitted into different categories of Secondary schools, such as Government, Government-aided and Independent categories.[+1 sentence] I wanted to find out the extent to which students from well-off families were concentrated in the more popular and well resourced group of schools. While the Government gave a response describing the school admissions process, it did not release the data I asked for.[+5 sentences] I unsuccessfully attempted to file a follow-up question this January asking if MOE possesses this data. The question was not allowed on grounds of repetition. In 2018, Prime Minister Lee acknowledged the fears of popular schools becoming closed circles. Sir, I repeat my call for the data to be released as a measure of how we are faring on diversity and inclusivity if we are serious about recognising and tackling school-based socio-economic status (SES) trends which may have profound consequences for social mobility. Note that I am asking for data on SES by category of schools and not by each individual school.
The Chairman10 words
[+3 sentences]Ms Carrie Tan. She is not here. Mr Shawn Huang.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong118 words
[+7 sentences]We need to strengthen the support for mental well-being. We need more early warning capabilities to identify students who need support and to be able to provide these capabilities much earlier. As mental well-being cuts across various domains, we must be able to coordinate our approach together with other stakeholders and parents. We must be able to respond appropriately with a range of responses and capabilities. I would like to ask Minister how are we better supporting the mental well-being of students? How are we building up capabilities to build conducive and supportive environments for higher ends students? How are we assuring that we are nurturing students with special needs today and equip them with skills for life?
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol)150 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Chairman, former Manpower Minister Mr Lim Swee Say once mentioned should Singapore be hit by higher employment, it would be because of a shortage of skills as a result of the widening of job skills mismatch – and not a lack of jobs. How is our education system preparing our students for employment in the skills-based economy? For students in our ITE or Polytechnics, can the Ministry consider apprenticeship schemes where students can work with experienced staff from industry partners for a longer duration, as compared to internships so that they can learn job specific skills and gain applied competency?[+2 sentences] Given the digital nature of all jobs now, how do we ensure all our students leave our education system with skills to perform at least tech-light roles? Can we consider coding, dashboarding or data visualisation as a core skillset for our students to acquire before they leave Secondary schools?
Dr Wan Rizal290 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, there are many ways for an admission to the Polytechnics. Apart from the Joint Admission Exercise (JAE), there is also the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) for graduating "O" level students, who receive conditional offers based on their aptitudes and interests before taking their GCE "O" levels. The Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE) allows applicants who are not eligible to participate in the EAE and JAE to apply for the course of their interest. And finally, there is the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP), a one-year programme that accepts Normal (Academic) students. I have witnessed many students from the PFP programme as well as those from the ITEs, and they are doing just as well as or even better than their "O" level counterparts. Sir, as a whole, I am grateful that we allow the Polytechnics greater flexibility to select students from varied pathways, based on broader measures of merit, beyond just academic grades. But I think we can do more. We can do more to continue to change mindsets and show that truly, there are multiple paths to success. There are several questions that I would like to raise. Firstly, would the Ministry consider expanding admission to Polytechnics via the PFP, in a move to continue to broaden the definition of academic merit and results beyond what was achieved in the national examinations? Second, for students enrolling in Polytechnics from the ITEs, are there plans to introduce industry attachments prior to this admission so that they are better prepared before they embark in the diploma programme? And finally, for students who need more time to build up their academic foundation, what are some of the options for them to be eligible to enrol in Polytechnic courses based on their non-academic achievements?
Dr Shahira Abdullah (Nominated Member)230 words
In the latest graduate employment survey for 2021, it was found that more university graduates secured full-time employment, with salaries also increasing as Singapore’s economy recovered.[+1 sentence] It was found to be "comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels". The Polytechnics have also shown improvements in employment rates and salaries. However, the results for ITE have not been released.[+10 sentences] May I know if MOE has an employment survey for ITE graduates? And if that is available, what are the employment rates and starting salaries? Has it improved over the year, or rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels? What is the percentage of ITE graduates who have furthered their studies instead? I understand there are many traineeships available currently for these young graduates. However, may I know the rate of conversion to full-time employment for the ITE graduates and if they are comparable to those from Polytechnics and Universities? For those who have been unable to convert, what are the reasons cited by the ITE graduates as well as the companies themselves? Should there be initiatives to encourage companies to hire ITE graduates? It is of concern to me as if these graduates are not able to get decent-paying full-time employment, many of them might turn to gig work, especially if they have to help with their family finances. The longer they stay in gig work, the more difficult it will be for them to get out.
Mr Abdul Samad (Nominated Member)300 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, my focus on Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) is more towards both Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnics. Our country education landscape and system of IHLs had evolved over the past few decades since I last completed my Diploma in 1992 from Singapore Polytechnic. I am very heartened to see the increase and Improvement not just for Polytechnics, but even in converting them – from Vocational Institute of Training Board to one that is more encouraging: Institute of Technical Education, in short ITE. Since this change, can MOE share how many students have graduated yearly and how fast do they actually get employment? I also note that there are many ITE students that choose to continue to acquire Diploma upon graduation before entering their work life. Can MOE share how many students have gone through prior this route after taking the Higher Nitec straightaway into Diploma? Aside from ITE, the number of Polytechnics has increased gradually from two to five now. Can MOE share how many graduates annually from such Polytechnic across the five different ones? Notwithstanding, the thing that is more of concern is how are the courses curated so that it can meet the industry demands? How often are these courses reviewed and even new courses curated, to meet potential demands of the future job market? Does MOE also work closely with EDB to ensure that we have sufficient required talents to meet the future economy and industry demand so that we can build a Singaporean Core in our workforce and also provide good global job opportunities? In addition, I also call MOE to work closely with NTUC via our young NTUC team so that these students can have a teaser on work-life and from then on learn the need for continuous learning in their future career.
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast)352 words
[+5 sentences]Chairman, I would like to declare my interest as CEO of WMI, a continuing education and training (CET) provider. Much has been said about the rapid pace of industry development and how jobs are fast evolving. This means the acquisition of new skills and knowledge must keep pace and even intensify over our lifetime. It is timely that we think about how CET can be even more impactful and emerge as a strategic pillar in our human capital development. Sir, for CET to be more impactful to support lifelong learning with clear career outcomes, CET's funding, operating and accreditation framework need to be further enhanced. Based on MOE’s estimated expenditure for Financial Year 2022, about $1.3 billion will be spent on SkillsFuture-related programmes. This represents about less than 10% of the total MOE Expenditure. Yet this amount is supposed to support 2.4 million resident working adults, averaging $542 per worker. This contrasts starkly with the amount of about $16,000 per child up to Secondary level and about $22,000 per full-time University student. What would be a more reasonable amount of CET spend per adult to achieve the outcomes we intend?[+8 sentences] What about the contribution we should expect from employers? Sir, besides budget, we need to think about how we can enable workers to engage in deep learning while they work. One of the struggles we often hear from working adults is that it is already hard enough to cope with the day’s work, let alone set aside time to learn new skills. CET can take place in different ways, both online and offline, on campus as well as at the workplace. How can we support workers, integrate Continuing Education and Training to their work, including the provision of study leave as part of employment terms? Sir, CET must be relevant with credentials recognised by employers and the industry. The credentials from CET must translate to job opportunities and career growth. For this to happen, there must be close partnerships among CET providers, employers and the industry to agree on industry accreditation standards and the recognition of a common set of CET qualifications.
Mr Darryl David326 words
[+14 sentences]Mr Chairman, education and personal development is indeed a lifelong journey. This axiom is now more apt than ever. The Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 was coined by Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum in 2016 to describe how the confluence of artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, Internet of Things, quantum computing, genetic engineering and other technologies will create the perfect storm that paves the way for radical transformative changes in the conduct of businesses and how we live our lives. Today, we are barely five years from that and into the Industry 4.0 and futurists and academics have already begun to describe how the Fifth Industrial Revolution, Industry 5.0, will look like. As one consulting group has aptly described, Industry 5.0 is the new renaissance for humanity where humanism, civility, inclusivity, creativity and purpose will thrive alongside profit and digitally enabled progress. Think metaverse and you get the picture. Singapore needs to prepare our workforce for Industry 5.0 and beyond. Our educational institutions have traditionally focused on Pre-Employment Training (PET) to prepare our young for work. Compared to a few years ago, it is now becoming even clearer that getting a basic education is a necessary but insufficient condition for work in Industry 5.0 and beyond. We need to develop a new educational framework that integrates PET with Continuing Education and Training (CET) to meet the new reality of work. Chairman, MOE has traditionally focused on PET and CET has typically been the domain of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG). Moving forward, would we see a closer integration between the PET and CET frameworks so we can develop a future-ready workforce that is equipped with basic know-hows as well as the mindset that training and development is a lifelong journey, especially in Industry 5.0 and beyond? How could MOE, SSG and WSG work together to re-conceptualise how the education landscape will look like in Singapore? Thank you.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong140 words
[+6 sentences]Being relevant to the industry is of utmost importance to strengthen employability and continued employment. Mid-career upgrades and continued learning is not an easy feat as one usually has to manage multiple obligations. I know of many who will take time after a long day of work to attend classes or courses. We have a duty of care to them. We must make sure that their efforts will be accretive to their careers and to their personal development. I would like to ask the Minister how is MOE expanding applied learning opportunities in its Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and to ensure that courses are highly relevant to the industry's needs? How is MOE measuring the value of the certification or programme post its completion? How does MOE ensure compatibility or stackability of courses toward an academic or professional certification?
Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng691 words
[+5 sentences]Sir, there are 22 Special Education (SPED) schools in Singapore catering to about 7,000 students with moderate to high support needs. The Government has invested resources, manpower and funds into the sector and many of us are grateful. There are three compelling reasons why it is time for SPED schools to be elevated, to be uplifted to be more prepared for the future. One is the incredulous pace at which technology has changed lives at home, at work and out in the community. Two, the need for better education outcomes. The prognosis of SPED graduates is not as positive as expected in spite of more MOE funding, more MOE controls, more pay and more seconded MOE mainstream principals and teachers.[+14 sentences] We need a breakthrough in the SPED education system for higher returns in the form of physical wellness, literacy, numeracy, community living and independent living skills as a result of a SPED education career. Three, the need to continue learning for life and throughout life is even more critical and urgent for students with special needs. SPED school graduands literally stop learning after they leave the school gate. In a complex, rapidly digital, volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world, the Government must facilitate the transit of SPED schools to become better schools for the future. Let me propose five features. One, SPED schools of the future must be scoped to cover lifelong learning – to learn for life and to learn throughout life. Special education can no longer be about frontloading content in the first 18 years of one's life. Learning must extend beyond 18 to avoid the falling off the cliff with no hope of any more education. Two, SPED schools of the future must be masters of their mission. No lip service to SPED basics like person-centred planning, individual education planning and other aspects of disability-specific curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. SPED schools must become truly schools without walls and strongly facilitate learning at home, in the community, at the workplace and care facilities – just in time, self-paced and appropriately paced, bite-sized, with repositories of learning resources which are easily accessible. Three, SPED schools of the future must develop strong thought leadership and practice to the extent that it can guide and inform the support of students with special education needs (SEN) in mainstream schools – in MOE schools. In education systems elsewhere, educators with strong expertise in SPED are better regarded and even better paid. Singapore has only begun its journey in building expertise in special education. With 80% of students with special education needs in Singapore's mainstream schools, SPED schools can become the precious resource to uplift them.[+1 sentence] To reach this leadership position, the National Institute of Education, NIE, the mothership that now trains special educators, will need to upgrade and update its current service model. Set up a Special Education Academy for that.[+10 sentences] Four, SPED schools of the future should be led not just by MOE but by a SPED Leadership Council at the national level comprising many strong helping hands, with members who can represent the ecosystem of SPED – the Government, disability and education experts, family representatives and the industry. SPED schools of the future should be trusted. They should not be managed in a cookie-cutter way. They should be trusted to deliver according to the outcomes agreed upon. SPED schools of the future should not be micromanaged and those who are competent and have a proven track record should be given more autonomy and space to innovate, to experiment and to break new grounds, just as how MOE has allowed for the autonomy of schools and IHLs in the mainstream. Lastly, SPED schools of the future must actively partner and enskill family caregivers in the education of their students, of their children. Parents or caregivers will play an active role in the education of their own children. They will not wait till when they or their children become much older to worry about their unpreparedness for life or life after the parents' death. In conclusion, Sir, it is time to lift Singapore's SPED Schools to the next lap. The time is now.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied)246 words
[+5 sentences]Parents of children with special needs face a complex dilemma when making educational choices for their children. A wide range of services is available at various price points but parents are largely left on their own to identify the optimal ones. Could ECDA provide more one-stop advisory services for parents? This will help ease the anxiety that many parents of special needs children feel. For children who require medium to high levels of early intervention support, such services can be prohibitively expensive. While ECDA does provide subsidised support through the Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children (EIPIC) programme, EIPIC centres have wait times ranging from three to 18 months and most provide a limited number of hours of intervention a week. This requires parents to turn to additional services that can cost thousands more every month. Can ECDA work with EIPIC providers to increase the capacity and range of services provided so that children can receive all the early intervention support they require from the same centre?[+4 sentences] A centralised provision of early intervention services can bring economies of scale which can reduce costs for parents. Children who require lower levels of early intervention support can attend mainstream Primary schools but may still require supplemental support services like occupational therapy. Can MOE provide an integrated special needs support programme at mainstream schools? This will enable children with special needs to thrive in such environments and reduce the cost and inconvenience borne parents for external support services.
Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong)294 words
[+12 sentences]Like other parents, parents of children with special needs like me also want to see our children do well in school and achieve their fullest potential. The education journey, though, is often a lot more challenging. The children are differently abled and require more support. If we intervene early in schools and give them the necessary skills to prepare them for the future, there is a greater chance that many of them could carry on with their lives with minimal reliance on others and work and socialise like everyone else. If they can be independent and contribute meaningfully towards the economy, less resources need to be spent on support structures or schemes when they are adults or when they age. It is thus important to have the appropriate educational pathways for these students to prepare them well so that they can integrate and contribute to society. Schools offer the support structure for parents in their children's developmental journey. The challenge for parents sometimes is in getting to the services they need, in enrolling in appropriate schools which are within the vicinity of their homes. Special Education (SPED) schools play a key function in the special needs community. How can we continue to enhance the accessibility and affordability of SPED schools? It is also particularly challenging for families as their children move on to different stages of their developments. We should continue to build on the efforts to support special needs students as they transit into the various milestones in their lives. MOE had previously announced Transition Support for Integration or TRANSIT to help children ease the transition into Primary school. Could I get an update on the implementation of TRANSIT and find out if there are any plans on the expansion of this programme?
Dr Wan Rizal240 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, last year, we were rocked by the unfortunate loss of life in school during school hours. The incident impacted many – students, educators and parents. Inevitably but most unfortunately, the issue of mental health was brought to light. Our educators are trained to look out for signs of distress amongst their students and mental well-being is taught in the curriculum. There is also a peer support programme to bridge the gap. However, as an educator and a peer support coordinator, I find that it is not easy to identify these students. I have had students coming up to me and sharing their difficulties and I in turn, in confidence, make subtle arrangements to accommodate such students. But often, they go totally unnoticed or students and parents are aware but would like to keep their issues private. It is understandable. Over the past two years, I have asked for mental health literacy programmes, screening both physical and mental as well as time-outs to be introduced. I am grateful that Character Citizenship Education (CCE) now covers the literacy aspect and I hope that the Ministry can integrate screening as well as time-outs. I would like to ask, Sir, what are some of MOE's plans to enhance support for firstly, students who have yet to be identified to suffer from mental health issues and secondly, students who are suffering from mental health and well-being problems in schools and at home or outside?
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Chan Chun Sing.
The Minister for Education (Mr Chan Chun Sing)5027 words
[+2 sentences]Chairman, we thank Members for their suggestions and the support for our education system and especially our educators. Let us also thank our educators on the frontline. In the past two years of COVID-19 disruptions, they have taken on additional workload and have gone beyond the call of duty to keep our children safe, our schools open and our learning undisrupted.[+28 sentences] COVID-19 has accelerated many trends and heightened the need to evolve our education system urgently. Mr Patrick Tay and Ms Denise Phua also spoke about the future trends of education. We aim to emerge stronger from this pandemic. We will not waste the opportunities that have arisen from this crisis. We will lock in the gains from the disruptions to distinguish ourselves for the long term. Chair, three driving forces shape our education system. First, technology and business cycles have become more compressed. Workers now take on multiple jobs in their lifetime and need to be reskilled regularly to remain relevant. How fast we evolve our skills, products and services will determine our competitive advantage, both as individuals and as a nation, much more than our population base or our resources. Second, the world is becoming polarised and fragmented, even as we grow more inter-connected and inter-dependent. The geopolitical environment has become more volatile. Competition of ideas and values, contestation of ideologies and influence. Both will intensify. Countries that cannot create relevance for themselves will have to worry about having to choose sides. Yet, there are opportunities for those that can value-add and play the role of a connector to transcend these fault lines. Third, our social fabric is evolving. Our people have more diverse aspirations and perspectives. The Internet has increased access to information but algorithms on social media can also skew the information that we are exposed to. They cater to our preferences and amplify our biases. Our youths are not just Singaporeans, but also digital natives. Technology and social media have allowed them to stay connected and organise around meaningful causes. But it is also easier to compare themselves with their classmates and friends, as well as anyone else in the world online. This has an impact on their sense of identity and self-confidence. We have seen other societies with longer histories fracture, as the values and aspirations of their people diverge. We are a young nation. Our challenges cannot be any less. The definition of success for our education system must then evolve. It must enable every Singaporean to do justice to their own set of gifts; constantly seeking to surpass themselves both individually and as a team, rather than just surpassing others; contributing towards a better future for the wider community, to Singapore and to the world. Chair, our vision of our education system has three elements: to develop confident Singaporeans; to build a competitive Singapore; and to forge a cohesive society.[+10 sentences] Let me start with the first – confident Singaporeans. Confidence starts from understanding our own strengths and interests. This starts from school. Then, confidence comes from knowing that we have multiple pathways that give our people lifelong opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills for success through life. We must also have confidence in our values and solutions, that we have the will and the means to chart our own destiny with our own solutions for our own context. Finally, we must be confident in our contributions to our society, to future generations and to the world. Second, a competitive Singapore. This comes from our speed of evolution and our superior connectivity. Evolution speed depends on us quickly learning, unlearning and relearning, so that we can combine and recombine ideas and knowledge to always create something new and relevant. Superior connectivity enables us to go beyond geography and size, with the world as our hinterland and market. By connectivity, I refer not just to the physical dimensions of air, land and sea, not even the non-physical dimensions of data, finance, rules and technology; but also of ideas, cultures and values.[+5 sentences] As the world threatens to fragment, we connect and value add. This connectivity is our special, man-made competitive advantage. Third, a cohesive society. We distinguish ourselves as a nation that celebrates our diverse roots while forging a shared identity with a set of shared values. Our diversity unites, rather than divides. It is the substrate upon which our new ideas grow. Therefore, Chair, we will take a life course approach to education. “MOE for schools" must become “MOE for life”.[+2 sentences] We begin by giving every child a good start in life. The early years set the foundation for heathy and balanced development for our children. We have invested in many quality and affordable preschools, where our children can enjoy and learn through play, develop early literacy and numeracy, as well as social and emotional skills, ask questions and explore their interests, and most importantly – ignite their innate curiosity. We are updating the Nurturing Early Learners Framework to guide our preschool educators, to incorporate social and emotional skills even more prominently and emphasise core values of respect, responsibility, care, and honesty from young.[+9 sentences] As they progress through our schools, we build on these fundamentals by giving our students greater confidence in themselves and of their abilities, with more opportunities to explore their interests and cultivate their curiosity, so that they are unafraid to try. And if they fail, they pick themselves up and try again. We cannot shield our children from all uncertainties and the imperfections of this world, nor should that be our aim. But we certainly can and want to equip them with the skills to manage the uncertainties and navigate the imperfections. This means creating time and space for our students to develop the life skills they need for success, including the ability to deal with failure, inventive thinking, adaptability and cross-cultural skills that Mr Darryl David and Mr Lim Biow Chuan raised. Over the past few years, we removed mid-year examinations for Primary 3, Primary 5, Secondary 1 and Secondary 3. We saw the positive impact. Schools and teachers can better pace and deepen students’ learning. They use ongoing assessments to identify what students have mastered and the areas they have difficulties with. Students also focus more on their learning and less on marks. We will build on these gains, by removing mid-year examinations for all Primary and Secondary levels by 2023.[+9 sentences] This frees up more time across all levels for self-directed learning and development of 21st Century Competencies. We are also reviewing curriculum content and assessment demand. Any one standard curriculum will necessarily not be able to meet the diverse learning needs of our students. Any "average curriculum" will necessarily mean that many students will be overstretched while others are under-stretched. Hence, we must have a range of options to cater to our students' diverse abilities and learning needs. Our teachers must have the ability to pick and choose from a menu of options and customise them to suit the diverse and respective needs of their students. These moves seek to bring about a cultural shift: where our students learn holistically and master skills, driven by intrinsic motivation and future relevance, and not be distracted by incessant comparison with others. Chair, next, we want to customise education as much as possible to bring out the best in every child. We will give students more agency in their learning. Regular Home-Based Learning will be implemented for all Secondary and pre-university students by end-2022.[+9 sentences] This lets students take ownership of their learning at their own pace. Students will also have dedicated time and space to pursue their own interests outside the curriculum through Student-Initiated Learning. And we are studying how technology can further customise learning to help teachers provide feedback, track students’ learning progress, and we will also explore the use of adaptive learning systems to tailor learning to our students’ needs. We thank Ms Denise Phua and Ms Hazel Poa for suggesting a through-train system for Primary to Secondary school education. Ms Denise Phua has raised this idea for some time. The PSLE remains a useful checkpoint for our students and parents. We made significant changes to the PSLE scoring system last year, to broaden emphasis beyond academic results. We will continue to look at ways to enhance the diversity of our school landscape. But there are some fundamental principles we must always maintain: to provide quality and holistic education for every child, no matter their learning profile; to give opportunities for children of different backgrounds to mix with one another to strengthen our social cohesion; and to ensure equity and fairness in admissions and posting. In line with these principles, we will expand Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) for more porous and diverse educational pathways and encourage students to take greater ownership of their education journey.[+16 sentences] Mr Baey Yam Keng has asked for an update. Our Full SBB pilot started in 2020. In the pilot schools, students taking different courses come together in mixed form classes. They take six subjects at the common level, which is one-third of curriculum time and other subjects at different levels. The experiences from the pilot gives us confidence that we are on the right track. Students have made more friends across courses, learnt new perspectives and learnt how to relate better to their peers from different backgrounds. And they have become more confident in themselves and of their abilities. From 2024, we will remove streaming totally. In Secondary schools, students will be grouped in mixed form classes. Students can choose to take different subjects at different subject levels, suited to their pace of learning. These subject levels, known as G for General: G1, G2 and G3. They are broadly mapped from today’s Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) standards. There will be greater subject-level flexibility. Those who are strong in a subject may take it at a more demanding level, while those who find it difficult to cope with a subject may offer it at a less demanding level, based on their school’s guidance. We will also shift away from course-based subject offerings under Full SBB. For example, students currently in Express and Normal (Academic) courses who face exceptional difficulties with Mother Tongue Language (MTL) learning may take MTL "B". With Full SBB, they can now study MTL at a level that better meets their learning needs – whether G1 or G2. We will thus discontinue MTL "B" from the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort.[+2 sentences] MOE will provide more details later in the year on other curriculum changes that accompany Full SBB. To allow more students to benefit, MOE will extend Full SBB to more schools. Crescent Girls’ School, Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and Tanjong Katong Secondary School currently admit only students in the Express stream.[+11 sentences] From 2024, they will go on board Full SBB and admit a wider range of students, including students taking mainly G2 subjects. Students of more diverse learning profiles can then benefit from these schools’ distinctive programmes. Full SBB represents a major shift to customise learning to each student according to their strengths. However, I must say, Full SBB does require more resources. It entails more complex coordination of timetables and requires our teachers to adapt their teaching methods for a wider range of students. Customisation also means giving schools the flexibility to best support their students' needs. Assoc Prof Jamus Lim spoke on later school start times. In MOE, we have a simple baseline – schools are not to start before 7.30 am. Beyond that, schools decide when to start and end, based on factors like their unique needs, student profiles and the local transport situation. For example, Junyuan Secondary School starts at 8.30 am twice a week and 8.00 am the other three days, and Junyuan Secondary is not the only school that has different start times. We will also adjust post-secondary admissions, to better recognise students’ individual strengths. First, we will expand the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and relax selected grade requirements for entry from Academic Year 2024. A wider group of learner profiles can benefit from a practice-based preparatory pathway to the polytechnics, while still ensuring that students can cope with the rigour. We expect another 200 students every year to benefit, in addition to the 1,500 today.[+2 sentences] We will continue to review admissions for other pathways to better recognise the different subject levels under Full SBB. Next, we will expand Direct School Admission (DSA) for Government and Government-aided Junior Colleges (JCs). Starting from 2022, these JCs can admit up to 20% of their non-Integrated Programme intake through DSA, up from 10% today.[+11 sentences] This recognises other forms of merit beyond academic grades. Our efforts to customise education continue after Secondary school. Last year, Second Minister for Education Dr Maliki Osman led the Review of Opportunities and Pathways in Applied Education. The review aims to enhance Polytechnic and ITE education to support our students’ diverse strengths and aspirations. Its recommendations include providing students with greater flexibility in their pathways and supporting them in navigating these pathways, enhancing their career readiness and resilience for the future economy and equipping them with life skills and expanding opportunities for deeper industry exposure. The Second Minister for Education will update more later. We must also help our students to be curious about the world. Around two-thirds of our schools have established partnerships with their overseas counterparts. Building on this, we want every school to have an overseas partnership. This facilitates more student exchanges, so that students can broaden their horizons and learn about different cultures. While the exchanges have been virtual for now, because of COVID-19, technology allows our students and their overseas peers to still learn, play and celebrate special occasions together. In this same spirit, our IHLs will continue to work towards the 70 by 70 target disrupted by COVID-19 – 70% of all students will have an overseas experience, of which 70% will be in ASEAN countries, China and India.[+9 sentences] Chair, we will give our students greater confidence to venture beyond Singapore. We will pilot a modular Third Language programme so that more Secondary school students can learn new languages and discover other cultures. Starting with one or two of our existing Third Language offerings, students can pick up the language from different starting points or at different levels and build their proficiency and "stack" modules towards a certificate. At the same time, our students must have a sense of rootedness and identity. As Dr Wan Rizal said, our bilingual ability helps us to navigate across cultures. Every student should learn their Mother Tongue to as high a level as possible. Hence, we have a range of Mother Tongue Language special programmes, like the Language Elective Programme (LEP), which we have expanded to our secondary schools in 2020. It allows those strong in their Mother Tongue to learn it at a higher level and nurture their interest in literature and culture. The Elective Programme in Malay Language for Secondary Schools (EMAS) is another example. EMAS is offered at three host schools today. We will expand EMAS to a fourth host centre, Raffles Institution, from 2023 so that more students can access it, including students from other nearby schools.[+15 sentences] Students with a strong proficiency in the Malay language can develop their interest for the Malay language and culture. Across the system, we continue to pay special attention to students with greater needs. They too must have the opportunities and resilience to overcome challenges and do well in life. Our philosophy is this: no student should be held back from their dreams and aspirations because of his or her starting circumstances. So, we will press on with UPLIFT in schools, ITE and the Polytechnics to support students with Special Educational Needs and to support the mental well-being of our students. My MOE colleagues will elaborate. Chair, this is our social compact – to continually invest in our people, enable every Singaporean to develop to their fullest potential regardless of their starting point and to partake in the country's growth so that we can strive towards a fairer and more inclusive society. Previously, we have focused on investing in the first 20 to 25 years of our people's lives. On average, we spend a quarter of a million dollars on each child to prepare him or her for their first job. But now, firms and workers face greater disruption and faster skills obsolescence. Therefore, upfront investment is necessary but insufficient. On the other hand, beyond paper qualifications, those with the relevant skills, who can take advantage of the new technologies, will benefit the most. Therein lies our challenge and opportunity. Therefore, we will need to seriously intensify efforts on continual learning throughout life, as Mr Yip Hon Weng and Ms Mariam Jaafar mentioned. The Government started SkillsFuture seven years ago. In 2021, we spent nearly $1.2 billion in skills training for our workforce. This is 40% more than 2019 and it excludes spending on COVID-19-related programmes. We will do more to support Singaporeans to achieve greater career resilience and job mobility through a major investment in skills refresh.[+14 sentences] This will be the next needle-mover for the competitiveness of our people beyond their first work-ready qualification. This will become a key pillar of our social compact with Singaporeans we will invest in every Singaporean not just in school but throughout life. We are focusing on two areas: providing more opportunities for our people to pursue a degree or diploma, especially as working adults, and enhancing structural support for mid-career reskilling. Today, we have a 40% cohort participation rate target for subsidised university places for fresh school leavers and an additional 10% allowance for adult learners. As we increasingly move towards interspersing working and learning throughout life, we should look beyond the proportion of each cohort that goes to university before starting work. We should focus instead on ensuring that Singaporeans can upskill continually according to their needs and aspirations. This ties in with major efforts to transform our economy. The refresh of the Industry Transformation Maps (ITM) aims to create more good jobs for Singaporeans. With more and better job opportunities for degree holders, we will study increasing the "lifetime cohort participation rate". This will provide more opportunities for working adults to pursue a degree at a suitable point in their life and support key growth areas in our economy. MOE, together with MTI and MOM, will further study the mix of the increase in places to better cater to the needs of our learners and the economy. Beyond expanding degree places, we need other ways to strengthen support for our mid-career workers, especially those in their forties and fifties. They are more vulnerable to retrenchment and long-term unemployment and need greater support to pivot to new job roles. This structural change is here to stay post-pandemic. During the pandemic, to help mid-career individuals move to new sectors or job roles, we introduced the SGUnited Skills (SGUS) and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways – Company Training (SGUP-CT) programmes. We will bring these programmes to a close and transit to a new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP).[+15 sentences] This will be a permanent feature of our training and placement ecosystem. Courses under SCTP will be highly subsidised. The SCTP will support the career transition needs of Singaporeans, with industry-relevant training involving potential employers, and employment facilitation into sectors with good hiring opportunities. Minister of State Gan Siow Huang will elaborate later. Beyond these moves, MOE, MTI, MOM and MOF are studying how we can enhance the structural support for Singaporeans in their mid-forties and fifties who may need significant reskilling to provide a second wind to their careers. Regardless if our workers are looking to switch industries or jobs, they recognise that their current jobs need upgraded skills to keep pace with evolving business models and technologies. Reskilling can help them to keep up with the changes and remain employable. We will take a holistic review of the accessibility and the different support that adult learners need, to help every Singaporean enhance their career resilience by refreshing their skills throughout life. Chair, we need to strengthen and transform our higher education and training ecosystem. Rather than simply ramping up quantity, we must also enhance quality and accessibility. We must accelerate the transformation of our training to better cater to adult learners, leveraging on technology to enable every individual to learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. We will improve how we reach out to individuals and support their upskilling as they pursue their career goals through new partnerships with companies, trade associations and chambers and of course, our unions. All three pillars of our ecosystem, our institutes for continual learning, private training providers and employers, all must pull together in the same direction. Let me elaborate. First, our Institutes of Higher Learning must grow into institutes for continual learning. While the number of adult learners trained by our institutions has more than doubled from around 165,000 in 2018 to 345,000 in 2020, we can expect this number to go up further.[+16 sentences] To cater to more diverse learners, our institutions need to review their programmes. Adults' learning needs, commitments and prior experiences differ from our younger learners. This means improving andragogy, or adult education by using technology to make learning accessible and achievable and making learning bite-sized and on-the-go based on their existing skills foundation. For instance, SUSS's flexible, modular and applied curriculum, accompanied by online provisions, caters well to adult learners. The curriculum is taught by a mix of SUSS full-time and associate faculty, many of whom are industry practitioners. It is supported by learning analytics to tailor learning to individual students. New pathways are also being created, like SIT's new Competency-based Workplace Learning Pathway. Skills and competencies acquired through prior work experience also count towards the graduating requirements. This brings the university to the workplace. All our institutions also offer stackable pathways for learners to take bite-sized modules that count towards a full qualification. This gives our adult learners more flexibility to juggle work, study and family responsibilities. Second, we need a stronger nexus between our institutions and industry, as Ms Mariam Jaafar suggested. Industry and workforce transformation must go hand-in-hand. Our institutions need to do so in three ways. First, partnering industry to provide more workplace learning opportunities. For example, internships, job-shadowing or work-study programmes. By 2025, work-study programmes will be a mainstream pathway catering to 12% of each cohort, up from 4% today. We will support industry partners to develop in-house on-the-job training capabilities through the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning. Industry can also offer industry micro-credentials that are recognised by employers alongside our institutions' credentials.[+12 sentences] Two, ensuring that our institutions' faculty remain industry relevant. We must encourage faculty to gain industry-relevant knowledge and competencies and most importantly, to keep them current. Our institutions will ramp up industry engagement and attachment opportunities and hire faculty with industry experience to complement existing faculty. Three, collaborating with industry on research and innovation projects. We will provide additional support to our Centres engaging in Technology, Innovation and Enterprise activities in our Polytechnics and ITE. They can then partner more SMEs on innovation projects and that will allow our SMEs and companies to be a ready receptacle for our upgraded workers and upgraded students. Our companies also need to take ownership of this transformation because transforming themselves to attract, retain and upskill local talent is an important piece of this jigsaw puzzle. Over the past year, MOE, MTI, and MOM initiated efforts with industry leaders, unions and other Government agencies, and educators to strengthen the employability and career prospects of our Polytechnic and ITE graduates in the future economy. We looked into raising the quantity and quality of internships and on-the-job upskilling opportunities for our students, starting with sectors like Manufacturing, Built environment, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Retail and Food Services. We have developed strategies to promote access to jobs with good career prospects. We have encouraged companies to recognise the skills and competencies of our Polytechnic and ITE graduates and invest in talent attraction and retention and also to invest in their workers' continued education. Good internship experiences and progression pathways are key to encouraging our students to join and stay in the sector they were trained for. Some of these initiatives were announced at the recent MCI's and MTI's Committees of Supply, such as the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) for ITE and Polytechnics Aliiance, and the Accelerated Pathways for Technicians & Assistant Engineers (Manufacturing) Grant.[+7 sentences] Chair, MOE cannot transform our education system by ourselves. We need and want to partner educators, parents, industry and our community to achieve this vision. First, our educators. Mr Darryl David, Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Louis Ng have spoken about them. To inspire our students, we need to inspire our teachers. To widen the exposure for our students, we need to widen the exposure for our teachers. To empower our teachers to steward change, we will partner with the people, public and private sectors so that teachers can take up more short-term attachments. Through the Teacher Work Attachment Plus programme, our teachers can broaden their perspectives, enhance their skills and build connections.[+16 sentences] Our teachers must then be able to grow and they must grow as they help our children grow. Many Polytechnic and ITE educators have prior working experiences from our industry. However, we also need to help them keep pace amidst the current fast changes in the industry. We will therefore send more Polytechnic and ITE educators for industry attachments and for more of them to have collaboration projects with our companies, including many SMEs. This will refresh their skill sets and keep their competencies at the frontier. Our educators have worked much harder and for much longer hours in the last two years. In MOE, we have a saying, "One cannot pour from an empty cup." Hence, we will continue to take care of our teachers' mental well-being and workload. Schools are committed to ensuring that workload remains manageable and we will continue to work towards all schools having Wellness Ambassadors. To strengthen the culture of care and peer support for our teachers, Staff Well-Being Committees will place more emphasis on the mental well-being of our teachers, with support from MOE headquarters. These efforts complement free in-house counselling services at iCARE and the free 24/7 whole-of-Government counselling hotline. Mr Louis Ng also asked about teachers’ appraisal. We appreciate his concern for their well-being. Our teachers are driven by a strong sense of mission and responsibility for our students, and it shows in their work and attitude. Therefore, it is important for us to recognise and affirm deserving teachers, especially those who have gone beyond their call of duty, those who have excelled, and those who have set the pace for the fraternity. At the same time, we need to identify teachers who require more support, so that we can build and sustain an excellent workforce. Our appraisal system must, therefore, ensure consistency and fairness in the ranking of our educators.[+2 sentences] Mr Louis Ng can be assured that we are constantly updating our policies so that all our teachers can continue to have access to our training programmes and be guided to improve, to better nurture our students. We also hear Mr Edward Chia’s call to support instructors and coaches. MOE and our partners, like SportSG, the National Arts Council and the National Instructors & Coaches Association, recognise the important role they play. We have platforms for regular engagements and have been working closely with them, including reviewing our procurement processes and contractual terms to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, and we will continue to do so.[+1 sentence] Our second group of partners are our parents. As Dr Tan Yia Swam said earlier, all of us want the best for our children. But our definition of success must evolve beyond just getting good grades in examinations.[+12 sentences] Let us help our children acquire skills based on their interests and strengths that will allow them to have a unique value proposition when they join the workforce. This strengthens their value proposition, our collective diversity and resilience. Let us work together to support the well-being and development of our children – not to chase after the marginal last mark, instil fear of failure, or excessively compare our children’s achievements with others. Let us help them surpass themselves throughout life, rather than just surpass others in an examination. MOE will continue to partner and support our parents. We will provide parenting resources and tips throughout our platforms and work closely with Parent Support Groups. Our partners, like the council members from COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools (COMPASS), have also initiated ground-up efforts to support parents. Minister of State Sun Xueling will elaborate. Our third partner will be our industry. As I have stressed earlier, industry needs to work closely with our institutes for continual learning, provide learning opportunities for our students to prepare them for the workforce and transform themselves to create good jobs for our graduates. Companies which partner our institutions well will also have the first call to the next generation of talent, and this is a significant competitive advantage. Our fourth partner is our community. As they say, “it takes a village to raise a child.” In this spirit, we partner the community to support our students with higher needs, including through UPLIFT, ComLink and other efforts.[+7 sentences] But this is not all. All of us can contribute to this effort as well. For example, as school alumni, we can give back to our alma mater, by mentoring younger students and giving them career advice. Let us all acknowledge the support we received from the community and the opportunities we received from society. Therefore, it is also our responsibility to give back where we can, so others may benefit as we have, so that every generation of Singaporeans can aspire to do better than the previous generation. Only so will we continue to preserve education as an uplifting force for all Singaporeans. Chairman, may I have your permission for my MOE colleagues to elaborate on the various MOE policies please.
The Chairman9 words
[+2 sentences]Please do. Second Minister Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.
The Second Minister for Education (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman)2889 words
[+11 sentences]Mr Chairman, every child is important to us. MOE is committed to supporting our students to achieve their fullest potential, regardless of their background. We agree with Mr Shawn Huang and Mr Leon Perera on the importance of supporting students in disadvantaged circumstances. These students may not have the best environment or opportunities to support their learning. Some may face challenges at home that could translate into poor attendance, motivation and self-esteem. We are committed to ensuring that these students are not limited by their starting points in life. Across the system, we have dedicated programmes and support based on the students’ areas of need, including academic and socio-emotional support, financial assistance and provisions for special education needs. Our teachers pay extra attention to them, tirelessly reaching out to their parents, making home visits to understand their circumstances and providing support when the children are in school. It is very resource-intensive. But our teachers do so with passion and commitment. And the support goes beyond the school. A key initiative we have undertaken is UPLIFT, or Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce.[+18 sentences] Introduced in 2018, UPLIFT has been actively helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve success. Let me share one example. Last year, I met Hafiza. Hafiza’s mother is the sole breadwinner of the family, which includes her and her infant stepbrother. Hafiza’s mother was busy with work and rarely around to guide Hafiza when she was growing up. Hafiza felt lost and unmotivated and ended up mixing with bad company. She ran away from home several times, missed school frequently and felt disengaged from her teachers and peers. However, her teachers did not give up. They continued to reach out to her. Hafiza was touched by their concern and, gradually, opened up to them. Hafiza's teachers encouraged her to join after-school activities, like the Youth Community Outreach Patrol, where she built positive relationships with her peers and mentors who helped her gain confidence. The UPLIFT Town-Level Coordinator and a volunteer family befriender also worked with the Family Service Centre and other agencies to provide the financial and emotional support the family needed and find ways to provide a more conducive home environment for Hafiza. For example, Hafiza’s mother made alternative care arrangements for Hafiza's infant brother, to allow Hafiza to focus on her studies for her graduating year. Through these efforts, Hafiza achieved good results at the GCE "N" Level examination last year and progressed to a course of her choice in ITE. When I met Hafiza, I could see the confidence in her eyes and was proud to see a young girl turn around and do better with self-determination and support from the community around her. Hafiza’s example illustrates three key components of support we will provide our students. First, we will provide a supportive school environment responsive to the needs of each student. Providing customised support and attention to students with higher needs requires time and dedication. We will support our schools in doing so. We introduced UPLIFT Enhanced School Resourcing to provide schools with additional manpower, guidance and teaching resources to help students with higher needs more effectively. Forty-seven schools are currently supported under this initiative. We plan to expand this to 100 schools in total over the next few years to support around 13,000 students.[+19 sentences] Second, we will keep students meaningfully engaged in programmes after school. Many of these students do not have conducive home environments and many of us know about it. Through a structured and nurturing after-school environment, we give them the opportunity to develop routines and skills to succeed. Since 2020, MOE has set up a Student Care Centre in every Primary school to provide a safe environment for students to rest, play, do their homework and engage in meaningful after-school activities. We have made fees affordable. With subsidies under the ComCare Student Care Fee Assistance scheme, eligible students pay as little as $5 per month. We are also reaching out to help parents who have concerns over enrolling their child, like providing the necessary supporting documents. Last year, teachers in our Primary schools helped more than 700 students from disadvantaged families enrol in our Student Care Centres. We are seeing good progress made by these students. Many are more confident, they are more engaged in school and also more engaged in after-school activities. We will continue to help more disadvantaged families enrol their children into our Student Care Centres. Our focus on after-school programmes continues into the Secondary school. About 120 Secondary schools provide after-school mentoring and motivational support under the GEAR-UP programme. Third, we are building a strong network of community partners to complement efforts in schools and address challenges that the families of these students face. We started the UPLIFT Community pilot in 2020, creating a network of agencies, including Family Service Centres, Social Service Agencies and relevant Government agencies like ECDA and HDB. The pilot has supported more than 300 students in four towns so far. Most have seen improved attendance and their families have seen increased community support for them. Encouraged by the success, we will expand this pilot. The UPLIFT Community Network has been rolled out to eight new towns in 2022. Eventually, when it is rolled out nationwide, 1,800 students and their families will be supported by the UPLIFT Community Network each year.[+3 sentences] We are grateful to our community partners who have been supporting our UPLIFT efforts and I urge more members of the community to step forward. In addition to support for each student, we are also expanding pathways and opportunities across the educational system to cater to the different aspirations and needs of our students. I will now elaborate on our efforts in our applied education. Mr Chairman, through the various initiatives I have highlighted, we will strengthen support to students with greater needs, especially those from challenging backgrounds.[+19 sentences] While we will provide equal access to opportunities to all our children, it is natural for each generation of parents who are better off to be able give their children a head-start in life, sometimes leading to unequal outcomes. The link between socio-economic background and student outcomes that Mr Leon Perera has observed and is concerned with is not unique to Singapore and, in fact, is seen across countries. It is part of societal progress and development which result in social mobility for most, albeit at a different pace. There will always be those who are slower due to challenging circumstances. What is important is that we give them the best support we can to develop the best that they can, enable them to move up the social and economic ladder, and do better than their parents. As I have told the House earlier, we are encouraged by our students from less advantaged backgrounds. They do well, compared to their international counterparts. This gives us confidence and conviction to press on with our efforts. Beyond targeted support and programmes like UPLIFT, we want to help all our students to be confident and resilient in the face of adversity. I thank Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Shawn Huang for highlighting the importance of supporting the mental well-being of our youths. We agree. As part of adolescent development, our youths face pressures on multiple fronts – from themselves, parents, peers, or from society. This challenge is made more complex because technology has transformed the way our young people live today. Despite its benefits, technology and social media use can also distort their self-image and increase social pressure for many of our youths. Improving youth mental well-being requires a coordinated effort. Minister Chan Chun Sing described earlier how we will give students more opportunities to develop holistically in school, and Minister of State Sun Xueling will share how we can equip parents to support their child’s well-being. Let me focus on how we prepare students to be resilient as they cope with the pressures throughout their life and ensure that help is available if they cannot cope. First, we equip students with the social-emotional skills to be resilient. We want our students to be confident in themselves, to acknowledge their limitations and celebrate their strengths. They also need to be able to manage their emotions, seek help when needed and navigate online space safely. These topics are taught under the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education, or CCE, curriculum.[+16 sentences] For example, one lesson teaches students how people respond to challenges quite differently. Students discover their signs of distress when they reach their limits of coping. They are encouraged to look out to others for support and realise that these experiences are normal. At different points in time in their lives, given the circumstances and experiences, they need help and it is normal for them to seek help. Second, we are strengthening the supportive relationships around students, so no student feels that they face their challenges alone. This is especially important, as Dr Wan Rizal says, there are those who are suffering in silence. The more they are connected with friends, we hope the more ready they are to come out early, should they face some challenges. Youths often seek out their peers for a listening ear. Today, every school has a peer support system that empowers students to look out for one another and build strong social support networks. Activities such as CCAs and camps also help students develop strong connections with their peers. Students also look to their teachers for support. Teachers use CCE periods and form teacher periods to offer pastoral care. Schools have also set aside dedicated time and space at the start of each term for teachers to engage students on their well-being, be it managing relationship stress or other academic stresses. Third, we provide students with access to the care that they need. Teachers are trained in basic counselling skills. They actively look out for signs of distress, offer support and refer students to counselling resources in school. We will continue to develop our teachers’ mental health literacy, so they understand and recognise symptoms related to common mental health issues early.[+1 sentence] Early identification is critical. We are also increasing counselling resources to our schools. Beyond school counsellors deployed in every school, we are equipping teachers to help students with more challenging mental health issues and adjusting their teaching workload accordingly. We currently have 700 teacher counsellors and plan to deploy an additional 360 over the next few years.[+3 sentences] Our efforts to strengthen the confidence and resilience of our students extend to our Institutes of Higher Learning, or IHLs. The Polytechnics and ITE offer a mental wellness curriculum to all students to provide a better understanding of mental health issues and where to seek help. They are also equipping more students with skills to support their peers as peer supporters. Each Polytechnic and ITE student is assigned a personal tutor, who they can turn to for guidance and support.[+14 sentences] We will strengthen professional development, so that these tutors can provide better care for their students and study ways to enhance their contact time with their students. Another area we are studying is the coordination of care and support for students with more complex needs in the Polytechnics and ITE, as it often includes working with external stakeholders. The Autonomous Universities have also introduced mental wellness programmes, including online modules and training workshops to equip students to help look after their mental and emotional well-being. They also have in-house counsellors available for our students. Mr Chairman, let me now talk about enhancements to our Polytechnics and ITE. We agree with Mr Sharael Taha, Mr Abdul Samad and Mr Shawn Huang on the need to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, especially given the pace of industry transformation. IHLs regularly review their course offerings and curriculum in collaboration with industry and economic agencies, to keep pace with the latest developments and ensure our students secure good jobs. Our Polytechnics and ITE are a key part of our higher education landscape, catering to seven in 10 of each Primary school cohort. As we prepare our students for the future economy and their future, we also acknowledge the growing diversity in interests and aspirations amongst our young people. This was an area studied by the Review of Opportunities and Pathways in Applied Education launched last year. Let me give an update on our efforts in the review. First, we agree with Dr Wan Rizal on the importance of providing flexible pathways for students to discover and pursue their interests. This gives students ownership of their learning and a more fulfilling educational journey that helps them find meaningful careers. We have expanded admissions to allow students to enter the Polytechnics and ITE based on interests and aptitude, more than just their academic performance. Today, 20% of each Polytechnic intake enters through the aptitude-based admissions.[+1 sentence] The expanded range of Common Entry Programmes in the Polytechnics also allows students more room to explore their interests before specialising. From Academic Year (AY) 2022, all Polytechnics will pilot the offering of flexible modular loads to students who need the time to build stronger foundations or pursue side interests such as entrepreneurship.[+3 sentences] Second, we will continue to equip students with deeper industry ready skills. This was consistent feedback that we receive from both students, industries and other stakeholders. Indeed, rather than just learning in a classroom, we want our students to learn from active practitioners and be inspired by the range of opportunities out there. More than nine in 10 Polytechnic and ITE students today complete structured internships in the final year of their study.[+3 sentences] We will pilot the provision of earlier industry exposure opportunities for students in the Polytechnics from AY2022, beyond their final-year internships. We agree with Dr Shahira Abdullah on the importance of securing good outcomes for our ITE graduates. This was why we introduced the enhanced three-year ITE curricular structure last year, to meet the aspirations of our ITE graduates to deepen their skills and upgrade beyond a Nitec qualification. Under the enhanced curricular structure, ITE students will be exposed to two linked industry attachments to deepen their industry exposure. I am pleased to share that ITE recently welcomed their first cohort of about 2,000 students under their enhanced curricular structure.[+4 sentences] I am confident that these students will be well-supported and able to make full use of the opportunities in ITE to discover and pursue their interests. ITE will review the outcomes from this first phase of implementation and move more courses into the enhanced curricular structure after AY 2024. As more ITE graduates obtain the Higher Nitec qualification, we will provide them options to deepen their skills and meet their aspirations. I would like to assure Dr Shahira Abdullah and Mr Abdul Samad that ITE continues to prepare its graduates well. Despite the pandemic, nine in 10 graduates from the ITE Class of 2020 found employment within six months of graduating , with a median salary of $2,000 for those who were in full-time permanent employment, which is comparable to the year before.[+16 sentences] Results for the Class of 2021 will be ready later this year. Besides our Polytechnic Diplomas, ITE’s Technical Diplomas, or TDs, and Work-Study Diplomas, or WSDips, provide an alternative form of learning with a greater emphasis on learning-by-doing. Some students actually learn better this way. I met Sharon, for example, a graduate from ITE’s Higher Nitec in Cyber and Network Security. Upon graduation, Sharon pursued her interest in F&B initially. However, she discovered that she still had a strong passion for IT, and wanted to deepen her knowledge and skills. Sharon was informed about the Work-Study Diploma programme in Cyber Security and Forensics by her ITE lecturer and decided to take it up. This allowed her to embark on a career in a cybersecurity firm, in a sector that is increasingly important. Preliminary outcomes of our WSDips are promising. Among the batch of graduates in 2021, around 80% stayed on with their host companies after graduation. These students saw an average increase in salary of about 20% upon completion of their diploma, with many taking on higher-level job roles. Students can look forward to more opportunities as ITE works with industry partners and other educational institutions to expand their diploma programmes. We have made progress in our plans to provide 1,000 WSDip places per year in 2025. In 2022, ITE will offer 36 WSDip programmes, catering to over 500 students. ITE also offers three Technical Diplomas, or TDs, in Automotive Engineering, Machine Technology and Culinary Arts, catering to around 100 students per intake. They plan to expand their TD offerings to other engineering, business and service domains. Employment outcomes of Technical Diploma, or TD, graduates have been very promising, with nine in 10 employed within six months of graduation, and their salaries comparable to graduates from the Polytechnics. Third, beyond the technical skills, I am pleased to inform Mr Shawn Huang and Ms Mariam Jaafar that we will strengthen our focus on softer skills and competencies, for work and life.[+1 sentence] With your permission, Mr Speaker, may I ask the Clerks to distribute a copy of the LifeSkills framework developed for our IHLs.
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, please.
Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman749 words
Mr Chairman, this framework prioritises 10 skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, as well as mental resilience. These skills will prepare our students for the future workforce, where they are expected not only to excel in their domain, but also have confidence in working with their colleagues locally and globally. We will strengthen these skills through experiential opportunities outside the classroom, including internships, student activities and overseas exposure. The Polytechnics and ITE will enhance their curricula, so the incoming batch of students in AY 2022 will benefit from the enhanced baseline competencies across all 10 LifeSkills. Building on this common framework, the Autonomous Universities will also embark on enhancements to their curricula to ensure graduates are equipped with baseline competencies in the same LifeSkills, but adapted to their student profile.[+6 sentences] Through these enhancements, we will continue to support the diverse needs and aspirations of our students, and prepare our graduates to learn for life and succeed in a wide range of fields. Mr Chairman, allow me to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): Chairman, the learning of Mother Tongue languages is an important part of our vision to help our students remain rooted and appreciate their culture. During the Budget debates, Mr Faisal Manap shared his concerns about how our children would develop strong Malay language skills. I would like to assure him that our Malay students are still performing well in their mother tongue subjects where the percentage of those who pass in national examinations has remained high over the years. This is something that we should be proud of although we acknowledge the challenges that they face due to exposure to the use of English language in today's world. At the same time, we must continue our efforts to get students interested and maintain their performance in mother tongue learning. We will continue to provide opportunities for our students to deepen their learning in mother tongue languages in schools, and increase their interest in mother tongue languages through activities organised by the Mother Tongue Language Learning and Promotion Committees.[+17 sentences] At the policy level in MOE, we are pressing ahead with important reforms to our education system. We need to be prepared for a future where technological and business cycles are more compressed and the demand for skills is more dynamic, and also a future where our world is increasingly polarized and fragmented, even as we remain more interconnected and interdependent. A future where our social fabric continues to evolve as well, with more diverse aspirations and perspectives amongst our people. Our vision for the education system has three key elements. First, we want all Singaporeans to have confidence in our abilities and ourselves, so we can keep growing and maximise our full potential. Second, we want all Singaporeans to continue to maintain our competitive advantage, through the ability to learn and re-learn, and our connectivity with the world. Third, for us continue to appreciate and celebrate diversity, even as we work to forge a shared identity, Achieving this vision requires us to rethink our approach to education. Our education is no longer something which ends in schools, but a continuous journey throughout our lives. At a young age, we will build strong foundations for all students and spark their curiosity and desire for learning. In schools, we will continue to free up time and space for students to discover their strengths and cultivate future-ready competencies. In higher education, we will continue to equip our students with the skills and competencies to succeed as they transit to the workforce. At the same time, our Institutes of Higher Learning will also grow into their roles as institutes for continual learning, working closely with industry to enhance the quality and accessibility of their upskilling and reskilling programmes for adult learners. Chairman, we will continue to enhance our education system for the future of our children and our country. We need the support of all Singaporeans in this effort. Educators, parents, as well as community and industry partners all play a key role in developing a future that enable Singaporeans to have the confidence to chart their own path, and the resilience to respond to changes and disruptions. (In English): As we embark on the enhancements to our education system, we will help our students to make the best of these changes. Together, we will nurture generations of confident and resilient students who are prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the future economy.
The Chairman6 words
[+1 sentence]Minister of State Gan Siow Huang.
The Minister of State for Education (Ms Gan Siow Huang)1767 words
[+8 sentences]Mr Chairman, Minister Chan Chun Sing has emphasised that we need to adopt a lifetime view towards learning instead of relying only on the education that we go through in the first 20 years or so of our lives. Our higher education institutions and adult training system must provide re-tooling opportunities for Singaporeans as they journey through different jobs over their career lifetimes. It is important that we do this well as it enables Singaporeans to remain employable and access good jobs. This is why MOE has worked closely with our Statutory Board SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to push ahead with our efforts to strengthen our Continuing Education and Training (CET) ecosystem, as Ms Foo Mee Har, Mr Shawn Huang and Mr Darryl David have asked about. Under SkillsFuture, we have been expanding the range of opportunities for Singaporeans to regularly reskill. This is especially important for mid-career workers who need to re-tool in the face of fast-changing technologies and new trends. The need for reskilling was particularly evident during the pandemic, which brought great disruption to our industries and workforce. To address this, we introduced the Enhanced Training Support Package that helped enterprises make productive use of the downtime to train their workforce. To-date, companies have sent workers to take up almost 245,000 places in training courses, which better prepare them for emerging roles when the economy recovers.[+2 sentences] As part of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills package, we launched the SGUnited Skills (SGUS) and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways – Company Training (SGUP-CT) programmes to help mid-career individuals acquire new skills and capture new career opportunities as the economy recovers. We worked with 18 CET Centres and 16 companies to provide industry-relevant training, coupled with employment facilitation, to help jobseekers secure placements. More than 22,000 Singaporeans enrolled in SGUS and SGUP-CT.[+1 sentence] The outcomes have been encouraging. Two out of three of the initial batch of SGUS trainees found employment within six months after course completion.[+8 sentences] For SGUP-CT with companies, such as Google and IBM, more than half the trainees found jobs as well. I met Mr Oscar Yong last year, one of our SGUS graduates who successfully switched to a new career in food manufacturing after working for more than 20 years in the electronics sector. Oscar is in his 50s. He was displaced from his previous job when his company relocated overseas in 2020. He signed up for the six-month SGUS Advanced Manufacturing Programme at the Singapore Institute of Management in the hopes of making a career switch. As part of the programme, Oscar did an industry attachment with Super Bean International. He performed well during the attachment and was offered a job of assistant manager of inventory and quality control when he graduated. I am heartened by Oscar's determination to reskill in pursuit of a new career and I hope that his story will inspire more Singaporeans to upskill. As we look towards post-pandemic recovery, we will build on our experiences with SGUS and SGUP-CT and merge these two programmes into a new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) from April 2022.[+6 sentences] The SCTP will be our steady-state train-and-place programme for mid-career individuals. It will be delivered by IHLs and selected private training providers and will incorporate key features of the SGUS and SGUP-CT which have worked well to strengthen training outcomes. First, skills and training advisory services will be made available upfront to help trainees select courses that best suit their strengths and interests. Second, all courses will have elements of industry involvement, such as industry projects or attachments with companies, to enable trainees to acquire industry-relevant skills. Third, employment facilitation and career coaching will be part of the SCTP to support trainees in their job search. SCTP will have a duration of between three and 12 months and we plan to launch them in sectors with good hiring opportunities, such as ICT and advanced manufacturing. SCTP will be subsidised at SSG's prevailing rates, with enhanced funding of up to 90% for Singaporeans aged 40 and above.[+6 sentences] On top of this, to ensure that jobseekers with greater needs can access the SCTP, we will provide additional subsidies to cover up to 95% of course fees for eligible Singapore Citizens who are lower-income earners, long-term unemployed or persons with disabilities. The SCTP is part of the continuum of initiatives by SSG and Workforce Singapore (WSG) to ramp up reskilling opportunities for Singaporeans who are looking for jobs or considering career switches. By working closely together to offer a suite of place-and-train, attach-and-train and train-and-place programmes and by jointly delivering outreach at career fairs and SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres in the heartlands, SSG and WSG are aligned in their efforts to help Singaporeans access good jobs. When we started to scale up the provision of career transition programmes at the CET Centres in 2020, we also provided additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) to enable Singaporeans in their 40s and 50s to access such programmes. Along the way, we received feedback about individuals who may not intend to switch careers but would, nevertheless, like to utilise their credit to pursue meaningful upskilling to remain employable. To this end, I am glad to share that we will expand the range of courses that the additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) can be used for. Around 7,000 courses will be available from 1 June 2022, from around 300 courses today to give mid-career individuals more options to use their credit for upskilling and reskilling.[+8 sentences] The list will remain focused on courses that deliver good employment outcomes. These include SkillsFuture Series courses in IHLs, industry-relevant courses offered by CET Centres, including private training providers, and courses which enable workers to progress in sectors with the Progressive Wage Model. While we strengthen support for individual upskilling, I agree with Ms Foo Mee Har that enterprises also have an integral role to play in supporting their employees in their skills development journey. We also agree on the importance of workplace learning. This is why we have incorporated elements of workplace learning into many of our CET offerings. For example, the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes allow trainees to upskill through a combination of structured on-the-job training and classroom learning. To increase such opportunities, we rely on employers to step up to deliver quality trailing at the workplace and we will continue to support them in their endeavour to do so. We have expanded the reach of the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (NACE) to uplift the workplace learning capabilities of companies, especially SMEs. To-date, about 1,500 companies have benefited from the programmes offered by NACE.[+3 sentences] We also encourage enterprises to play the role of SkillsFuture Queen Bees to mobilise other companies within their networks to engage in training and upskilling. This will raise the capabilities of the sector as a whole and enhance their competitive advantage. SSG has been expanding partnerships with enterprises through the SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative. Since its launch, more than 930 companies have participated in programmes curated by the SkillsFuture Queen Bees, of which 90% are SMEs.[+17 sentences] Sheng Siong is an example of a company which took on the role of a SkillsFuture Queen Bee and is helping its suppliers build up workforce capabilities to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies. With the support of Skills Managers and training providers, Sheng Siong has reached out to more than 60 suppliers to customise skills development interventions based on their business needs and skills gaps. This includes SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace courses to build foundational digital skills. Sheng Siong is also integrating SkillsFuture courses and resources into their supplier portal to encourage their wider network of suppliers to engage in continuous learning. Such examples show us the significance and impact of enterprises taking on a more proactive role in supporting skills development. This is why we have pressed on with our plans under the next bound of SkillsFuture. Strengthening the role of enterprises in driving workforce transformation will continue to be our key priority in the coming years. As we ramp up our efforts to drive enterprise-led training, we can tap on unions and industry intermediaries as our key partners, too. With their extensive networks and understanding of companies’ needs on the ground, they can help us broaden outreach, aggregate skills demand and spread the benefits of our job-skills interventions to more companies and workers. Our tripartite partners are supporting companies in their business and workforce transformation efforts, such as through NTUC's Company Training Committees (CTCs). Employers are supported in their firm-level action plans in areas like employment facilitation, job redesign and training. SSG can complement the CTC process by helping these companies build their skills development capabilities. SSG’s partnership with PM Link and the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union, which formed a CTC in 2019, is an illustration of how this can be done. Over the past two years, SSG worked with the CTC to pilot a skills profiling digital solution that is based on SSG’s Skills Frameworks. PM Link, a project management company in the building and construction industry, used the Skills Frameworks to identify core competencies for their workforce. This enabled their employees to self-assess and benchmark their skills proficiencies against industry standards, identify relevant training to address skills gaps and participate in SSG-supported courses. We also want to better tap on industry intermediaries, such as trade associations and chambers (TACs) and professional bodies, as they have deep industry networks and great agility in sensing the jobs-skills needs of employers. SSG plans to partner TACs as "Skills Development Partners" to identify in-demand and emerging skills, facilitate timely dissemination of Jobs-and-Skills insights and put in place structures to accredit skills acquired at the workplace.[+1 sentence] This will help companies better plan for workforce upgrading and improve job mobility of individual workers. For a start, SSG will work with IMDA to partner the Singapore Computer Society and SGTech in the ICT sector.[+4 sentences] SSG is also exploring similar partnerships with other TACs to expand outreach to more sectors. Mr Chairman, I would like to conclude in Mandarin please. (In Mandarin): Building a strong skills ecosystem is essential to ensure that our workforce can access quality training opportunities throughout their lives. We endeavour to build a robust ecosystem that leverages the different strengths of the IHLs, private training providers, NTUC, TACs and industry. Chairman, our plans to achieve this were set in motion seven years ago when we launched the SkillsFuture movement. We will continue to strive towards our goal of providing opportunities for all Singaporeans to develop to their fullest potential, and progress together as a society.
The Chairman5 words
[+1 sentence]Minister of State Sun Xueling.
The Minister of State for Education (Ms Sun Xueling)2089 words
[+17 sentences]Mr Chairman, as we work towards our vision of Confident Singaporeans, a Competitive Singapore and a Cohesive Society, we remain committed to supporting students with different needs, to enable them to develop confidence in their future and the skills and resilience to do well in life. I thank Ms Denise Phua and Mr Shawn Huang for highlighting the importance of supporting students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). MOE has developed our landscape of support significantly. We will continue to enhance support for students with SEN throughout their educational journey. I agree with Mr Gerald Giam that some children with SEN need more intensive interventions. I will say more about the early intervention provided for preschoolers at MSF’s COS. In our mainstream schools, all students with SEN, with or without a diagnosis, can get support. As part of our whole-school approach, support is provided through inclusive classroom practices by all teachers, guided by Teachers Trained in Special Needs and Allied Educators in learning and behavioural support, or AEDs(LBS). A small number of students may need individualised therapy delivered in clinical settings, or they may need a customised curriculum in a SPED school. For these students, schools work with MOE Educational Psychologists and parents to facilitate referrals. MOE is constantly innovating to develop evidence-based interventions for the skills development of students with SEN. School-based Dyslexia Remediation, Circle of Friends and Facing Your Fears are examples. I would like to share more on another one, TRANSIT. Entering Primary 1 can be a major transition point for our students. Some students may need additional support in developing social and behavioural skills to cope with this transition. Last year, I shared that MOE was implementing TRANSIT for P1 students with social and behavioural needs. With TRANSIT, students receive support from Allied Educators in learning and behaviour support and teachers at P1 to learn and apply self-management skills, to get ready to learn independently. Since the introduction of TRANSIT, about 180 students have made encouraging progress in developing their self-management skills.[+2 sentences] I visited North Vista Primary recently and saw how students in TRANSIT had dedicated teaching resources to support them in their management of their socio-emotional needs, as well as in their abilities to interact with others. There are, currently, 66 schools implementing TRANSIT. Each can support up to 10 students in TRANSIT and we are preparing to support this number in every Primary school by 2026.[+3 sentences] Mdm Rahayu Mahzam spoke about enhancing accessibility to SPED schools. We had announced in 2019 that we are working with our SSAs to set up three new Government-funded SPED schools that can support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who can access the national curriculum, but need to learn in a SPED setting due to their moderate level of SEN. One of these schools is St Andrew’s Mission School (SAMS), which began operating in January 2022 at Bukit Batok. With SAMS, there are currently 22 SPED schools distributed across Singapore to serve students with moderate-to-severe SEN. SAMS’ permanent site will be located next to Nan Hua High School and it will provide 500 Primary and 350 post-Primary level school places. As part of our continued efforts to plan ahead and improve SPED school capacity, I am pleased to announce that MOE will be working with Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore to set up a second school in the West for students with multiple disabilities.[+18 sentences] These students have complex needs which can affect their learning and mobility and may also face medical challenges. Families can look forward to strong support for their child’s holistic development with SPED educators, Allied Professionals and parents working closely together. We wholeheartedly agree with Ms Denise Phua that our vision to develop the full potential of our students with SEN should be a shared vision, requiring close partnerships with key stakeholders. MOE works closely with schools, Early Intervention Centres, the Department of Child Development in hospitals, sister agencies and organisations, such as ECDA and SG Enable as well as, very importantly, our SSAs, to meet families’ needs at different stages of their journey. We thank Ms Phua for her vision of the impact that SPED schools should have. We believe in the SPED schools and in our SSAs which run them. We are committed to resourcing them well, financially and through co-developing quality SPED curriculum and investing in SPED teaching. The development of the SPED sector is situated within the larger Enabling Masterplan 2030. MOE is committed to co-creating solutions in the range of areas beyond SPED, across the lifespan of the children and families that we serve. Both within and beyond special needs, MOE has been strengthening our partnerships with parents to equip our children so that they have the resourcefulness, resilience and confidence to meet challenges in the future. Ms Phua and Ms Carrie Tan have brought across the critical role of parents, as what happens at home complements what happens in schools. We will support parents in the following ways. First, we will strengthen our partnerships with parents through the COMmunity and Parents in Support of Schools (COMPASS). This is a different COMPASS from MOM's Complementarity Assessment framework. MOE's COMPASS council has embarked on efforts to support parents as we continue to encourage broader definitions of success. For example, COMPASS has organised a series of Facebook Live sessions to create awareness of different pathways of excellence. The first session was held with industry leaders to discuss the qualities that make for a future-ready individual and the need to broaden definitions of success for our children. The next two sessions will share perspectives from parents and individuals. Recognising the impact of social media and online behaviour on our children’s mental well-being, the COMPASS team is also working to encourage a culture of cyber kindness in parents and children through creating a set of cyber kindness best practices.[+1 sentence] They are partnering the Singapore Kindness Movement to provide resources to raise parents’ awareness and understanding of cyber wellness and kindness and how they can support their children in it. COMPASS has also started capability-building sessions to equip Parent Support Groups (PSGs) to support their parent community to build good relationships with their children and enhance their overall mental well-being. This is carried out through a series of "Let Us Chat!" training workshops for PSG Leaders, which was recently completed across 14 schools.[+7 sentences] Second, MOE is working closely with PSGs so that they can connect with and support fellow parent communities. I recently met with the 25 PSGs who are leading the charge in their own ways to support parents, through understanding the parents’ needs and being creative and resourceful in meeting those needs. One example is Presbyterian High School’s PSG. By providing a listening ear and being a befriender, the PSG builds a strong circle of support for parents and provides different avenues for them to reach out and seek help, such as through level group chats and parent engagement sessions. Another example is Victoria Junior College’s PSG. The PSG has been tapping on their student alumni to share their education and career journeys with their student and parent communities and provide tips on coping with stressors that students may face. Parents could hear from alumni about their aspirations and struggles, which helped them to better support their children. Over the next two years, we will have more PSGs coming onboard these efforts.[+11 sentences] MOE has launched a Mental Well-being Resource Guide and an online repository of resources for PSGs. Developed based on suggestions and feedback from PSGs, the Guide provides tips and resources that can inform PSGs’ efforts to support parents. The online repository is a live document and we will work with PSGs to enhance its content over time to cover other issues. Lastly, we share useful resources and tips with parents via MOE’s social media platforms and the Parents Gateway, which has a new feature called "Parenting Resources", to guide them in supporting their children’s education journey. We are also working with partner agencies to incorporate more resources into the portal. Our partnerships with parents, via COMPASS and PSGs, extend MOE’s efforts to build students’ confidence and resilience beyond the school environment. We are also stepping up partnerships with other stakeholders in society. This is particularly pertinent in the area of mental well-being. Dr Wan Rizal asked how students with mental well-being concerns can be provided with stronger, coordinated care and support. Second Minister Dr Mohamad Maliki had spoken about our strengthened support for students’ mental well-being in schools through the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum. We recognise that the issues that affect student mental well-being are multi-faceted and stressors outside of school can have an impact. MOE is part of a whole-of-Government effort to support youth mental well-being through the Interagency Taskforce for Mental Health and Well-being, which is being led by Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr Janil Puthucheary.[+16 sentences] As part of this task force, MOE and MSF are working together to provide greater support for families, children and youths to enhance mental well-being. Parenting is one key area we are looking into. I had earlier described MOE’s recent efforts, through the PSGs, to support fellow parents in taking care of their own children’s mental well-being. Through this task force, we will engage and empower a wider segment of parents with evidence-based, bite-sized parenting strategies and mental health and well-being knowledge, so that parents can build stronger relationships at home and help their child effectively meet life’s challenges. We will also explore effective ways to parent in the digital age. Another area that we are concerned about is the potential impact of the digital world on students’ mental well-being. We are working with Government agencies, social media and technology companies and SSAs to create awareness of positive ways to use digital technology, harness technology platforms to promote a healthy online peer support culture and find practical solutions that mitigate online risks. MOE is also part of whole-of-society efforts like the Youth Mental Well-being Network, which was set up in February 2020 by MSF, MOH and MOE to co-create ground-up solutions to improve youths’ mental well-being. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary and Minister of State Alvin Tan will be announcing some updates on the Network later. I have shared about our work with parents, Government agencies and the community to build an inter-connected network of care, support and opportunities for our students. Dr Mohamad Maliki had also spoken about our efforts, as part of UPLIFT, to build a strong network of community partners to support our disadvantaged students and their families. Minister Chan Chun Sing has shared about our partnerships with industry to provide more workplace learning opportunities for IHL students, and with Government agencies and companies to strengthen the employability and career prospects of our Polytechnic and ITE graduates in the future economy. Together, these partnerships reflect our concerted, whole-of-society effort to transform the education system and achieve our vision of a confident, competitive and cohesive Singapore. Mr Chairman, Sir, in Chinese please. (In Mandarin): Our students face a future that is being shaped by rapid technological changes, a world that is increasingly polarised and fragmented, and a society with more and more diverse perspectives, ideas and values. To respond to the opportunities presented by these forces of change, we must be prepared to continuously learn and relearn, transcend fault lines in the world, and stay cohesive. Singapore must therefore embrace three characteristics: to have the confidence in our abilities and ourselves, so we can keep growing and maximise our full potential; to stay competitive with the world and seize opportunities wherever they may be and, as a society, to stay cohesive. We need to move beyond seeing education as just for schools, but as a continuous journey through life. We will build a strong foundation for our students from an early age, by sparking an innate curiosity and desire for lifelong learning. In schools, we will support our students to discover their strengths, and hone future-ready competencies, while gaining a sense of rootedness to Singapore.[+4 sentences] Beyond school, we have an entire ecosystem of continual education and training, which will move beyond training some thirty to forty thousand students every year to ‘retooling’ some three to four hundred thousand workers a year. This life course approach requires a whole-of-society effort. Educators, parents, the community and industry partners are our essential partners in this endeavour. Let us journey together to strengthen our education system and achieve our vision of a confident, competitive and cohesive Singapore.
The Chairman5 words
[+2 sentences]Clarifications, please. Mr Patrick Tay.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan78 words
[+4 sentences]Sir, I just have two clarifications for the Minister. Firstly, on my suggestion to do an in-depth study, that is, to assess the mental health and wellness of our teachers and educators and whether MOE intends to embark on that. The second question is on the removal of mid-year exams for Primary and Secondary schools, which is upcoming. Does it also mean that in the mid-year, there will not be any sit-down tests as well as weighted assessments?
Mr Chan Chun Sing265 words
Mr Chairman, to Mr Patrick Tay's first clarification, yes, indeed, we are closely monitoring the mental well-being of our educators and students, given the exceptional circumstances that we are in at this point in time.[+4 sentences] We do regular dipsticks. So, it is not just a one-time survey. We regularly monitor this and we have a certain baseline to see whether there are specific areas that we should be concerned with, not just in general for the whole teaching population, but also, very specifically, whether any particular schools or any particular group of educators might be facing a bit more stress than others. So, that is the assurance that we can give Mr Patrick Tay. To Mr Patrick Tay's second question about doing away with the mid-year examinations, what we will have – and, increasingly, we are doing this in all our schools – is a series of continuous assessments.[+2 sentences] In fact, when I first went to MOE, I asked my colleagues: what is the difference between an exam and a test or assessment? I learnt this new word and I understand what my professionals are doing. A continuous assessment examines our students' ability to apply what they have learnt based on various modules. When it comes to the year-end exam, we have this term called the "synoptic assessment", which is that they are able to pull together different parts of what they have learnt to answer different questions.[+2 sentences] So, it takes a much broader perspective. So, we will continue to have year-end exams where relevant and then we will couple that with continuous assessments module-by-module.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Darryl David.
Mr Darryl David218 words
[+12 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. Just two clarifications for the Minister. The first involves PSLE. Some time ago, I made a speech where I did not suggest that we should remove the PSLE. But rather, while we have PSLE, to also incorporate some coursework component such that every Primary 6 student ends up with an actual composite grade that is a combination of the PSLE examination and the coursework component that they have done, maybe a 70% examination, 30% coursework. So, I just wanted to ask the Minister if the Ministry is considering this and, if so, could he provide some thoughts on this. Second clarification is about teachers. I mentioned earlier that I am really happy about the quality of our teachers. They have undergone some really good training. But I also talked about the possibility of encouraging or having more mid-career teachers coming in from other jobs, other industries, into the teaching profession to bring their experience with them. This can also be synced in quite nicely with continuing education and making sure that our people are trained to move into a different career. Could the Minister perhaps update or share if the Ministry has any plans to enhance this or to have this as a more structured programme for mid-career switchers to come into the teaching profession?
Mr Chan Chun Sing31 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, with your permission, if I may take the second question first and then I will come back to the first question, which I will give a more elaborate reply.
Mr Chairman2 words
[+1 sentence]Please proceed.
Mr Chan Chun Sing1363 words
[+26 sentences]On Mr Darryl David's suggestion on having more mid-career teachers, indeed, we have a healthy pipeline of teachers who join us mid-career. Every week, I visit at least one or two schools and every time when I visit the schools, I will always ask about their prior experience. And just from my random sampling, I can see that we have a very healthy pipeline of people who are mid-careerists and decided to join the teaching service. As Mr Darryl David says, they do bring with them a wide spectrum of prior experiences that they can share with their fellow teachers and also the students. Having said that, I think we need it to be both ways, meaning that we need to recruit a fair share of mid-career teachers to enrich our portfolio of teaching experiences; at the same time, we must also enable our existing teachers in service to go out and build new connections and also to refresh themselves. As I have always mentioned, I have never seen any of my teachers who were afraid of hard work, but instead, I think, when they work hard, they want to feel that they themselves are growing, that they also have the development opportunities so that they can feel refreshed, they can feel recharged and, if they feel refreshed and recharged, then I am very confident they will continue to spread this spirit of lifelong learning, the spirit of inquiry to their students. So, we will continue to do that, both ways, to have more mid-career people coming into service and also to have more people in-service going out to have exposure. And this is particularly important for our Polytechnic and ITE lecturers. Mr Chairman, on the first question of PSLE, I must share what is on my mind. I have given this very serious thought and I have listened very carefully to what Ms Denise Phua had said over the years. The fundamental issue is this: why are our exams stressful? Why? I have given a lot of thought about it. And I will perhaps sum it up in these four dimensions. Why are our exams stressful? We then have to ask ourselves: why do we test? How do we test? When do we test? And what do we do with the test results? If we are not clear on our answers to these four questions, then exams will always be stressful, never mind if it is PSLE or year-end exams. Let me start with "Why we test". If we see a test or an assessment as an opportunity for us to know ourselves better, to know our children better – where they stand, where they are strong at, where they are weak at – then this self-assessment should not be stressful. It is about surpassing ourselves rather than surpassing other people. But if we get this wrong, if the reason for testing is to compare with other people, on a relative scale, then, by definition, any test will be stressful. If the test is to sort people out according to their different abilities, with serious consequences for their career pathways, then it will be stressful. So, the first point I want to make is this. If we truly, truly want our exams to be less stressful, we need to re-orientate our perspective on why we test. And from MOE's perspective, we want all our assessments to be a feedback to our students and our parents on how their child is doing. It is how the individual child is doing vis-à-vis his previous self or her previous self, and not how he or she is doing vis-à-vis other students.[+3 sentences] We want to do away with this incessant comparison on a relative scale to truly appreciate what the child is strong in and what the child may be weak at and we need to help the child with. The second is "How we test". I think many Members have spoken on this and we agree. Going forward, tests will be less and less based on rote memory.[+19 sentences] Instead, going forward, it will be about how our children can apply the concepts they have learnt to solve tomorrow's problems. Coming from NTUC and MTI, I can speak on behalf of the employers. All progressive employers are less and less interested in how our students are able to solve yesterday's problems with yesterday's solution or even today's problems with yesterday's solutions. All our progressive employers are looking for our students to be able to solve tomorrow's problems with tomorrow's solutions. Which means that more and more of our tests must be geared towards helping our students to prepare, to apply their knowledge in solving tomorrow's problems in context. That does not mean that the tests will get easier. In fact, some people will think that tests by rote memory is easier. But that is not the skillset that we are looking for, as many Members have said. Today, with Google and the Internet, anyone can go onto the Internet to search for the information they require. The new skillset that is required is how we make sense of the plethora of information and combine them and create new solutions in context. So, that is how we test. Whether that is more or less stressful, it depends on our perspective again. The third question is, when we test. If we test too early, as many Members have said, then it might be detrimental to some of the late bloomers, it might be detrimental to some of our younger children. But on the other hand, if we test too late, we will be unable to apply the interventions necessary to help our children to progress at a pace that is suitable to them. So, somewhere in between testing too early and testing too late, we need to find the Goldilocks point that is just right. And we will continue to study this. And I must qualify, given the diversity of our learners, it is very hard to say that there is just one point for everyone. But to the extent that we can, we will find that point – be it PSLE or otherwise – to cater to the bulk of our students. But the assurance that we want to give to everyone is this: that one point does not and will not define a person's future forever. We have a process of what Senior Minister Tharman called "continuous meritocracy", where it is about continuous assessment, performance that determines one's achievement in life and not just on a single point and a single assessment – that should not be our attitude, otherwise, we instil fear in our students.[+1 sentence] The final question is, what do we do with the test results? If our attitude and answer to the first question of why we test is – this is a self-assessment to find out the strengths and weaknesses of our students so that we can best apply the resources to help them fulfil their potential; then what we do with the test results, the definition of success for that, is that we apply the correct resources, provide the correct pathways to the students that require the necessary help.[+1 sentence] It is not about going to a particular school that is deemed as most popular or most successful. If we take that attitude of what we do with the test results and that is about providing the correct pathways to give our children the best opportunity possible, then I think exams will be less stressful.[+3 sentences] So, having said this, I am under no illusion that exams will have some stress. And I must also qualify that it is not our aim to remove all stress from our children. It is not possible and that should not be our aim. Our aim is to make sure that we stretch our students appropriately.[+3 sentences] Not too much, not too little. Having said that, we as parents, we as educators, we need to focus on these four sets of issues and hopefully find the correct answers for ourselves. Why we test, how we test, when we test and what do we do with the test results.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Foo Mee Har.
Ms Foo Mee Har255 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Speaker. I have two clarifications. One for Education Minister and the other for Minister of State Gan Siow Huang. The first question: Minister shared that we spend about quarter of a million per child in the formative school years and affirm that more will be invested in CET. And I spoke about CET currently, in this financial year, it is estimated to be less than 10% of MOE's budget.[+9 sentences] So, I would like to ask the Minister to elaborate exactly how funding for CET will be enhanced to allow workers to attain a more substantial qualification that is relevant to their work. So, more investment: how exactly do we see that being evolved over time? The second question is for Minister of State Gan Siow Huang. Minister of State spoke a lot about career conversions programmes: place-and-train, train-and-place. And I do agree that these have been very useful for those whose career is in a transition. But I would like to ask about the framework that MOE is thinking for those who are still employed. So, they are not in transition, they are still employed, that is the majority of the people. These are the people who would like to pursue CET, to develop mastery as well as updating their skills and knowledge about constant upgrade. So, how can we ensure the CET programmes are duly certified and recognised by the employers, as well as ensure that CET credentials are recognised within the industry to allow mobility across employers in the same sector?
The Chairman12 words
[+1 sentence]I would like to remind Members to keep their clarifications short, please.
Ms Gan Siow Huang567 words
[+3 sentences]I would like to thank Ms Foo Mee Har for the two questions. I will attempt to take both of them. First, on CET funding. Our spending on CET has increased steadily over the years and for this year's budget, what we think we will do substantially to strengthen the CET funding, is through the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) that I mentioned earlier on.[+12 sentences] You would have noticed that SCTP is actually quite different from the past CET programmes that we had under SSG. You would notice that it is more holistic, it goes from the beginning to the end. The beginning portion we will put in a skills advisory, training advisory type of discussion with the trainee so that the trainee can pick suitable courses, not just what he or she likes to do, but what we think might help the person get a job and also meet the person's aspirations. I think that upfront is actually quite important. The second thing about the SCTP is industry involvement, and that requires us to work with industries and some funding will be required for us to be able to scale this up. And the third, the career coaching element and employment facilitation services, these are also very substantial investments that we are putting in. So, it is not a CET as in just training alone. But also translating it into getting jobs, good jobs for the individuals. We have learnt a lot from this SGUnited Jobs and Skills journey. We have learnt that individuals on their own, when they pick courses, the courses may not lead them to where they want to go. So, upstream intervention is needed. Also, early career coaching, helping them discover their career goals and providing the facilitation can make a big difference in helping a person land a better job. All in all, the investment in CET will go up substantially with this year's budget.[+7 sentences] The second point about career conversion, indeed, there are many people, while they are already employed, are thinking of how to upskill, what to train themselves in, how to make themselves employable for a much longer term in their lifetime. I would say that, over time, we have also taken on board a lot of feedback from individuals, as well as from companies on what would be useful, what mode of training would be useful. You would have noticed that now, there are a lot more bite-sized modules provided by our IHLs and our training providers. Some are online, some offline, all to tailor to the needs of busy working adults who want to upskill themselves but may not have the complete time flexibility to be able to do so consistently. It is important that we build in a wide range of types of courses, different modalities and have a lot of flexibility for individuals to be able to choose courses, not just in terms of content that suits their needs, but the form of delivery. On the recognition of this type of training, we are undertaking a holistic review of our skills frameworks. And in fact, we are working closely with our colleagues in MTI and MOM to make sure that the training investment, the courses, that we provide to Singaporeans, while the courses will be recognised not just by the institutions and training providers, but actually more importantly by the industries, by the employees.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Leon Perera.
Mr Leon Perera105 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. Just one point of clarification to the Minister Dr Maliki who addressed my cut and it is in relation to my cut where I asked if the Government can publish data by SES, background, for admissions into the different categories of schools: Government, Government-aided and Independent. I think that having some transparency about that would be helpful to help us to monitor our progress to ensure that the more popular and well-resourced schools do not become closed communities. And that is the goal I think we all share. I would hope that the Government would consider just making that data public.
Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman712 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Leon Perera for the supplementary question. I just want to start off by saying that we understand that what he is saying is we should have a good mix of students to encourage social mixing, students from different backgrounds in our schools. We must begin with the premise that no one education setting fits all students, although we have the same objectives in mind. We want to make sure that there is a good mix as students learn to grow in their adolescent period and understand the real world. But I want to assure Mr Leon Perera that most schools have good representation from different socio-economic backgrounds – Government and Government-aided schools are largely representative of the national average.[+10 sentences] Our Independent schools, including Specialised Independent schools, there is some variation from the national average by virtue of the performance of the students at the PSLE – I mentioned during the Parliamentary Question by Mr Louis Ng earlier that there is a correlation between socio-economic background and performance at PSLE. But Independent schools cater to specific learner profiles that are different and with different aptitudes. But really, our fundamental objective is not to achieve identical profiles for every school. Even our neighbourhood schools, they are identical in broad based curriculum, but they are unique in some specific aspects and because of that, almost all Secondary schools, in fact, all Secondary schools today, admit students in Secondary 1 through DSAs. Which means that they are able to niche themselves sufficiently. And what does DSA mean? DSA means that people with different unique talents go into the school. And we want to encourage that. We want to encourage that diversity in our school systems and in our school environment. So, in the Independent schools, for example, we provide that opportunity for students from different backgrounds to interact. For Independent schools today, roughly, we have close to half of our students coming from public housing.[+13 sentences] So, there is a good spread of students from different socio-economic backgrounds in all our schools, including our Independent schools. Mr Leon Perera talked about how they are well-resourced. I want to assure Mr Leon Perera that all our schools are well-resourced. In fact, in my speech, I spoke about resourcing schools with higher needs. Because they have higher needs, we want to give the students the best that they could get and we respond to their needs accordingly. But even if we do see situations where schools may not have the demographic profile that reflects the national profile, we also encourage them to use other platforms for integration, for students to interact and appreciate the Singapore society's profile. For example, once the students are in school, we facilitate interactions like Values in Action projects not just within the school but across schools, projects, co-curricular activities (CCAs), joint CCAs, joint camps, cohort level camps – many opportunities for the students to interact. So, while the school provides certain experience which are relevant, with a right understanding of the objectives, it does not mean that our students are not interacting, that they are not mingling with students from different socio-economic backgrounds. Just to give some examples. Integrated Programme (IP) schools are doing this too. They are also interacting with other students. For example, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) works with Queensway Secondary School on their programme called the Play Inclusive Programme; Raffles Institution working with Crest Secondary School, collaborating with students in Scouts in the CCA, doing projects, community projects together; Raffles' Girls School with Edgefield Secondary School, with Guangyang Secondary School, collaborating on CCA programmes. So, it does not mean that we need to just focus ourselves on the profile of students in those particular schools when, as I mentioned earlier, in almost all our schools, the profile is generally reflective of the socio-economic backgrounds across our students. Mr Chairman, I just want to make one clarification to my speech earlier. I had said that in response to Mr Sharael Taha and Dr Shahira Abdullah nine in 10 of our ITE students are employed within the first six months.[+1 sentence] The correct figure is eight in 10. Maybe it was a mix-up, because nine in 10 of our technical diploma students get employed within six months.[+1 sentence] Just a clarification.
The Chairman8 words
[+2 sentences]Assoc Prof Jamus Lim. Keep it short, please.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim138 words
[+9 sentences]Thank you, Chair. I have two questions for Minister Chan. The first builds on the question by Member Patrick Tay about abolishing the mid-year examination. Could I just clarify that the weight that was originally to be assigned to the mid-year will actually go to continuous assessment instead? Because if not, of course, removing the mid-year just means that the final exam becomes even higher stakes and it is more stressful. Related to this, has the Ministry considered actually lowering the weight on this so-called synoptic assessment? The second question is just to clarify what the Minister also said earlier on the later school start times. He mentioned that there were many other schools with later starts. How many schools or what proportion of schools have these later starts for at least the majority of the school days?
Mr Chan Chun Sing383 words
[+10 sentences]Mr Chairman, the answer to Assoc Prof Jamus Lim's first question is that the weights in different schools differ slightly because of the different profiles of students. If you would like to know the specific weights for different schools, then I think we can provide him with the information. But as I have mentioned, the school profiles are all different and we should not try to homogenise, have a one-size-fit-all measure or yardstick to judge all our students. We are moving towards a system that is much more customised to the respective needs of the students. On the second point, in fact, a lot of our schools have different start times. Some of them have later start times on certain days of the week but it all depends on when they start, when they end. Some of our schools have kept certain afternoons totally free for their students and their teachers to recharge and do other things. What I want to emphasise is this. If we recognise that the learning needs of our students are diverse, if we recognise that the background profiles of our students are diverse, we should strive towards a system that provides more diverse options for our schools, our teachers and our students. I think we must take care to not try to homogenise all the conditions when we in fact have agreed that we need greater diversity, which was what I mentioned in my speech. Actually, MOE has just one very simple rule: Thou shalt not start school before 7.30 am.[+4 sentences] But I have gotten feedback from different schools on when they want to start and also when they want to end, which the day they want to start later and how much later. In fact, this is a very good exercise for our students and teachers to come together and decide collectively what are their priorities and how do they prioritise the time. I will be very careful as the Minister for Education to try to dictate for every school, given their different conditions, to have the same start or end time. I think I want my teachers, I want my students to have that agency to take charge of this and come to a reasonable understanding of where they want to be, given their different conditions.
The Chairman25 words
[+4 sentences]I will squeeze in one more clarification. Dr Wan Rizal. Can you keep it short and the responses can be short as well? Thank you.
Dr Wan Rizal91 words
[+7 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. My question revolves around the mental well-being of the students and teachers. Maybe, I start with the teachers first. Sir, thank you for laying out these plans that you have for the teachers but I think what is missing right now for the teachers is really a hard cap on their working hours because they tend to mark and it goes beyond their working hours. That is number one. Can the Ministry consider that as part of my clarification? Number two is really on the students —
The Chairman5 words
[+2 sentences]Just one clarification. Thank you.
Mr Chan Chun Sing452 words
Mr Chair, in fact, the question that Dr Wan Rizal posed, I have asked my teachers in my weekly visits to the schools.[+13 sentences] Do they want a hard cap? Is it practical to have a hard cap? I am actually very heartened by the answers given to me by my teachers. We all know our teachers work way beyond what we expect of them in taking care of our children. In fact, for some of the high needs students, our teachers have no cap whatsoever. I visited Northlight School. A very challenging group of students. Sometimes, they get into trouble with their families. Sometimes, they get kicked out of their home in the middle of the night. But guess what? Many teachers in Northlight School gave their personal handphone number to their students to call them if they ever get into trouble outside school or if they ever got kicked out of their home. We have teachers that responded in the middle of the night, way past midnight, to pick up a student, to take care of them. So, Mr Chairman, I think we all appreciate the point that we want to take care of our teachers and we want to do more. We all want in our different ways to try to alleviate the workload for our teachers by partnering them, by not overly burdening them with unrealistic expectations.[+1 sentence] We all can do something. But I think it is also very unrealistic for us to put such a cap on our teachers.[+2 sentences] And even if I do, I do not think my teachers will stop just because they consciously calculate that, "My time is up and therefore, I will not respond to this high-needs student of mine". I think that is something immeasurable. That is something that speaks to the quality of our education workforce, the kind of people that we have in the system that make our education system something that we can all be proud of, that makes our education system able to continue to function, notwithstanding COVID-19. So, yes, MOE will continue to see how we can lighten the workload of our teachers by making sure that we review the curriculum, applying technologies and so forth.[+4 sentences] That is our promise to our teachers. We want to do that. But I think it is also not realistic for us to therefore say that every teacher shall not work more than x hours. Because their conditions are different, the types of students they are managing are different and I have seen all my teachers, including the very good teachers and counsellors in Northlight School, going way beyond their call of duty in order to take care of all our children.
The Chairman10 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Patrick Tay, would you like to withdraw your amendment?
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan287 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, I would like to thank our fellow Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) Members as well as Members of this House who have filed cuts for MOE's COS so that we can hear their thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Having had three children, one doing "A" levels this year, one doing Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), another doing "O" levels next year, I thank Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister Mohamad Maliki bin Osman and Minister of State Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State Sun Xueling and the entire MOE COS team for powering this entire Committee of Supply and bringing us fresh perspectives as well as some of the policies, announcements and programmes to make our education more caring, more inclusive and more future-ready. At the same time, I also put on record our thanks to Director-General Wong Siew Hoong who is retiring from service at the end of this month.[+3 sentences] A big thank you to him as well. And the entire MOE team for giving us a good sharing of solving tomorrow's challenges with tomorrow's solutions. On that final note, a big thank you to all our teachers and educators, past, present and incoming, for building this love for learning and embracing lifelong learning so that each and every one of us can stay future-ready, future-proof and be ready with new skills relevant to the new jobs and resilient for the future. With that, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.
The Chairman1027 words
[+14 sentences]As Members would realise, normally as Speaker, I do not get to speak until the COS is over. But I would have to make an exception at this moment, especially after MOE’s presentation on lifelong learning and continuing training and education, this feels like one such moment. And you do not have to use your SkillsFuture credits for it. I am sure Members are all very passionate about the respective topics, a lot of clarifications to ask. But I am sure the many Members would also understand how the process works. We update you and send you reminders. Earlier, Members would realise there was a Point of Order called by Mr Leong Mun Wai, as he had some clarifications to be made. There was also still discussion last week about tea break time and guillotine time. I understand and I was made aware that Mr Leong Mun Wai had also posted on Facebook. I would not repeat everything, but he made a comment about “I have a number of clarifications to make but the Speaker didn’t even give me the chance.” And also, he added, “completely ridiculous.” I am sure Members understand how the process works. I am not here to speculate the intent and purpose of various Members’ postings. But I thought it was opportune for me to refresh everyone’s memories about how this ought to work and why. Members are aware that all of you would submit cuts. And the formula as to how it works is this: 40% of the time comprises your cuts; 50% of the time would comprise the response time from the Ministries; and 10% of the time allocated for clarifications.[+4 sentences] All of you are aware of that. I believe we also do have reminders sent out to all our you. I will just repeat that: “I wish to remind Members that the guillotine time for Head X is such and such a time. The guillotine times are published for Members for information. Pursuant to Standing Order 92, the debate on the respective Heads of Expenditure will end once the guillotine times are reached.[+3 sentences] Members can file a Parliamentary Question (PQ) should they have further queries for the Ministry and should they be unable to raise their queries when the debate had ended." Let me go to the source, just to repeat. Just bear with me. In Standing Order 92(7)(a), it states that “The Speaker shall fix the time on any allotted day at which the consideration of any head of expenditure shall, if not previously disposed of, be concluded.[+11 sentences] If the time so fixed is reached before the head concerned is disposed of, the Chairman shall forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of that head.” Essentially, we have a time allocated for clarifications and there is a guillotine time. We work that out on a schedule basis and we will update on a daily basis. And you are made aware of that time, so that we can continue to proceed with other orders of business. I think it is important for us to understand that, and especially for the public as to how this works. I know many of you would like to ask clarifications. We are not always able to accommodate. If any of you text me, grumbling about why, how come you have important question to ask and you cannot ask, I hope you bear with me for that. It is important for us to understand this, because this is made clear to all of you and I am sure all of you understand that. Just to also explain that when clarification time is reached and we have not reached guillotine time, then, it is the Chairman’s discretion as to whether we continue or not. In the earlier debate, for example, with MOM, we had finished the clarification time and we continued all the way until guillotine time. As for the debate, for example, with MOE, the guillotine time is 1630 hours, incorporating 20 minutes of tea time.[+20 sentences] I am actually eating into your tea time. As you will soon realise, your tea break will be a lot shorter than the 20 minutes allocated. That is how we work out the various timings. Another point to add, just so that you understand the thinking behind how I for example, call on various Members, I would like to give opportunities for various Members from various parties to be able to speak. Different Members have opportunities to speak at other times. So, we would like to give that airtime to different Members as well. I keep track of it because I write everything down and I try to roughly allocate that across the space of the whole COS and Budget. And this includes, during normal PQ and supplementary question considerations as well. So, let me just remind everyone in case we forgot who we called in the earlier MOM COS debate, just for your own understanding. I called Mr Desmond Choo, I called Mr Yip Hon Weng, Mr Patrick Tay, Mr Louis Chua, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Mr Gerald Giam, Mr Abdul Samad, Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh and Mr Sharael Taha, who wrapped it up. We have a number of Members who had asked to speak, such as Mr Edward Chia, Ms Janet Ang, Mr Louis Ng, Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Melvin Yong, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Mr Leon Perera – and I apologise. We did not have time because we reached the guillotine time. So, I thought as a matter of record, it would be useful to just state this. I would not pretend or do I wish to speculate as to why comments are made. But I thought this might be useful to remind all Members of how the process works. Unfortunately, as I said, the guillotine time for MOE, as you would realise, is 1630 hours. And as a result of this clarification, I would now ask to take a break and take the seat at 4.30 pm. Order, order. Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.18 pm until 4.30 pm. Sitting resumed at 4.30 pm.
Committee of Supply – Head L (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment)›Budget99 turns · 23,600w
· 182 highlighted
budget-1873
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)818 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head L of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Sustainability is at the heart of everything MSE does. The MSE GPC is heartened to hear that Singapore will commit to achieve net-zero emissions sooner and will also raise the carbon tax significantly.[+17 sentences] It is code red for humanity and this race to zero is crucial. Climate change is an existential threat that we cannot ignore and simply adapt to. A recent UN IPCC report warned that if countries do not do more to fight climate change, the climate will change faster than we can adapt to it. So, we absolutely have to do more. Sir, I am glad we are doing more and responding positively to both calls in this House and outside for us to take concrete steps to tackle this climate emergency. We are especially heartened with this whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach. I hope we will continue to work with businesses and citizens to co-create solutions to tackle climate change together. I hope we can share more about how we are increasing our climate ambition and action, how the revised carbon tax will support our inclusive green transition, how we will soften its impact on households and businesses, and how we are protecting our coastlines as well. As we chart the way forward, I hope we always remember that there is no Plan B because there is no Planet B. Beyond climate change, my GPC colleagues and I will be speaking on a broad range of issues. We look forward to updates on the Green Plan 2030, our Zero Waste Masterplan, the disposable carrier bag charge, GreenGov.SG and the lifespan of the Semakau Landfill. We hope to strengthen our defences against public health threats, advance water and food resilience and security, make progress on our 30 by 30 plan and do more to support our hawkers, who have not had an easy two years during this pandemic. And we will of course debate my pet topic of second-hand smoke. I am sure Senior Minister of State Amy Khor is looking forward to it and I promise her, no more stealth mode. Let me be upfront. Second-hand smoke is another threat that we cannot ignore. I have been flooded with appeals for help, people fearing for their health and begging for fresh air. In the past two months, 2,475 people in Singapore have approached me for help as they are suffering from second-hand smoke in their own homes. What scares me is that almost 50% of them have been affected by second-hand smoke in their own homes for more than three years already.[+5 sentences] I hate to imagine what impact this has had on their health and the health of their loved ones. It is a race towards tackling this public health crisis, and like climate change, it is a race we should not and cannot lose. There are lots more questions and issues to raise and it is an incredibly diverse range of issues that we will be debating over the next six and a half hours. Sir, I look forward to a robust debate. Next cut. Four years ago, in an Adjournment Motion, I urged the Government to implement a charge for single-use carrier bags of all materials.[+2 sentences] The call is not to eliminate the use of disposable bags but to reduce it. As Prime Minister Lee said: “It is a sensible approach: to make people conscious of the plastic bags they use, but not to ban plastic bags altogether. Using fewer plastic bags alone will not solve climate change or save the earth, but every bit counts. And making us conscious of our habits, and consider better alternatives, has value in itself.” I am glad the Government announced that it will proceed with this charge but why only for supermarkets?[+13 sentences] I understand we want to start small but this problem is urgent and massive. I hope we can extend this charge to smaller convenience stores. I am glad Cheers has already done this and I saw firsthand how this works. We usually make smaller purchases at convenience stores as compared to at supermarkets. This means the disposable bag charge is a relatively larger amount and people feel the pinch more. When cashiers say, “Do you want a plastic bag? It is now chargeable”, I have seen so many people reply, “In that case, I don’t want it.” Purchases at convenience stores are also usually of a smaller quantity. Many can simply hold or put the purchases in their own bags. Lastly, many of the disposable bags used at convenience stores are smaller and can’t be used to line our rubbish bins. They are usually wasted. Extending this charge beyond supermarkets can have a huge impact for this planet. I hope MSE will consider this positively.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang)360 words
Chairman, when it comes to using plastic bags, Singapore is among the top. We are using 2.5 billion plastic bags a year, according to NEA. This can be translated to be about 450 plastic bags per person each year. And in 2019 and 2020, NEA pointed out households and trade premises in Singapore threw away 200,000 tonnes of disposables per year, two-thirds of which are disposable bags.[+7 sentences] In 2018, in a Singapore Environment Council study, it found shoppers take 820 million disposable carrier bags from supermarkets a year, or an average of 146 bags per person. If we look back at our past, we can understand why Singaporeans have such a voracious appetite for plastic bags. Many of us grew up with them from around the 1970s. Admittedly, they come in very useful when you are at the wet market when buying fish, vegetables and many other uses. Many of us justify taking plastic bags from the supermarket because plastic bags can be reused for disposal of household rubbish. Thus, these plastic bags become an omnipresent product, which can be found in the remotest of places from the seabed to the summit of Mount Everest. This poses major environmental challenges. MSE has announced that it would implement a disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets, which was one of the recommendations submitted by the Citizens Workgroup on Reducing the Excessive Consumption of Disposables.[+7 sentences] Implementing a plastic bag charge will certainly reduce excessive plastic bags consumption but such implementation will also add to the increased cost of living, especially for lower socio-economic group. Can the Minister share details on the model of this impending bag charge? How has the Ministry consulted stakeholders to develop the model for the disposable carrier bag charge? How will this affect the cost of living, especially the lower socio-economic group? What can be done to mitigate the cost for this group? Apart from plastic bags, in fact, the current COVID-19 pandemic has brought about another set of problems with the use of plastics, that is, millions of discarded single-use plastic food containers. How are we dealing with the disposal of all these plastics in the current pandemic?
The Chairman11 words
[+2 sentences]Ms Yeo Wan Ling. You can take your two cuts together.
Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol)375 words
[+1 sentence]The announcement to implement a charge on disposable carrier bags at supermarkets as per the recommendations submitted by the Citizens Workgroup after consultation with the NEA and members of the public, is a move that is highly anticipated, and to some, viewed with some hesitation. Such a solution has already been implemented in various countries and generally attains success in reducing the usage of plastic bags. We likewise hope to see a positive outcome in early 2023 when charges for disposable carriers bags in large supermarkets are made a legal requirement.[+6 sentences] In Singapore, supermarket retailers such as NTUC Fairprice and Don Don Donki have already taken the initiative and begun to implement charges for their disposable bags. While such measures look to disincentivise shoppers from using disposable plastic carrier bags offered in stores, there are some who have brought up that Singaporeans have always been recycling supermarket bags, using them as trash bags and such a model might create a situation where consumers take more bags than needed after paying the fee for them. It is of these concerns that we would like to seek clarification concerning the proposed charging model when implementing the mandatory charge for carrier bags at supermarkets. My second cut. As a smart nation of digital natives, we have become increasingly reliant on electronic devices to allow a society to function. Incorporating more of such devices into our lives naturally means that we generate more of such e-waste, waste that contain hazardous materials and poses a health and environmental risk if not managed. With the implementation of the nationwide Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for e-waste in July 2021, we have taken steps to regulate the disposal of such waste by placing greater responsibility on the producers and retailers of such products to ensure that the items ranging from our handphones to our light bulbs will be handled when they reach end of life.[+2 sentences] With the current e-waste collection and disposal scheme having been in place for half a year, we would like to seek clarification on whether the scheme has contributed to the increase in e-waste collection. Furthermore, we also seek assurance of the effects of the present scheme has on the ability to recycle the e-waste that we have generated.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio)139 words
[+5 sentences]Chairman, the Zero Waste Masterplan was introduced in 2019. It is an important blueprint for us to move forward towards being a sustainable city and it is essential we continuously move towards the targets we set for a greener Singapore. I would like to ask: While we have already embraced the circular economy approach in several areas through our successes in closing a number of resource loops such as water, what are the plans to better incorporate circularity efforts as part of our national strategy for other resource loops? How will the Government support the proper management of the three priority waste streams – namely food, e-waste, and packaging – to promote resource sustainability? In addition, what is the progress of the Zero Waste Masterplan and are we on track to reduce waste to landfills by 20% by 2026?
Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio)164 words
Mr Chairman, also on the Zero Waste Masterplan launched in 2019, our target for Domestic Recycling Rate in 2030 is 30%. This is on the back of our domestic recycling rate declining from 19% in 2015 to 17% in 2019 and 13% in 2020.[+2 sentences] How can we encourage and support Singaporeans towards achieving our zero-waste target? I would like to mention Slovenia as a case study in Europe, with a domestic recycling rate of 59.2% for some learning points. Their domestic recycling rate increased by almost 37% over just one decade.[+3 sentences] Its capital city, Ljubljana, attributed part of its success to strong communications strategies, campaigns and educational programmes to shift its citizens towards an eco-conscious culture. They adopted a bottom-up approach, with communities’ involvement, cooperation from different stakeholders and implementation of nationwide programmes. Considering our aspirations towards reaching the zero-waste target and Singapore’s strength in whole-of-community approach, I will like to ask how MSE plans to enable families and communities to achieve our targets.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling (East Coast)360 words
[+14 sentences]Sir, Semakau Landfill is projected to be full by 2035. There is an overall decline in waste generation for the past four years, this is a good sign but is this sustainable when our domestic consumption has not significantly reduced, and recycling rates are not increasing proportionately within the industries and general public? I wish to know what more are we doing to extend the lifespan of Semakau Landfill? Here, I highlight two areas for improving waste management in Singapore. First, food waste. Discounting the effects of pandemic, the inherent problem lies with the long supply chains for food and losses during the handling and storage. To better manage the supply, we need more focus on technology applications and begin upstream in our food industry. For example, (a) to use technology like blockchains to assist the wholesalers, large importers and large users to provide key sourcing countries with more accurate information on supply demand patterns in variety and volume of food needs through the year. This will help improve harvesting supply at right timing, production volume with less wastage and better understand the impact of increasing unseasonable weather; (b) to provide specific funding and more opportunities to connect the teams in ecosystem working on similar problem statements, for example, the food preservation with fresh producers using new techniques; and (c) conduct a comprehensive study to understand which part of the supply can be transformed locally or at source in order to mandate partially or in full the adoption of the Food Waste Minimisation Guidebook. Second, on ferrous metal scraps, waste from construction and demolition, paper and card boxes. All this waste will go into our landfill if not recycled or handled properly. Can NEA provide an update on the sustainable resource recovery solutions piloted thus far? For high volume generated waste materials, what has the Government’s effort been in reducing them jointly with the industry? I suggest a greater focus on waste reduction in immediate term, from more direct partnerships with business associations and corporations with large waste disposal to find ways to reduce and to reduce the packaging for local food delivery and introduce more environmentally friendly disposable packaging.
Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang)223 words
[+6 sentences]Mr Chairman, with climate change, we can expect to experience more unpredictable and intense rainfall. Over the years, we have been working on a number of projects to improve drainage and surface run-off and enhance storm water management. Would the Ministry share an update on these projects and future ones? Maintenance and protection of drainage pathways are important, as we learnt from recent incidents where flash floods were caused by blockages and violations from engineering works in the vicinity. What are PUB’s plans to mitigate inland floods? In the face of rising sea levels, we need to start on coastal protection. To defend our coastal areas from erosion, we have erected walls and stone embankments covering 70% to 80% of Singapore's coastline.[+2 sentences] Eventually, some of them will have to be built higher. What are the plans for these, including new seawalls, going forward? When do we expect the construction of sea walls to commence?[+4 sentences] And would the Ministry share updates on the progress of reclamation works as well? The rest of our coastline are natural areas such as beaches and mangroves. How does the Government ensure that coastal adaptation measures are cost-effective and adequately resourced; and how can the marine ecosystem be protected while these measures are being carried out? Lastly, what progress has been made on coastal protection efforts since last year?
Dr Lim Wee Kiak292 words
[+8 sentences]Chairman, last month I watched an interesting CNA documentary titled "Lost Waterfronts" which relate the history of Singapore’s former coastlines and waterfronts, which is now replaced by man-made landscapes such as Marine Parade, Changi Airport and MBS. I was amazed by the tremendous transformation that our little island has undergone. What was formerly our coastlines and beaches have all disappeared and replaced with land and development. I wonder in 50 or 100 years from now, will our descendants be watching a different version of a similar documentary titled "The Lost Land", featuring the sea and describing what used to be a huge Changi airport and HDB Marine Parade estates is now replaced by sea. If we do not do anything to protect our low-lying areas against the rising sea level, that may become reality. I still remember the graphic presentation during Prime Minister's National Day Rally in 2019, on Singapore's map showing all the low-lying areas which will be reclaimed by a rising sea level if nothing is done. And what Prime Minister said, that our descendants may ask: "why did we not do anything when we had a chance?" I, and many, are impressed by the ambitious plans shown during the presentation on building polders and a sea wall, not only to protect the low-lying areas but also to create new land and new possibilities. Can the Minister give an update on our progress to safeguard Singapore's low-lying areas against the threat of rising sea level? Can the studies on the protection measures be speed up, so that it could mitigate the work needed to protect our shorelines?[+2 sentences] What interim measures can be done now? And how does the Government ensure that the coastal adaptation measures are cost-effective and adequately resourced?
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin142 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, during last year's Budget, as part of our climate adaptation measures, it was announced that Public Utilities Board (PUB) and JTC Corporation (JTC) will embark on site specific studies at the coastlines of City-East Coast and Jurong Island for coastal protection. To enhance flood resilience, PUB has spent almost $2 billion in the last decade and plans to spend $1.4 billion more in the next five years for drainage work.[+3 sentences] I understand that future studies for the northwest coast have also been planned. I would also like to add to the questions raised by the previous Members before me, to ask how will the Government ensure that these measures are cost-effective? How will the Government plan to take into account existing ecosystems such as mangroves or intertidal zones as nature-based solutions, both in terms of conservation as well as potential solutions.
Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Punggol)122 words
Chairman, the rising sea levels is a global challenge for many coastal cities and Singapore is especially vulnerable, as we are a low-lying island with only 30% of our land residing five metres above sea level.[+4 sentences] Unlike other countries, we do not have abundant high grounds. With climate change, we can expect to experience more unpredictable and intense rainfall with sea levels rising faster. What progress has been made on coastal protection efforts since last year and how can we protect our coastlines from rising sea levels, as well as erosion by waves and storms and reduce the land take for such measures to protect our coastlines? How does the Government ensure that the coastal adaptation measures are cost-effective and well resourced?
Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok)158 words
[+4 sentences]Sir, currently NEA is not able to conduct investigation against drivers of foreign vehicles for infringement of vehicle emission regulations if they are merely reported by members of public, unless NEA officers personally confirm the cases at the scene. This is because unlike local vehicles, NEA does not have the information on ownership of foreign registered vehicles. This gives rise to an unhappy situation as NEA officers have to catch the offenders red-handed. This gap in enforcement policy must be closed, as NEA officers cannot be everywhere. Those who violate our emission laws must face the same consequences, regardless of whether they are local or foreign drivers. I recommend that NEA work out an arrangement with ICA that will allow for measures; such as not allowing the foreign vehicles to be driven into or out of Singapore until such time the drivers' particulars are provided or the composition fine imposed for the commission of the offence is paid.
Ms Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee)147 words
[+5 sentences]In May last year, I have filed a Parliamentary Question to MSC, subsequent to several cases of gastroenteritis in preschools, to enquire on what actions will be taken to manage such incidents and prevent them from recurring in future. I am delighted that Minister Grace Fu has in response, announced the intention to implement the Environmental Sanitation (ES) regime. Since then, I note that the ES regime has been implemented progressively to premises such as social service facilities, schools and preschools, as well as food centres, coffee shops and markets. Can the Ministry share the current progress on the regime's roll out and share more as to which other sectors or premises will it be expanded to, in order to prevent further gastroenteritis outbreaks from happening in the community. Would places that offer food items to patrons, such as cinemas and spa facilities, be included as well?
The Chairman12 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman. He is not here. Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)107 words
[+8 sentences]Sir, there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Breathing in small amounts can be dangerous. I have spoken up a lot about protecting people from second-hand smoke in their own homes. It is equally important to protect everyone in public areas. I am glad Orchard Road was designated as Singapore’s first No Smoking Zone (NSZ). Our surveys show that there is strong support for this. Last year, I asked if the Government will designate other areas as NSZ. It has been a year, and I hope MSE has monitored this space closely and will roll out more NSZ and prohibit smoking in more places.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling110 words
[+4 sentences]Sir, the ability to have fresh air and not take in second-hand smoke is an option that everyone should have if they are given a choice. Despite knowing the harms of smoking and increasing prices of tobacco products in Singapore, the smoking rate in Singapore remains at about 10% in 2020. After the introduction of NSZ at Orchard Road, many are eagerly hoping that NSZ can be expanded especially nearing housing estates and provide permanent digital enforcement at the playgrounds, parks and common corridors of HDB blocks. Can the Ministry provide an update if there is any intent to expand NSZ in other areas of Singapore following the early pilots?
Dr Lim Wee Kiak429 words
[+4 sentences]Chairman, the COVID-19 pandemic has rightly raised our concerns because of the toll it takes on innocent lives and the suffering of those who were inflicted with the disease. Globally, since the outbreak of the pandemic, there were some 5.9 million deaths, and it is still rising. There is another pandemic that is also claiming lives, but it is somewhat given a back seat. This is the scourge of smoking. According to WHO, the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. More than 7 million of those deaths are as a result of direct tobacco use while 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.[+5 sentences] The economic costs of tobacco use are substantial, for example, costs for treating the diseases caused by tobacco use as well as the loss of human capital that is a result from tobacco-attributed morbidity and mortality. There are studies that shows that smoking is highly likely to worsen the severity of COVID-19 and the risk of dying from infection, according to a UK Biobank study published online in the respiratory journal of Thorax. Despite all the health risks, cigarette smoking is one of the most common forms of tobacco use and it is one of the leading preventable risk factors for premature deaths, including non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. We have been taking various steps to control cigarette smoking. But some countries, like New Zealand, are taking bolder steps to ban smoking. New Zealand plans to raise the legal smoking age by one year every year, effectively banning the sales of tobacco products to people born after 2008. Malaysia intends to introduce a new law to ban smoking and the possession of tobacco products, including electronic vaporisers, for people who are born after 2005, as a "Generational End Game" for smoking in the country. In 2019, the smoking prohibition was introduced and Orchard Road was designated Singapore’s first NSZ.[+4 sentences] Does the Ministry intend to roll out more NSZs and prohibit smoking in more places to protect the public from the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke? Do we have plans to introduce "end game" laws to snuff out cigarette smoking completely for our young Singaporeans? What is the results and lessons learnt from the 2014 Nee Soon South pilot project to ban smoking in public? I urge the Government to take bold steps to extend more NSZs and finally also to consider smoking completely banned in all HDB estates.
Ms Poh Li San106 words
[+4 sentences]The Chairman, the last extension of the smoking prohibition was in 2019, when Orchard Road was designated as Singapore’s first NSZ. Does the Ministry intend to roll out more NSZs or prohibit smoking in more places to protect the public from the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke, such as smoking corners at food retail establishments? Many residents have been bothered by their neighbours’ second-hand smoke emitted from their windows and balconies. Would the Ministry please do more to curb second-hand smoke in residences, especially when complaints are from families with young children or residents with health problems and the neighbours are consistent and heavy smokers?
Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio)174 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, will the Ministry consider setting out a designated eco-friendly smoking zone at each HDB block for smokers to visit, instead of smoking at home and common corridors? What other plans does the Ministry have to encourage residents who smoke at home to reduce the spread of their second-hand smoke in their homes and to surrounding units? Next cut. How effective has the wastewater testing surveillance strategy been for COVID-19? Can the Ministry share if NEA intends to make this method of testing regular and routine in all areas for the long-term in order to monitor the spread of the pandemic? Next cut. Public toilets’ cleanliness and hygiene must meet NEA standards. How does NEA ensure that these standards are maintained? What are the progress and improvement requirements for all toilets in hawker centres, markets and coffeeshops? Next cut. Hawker centres provide a wide range of delicious and affordable food to our residents in the heartlands. Will there be new hawker centres in the next two years, especially in some of the newer estates?
Mr Don Wee (Chua Chu Kang)137 words
[+7 sentences]Chairman, hawker centres are an important part of our heartland estates, providing a variety of affordable food to our multicultural population. They are also gathering points which serve to help with community bonding. COVID-19 has disrupted our everyday lives significantly, including slowing down the progress of work in our construction sector. I would like to ask the Government how has COVID-19 impacted the progress of the construction of new hawker centres and will there be new centres that will open in 2022? Will we have enough hawkers to man the stalls at the new hawker centres? There is no point having new and nice hawker centres with low utilisation rate. How is the Ministry ensuring that we are training a pipeline of new hawkers to take over from the older cohort, many of whom will be retiring?
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin146 words
[+4 sentences]Chairman, as we transition to endemic living, our hawker scene has also undergone significant challenges. Our hawkers are an important part of our heritage, and have seen some tough times during COVID-19. However, some issues are evergreen, for example, urban bird management and ensuring clean hawker centres. I also hope that in due course, we will be able to reduce food, produce and packaging wastage in hawker centres, where everyone can play a part in food rescue efforts with the relevant overarching structures and support put in place. Can the Government share more details about how the Hawker Centres Transformation Programme is enabling hawker centres to be more efficient and sustainable, and how many hawker centres will benefit from this? How has hawker centre cleanliness improved over the past year, and does the Government have any preliminary findings on the effectiveness of the Clean Tables Campaign?
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Joan Pereira.
Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar)8 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, can I take my two cuts together?
The Chairman2 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, please.
Ms Joan Pereira643 words
[+23 sentences]Like any other UNESCO cultural heritage, our hawker culture needs to be preserved and passed down for future generations. However, it needs to transform with the times, in order to remain relevant for our people and for the livelihoods of our hawkers. In the face of manpower shortage, especially in the hiring of hawker assistants and the shortage of young Singaporeans willing to pick up the hawker trade, I hope that we, as a nation, can consider this as a matter of urgency; we need to look into ways to support and transform this sector, which includes hawker centres, coffeeshops, canteens and food courts. It has not been easy, but our hawkers have been trying very hard to keep their prices affordable. Can we, therefore, help them reduce their costs with raw materials or improve productivity? I have already seen some of our hawkers adopting machines to automate their cooking or other processes. We have seen how most of our hawkers have adopted digital payments and online ordering and delivery, through the support of efforts such as the Hawker Productivity Grant and the Alliance for Action. Can more be done to bring down costs, such as by working with industry players to consolidate ingredient purchases by hawkers to achieve better economies of scale and lower prices for all? We have to review all aspects of the nature of the industry and businesses, involve our hawkers in providing their feedback and inputs on how we can help them. I also hope that as we embark on the transformation and rejuvenation of our neighbourhood town centres, through initiatives by other agencies such as Enterprise Singapore’s Heartland Enterprise Centre, the relevant agencies can work together and take a holistic view, to ensure that our heartland enterprises and hawkers are all part of the overall rejuvenation efforts. After all, our hawkers are heartland enterprises too. I hope to hear more from the Ministry on its plans to transform the hawker trade. Sir, our hawker trade plays a very important role in our economy. In a nation where many couples work full-time, many of our families depend on hawker centres to provide ready-cooked food. Our hawkers are specialists in their niche areas, and this is how we can enjoy so many different versions of our favourite meals from across different ethnic cuisine groups. Singapore will not be the same without our hawkers. How can we improve the job prospects and working conditions, so as to attract more young hawkers? Do we need restructure this occupation, so that they get covered for leave days, sick leave, medical care and insurance? Presently, most hawkers work as independents and some do quite well. However, for many, they really need to work many hours with very few rest days to earn a living, and falling sick becomes an extremely unthinkable costly problem. We must safeguard our hawker trade which is at the risk of vanishing when our older hawkers retire. The work is tough and not many young people want to take over. However, our ageing hawkers want to pass their recipes and techniques for future generations. Will the Ministry share and update on the progress of the Hawkers Succession Scheme, which facilitates the pairing up of a retiring veteran hawker with an apprentice, so as to pass down his or her culinary skills, recipes and hawker stall to the aspiring successor?[+4 sentences] I would also like to reiterate my suggestion for NEA to facilitate the transition and help the veteran hawkers be paid an appropriate compensation amount, while the skills are being taught to the apprentice. The compensation sum should reflect the value of the heritage recipe and technique. In turn, the apprentice would have to serve out the bond at the stall for a period of, say, three years, for example. I hope this will help to safeguard our hawker trade.
Mr Raj Joshua Thomas (Nominated Member)148 words
[+4 sentences]Sir, in Malay, please. (In Malay): Singaporeans enjoy hawker food. Our hawker trade is a key part of Singapore's history and identity. We have strong public support for hawker culture, and many of us celebrated when our Hawker Culture was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2020. Therefore, we must ensure that our hawker culture and food continue to thrive for future generations. I am heartened to know that NEA has announced last year it will be rolling out the Hawkers Succession Scheme. This scheme aims to facilitate retiring veteran hawkers pass down their stalls, culinary skills, practices and recipes to aspiring successors through an apprenticeship and mentorship programme.[+1 sentence] I would like to ask what is the progress of the scheme, and are there more details available on how the scheme will be implemented?
Dr Lim Wee Kiak266 words
[+5 sentences]Chairman, plant-based meat is increasingly taking its place on our supermarket shelves, and I generally believe there is a gradual acceptance of this alternative meat substitute for real animal meat. Food security is important for Singapore. We are reliant on many countries to supply many essential items including meat. And if we are able to develop such alternative meat products locally, this would address some of our concerns in this area. Besides, meat substitutes which are produced in laboratory by cell culture would contribute to our efforts to address climate change issue as well. According to the Good Food Institute, an international US-based non-profit re-imagining meat production, animal agriculture takes up 77% of all agricultural land on Earth despite supplying only 17% of humanity’s food supply. This inefficiency drives the need for agricultural expansion, which is the single largest driver for ecosystem damage on land. They reported that plant-based meat emits 30% to 90% less greenhouse gases than conventional meat production and animal agriculture contributes to more climate change than exhaust emissions from the entire transport sector.[+4 sentences] Thus, to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population and, at the same time, protect earth's fauna and flora, and fight against climate change, we need to consider and promote food products like meat substitute that are manufactured using plant-based products and meat produced in the laboratory by cell culture, instead of from animals in farms. This can form part of our 30 by 30 plan. What is Singapore's role in this new emerging sector? How can we promote and grow this sector to benefit from this sector?
Prof Koh Lian Pin (Nominated Member)159 words
[+1 sentence]Safeguarding our food security is among the most important priorities for Singapore in our sustainability journey. One of the Government's efforts to address this goal is to produce 30% of our nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030.[+5 sentences] How does the Government plan to help the local food production industry build up capabilities and capacity to achieve our 30 by 30 goal and enhance the resilience of Singapore's food supply? As we achieve success in increasing our local food production, is the Government looking to calibrate food imports to avoid wastage? Unlocking Singapore's sea space for sustainable aquaculture can help boost our local food production in the long term. However, as with our land resource, there will be diverse and competing needs for the use of our sea space. Does the Government plan to provide the local food production industry with greater certainty on the use of both land and sea space to optimise the supply of local produce?
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Nadia Samdin.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin9 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, may I take my two cuts together, please?
The Chairman2 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, please.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin306 words
[+1 sentence]I am heartened that much progress has been made in the last year towards the 30 by 30 plan, to reduce our reliance on food imports. According to a survey done by SFA, 98% of Singaporeans agree that this is an important effort.[+10 sentences] However, concerns of space and sustainability, including that of sea spaces, are always a concern. What are the Government’s plans to optimise sea spaces for food production? And given the heavy investment required, does the Government have plans to provide the industry with greater certainty on the use of land or sea space? Will measures be put in place to ensure a more sustainable aquaculture industry? Last year, it was announced that the Government is working on a framework to shore up defences against marine litter to protect our coastline and surrounding waters. Some of my youth volunteers and I had the opportunity to join environmental activists, students and clean-up crews at a Kayak and Clean event, where we found discarded nets, plastics and other types of marine litter floating around our island. I have also had the opportunity to do dive clean-ups off our Southern Islands with marine scientists and volunteers from Our Singapore Reefs. From youths to seniors, expats to Singaporeans, I am grateful for active and caring citizens who run efforts such as the East Coast Beach Plan, Green Nudge, One Planet and even our own Young PAP who have played a part in keeping our shores clean. I would like to ask whether the Ministry has further plans to tackle marine litter as a concerted effort and how the Government can better consult and co-create solutions with ground-up groups and businesses to optimise efforts and resources in tackling issues, such as marine litter and climate change, beyond dialogues and panels. Can the Ministry consider a citizen committee, for example?
Mr Raj Joshua Thomas203 words
[+2 sentences]Food security is an existential issue for Singapore. The global food system faces many challenges, from short-term disruptions, such as disease outbreaks in a source country and the pandemic, to long-term issues such as climate change, global population growth and dwindling resources. One of the Government’s efforts is the 30 by 30 goal, to transform our agri-food sector, and build capabilities and capacity to sustainably grow in a highly productive, climate-resilient and resource-efficient way.[+5 sentences] It is important for the Government to work towards the 30 by 30 goal in a sustainable manner. I would like to ask how does the Government plan to help the local food production industry to build up capabilities and capacity to achieve the 30 by 30 goal, to enhance the resilience of Singapore’s food supply. Further to this, unlocking sea space for sustainable fish farming can help boost our local production in the long term. However, as with land, there will be diverse and competing needs for the use of our sea space. I would like to ask what are the Government’s plans to provide the local food production industry with greater certainty on the use of land or sea space to optimise the supply of local produce.
Mr Don Wee136 words
[+3 sentences]Chairman, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the global supply chain crisis highlight how important it is for Singapore to become more self-sufficient for our food supply. I am glad that the Government is embarking on a holistic exercise to master plan the Lim Chu Kang area into a high-tech agri-food zone. This bodes well for our future food security. What is the status of the Lim Chu Kang Master Plan exercise? What is the progress of the discussion with the current cohort of farmers?[+3 sentences] Is the Ministry involving them and inviting them to participate in the new plan? They should be given assistance, to start off, and incentives to upgrade their operations. What other plans does the Government have to help our agri-food industry build up capabilities and capacity to achieve the 30 by 30 goal?
Ms Poh Li San121 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, we have water supply from the Four National Taps: water from local catchment, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. Desalinated water and NEWater meet up to 70% of today's water demand and is projected to go up to 80% in 2030 and 85% by 2060.[+3 sentences] While desalination and NEWater are weather resilient and free from the vagaries tied to imported water, they are energy intensive. In view of the current global energy challenges and Singapore’s commitment to transit to greener energy sources, how will PUB leverage on R&D and technology to enhance water efficiency and treatment? And what is the progress of our research projects in this field and are we collaborating with any foreign partners on this endeavour?
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Gan Thiam Poh.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh10 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, may I have your permission to take two cuts?
The Chairman2 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, please.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh102 words
[+5 sentences]Desalination and NEWater are two of our four sources of water supply, in addition to imported water and water catchment. The challenge with these two sources is that they require a lot of energy to process and treat the water. How would PUB improve on the energy efficiency of our water treatment to ensure its sustainability? PUB launched the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme to harness the full potential of our waterbodies – a network of 8,000 kilometres of waterways and 17 reservoirs. Would the Ministry share if there will be any new ABC projects in the next two years?
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong (Jurong)175 words
[+4 sentences]I applaud the efforts of the Ministry in undertaking long-term infrastructure projects. Joint efforts that use science, technology and our strong engineering capabilities to deliver highly accretive outcomes for sustainability mission. In addition, much effort was also taken to use an ecosystem approach to leverage on the strengths of each project to further enhance outcomes. The Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, an integrated waste management facility are prime examples. In September 2020, PUB and NEA announced the construction of Singapore's first integrated water and solid waste management plant – the Tuas Nexus – consisting of the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant and the Integrated Management Facility.[+3 sentences] It was mentioned that the Tuas Nexus will tap on the synergies between water, waste treatment and energy – to use water sludge from Tuas when co-digested with food waste will improve bio-gas generation. I support these efforts by SME and the beyond horizon thinking and bold execution of these officers. To follow up, can I ask the Ministry on the progress of the Tuas Nexus and Tuas Water Reclamation Plant.
Mr Sitoh Yih Pin (Potong Pasir)138 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Chairman, I start by congratulating the PUB for being successful in closing the "water loop" through integrated water management, by collecting as much water as we can and reusing water where possible. PUB had previously announced that the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase Two is to be extended by 2025 to serve the western part of Singapore. This is an important project that will go towards safeguarding Singapore’s strategic interest in water. As a result of the pandemic situation, we know that many infrastructural projects have been affected due to manpower shortage and supply chain disruptions. I, therefore, invite the Minister to share with this House, whether the PUB is on track to complete the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase Two and an update on the progress of the project in the light of the present circumstances.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling294 words
[+3 sentences]Sir, to many, Singapore has a successful water story. From water conservation to building our own water taps. But is this sufficient? PUB has placed emphasis on driving home the awareness on water conservation and set a target to achieve 130 litres usage per person per day by 2030 from the current 141 litres in 2019. In the 2018/2019 household study conducted by PUB, it showed that shower, flushing, kitchen and laundry constituted 77% of its total water usage and the consumption increased by 20% for households with domestic helpers.[+5 sentences] Since the pandemic started, our hygiene alertness has significantly heightened. There is more extensive washing and higher frequency of cleaning in households, public areas and workplaces. While we hope these good hygiene habits continue to prevent the next potential spread of disease, I would like to ask whether the Ministry observed more water usage for maintaining such hygiene standards? Does the work-from-home setting change the consumption usage by the households and what are the other initiatives the Government plan to introduce to improve water conservation? While raising awareness and changing consumption habits are important, we need to complement efforts beyond these. For example, HDB to consider changing to purpose-built waterless urinal design for new flats, or using other methods to remove dirt from void decks and common corridors instead of high pressure water jets. I am glad we have over the years built alternate water taps like desalination and NEWater. They are weather resilient technologies, but equally energy intensive.[+2 sentences] As Singapore is currently unable to harness all of the rainfall for usage, I would like to know how PUB is planning to maximise capacity of the underground water storage systems? At the same time, are more energy efficient technologies being explored for water treatment?
Ms Hany Soh51 words
Household water consumption has increased as a result of COVID-19 due to people spending more time working from home.[+1 sentence] With hybrid work arrangements expected to continue as COVID-19 becomes endemic, what are some of the initiatives that PUB or the Government will be taking to encourage more water conservation among households?
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Grace Fu.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien)79 words
[+3 sentences]Mr Chairman, I thank the Members for their questions. May I have your permission for MSE to address these cuts and take clarifications from Members after Senior Minister of State Amy Khor, Minister of State Desmond Tan and I deliver our speeches. And thereafter we will have Members deliver their cuts on the joint segment on the Singapore Green Plan 2030 which will be addressed by Senior Minister Teo and several Green Plan Ministries, including clarifications that may arise.
The Chairman2 words
[+1 sentence]Please proceed.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien3187 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you. COVID-19, climate change and income inequality. These are among the biggest threats confronting the world today. The pandemic has laid bare the fragilities of global supply chains, the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems and the cost of being underprepared. The effects of climate change could be far worse. The latest IPCC report underlines how climate change has resulted in increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, especially heat waves, droughts, and floods.[+15 sentences] Climate change will adversely impact economies and livelihoods, as well as security of essential resources such as water, food and energy. COVID-19 has taught us the importance of resilience and this has relevance in the way we deal with climate change. Whether a disruption is brought about by extreme weather events, or a global pandemic, we must take action today to assess our risk exposure, prepare our people and put in measures that will enable us to bounce back from disruption. In this COS, Senior Minister of State Amy Koh, Minister of State Desmond and I will share how MSE is strengthening our resilience across three areas: resource resilience; climate resilience; and public health resilience. First, resource resilience. As a globally connected economy with no natural resources, we are vulnerable to external shocks and supply disruptions. This has been made abundantly clear by the COVID-19 pandemic. As our demand for resources continues to grow, so will our exposure to such fluctuations. Excessive consumption of resources also generates waste and emissions, worsening the climate crisis. We must reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency. We also need to diversify our supply sources and promote circularity to reuse and recycle resources. This is no mean feat, but we have shown that it can be done. We have closed the water loop by reclaiming used water to become NEWater, allowing us to reuse every drop of water endlessly. Minister of State Desmond will share how we are strengthening the resilience of our food and water supply. Ms Nadia Samdin and Miss Cheryl Chan have asked for an update on our waste reduction efforts. Our Zero Waste Masterplan was driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions, boost resource resilience and conserve landfill space. We set a target to reduce waste-to-landfill per capita by 30% by 2030. Under the Singapore Green Plan, we will frontload efforts to achieve a 20% reduction by 2026.[+8 sentences] In an increasingly resource-constrained world, we need to shift to a circular economy, where trash is turned into treasure and reused endlessly. As we strive to become a Zero Waste Nation, we need to: encourage sustainable production, build capabilities to maximise resource recovery and collectively adopt sustainability as a way of life. Let me elaborate. One key upstream measure to encourage sustainable production is the Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR scheme. EPR requires producers, such as manufacturers and importers, to be responsible for the collection and proper treatment of their products at end-of-life. We implemented the e-waste EPR last year to ensure the proper handling and treatment of e-waste. This reduces our waste to landfill and allows us to recover valuable resources like gold and copper from e-waste, for use in manufacturing new products. Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked for a progress update. Since the scheme started in July last year, ALBA, the appointed scheme operator, has collected around 3,500 tonnes of consumer e-waste, which is three times the amount collected annually under NEA’s previous National Voluntary Partnership programme.[+15 sentences] This accounts for approximately 8.5% of the consumer electronic and electrical equipment supplied in 2020. The e-waste collected includes large home appliances like refrigerators and air-conditioners, and ICT equipment like mobile phones and laptops. Members of the public can drop off e-waste at more than 500 e-waste recycling bins nationwide, at convenient locations such as community centres, supermarkets and electronics stores. ALBA also works with Town Councils to organise quarterly collection drives at housing estates and collection of bulky e-waste. For a fee, members of the public may contact ALBA to arrange for doorstep collection of e-waste. Efforts are also ongoing to develop an EPR for packaging waste, starting with a return scheme for beverage containers. Under such a scheme, a deposit is included in the price of the pre-packaged beverages. Consumers will receive a refund upon returning the used beverage container. To facilitate development of this scheme, NEA formed a stakeholder group comprising key industry, academia and civil society representatives in December last year. Over the past two years, NEA has engaged more than 100 large and small producers, which make up about 80% of the pre-packaged beverage market. This included industry briefings, surveys and one-on-one engagements with individual companies and trade associations. Other stakeholders consulted included retailers, waste management companies and members of the public. NEA will continue to broaden engagement with the public and industry in the coming months, to co-design a cost-effective and suitable Beverage Container Return Scheme for Singapore. As we strive towards a Zero Waste Nation, we need to continue to ensure the sustainability of essential waste disposal services, while encouraging waste reduction to conserve Semakau Landfill. Over the years, the operational costs of waste disposal have increased. To keep pace with rising costs, we will revise the refuse disposal fee for incinerable waste from $77 to $88 per tonne. This fee is paid by public waste collectors and general waste collectors to dispose of incinerable waste at the waste-to-energy plants. We will also revise the refuse disposal fee for non-incinerable waste from $97 to $124 per tonne.[+1 sentence] This fee is paid by general waste collectors and toxic industrial waste collectors to dispose of non-incinerable waste at Semakau Landfill, such as treated toxic industrial waste and sludge. The revised fees will take effect on 1 January 2024, two years from now.[+21 sentences] NEA will issue notification letters to the industry to allow the industry sufficient lead time to adjust. We encourage all businesses to adopt sustainable practices to generate less waste and recycle more and play their part in the shift towards a greener and zero-waste Singapore. As we put in place a comprehensive regulatory framework to encourage recycling, we also need to build capabilities in our local industry. A thriving local recycling industry can generate economic value, job opportunities and exportable solutions for the global green demand. EWR2 is a local e-waste recycling company that recycles large household appliances and ICT equipment and was set up in response to the increasing demand for e-waste recycling services driven by the EPR scheme. It operates a highly automated recycling facility that can recover up to 95% of materials used to make the appliances, of which about 80% is being recycled. We are also pursuing chemical recycling of plastics that converts plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, which can be used as feedstock for the manufacturing of chemicals and plastics. NEA commissioned a feasibility study on the development of a plastic recovery facility last year to extract plastics from our waste for chemical recycling. The facility will harness advanced plastic waste sorting capabilities and improve our plastic recycling rates. We are finding other new innovative ways to turn waste into resource. Semakau Landfill, for example, can potentially be mined for its landfilled materials. NEA and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore are carrying out a feasibility study to use such materials in its reclamation for Tuas Port. If feasible, this will prolong the lifespan of Semakau and at the same time, reduce the amount of reclamation materials to be imported. Our transition to a Zero Waste Nation will require everyone to play their part. To be a nation known for sustainable development, care for the environment must be reflected through our daily practices. Our personal and societal values drive the actions and choices we make daily. The use of disposables is an issue that many Singaporeans care about. While disposables have become an everyday convenience, they create large amounts of waste and use up finite resources. We convened a Citizens' Workgroup in September 2020 to co-create solutions with the public in the spirit of Singapore Together. The workgroup came up with recommendations on how we can reduce the use of disposables such as carrier bags, food containers, cutlery and packaging. Implementing a charge for disposable carrier bags at supermarkets was one of the recommendations of the workgroup. After careful deliberation, we announced last year that we would work on an appropriate model for a disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets.[+9 sentences] We did not decide on this lightly. Our earlier considerations for not implementing a disposable carrier bag charge in Singapore are still valid. Plastic bags are used by many households to bag our garbage before throwing it down our rubbish chutes. Unlike many other countries, we do not directly landfill our disposables but incinerate them. Hence, we do not face the land and water pollution issues that plague those countries. Climate action and environmental protection are gaining pace internationally and locally and we cannot continue with business as usual. A bag charge is becoming commonplace in jurisdictions around the world and closer to home such as in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. There is broad recognition that we can reduce wastage of plastic bags. In Singapore, an increasing number of retailers have voluntarily implemented a charge on disposable carrier bags, which has shown to be effective in encouraging the use of reusables. For example, FairPrice's "No Plastic Bag" initiative has saved more than 30 million plastic bags over two years, with seven out of 10 customers willing to bring their own bags.[+8 sentences] More importantly, we want Singaporeans to be a part of the shift towards a green Singapore. We should show our care for the environment in the choices we make every day. By making the cost of the bag visible to consumers, the intent of the bag charge is to nudge people to consider what they really need instead of taking bags freely. The charge is not a ban. It will not remove the public's access to disposable bags. It is a nudge to every one of us to develop the habit of bringing a reusable bag when shopping for groceries and more and to reduce the use of disposables, an essential feature of sustainable living. Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about our consultations in developing the bag charge framework. We have conducted extensive consultations over the past year, including with supermarkets and members of the public. Close to 6,000 stakeholders were consulted through focus group discussions, industry and public consultation sessions and surveys.[+1 sentence] We have heard diverse views in our consultations and have considered these views carefully. Ms Yeo Wan Ling and Dr Lim also asked for details on the bag charge.[+1 sentence] Let me share with Members about the framework. We will introduce a charge of at least five cents per bag for purchases made at the supermarket outlets.[+4 sentences] This will be applicable to all disposable carrier bags. We have kept the minimum charge low to moderate the cost impact on shoppers, including on low-income households. Charging per bag is equitable and effective. The more bags we take, the higher the amount we pay. Charging from the first bag would also encourage shoppers to bring their own bags from the outset.[+1 sentence] The charge will take effect in mid-2023. It will apply to operators of SFA-licensed supermarkets with an annual turnover of more than $100 million, which will cover about two thirds of all supermarket outlets.[+4 sentences] We are starting with the larger supermarket operators who have extensive market coverage. We will not extend the charge to smaller convenience stores for now, as suggested by Mr Louis Ng. During our consultation, concerns have been expressed about supermarket operators potentially profiteering from the charge. We strongly encourage supermarket operators to channel the proceeds obtained from the bag charge to environmental or social causes and consider initiatives to support lower-income families. To ensure accountability, we will require supermarket operators to publish information on the number of bags issued, amount of proceeds collected from the bag charge and how these proceeds would be used.[+18 sentences] The public will then be able to see how the supermarket operators are using their proceeds. Over time, we hope that the charge will encourage Singaporeans to adopt sustainable habits and bring our own bags when shopping at supermarkets and other stores. At this point, I would like to quote Ms Liu Yining who eloquently expressed on the need to reduce the use of plastic disposables in a recent commentary in Lianhe Zaobao. In Mandarin, please, Mr Chairman. (In Mandarin): On 4 March, Ms Liu Yining wrote a commentary in Lianhe Zaobao titled "Charging for disposable carrier bags sows a seed for de-plasticisation", She wrote that "the moment people take an extra plastic bag, they will have to think about whether they really need it or not, and at that point in time, a seed of happiness and kindness is sowed in the heart, and it is a seed of hope for themselves, the country and the world." (In English): The larger purpose of the bag charge is to make all of us pause and think if we really need the next bag before we reach for the bag. It is a seed of hope for a better world – the first step on a journey towards sustainability and the beginning of a change in how we treat the environment. Ms Ng Ling Ling asked how we can encourage and support families and communities to recycle more. Applying an idea from the Recycle Right Citizens' Workgroup to encourage right recycling behaviour, we recently piloted the use of transparent recycling bins in Hong Kah North and East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The residents' response was positive. To encourage recycling at every home, NEA is collaborating with the Singapore Institute of Technology to design a compact recycling container to better sort out and collect recyclables at home. These containers will be made available to households later this year. To minimise wastage, NEA will only distribute to households that want them. Our individual actions will determine the collective outcome of Singapore. Together, our zero-waste efforts will bring us closer to achieving our waste-to-landfill targets and extend the lifespan of Semakau for as long as possible beyond 2035. Next, I will touch on climate resilience. Ms Poh Li San, Ms Nadia Samdin, Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Mr Sharael Taha asked about our progress in shoring up our coastal and flood defences. Sea level rise poses an existential threat for a low-lying island nation like Singapore. The Centre for Climate Research Singapore has projected that climate change could cause mean sea level rise of up to one metre by 2100.[+4 sentences] If there should be a confluence of extreme high tides and storm surges, some projections suggest that sea levels could be as high as four to five metres. This is high enough to potentially flood one third of Singapore. Coastal protection is a long-term endeavour and we have started planning ahead. In May last year, PUB, the national coastal protection agency, embarked on a site-specific study at the coastline of City-East Coast. We are starting site-specific studies at other parts of our coastline. This year, JTC and PUB will commence studies at Jurong Island and the North West coast respectively.[+10 sentences] Singapore has a varied coastline of over 300 kilometres. Hence, our site-specific studies allow us to understand the characteristics of these different segments and develop coastal protection solutions accordingly. Take the northwest coast as an example. First, there are four coastal reservoirs – Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun. We will study how to reinforce the dykes and dams for these important water sources to protect them from seawater intrusion. Next, we will study how best to dovetail coastal protection solutions with upcoming developments such as the future Sungei Kadut Eco-District and Lim Chu Kang high-tech agri-food cluster. There are also sections of mangrove habitats at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park. We must take care to minimise environmental impact in these biodiversity-rich areas. PUB will explore hybrid coastal protection solutions that combine nature-based elements with hard engineering measures and will also work closely with NParks and stakeholders to conduct environmental studies, minimise impact and enhance existing ecosystems. These studies are expected to take a few years. To ensure that coastal and flood protection measures are adequately resourced, we established the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund in 2020 with an initial injection of five billion dollars. In May last year, the Government passed the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act (SINGA) to allow the raising of loans to finance major long-term infrastructure such as coastal and drainage infrastructure.[+3 sentences] Even as we plan long term for the challenges of sea level rise, we are already seeing more extreme weather patterns today. We see more flash floods from more intense rains. Ms Poh Li San and Ms Nadia Samdin asked what PUB's plans are to mitigate inland floods. The Government has invested significantly with almost $2 billion spent on drainage improvement works since 2011. This includes the Stamford Diversion Canal, Stamford Detention Tank and the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal. We have set aside another $1.4 billion to carry out further improvements to the drainage system till 2025.[+3 sentences] While we systematically improve our drainage system across the island, it is not possible to expand our drains to cater to every extreme rainfall event as it will mean less space for housing, parks or roads in land-scarce Singapore. Hence, it is important to strengthen community resilience and our collective response to flooding incidents. PUB has been enhancing its early warning systems to provide more timely updates to the public, including launching a dedicated Telegram channel last November. PUB has also expanded its fleet to 13 flood response vehicles that are able to stream real-time flood conditions and drive through higher floodwaters.[+11 sentences] This allows PUB to provide timely assistance during any heavy rain event. PUB cannot do it alone. We urge Singaporeans to be on alert for weather events, by subscribing to PUB’s flood alerts for timely updates on heavy rains and potential flood risk locations. Building owners must do their part in protecting their properties by installing effective flood protection measures. In July last year, PUB trialled the automated flood barrier at the entrance of Fortune Park Condominium leading to the basement carpark. The automated barrier uses approaching floodwaters to buoy itself up and block floodwaters from entering the premises, without the need for any human or mechanical intervention. It is a viable and cost-effective solution for flood protection, and we encourage building owners in low-lying areas to implement these automated barriers. Mr Chairman, as a small island city-state with no natural resources, we have weathered many crises together as a people and as a nation. We have overcome these crises and seized the opportunities to develop into a clean, green and liveable city that we see today. Climate change is the defining crisis of our generation. Together, let us build a resilient Singapore, for a sustainable future.
The Chairman7 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor.
The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan)3097 words
[+3 sentences]COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of good personal hygiene and clean public spaces. These have always been our priorities and will better prepare us beyond COVID-19 for Disease X, which is not a matter of “if” but “when”. Over the past two years, we have improved the cleanliness of public spaces – from working with premises managers to uphold high cleanliness standards, to ensuring individuals practise personal responsibility by returning trays and binning litter. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin would be pleased to know that since the Clean Tables Campaign and mandatory clean tables regime were implemented, the national average Tray and Crockery Return Rate (TCRR) in hawker centres has improved significantly, from 33% to 85%.[+14 sentences] We have also achieved a national average TCRR of above 85% in coffeeshops and food courts. Many have shared that the dining environment is now cleaner, with faster turnover of tables and fewer incidences of pests and bird nuisance. We will build on this progress to ensure a clean and safe Singapore. We commenced the progressive roll-out of the Environmental Sanitation (ES) Regime last July, which specifies mandatory baseline ES standards for high-risk premises and places greater accountability on premises managers to meet these standards. We introduced the ES regime in more than 3,000 premises under the inaugural phase, including preschools, MOE schools, food centres, markets and coffee shops, and the first tranche of eldercare, youth and social service facilities. Together with the sector leads, we developed sector-specific ES standards and trained more than 3,600 Environmental Control Coordinators (ECCs). The ECCs will assist premises managers to develop and oversee the implementation of an ES programme, which specifies cleaning frequencies and disinfection protocols. To Ms Hany Soh’s query, the regime was rolled out to preschools in November 2021 and all have appointed personnel to be ECCs. The ES regime ensures that premises are properly cleaned and disinfected regularly. For example, from March this year, coffeeshops are required to carry out thorough cleaning every quarter on top of routine cleaning. This is a marked difference from just ad hoc cleaning before. High-touch surfaces would also be cleaned and disinfected more frequently. Premises managers are also sensitised to their responsibility to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases like gastroenteritis within their premises. For instance, preschools have found the regime useful in providing clear guidance on minimum cleaning and disinfection frequencies, and scope of cleaning and disinfection works, neither of which were clearly defined before. Ms Hany Soh would be glad to hear that we will implement the regime at another 2,700 premises this year.[+3 sentences] These would include publicly accessible premises with high footfall such as large shopping malls, as well as private education institutions. We have worked with these sectors to develop sector-specific ES standards. All premises will minimally require an ECC. For large premises with multiple tenants like shopping malls, Environmental Control Officers (Specified Premises) will be introduced to oversee more wide-ranging public health issues and management of stakeholders. We aim to train 2,700 more ECCs and ECO(SP)s this year.[+3 sentences] Another important aspect of a clean and safe environment is protecting Singaporeans against the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke. Today, smoking is prohibited in more than 49,000 premises, including covered walkways and common areas of residential buildings. We have prioritised places where second-hand tobacco smoke affects more people, such as community spaces. Miss Cheryl Chan, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Louis Ng and Ms Poh Li San would be glad to hear that, together with PUB, NParks and the Sentosa Development Corporation, NEA will extend the smoking prohibition to more places including all remaining public parks and gardens, Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Sites and 10 beaches from 1 July 2022.[+2 sentences] In addition to neighbourhood parks in public and private housing estates where smoking is already prohibited, smoking will be prohibited at Regional and City Parks like East Coast Park and Fort Canning Park, and all Park Connectors. Smoking will also be prohibited at 10 recreational beaches, including three beaches in Sentosa. With this extension, Singaporeans can enjoy these shared recreational sites without exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. There will be a three-month advisory period before enforcement commences on 1 October 2022.[+8 sentences] We currently have no plans to set up additional No Smoking Zones. We will review the need for further extensions of the smoking prohibition from time to time. Setting up No Smoking Zones requires significant stakeholder buy-in and operational resources to implement. We will need to plan extensively, assess the suitability of the precinct and availability of sites for designated smoking areas. On smoking in homes, which Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Ms Poh Li San and Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about, legislation is no panacea to curbing second-hand tobacco smoke in homes. There are privacy concerns and technological limitations to gathering evidence required for enforcement. The Designated Smoking Points (DSPs) in Nee Soon South have thus far not resulted in a sustained reduction in feedback received on smoking in homes in the division since its implementation. Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of DSPs as localised solutions, even as we work with MOH and HPB to discourage smoking at home. On "end game" laws for smoking, MOH remains open and will study how New Zealand implements the ban, its effectiveness and how their experience could be applicable to Singapore.[+6 sentences] Besides adopting preventive measures to minimise the spread of infectious diseases, we are building up capabilities to deal with public health threats. Singapore is an early adopter of wastewater surveillance for COVID-19, which is being explored in various countries. In response to Mr Gan Thiam Poh's question, when transmission first occurred at workers’ dormitories, NEA brought in wastewater testing to assess the situation, including the viral loads collected from each dormitory. Our findings were used to complement individual testing, guide infection control measures and facilitate the progressive clearance of dormitories by the Inter-Agency Task Force. Monitoring has since been expanded to student hostels, nursing homes, and residential sites. From a modest eight sites in May 2020, we gradually expanded surveillance coverage to 200 sites in July 2021. Since February 2022, we have achieved surveillance coverage of 440 sites, including 150 sites distributed across residential areas and town centres. We have also expanded our laboratory testing capacity to 4,000 samples being tested per week, up from 2,500 in July last year.[+16 sentences] As Singapore transits to COVID-19-endemicity, the focus of wastewater testing has shifted from early case detection to providing situational awareness. The data collected alerts Government agencies and premises owners or operators of the situation, which allows them to calibrate public health measures. It provides objective information on whether infections among the population are increasing or decreasing, independent of the population’s health-seeking behaviour and prevailing clinical test protocols. This will therefore be an important surveillance tool even as we transit to an endemic state. Further research and development will allow the wastewater surveillance system to be used for monitoring other infectious disease threats in the future. Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about improvements to toilets. We launched the Toilet Improvement Programme in October 2020 to raise the cleanliness of toilets in hawker centres and coffeeshops. The programme supported premises in improving toilet design and choice of sanitary fittings for easier cleaning and coffeeshop operators' initial adoption of fortnightly deep cleaning on top of daily cleaning. NEA has received applications from 62 eligible coffeeshops and 28 hawker centres. Twenty-four coffeeshops and one hawker centre have completed their toilet enhancement works. I will now speak about our hawker culture, my favourite topic! Our hawkers are frontline heroes, providing us affordable hawker food during this pandemic. NEA has provided relief measures to hawkers over the last two years, including 10 months’ rental waivers and six months’ subsidies for table-cleaning and centralised dishwashing services. Eligible hawkers also received up to $9,000 via the Self-employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) in 2020 and a one-off cash payout of $500 under the Market and Hawker Centre Relief Fund (MHCRF) last year. We will continue to support our hawkers. Minister for Finance announced that small F&B businesses, one of the sectors most affected by COVID-19, will receive the Small Business Recovery Grant. SFA-licensed operators and stallholders in markets, hawker centres, coffee shops, food courts and canteens will receive this grant. They will receive $1,000 for each local employee receiving mandatory CPF contributions, capped at $10,000.[+8 sentences] Those without local employees will receive a flat $1,000 if they are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents. Our efforts have helped hawkers during these tough times. On average, 17 cooked food stallholders or 0.3% terminated their leases each month between 2020 and 2021. This is lower than the monthly average of 28 terminations between 2017 to 2019. Ms Joan Pereira asked if more can be done to help hawkers reduce ingredient cost. We will review her suggestion of bulk purchasing carefully and also consider the interest from our hawkers, where many may already have established relationships and specific arrangements with their suppliers for their preferred ingredients. To prepare hawkers for the digital economy and expand their reach to potential patrons, hawkers, community groups, food delivery platforms, together with NEA and IMDA came together to form the SGTogether Alliance for Action (AfA) for Online Ordering for Hawkers last June and developed pilot initiatives to help hawkers utilise online services. About one in every four cooked food stallholders have been supported via NEA’s Food Delivery Support Scheme. Currently, about half of our 6,000 plus cooked food stallholders are on board these services, and almost 70% of them have adopted e-payment.[+10 sentences] WhyQ, Deliveroo, FoodPanda and Grab have stepped up to pilot a Common Acquirer Model for online food delivery in 15 hawker centres at zero commission to hawkers. Hawkers can receive online orders from any of these platforms through a single ordering device. Alternatively, they can choose to transact offline through WhyQ hawker captains. To date, 18 hawker centres have set up Digital Support for Hawkers groups, which provide peer support to help less digitally savvy hawkers embrace digital opportunities. This includes creating Facebook pages for each centre, facilitating online community group buys, and organising bulk meal orders. I am pleased to share that many of my fellow Members of Parliament have adopted AfA’s recommendations on group buys from hawkers for our lunches during Parliament sittings! For today’s lunch, many of us enjoyed wanton noodles, chicken rice and burgers from Commonwealth Crescent, Bukit Merah and Golden Mile! More enticing and mouth-watering hawker dishes to come! Ms Nadia asked for an update on the Hawker Centres Transformation Programme (HTP). Last year, I shared plans about the HTP to future-proof hawker centre infrastructure. While HTP will be applied to new and redeveloped centres, we are also piloting it at two existing centres even as they face constraints with limited floor space. I am pleased to announce that we will consult stakeholders, including Hawkers’ Associations, Town Councils and Advisers in 2022 to jointly develop the HTP pilot at Geylang Serai Market and Cheng San Market and Food Centre.[+2 sentences] The proposed scope of works may include High-Volume Low-Speed fans to improve ventilation, provisions to support flexible implementation of Safe Management Measures, such as quick deployment and removal of temporary access control, reconfiguration of tables and chairs to reduce crowding, and additional handwashing facilities to raise hygiene levels. Finally, our hawker culture would not exist without our hawkers. On Mr Don Wee’s query, there has been healthy demand for hawker stalls, with high occupancy rates averaging consistently at about 97% at existing and new hawker centres.[+5 sentences] NEA has also been receiving enquiries from individuals who are keen to take up stalls at the new centres, and the monthly tender for vacant stalls at existing centres have continued to attract a good number of bids. Ms Pereira asked about efforts to attract new hawkers, including improving job prospects and working conditions. Our hawkers today are mostly self-employed individuals, with the flexibility and autonomy to decide their operating hours based on what they sell. They are covered by Medishield Life and can also top up their medical insurance individually, or even explore purchasing together as a group through their Hawkers’ Associations (HAs). We have been helping our aspiring hawkers prepare for the trade, through the Incubation Stall Programme and Hawkers’ Development Programme, and similar programmes by Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centre operators. Over 40 new hawkers have joined the trade through these programmes.[+14 sentences] Their median age is 33, significantly lower than the overall median age of hawkers of 60. Eleven aspiring hawkers are currently operating incubation stalls, with another six awaiting allocation of incubation stalls. Some of our new hawkers include Ms Priscilla Huang, aged 31, of Authentic Hong Kong Delights, and Mr Lim Wei Keat, aged 27, of Ah Keat Chicken Rice, who joined the hawker trade over the past year after completing HDP. In addition to Wei Keat’s chicken rice which we had for lunch just now, I have ordered mochi and water chestnut cakes from Priscilla for Parliament’s tea break today. A few others like Ms Amber Pong, aged 32, of The Headless Baker at Ghim Moh Market, who converted to a full-fledged hawker after completing her Incubation Stall Programme, even opened a second outlet in July last year. To ensure that veteran hawkers’ recipes and skills are not lost, the Hawkers Succession Scheme (HSS), which was shared last year, will link retiring hawkers without succession plans but wish to pass on their businesses, skills and recipes, with aspiring hawkers. To Ms Pereira and Mr Raj Joshua Thomas’s question about the HSS, a 10-member independent advisory panel has been set up to work with NEA to support and review the HSS pilot. Among the 10 panellists, six are established hawkers. The rest include culinary chefs, hawker centre operators and culinary training partners. The panellists will help identify suitable veteran hawkers, assess aspiring successors’ readiness, and provide feedback to improve the programme. Under the pilot, aspiring hawkers will be assessed on culinary skills and capacity to learn, before pairing up with veteran hawkers. They will undergo a three-month apprenticeship under the veteran hawkers. Aspiring successors will be evaluated on their ability to execute the veterans’ signature dishes. Where needed, veteran hawkers may continue to mentor the successor for two additional months. In recognition of their time and effort spent, veteran hawkers will receive a nominal stipend of up to $5,500.[+4 sentences] This is but a token of appreciation and is not a measure of the effort that veterans have invested into establishing their clientele and refining their recipes. The HSS is not intended to be a commercial arrangement but is an option to help retiring veteran hawkers find suitable successors and preserve their culinary legacy for future patrons. We will also introduce safeguards to protect the interest of the veteran hawkers such as requiring successors to serve the veteran hawkers’ signature dishes and retain the stall names for three years. Mr Gan and Mr Wee asked about the construction progress of new hawker centres. While COVID-19 has caused some delay, four new centres – namely Bukit Canberra, Fernvale, One Punggol and Senja Hawker Centres, will begin operations by the third quarter of this year.[+4 sentences] In addition, five more centres in the construction stage will progressively be completed in the next few years, and two more are in the planning and design stage. Residents in Tampines Town can also look forward to another new hawker centre. More details of this new centre will be shared in due course. Ms Nadia will be glad to hear that upcoming centres will incorporate sustainability features. All new centres will have food waste digesters.[+2 sentences] Some will also have solar panels. Two redeveloped centres will also be starting operations this year. Market Street Hawker Centre that used to be at Golden Shoe Carpark will open for business from 1 April, at levels two and three of the integrated development CapitaSpring on Market Street and continue to provide affordable food options for those working in the CBD.[+3 sentences] We also expect Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, which replaces the hawker centre at Block 1A, 2A, 3A Commonwealth Drive, to commence operations from fourth quarter of 2022. Chairman, in Mandarin please. (In Mandarin): NEA will be expanding the smoking prohibition. From 1 Jul 2022, we will ban smoking at Regional and City Parks like East Coast Park and Fort Canning Park, as well as the park connector system linking various parks.[+5 sentences] The smoking prohibition will also cover recreation sites under ABC Waters projects, as well as 10 recreational beaches, including three at Sentosa. In the past two years, the Government has been supporting our hawkers through various ways and schemes. This includes waiving a total of 10 months of rent and subsidising six months of table-cleaning and centralised dishwashing fees. Eligible hawkers received up to $9,000 of income relief in 2020 and $500 in cash assistance last year. To continue our support for hawkers, we will provide all SFA-licensed market, hawker centre, coffeeshop, food court and canteen operators and stallholders with a one-time cash assistance, under the recently announced Small Business Recovery Grant. For every employee that operators and stallholders pay CPF for, they will receive $1,000, capped at a maximum of $10,000.[+3 sentences] Those who do not hire local employees will also receive a $1,000 payout. Over the past four years, we have also been attracting new hawkers to join the trade through various training programmes and over 40 new hawkers have joined the trade through these programmes. We will continue to support aspiring hawkers to enter the trade, including matching them with retiring hawkers via the Hawkers' Succession Scheme. In addition, we will be opening four hawker centres this year.[+8 sentences] They are at Bukit Panjang, Sembawang, Sengkang and Punggol respectively, and will provide residents in these towns with food choices and convenience. We will also be building a new hawker centre in Tampines. Details will be announced later. Lastly, from 1 Apr, Market Street Hawker Centre will return to its original site, and reopen on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the newly developed, large integrated development CapitaSpring. All the original stallholders from "Golden Shoe" centre will return to the reopened Market Street Hawker Centre. (In English): Chairman, despite the challenges of the pandemic, everyone – be it the cleaning industry, premises managers or hawkers – have demonstrated resilience, seized opportunities to improve cleanliness, and embrace new business opportunities online. Let us continue to work together to build a truly SG Clean Singapore and safeguard our hawker culture for future generations. Indeed, let us support SG hawkers!
The Chairman5 words
[+1 sentence]Minister of State Desmond Tan.
The Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Mr Desmond Tan)1340 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, I will be speaking about how MSE has taken steps and will continue to secure our food sources and water supply and how we intend to do this with the support of our industry as well as with every Singaporean. First, on food security. Minister Grace Fu mentioned earlier that climate change and pandemics, such as COVID-19, are some of the biggest threats we face today. Coupled with the war in Ukraine, the confluence of factors is causing global supply and price volatility and we can expect to feel the impact in the coming months. MSE plans to ensure food supply resilience through our three food baskets – diversify import sources, grow local and grow overseas.[+6 sentences] Our "grow local" basket is supported by our 30-by-30 goal – an ambition to expand our capability to grow more food locally in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner. Last year, I shared about how our intention to masterplan Lim Chu Kang and turn it into a high-tech agri-food zone that can significantly raise food production and thereby also providing new and exciting job opportunities for Singaporeans. I am glad to update Mr Don Wee and Prof Koh Lian Pin that in 2021, we completed a six-month-long series of engagements on how the Government, industry, including our farmers, nature groups and public can co-create the future Lim Chu Kang region. Many industry players and other stakeholders are keen to embrace high-tech farming, with also other ideas like shared processing and distribution facilities and centralised waste management systems for complementary uses which will enhance the entire farming ecosystem. The feedback and ideas that we received from the engagements will now be folded into our actual planning phase of Lim Chu Kang this year. We have also been driving research innovation and plugging existing technological gaps. Under the Singapore Food Story R&D Programme, we set aside up to $144 million for R&D for sustainable urban food production, future foods, such as advanced biotech-based protein production, as well as food safety science and innovation. To date, around $75 million has been committed to over 30 projects.[+14 sentences] I echo Dr Lim Wee Kiak’s point that alternative proteins, such as cell-based and plant-based meats, can contribute to our nutritional needs. As some alternative proteins do not have a history of use as food, it is important to ensure the safe introduction of such novel food products into Singapore's market. This is why SFA developed the Novel Food Regulatory Framework in 2019 which requires companies to undertake pre-market food safety assessments as part of the process of seeking approval from SFA. I encourage novel food companies to engage SFA early through platforms, such as SFA's Novel Food Virtual Clinics, to better understand SFA’s requirements, so that they can prioritise their research efforts. Now, let me move on to our aquaculture industry. Mr Chairman, fish is a commonly consumed source of protein that can be grown locally to contribute to our food security. To Ms Nadia Samdin’s question, SFA has been working closely with the industry over the past year to understand their needs and introduce best practices that can help them uplift their production and the sector. I have joined them in some of these engagements and visited many of the farms in the Johor Straits as well as in the Southern Waters. The sea-based fish farms in Singapore are, indeed, quite varied, each with a unique approach to farming. Some, like Rong-Yao Fisheries, culture their fish in traditional open-net cage systems. With good farm management practices in place, Rong-Yao Fisheries has obtained the Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP) Fish Farming certification. We have also seen the emergence of high-tech farms which have the potential to transform fish farming by culturing fish intensively. The Eco-Ark by Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) is one of the world’s first purpose-built floating closed containment aquaculture production structure that combines Offshore & Marine Technology with a closed containment system, using water treatment technology to provide good quality seawater to culture the fish and, at the same time, reduce the vulnerability to external conditions. Farms like Rong-Yao and ACE's Eco-Ark have found farming methods that work for them, but they also shared their hopes of getting greater certainty on their use of sea space so that they can continue to invest in their future. Today, sea-based farms do not have a lease mechanism and this creates some uncertainty for our farms. So, we will offer leases to all sea-based farms in the longer term. Incumbent farms will be eased into this arrangement by starting with yearly-renewable temporary occupation licences (TOL) from 1 January 2023.[+8 sentences] The charges will be progressively stepped up to market rate from 2023 to 2026. This will give farms sufficient lead time to consider their longer-term investment decisions. I also mentioned in my speech last year that SFA plans to launch new sea space tenders on lease. I am glad to share that this will happen from the end of 2022. Sea-based farms will see a reduction in their annual licence fee from 1 January 2023. SFA has reviewed the fish farm licence fees to ensure that it remains relevant and that compliance costs for the industry are minimised. Only new farm applications and farms with major changes to their farming activities, such as a change in food type that they want to produce, will be subject to a separate one-off assessment fee due to higher manpower and equipment costs incurred during the course of the assessment. More details will be announced in the coming months. To address Ms Nadia Samdin, Prof Koh Lian Pin and Mr Raj Joshua Thomas' queries, we want to provide greater certainty for our farmers so that they will invest more into their farms.[+1 sentence] I am happy to announce that new land and sea parcels will benefit from longer term leases of 20 plus 10 years. This means that future tenders will offer farmers the option of extending their lease beyond the initial 20-year period for an additional 10 years, subject to the farms meeting SFA’s production output conditions.[+3 sentences] This will apply to new land parcels in Sungei Tengah as well as in Lim Chu Kang after the master planning exercise, as well as sea spaces that I mentioned earlier from end-2022 onwards. More details will again be announced by SFA when the tenders are launched. Mr Don Wee and Mr Raj Joshua Thomas asked how we are helping farmers to upgrade their operations and reach our 30-by-30 goal. Last year, I shared that SFA launched a $60 million Agri-Food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund.[+1 sentence] This ACT fund supports farmers’ needs in different aspects at different phases, for example, from capability upgrade, innovation and test-bedding, as well as tech upscaling. SFA has received a total of 32 applications as of end of last year and eight applications have already been approved, while the rest are being processed and evaluated. Going forward, we will also expand the scope of the ACT fund to allow more food types that are commonly consumed in Singapore to also benefit from higher co-funding quantum.[+3 sentences] This includes fruited vegetables, mushrooms and shrimp. More farms can now benefit from the higher co-funding support to invest in their farming solutions. Prof Koh Lian Pin asked if the Government plans to calibrate our food imports as we increase local food production in order to minimise waste. Even as we aim to produce more food locally, Singapore will continue to need to import most of our food. We remain committed to facilitating free, open and competitive trade, and any substitution between imports and local production will be a result of market forces.[+3 sentences] While local farms ramp up production to contribute to our 30-by-30 goal, it is critical that Singaporeans continue to play their part by supporting local produce. Strengthening Singapore’s food security is a whole-of-nation effort and, without strong local demand, our farmers would find it hard to sustain a high level of production. With your permission, Mr Chairman, may I display a slide on the LCD screens?
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Please proceed.
Mr Desmond Tan1273 words
[+10 sentences]To help Singaporeans better identify local produce, SFA launched a set of three logos to integrate branding for local produce in February 2022. These are the updated SG Fresh Produce logos you see on the screen to identify, first of all, local farmers – you see the first one on the left with one star; and logos to differentiate farms certified under the Good Agricultural Practice scheme for quality assurance – and they get two stars at the bottom; and Clean & Green scheme for sustainable production, which is the three-star logo. By choosing local produce, everyone can contribute to our food security. Whether you are buying groceries for your family or for your restaurant, choosing local produce will support our local farmers, helping them not just to survive but to flourish by becoming more productive and sustainable. So, let me remind everybody to try and support our local produce. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): Mr Chairman, to ensure Singapore's food security, SFA announced the 30-by-30 goal in 2019. We hope that by 2030, we can satisfy 30% of Singaporeans' nutritional needs through local production. Today, sea-based farms need to renew their sea space lease very year. This has made it hard to attract aquaculture businesses that require large upfront investments. After the reviewing the policy on the lease of sea space, I am glad to announce that we will offer long-term leases to all sea-based farms to help attract investors to develop the local aquaculture industry. To help existing farms ease into this arrangement, we will start with yearly renewable temporary occupation licences from 1 January 2023.[+7 sentences] This will give farms sufficient lead time to consider longer-term investment decisions. From the end of 2022, SFA will launch new sea space tenders on lease. From next January onwards, SFA will also reduce the licence fee for sea-based farms to ensure that the fees are more appropriate. We will share more details in the coming months. To achieve our 3-by-30 goal, besides Government support and funding, we hope that Singaporeans can also play a part by supporting local produce. SFA launched a set of three logos in February this year to help Singaporeans better identify local produce. I hope Singaporeans can buy and support fresh local produce more and achieve a more secure future together. (In English): Mr Chairman, I would now like to speak about our other basic need, which is water. We will continue to strengthen water security by developing weather-resilient sources like NEWater and desalinated water and I am happy to announce that Singapore’s latest plant, Jurong Island Desalination Plant, will be operational in Apr 2022.[+4 sentences] This plant is co-located with Tuas Power’s existing Tembusu Multi-Utilities Complex (TMUC). It taps on the cost and operational synergies in the water-energy nexus by sharing infrastructure, such as the seawater intake and the substation, with the TMUC. As pointed out by Miss Cheryl Chan, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Ms Poh Li San, weather-resilient sources are energy-intensive. Since 2002, PUB and stakeholders have committed more than $800 million in R&D into technologies, such as biomimetic membranes and blue energy, to improve energy efficiency of NEWater and desalination processes. The energy to produce one cubic metre of desalinated water could, potentially, be reduced from 3.5 kilowatt hours to less than two kilowatt hours by 2025.[+5 sentences] In 2020, we announced that work had already begun on Tuas Nexus, Singapore’s first integrated solid waste and used water treatment facility, comprising NEA’s Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) and PUB’s Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP). Mr Shawn Huang asked about the Tuas Nexus project and an update. To date, more than $4 billion worth of contract works have already been awarded by NEA and PUB. The Tuas Nexus is set to complete in phases from 2025. The electricity generated by IWMF will be sufficient to sustain the operations of Tuas Nexus, and excess electricity will be exported to the national grid. When fully operational, the excess electricity exported to the grid by IWMF will be able to power up to 300,000 four-room HDB flats.[+10 sentences] This is just the beginning. We will continue to explore such synergies across various infrastructure facilities across the Government. Mr Chairman, the Deep Tunnel Sewerage system will transform the way Singapore transports our used water. This is essential in land-scarce Singapore and, when completed, will result in a 50% reduction in the land take for used water infrastructure. This is a multi-year $6.5 billion project that showcases our commitment towards forward planning. I am glad to update Mr Sitoh Yih Pin that for the Phase 2 tunnel contracts which began in 2017, more than 80% of the tunneling works have already been completed. The overall project, including Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, is scheduled to be ready by 2026. Mr Chairman, Singapore's water story has been a success not just because of our infrastructural achievements, but through fostering community stewardship among Singaporeans towards our water resources. For example, we have transformed our waterbodies into recreational sites for all to enjoy and protect under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters, or ABC Waters programme. I am pleased to update Mr Gan Thiam Poh that 50 ABC Waters projects have been completed since it was launched in 2006 and seven more will be completed over the next two years. Beyond our local waterways, we are also inspiring collective action to safeguard our marine environment from the threats posed by marine litter. I am pleased to update Ms Nadia Samdin that the Government is on track to publish Singapore's first National Action Strategy on Marine Litter in June 2022.[+4 sentences] The Strategy will describe Singapore's comprehensive approach to address the sources of marine litter. Ahead of the launch of the Strategy, we organised a public engagement session to seek feedback on measures to address marine litter and to galvanise 3P efforts to improve the situation in Singapore. Miss Cheryl Chan and Ms Hany Soh asked how we can improve water conservation. The COVID-19 pandemic saw water consumption shift from the non-domestic sector to the domestic sector. In 2021, non-domestic water consumption fell by 6% while domestic water consumption increased by 6% compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. In per capita terms, household water consumption increased from 141 litres per day in 2019, to 158 litres per day in 2021.[+2 sentences] This was largely due to more time spent at home because of work-from-home and home-based learning arrangements, as well as more frequent hand washing, showering and cleaning by households to maintain higher hygiene standards as what Ms Chan and Ms Soh have pointed out. PUB will support households to make informed choices and raise awareness on water consumption at home, for example, through the Smart Water Meter Programme. PUB has commenced the roll-out of the first phase of the programme in Tampines Central in January 2022 and will be installing some 300,000 smart water meters in new and existing residential, commercial and industrial premises, target to complete by 2023.[+2 sentences] Water conservation starts with every Singaporean. I hope every individual can play their part to save water to ensure our water supply continues to be sustainable. I also want to thank Mr Murali for his suggestion to plug the existing gaps with enforcing foreign vehicles that have idling engines. There are practical challenges, but I want to assure Mr Murali that we will be studying this proposal.[+1 sentence] Mr Chairman, I thank Members for their support of the work done by MSE, PUB and SFA to ensure food security and water sustainability, and ask that you continue to help us build a sustainable, resilient, liveable and vibrant Singapore.
The Chairman38 words
[+3 sentences]We have some time, about 15 minutes for clarifications and then we will press ahead with the rest of the cuts until 7.30 pm. So, can I invite Members if you have any clarifications now? Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang194 words
[+11 sentences]Thank you, Sir. I have two clarifications. Both relating to having roadmaps, which I think has been very useful that we have published the roadmap for carbon tax so companies and people can plan and adjust in advanced. First, for Minister Grace, I thank her for sharing details about the disposable carrier bag charge and I also thank her for not saying no to extending the disposable carrier bag charge to smaller convenience stores. I believe she said not now. So, could I ask whether we can have a roadmap in terms of expanding the disposable carrier bag charge. So again, companies and our people can plan and adjusting in advanced. Second, I thank the Senior Minister of State Amy Khor for sharing the details of the extension of the smoking prohibited areas. The same thing, could I ask whether we can have a roadmap in terms of expanding the no-smoking zone in Singapore. I really do thank the Senior Minister of State for all the hard work in addressing all my questions with regards to second-hand smoke. I sincerely wish and hope that would become her second most favourite topic after hawker culture.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Grace Fu.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien181 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I thank Member Louis Ng for his supplementary question. I would like to assure Members that we do look at his suggestions very carefully and I think that for the issue on disposable bag, this is indeed an important step that we have taken. Having thought through all the considerations and also positions that we have taken in the past about how relevant plastic bags are in our daily lives, we need to make this change, it is important for us start cultivating that habit and let us see what happens after that.[+1 sentence] We may encourage more businesses to come on board, which we have already been doing, and I would like to see a lot more businesses, individuals, taking this as part of their habit. When you have that as part of your habits, then I think we do not need to use the lever of legislation. So, I am keeping it open for now. We will see what is the response by the people and by the business community, and we will review it over time.
The Chairman5 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Khor.
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan149 words
[+2 sentences]I thank the Member for his question, yet again, on second-hand smoke. But let me also thank the Member for acknowledging that we have provided him with comprehensive answers for the various questions he had posed on second-hand smoke. With regard to a roadmap, as I have said before, we continue to monitor and review if we can further extend our smoking prohibition from time to time.[+4 sentences] In fact, we continuously do this, in the area of second-hand smoke in homes as well as in public areas. This is something that we will continue to do. So, the roadmap really is about driving, continuing to work on it and continuing to look at how we can actually feasibly implement any extension of smoking prohibition to other areas. Because whatever we do, it will have to be operationally feasible as well as effectively enforced in order to make a difference.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Hany Soh.
Ms Hany Soh107 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you Chairman. My clarifications is in relations to the ES regime. While I applaud the Ministry's determinations to implement the ES regime next to more premises to keep our community safe, I am also concerned that this will also be equate to increasing operating costs. In my earlier Parliamentary Question that I asked this morning, I have raised my concerns that places like preschools are already grappling with COVID-19 rules and shortage of manpower. So, I wish to inquire whether MSE intends to provide more support or monetary grants which these business operators can tap on to implement and continue to comply with the ES regime.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister Khor.
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan288 words
[+5 sentences]I thank the Member for the question. Indeed, for the ES regime, what we have actually done is really to work with the specific sectors. Preschools, for instance, we work with them to come up with the standards, the baseline standards for the regime. And in that sense, what we are doing really is to go upstream to implement the baseline standards so that they know, for instance, I have shared that the preschools actually welcomed the fact that now they have clear guidelines on the cleaning and disinfection frequencies, as well as protocols, which they did not have before. Then, they will be able to implement it. So, what we really have done, as I have said is to work with the sector and calibrate the requirements. And if you think about it, if you do it right upstream, actually it will help you to reduce or avoid costs downstream because it will avoid, say gastroenteritis cases or minimise or reduce the cases.[+4 sentences] And if you do not, when there are such incidents, there could be additional costs because you will have to do deep cleaning and so on, there will be reputational damage and then closure of the schools. So really, it is also cost avoidance and upstream, it is really about putting in place a proper system and proper measures rather than needing say, for instance, additional manpower Regarding the ECC that they have to appoint, it can actually be an existing staff. It could be one of the supervisors or teachers for instance, or you could actually employ one to oversee a few within the neighbourhood or within that area. So, we do provide for some flexibility and we are mindful of the cost.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak209 words
[+11 sentences]Chairman, I have two clarifications regarding disposable plastic bag charges. I would like to ask the Minister when we implement this plastic bag charges, because plastic bag charges, the cost price, which is actually very low. It is a fraction of a cent. So, when we charge $0.05 per bag means that the profit margin is quite high. I know you are saying that it is not purely for profit, but does it mean that any other shops, including convenience store, if they decide they want to charge for plastic bags, is it legitimate do so straightaway. Is it considered profiteering? This is something, especially in this climate of rising inflation, many of the residents are all very concerned about cost. The Minister also mentioned that the cost itself, that is the profit that is – or rather the revenue that is collected from this will be channelled towards other social causes. Is this mandatory or is this voluntary? Which means, how would we ensure that this cost is really channelled towards helping the environment and those of a lower socioeconomic group. Previously, I also asked before how do we help our lower socioeconomic cope with this increase in the cost now even though is just $0.05 per bag.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Grace Fu.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien395 words
[+2 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. I would like to thank the Member for these clarifications. On the first point about possibility of profiteering, right now, even without this latest legislation proposal, some shops are already collecting a bag charge for environmental reasons.[+4 sentences] It is for good reasons. You can look at it as a motive for profit, but actually, it is really putting a cost on it. I would like to remind Members and also all members of the public that this is a cost that can be entirely avoided, you do not have to pay the bag charge if you carry a reusable bag or you put it into your carrier bag. That is the kind of habit that we would like all Singaporeans to cultivate over time, that when you are going out, please have a collapsible, reusable bag in your bag, or carry along with you in your car, so that you can avoid having to pay the bag and do not let any companies make any profit out of this. Second point about whether we would make it mandatory to apply their proceeds to environmental and social causes. The answer is yes, but we are not requiring them to put it into specific charities or specific causes. The supermarket operators will have the choice of how they want to apply, maybe as part of their CSR and ESG programme.[+6 sentences] The idea is, I firmly believe, that this action for climate, action for environment, is not restricted by income segmentation. Whether it is a low-income, high-income family households, everyone has the capacity to contribute to reducing waste and to be environmentally friendly. So, I would like to encourage all households, regardless of your income level, think about how to reduce wastage. And for the supermarket operators, if we are minded about it, you can always work with your charities around you, or the social service agencies around your community to give back and help the low-income family in other forms, whether it is food vouchers or whether it is low-cost food. This is really our way to extend assistance to everyone at this time, a very difficult time. So, short answer is yes, they are required to and I would like to really see them doing their bit for the environment and also for the social causes in the area where they operate.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Edward Chia.
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui (Holland-Bukit Timah)55 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I would like to thank Minister of State Desmond Tan on his sharing that to facilitate greater safety, innovation in the plant-based protein space, they are facilitating dialogues with SFA on the requirements. Conversely, I would like to ask, is SFA also actively updating requirements along with technology, innovations in this space?
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Minister of State Tan.
Mr Desmond Tan184 words
[+1 sentence]I thank the Member for the question. The short answer to the Member is yes, SFA will continue to keep abreast with the latest technology and also review our regulations to keep pace with what is coming up.[+6 sentences] But I have also mentioned in my speech that because novel food does not have a history of safe consumption, we are paying a bit more attention on the safe implementation before it reaches our consumption market. And I just also want to highlight on the stepping up on safety, companies can also collaborate with Future-ready Food Safety Hub. In short, we call it FRESH which is a partnership between SFA, A*Star and NTU to conduct their food safety assessments. And, thereafter, these food safety assessments are then rigorously reviewed by SFA's Novel Food Safety Expert Working Group. So, we have put in place some of the structure. One is to ensure that we monitor the progress and advancements in technology for novel food and, at the same time, to ensure that these are safely assessed and before they are implemented to the Singapore consumer market.
The Chairman6 words
[+1 sentence]Last clarification, Ms Poh Li San.
Ms Poh Li San88 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. This clarification is for Minister of State Desmond Tan. I thank him for giving us an update on the progress of the DTSS but I like to know a bit more about what are the PUB's plans to mitigate localised flooding in regions that are outside the capture vicinity of the DTSS? For example, last year, remember that Bukit Timah area as well as Loyang areas experienced quite severe flash floods. I would like Minister of State Desmond to share a bit with us.
The Chairman1 words
[+1 sentence]Minister.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien304 words
[+7 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I think this will be part of ongoing effort by PUB to reduce inland flooding. As I mentioned in my speech, we have been spending huge investments in improving our infrastructure. We do that systematically in three ways: we look at the source, we look at the passage and we look at the receptor. So, we look how we can, for example, slow down the flow of flood water. We build detention tanks, we have built one at, for example, Stamford Canal. We have also required building owners, for example, to have detention tanks within their properties. Really, all ways to slow down the movement of water.[+1 sentence] We have also improved drainage. We are going to invest significantly over the next few years in order to improve our drainage system, including Bukit Timah.[+4 sentences] And we will look at how we can improve our flood responses on the ground. But the challenge is this. I would like to inform Members is that climate change is telling us – all the signs and data are telling us – that we are going to expect more intense rainfall. We are going to also expect rainfall that did not used to collect in places that we are used to. So, we are starting to see some areas that did not used to be flood-prone have now becoming more flood-prone partly because we have already worked on some areas and, therefore, the water will its way towards the lowest point now and we have to continue to improve our infrastructure. But more importantly is that we cannot prevent the possibility of a single flood event in Singapore.[+1 sentence] And for that, we will have to really get community to be aware, to have the ability to manage and the ability to be resilient towards such an event.
The Chairman6 words
[+1 sentence]Miss Cheryl Chan, next cut, please.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling595 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, climate change is fast happening with tangible consequences keenly felt by many worldwide. In the pursuit of meeting net zero emissions by 2050, several countries have adopted carbon pricing to different extent, with this mechanism likely to be a global norm in time to come.[+16 sentences] While carbon pricing could be one of the levers towards achieving net zero emissions, there are a few clarifications on Singapore’s plan that I wish to seek. Could the Ministry outline in further details on the considerations and roadmap underpinning this net zero target? As carbon emission varies across the industries and each sector has differing operational needs and product lines that result in GHG emission, is the intent to begin with sector specific approach or to have industries across the board to provide proposals on their efforts in reducing GHG at each site over specified time period? Further, will companies be identified in the value chain and efforts be coordinated through the Ministry to enable scale up efforts in accelerating the decarbonisation process and possibly enabling the sharing of cost in platforms or tools that can assist players within the same industry to benefit from economy of scale? As businesses begin to internalise the cost of carbon price impact versus the implementation cost of actions to reduce emissions, how will the Government ensure that the GHG reduction impact is properly measured and accounted for with respect to the targets set at each interval? Will further review be conducted to validate if the revised carbon tax level is deemed adequate at 2026/2027 to achieve the targets set? Without our own power sources, our reliance on natural gas means the energy supply is a large carbon source that we need to actively consider to decarbonise. Today, we are looking at different forms of renewables, solar sources locally and hydropower overseas. For the solar capacity that are announced to be available in Singapore, will the full capacity being channelled into the grids as part of the energy mix and are the power producers actively working on large scale electricity storage to harness as much of the power generated? Without which, the process to reduce energy source from low carbon to green supply will always be impeded. I had also previously mentioned the move towards green friendly practices may be easier for the large corporations who have the resources and expertise to do so. For our SMEs, they will have real tangible costs to them. As we emerge from the pandemic, besides financial grants, will the Ministry be looking at other options to help the SMEs embark on the sustainability topic in the decade ahead? Finally, the rationale of a carbon tax is to shift behaviours and mindsets to nudge businesses to rethink their existing way of operations and to become more sustainable. A mechanism should be implemented to prevent the carbon tax from being fully passed on to consumers, especially if the goods being consumed is a necessity. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of making corporates take ownership in decarbonising their footprint. A possible mechanism that I can suggest could be on the power generation companies to tier the cost being passed down to households based on usage, for example, with the first 400 kilowatt hour having no carbon tax passed on, and a subsequent tier percentage to be determined by the Energy Market Authority of the carbon tax allowable to be passed on for every 100 kilowatt hour thereafter. This would ensure that the households that are conserving energy and using electricity within the national average level are not penalised.
Ms Poh Li San256 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26 in short, concluded with many countries committing to net-zero pledges. Due to our lack of renewable energy resources, we may only be able to meet the net-zero target by or around 2050, as we avail of new opportunities in the carbon market and technological breakthroughs.[+9 sentences] How will Singapore respond to calls for increased climate ambition and action? In order to meet the net-zero target in a shorter time frame, what kind of changes on the part of households and industries would be required? Will the Government share some figures and scenarios to help Singaporeans understand? These details are necessary to get support from Singaporeans for climate mitigation related measures, which will entail changes in our lifestyle, business processes, social practices, just to name a few. What more can the Government do to rally businesses, civil society groups and the people to accelerate the race to zero? Can the Government also share what are the key considerations that underpin Singapore’s approach to setting climate targets? What are the trade-offs and circumstances that the Government has to account for? One of the chief concerns would be the impact on the cost of living, jobs and businesses. How will the Government balance the need to mitigate climate change and ensure Singapore’s survival and competitiveness? What are our revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to be submitted to UNFCC in 2022?[+1 sentence] Does Singapore intend to declare our Carbon Net Zero goal to UNFCC and if so, by when?
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang)284 words
[+7 sentences]Chairman, during this year's Budget, Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Singapore is targeting to reach that net-zero by or around mid-Century. First of all, I would like to thank the Government for coming to this decision. As party to the Paris agreement, Singapore has a duty to set a clear target that aligns with the 1.5 degrees goal. This is even more so as we recently signed the Glasgow Climate Pact. A new net-zero target sends an urgent that we take climate change very seriously. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Civil Society members, like climate scientists, youth activists as well as fellow Members of Parliament who have been pushing for a more ambitious target for years. However, I have several classifications about the new target that increased carbon pricing. From 2024, businesses will be able to use and I quote, "high-quality international carbon credits to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions." What accountability measures will the Government put in place to ensure transparency and fair implementation? How much of the Government's own net- zero target will be based on such international carbon credit offsets?[+6 sentences] With the latest update to net-zero targets, what is the Government's projection of our emissions pathway from today up to mid-century? Specifically, are we still looking at rising emissions levels up to 2030? Lastly, all this is clearly a huge step forward. Around mid-century is still quite ambiguous, to be honest, and we all know what it means to set smart goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. So, will the Government consider setting a more exact deadline to achieving net-zero emissions? Can we strive firmly towards net-zero by 2050?
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang184 words
[+14 sentences]Sir, I am glad we have announced our new target of reaching net-zero emissions by or around mid-century. Many activists in Parliament and outside, have been speaking up about this for many years. We are glad that our voices have been heard and that we have a much more ambitious target. We thank all the Ministries and agencies for their hard work. But I hope we can have a more specific target. Reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century would be good but around mid-century would not be that good. But around mid-Century will not be that good. Twenty-fifty is not just a random year. It is based on science; global emissions must be net-zero by 2050 if we want to have any hope of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In Singapore, SIA, Temasek, and DBS have committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Singapore always punches above its weight on the international stage. We should also punch above our weight when it comes to climate change. Many other countries have made this very specific pledge. Can Singapore also reach net-zero emissions by 2050?
Prof Koh Lian Pin (Nominated Member)66 words
Chairman, in line with Singapore's announcement of our revised target to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050 and the review of Singapore's Nationally Determined Contributions by COP27, the Finance Minister mentioned in his Budget 2022 speech that public consultations will be done as part of this revision and review.[+1 sentence] How will these public consultations be conducted and which stakeholders will be engaged in the process?
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang)628 words
[+9 sentences]Presently, most carbon offset programmes often serve as little more than a palliative. Typically, parties interested in reducing their carbon footprint, the climate-conscious non-profit hoping to attend an environmental conference on the other side of the world, say, will purchase offsets from a vendor or exchange equivalent to the amount of carbon that they expect to generate. Unfortunately, such vendors are seldom closely regulated and depend on the goodwill and enterprise of the operators. Too often, even among well-meaning vendors, the strategy is to simply pay off some rancher, who would otherwise cut down trees on their land, using the cash from the non-profit with a small fee paid to the vendor for the effort. The system works well, of course, for just about everyone involved. The ranchers benefit from a stream of income for not developing their land, the non-profit believes that they have done their part in reducing their carbon footprint. And the vendor has earned a transaction fee, all while believing that they are doing good. Just about everyone, except the Earth. The typical scenario sketched out above is such that net emissions will actually have increased. So, go on, do the math quickly in your head. Now, making carbon offsets that truly work requires that the amount paid for said offsets actually goes toward reducing the total amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere.[+1 sentence] This is where a credible system of offsets, paired with an actual cap-and-trade exchange, comes in. Recall, carbon cap-and-trade systems are typically seeded with a fixed amount of carbon emissions distributed via permits.[+1 sentence] These permits, of course, are finite. Hence, a credible exchange would direct the funds from the carbon offset toward the purchase of permits, which are then retired from circulation.[+11 sentences] The major difference between this approach and that of a green vendor is that there it is no longer a counterfactual of otherwise increased carbon emissions that are being funded. Rather, it is now used to fund activities that have to be backed up by actual verifiable emissions reductions. This is where trusted governments can take a lead. A private-public partnership (PPP) led by private sector initiative and efficiencies, but encompassing active public sector involvement to ensure that the programme's purported goals are being met, strikes me as the best way forward for such an endeavour. A separate agency operating under the umbrella of NEA can take the lead on the Government side. I have previously spoken about why carbon taxes tend to trump cap-and-trade systems. I still hold to that position, which is shared by the majority of economists who have studied the merits of both systems. Still, I see little reason why, if we are going to operate a carbon emissions trading system alongside a carbon tax regime, the system should not also be operated in a manner that complements our carbon reduction efforts. Moreover, a PPP of this nature is consistent with the stated goals of the Singapore Green Plan to develop Singapore as a carbon services and trading hub. Credible carbon offsets can be a major project to help develop Singapore's trusted reputation in the region. Of course, all markets require liquidity and the best way to get the programme off to a solid start is to provide a steady stream of income. To this end, I would like to suggest that MSE consider requiring the purchase of credible carbon offsets along the lines of what I have described for all official international travel by civil servants.[+2 sentences] These will operate in line with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Even better, if the Government takes on the proactive role of permanently retiring offsets that it purchases, then I think the world, the Earth in particular, will be much better off.
Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry (Kebun Baru)180 words
[+3 sentences]Chairman, during last year's debate, I spoke about the importance of Singapore building a world-class carbon trading ecosystem so that we can use high-quality carbon offsets to help us exceed our NDC. I also recently spoke about the importance of promoting carbon accounting/auditing services, as well as the importance of influencing the direction of global regulations. As such, I commend Singapore's new net-zero ambitions and our efforts to shape Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Can MSE explain on the specifics on how these globally traded carbon credits can help us reach net-zero?[+3 sentences] I also hope that we can, if we use globally traded carbon credits, source for credits from many, rather than a few countries, because sourcing diversity also builds resilience for Singapore. Also, I hope carbon credits will supplement, rather than replace our local efforts to improve energy efficiency, import and generate green energy, and adopt mitigation technology, such as Carbon Capture and Sequestration. So, in sum, can MSE share more about our thoughts on how to best balance Singapore-based efforts versus the purchase of overseas carbon credits?
Mr Don Wee63 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, Singapore needs to set up an appropriate carbon price mechanism to internalise the emissions cost and incentivise reductions effectively while ensuring we do not impose unbearable burdens upon our enterprises and households. Would the Government elaborate on how the revised carbon tax level and any potential increments will support our green transition and what is the expected impact on households and businesses?
The Chairman9 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Gan Thiam Poh. Both your cuts together, please.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh113 words
Chairman, Singapore’s carbon tax will be progressively increased to reach S$50 to S$80 per tonne of emissions by 2030, so that we will meet our new target of reaching net-zero by or around 2050.[+3 sentences] Would the Ministry elaborate on how the revised carbon tax levels and trajectory will support our objective of becoming a green economy? We are faced with overall rising costs due to the pressures of the pandemic and other crises. In the midst of this, we have begun to transit to use more clean and alternate energy. How would the Government help to minimise the impact of the carbon tax on consumers, especially those in the middle- and lower-income groups?
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang146 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, currently, carbon tax applies only to facilities emitting at least 25 kilo-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. This covers around 50 facilities that contribute to about 80% of our total carbon emissions.[+7 sentences] We should aim for a higher coverage. I understand that the Government sets a high threshold to limit compliance costs by smaller emitters. But smaller emitters, those emitting at least two kilo-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, are already “reportable facilities” and have to pay the costs of monitoring and measuring their emissions. Given that any additional compliance costs would likely be minimal, it makes sense for the carbon tax to cover all reportable facilities. This would, after all, be in the spirit of a whole-of-nation fight against climate change. Emitters, small and large, have a role to play. Will the Government expand coverage of the carbon tax to include all reportable facilities?
The Chairman7 words
[+2 sentences]Ms Poh Li San. Both cuts, please.
Ms Poh Li San333 words
[+14 sentences]Mr Chairman, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 was greatly welcomed when it was launched last year. With the national agenda on sustainability set out, it creates a clear framework to rally a whole-of-nation movement. Can the Government provide an update on our progress thus far for the Green Plan and what are the additional programmes and goals? Considering the impact of the pandemic, are we still on track to reach the targets of the five pillars of the Green Plan – City in Nature, Energy Reset, Sustainable Living, Green Economy and Resilient Future? For example, are labour shortages delaying the development of new parks, greener buildings and the goal of producing locally 30% of our national nutritional needs by 2030? How successful have we been in getting green investments and green jobs? Have Singaporeans managed to conserve more water and electricity in the past year? Research and development hold the key to our green aspirations. How would the Government direct its R&D funding to achieve Singapore Green Plan outcomes? Are we attracting and nurturing enough talents in green and sustainability engineering, R&D and related technological explorations? What impact has our R&D investments into sustainability and climate resilience projects made? How will we encourage more Singaporeans to take up deeper research in this field as a career? In 2020, about 52% of the 5.88 million tonnes of solid waste generated were recycled. The rest were incinerated and sent to our only landfill – Semakau Island Landfill. At the current rate of waste incineration, it is expected to be full by 2035.[+4 sentences] We must expedite measures to reduce waste in the next few years. Will the Ministry consider more drastic measures, such as higher fees or fines, to reduce waste generation? What are the Ministry’s plans after this date? Will it extend the lifespan of Semakau Landfill? NEA has been administering the $45 million Closing the Resource Loop funding initiative on sustainable resource recovery solutions.[+1 sentence] Are there any updates on the progress of this initiative?
Mr Gan Thiam Poh55 words
[+3 sentences]Chairman, to build a low carbon future, we do need to invest in R&D projects to address our special needs and requirements. How will the Government direct its R&D funding to achieve the Singapore Green Plan outcomes? Which are the areas with the best growth and development potential and how will the Ministry support them?
Miss Rachel Ong (West Coast)128 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 was launched in 2020 with a slew of ambitious targets across the five pillars. More recently, in his Budget 2022 speech, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong committed to raising our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by or around mid-century and increasing our carbon tax rate with a view to reaching $50 to $80 per tonne by 2030.[+3 sentences] This is most encouraging. May I ask the Government to provide an update on the progress of the Green Plan since 2020? In light of Singapore’s increased ambitions, as announced in Budget 2022, and also inputs from the Members from the two Motions on Sustainability this and last year, whether the Government is making any adjustments to our Green Plan targets to match this increased ambition.
The Chairman10 words
[+2 sentences]Prof Koh Lian Pin. Please take your three cuts together.
Prof Koh Lian Pin388 words
[+7 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. The Government has made commendable efforts in engaging the public on the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and Budget 2022 and has continually encouraged public participation through public consultations. Will the participating Ministries in the upcoming Green Plan conversations consider putting in place guidelines and protocols for greater accountability and transparency in the engagement process, including releasing post-engagement reports of key insights to the public? Furthermore, it is laudable that the Ministries have conducted online public consultations on issues, such as the future of Dover Forest and the proposal for retailers to charge for plastic bags. However, the length of time allocated for seeking public feedback often varies between consultations for different issues, ranging from several weeks to months. Has the Ministry canvassed feedback from the participants of these consultations and the public to better assess the most appropriate length of time for conducting public consultations? Will the Ministry consider ways of ensuring sufficient time be allocated for future public consultations for the public to be more fully aware of issues and to provide even more valuable comments? In December 2020, the Government announced its Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025), amounting to $25 billion allocated for the period 2021 to 2025.[+1 sentence] One of RIE2025's key focus areas is urban solutions and sustainability, which will address challenges in sustainability and climate resilience. The Government also mentioned that we will allocate $5.2 billion under RIE2025 to scale up innovation and enterprise platforms, including those seeking to facilitate research and technology translation.[+3 sentences] How does the Government intend to direct its funding under the USS domain to achieve Singapore Green Plan 2030 outcomes and to scale up innovation and enterprise to unlock green growth opportunities? Does the Government have any early examples of the returns on our R&D investments into sustainability and climate resilience for Singapore? Third cut. Given the revised carbon tax trajectory in Budget 2022, we can expect more Singapore-based companies to tap into funds, such as the Energy Efficiency Fund, to improve energy efficiency of their operations as part of their decarbonisation journey.[+2 sentences] How much of this fund has been dispersed so far and, of which, how much has been resourced from our carbon tax revenue? Additionally, does the Ministry have any early examples to share regarding the impact of the E2F since its inception?
The Chairman7 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Hany Soh, both your cuts, please.
Ms Hany Soh337 words
[+12 sentences]How can communities and individuals continue to participate in the national movement to secure a greener future for Singapore? The SG Eco Fund was launched in November 2020 and aims to support projects that advance environmental sustainability and involve the community. What is the progress of the SG Eco Fund so far? The Woodgrove community is one of the beneficiaries of this wonderful initiative. Its community partner, the Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL) has successfully applied for the SG Eco Fund, intending to raise awareness on environmental issues and encourage more residents to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle through community, education programmes, sustainable markets along with an app with interactive games. Workshops will also be conducted with the support of our Woodgrove's green taskforce involving residents and volunteers to share useful tips to practise the 5Rs – refuse, reduce, repair, reuse and recycle – and to empower residents with the knowledge to conserve water and energy as well as to reduce food waste. Looking at the list of the SG Eco Fund awardees, many of them have interesting and practical ideas. Moving forward, I would like to ask if MSE would consider remodeling the SG Eco Fund concept so that more constituencies and divisions can consider applying for the grant to adopt ideas that have proven successful in other divisions. Apart from the finances, there is also a need to look into improving the existing infrastructures in our community so that individuals and the community are able to practise green living, such as building more community gardens and setting up more recycling bins catering to different recycling purposes. Many of my Woodgrove residents have shared that the present design of the blue recycling bin poses many challenges to recycle effectively. Are there plans to roll out new types of recycling bins to replace the existing blue bins? Rather than providing one bulk container for people to dispose all types of their recyclables and waste, can the Ministry consider and introduce more innovative solutions to encourage single-type recyclables?
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin169 words
Chairman, with $50 million set aside in total, the SG Eco Fund has had two grant calls so far, awarding almost $4 million to 79 projects – no small amount to show our commitment to the environment. These funds have supported a wide range of projects from community-based scavenger hunts to a freshwater mangrove wetland development project, among many others.[+3 sentences] As we approach nine months since the results of the first grant call, I would like to ask what is the progress of the SG Eco Fund so far? Given the wide-ranging sizes and types of projects which it has supported, what environmental and community outcomes does the SG Eco Fund track to ensure that the projects are achieving their goals and do these contribute towards our national targets and Green Plan? Further, how can the SG Eco Fund better reach out to the community and are there ways for the Eco Fund to collaborate with the private sector for catalytic and sustainable funding as well as capacity building?
Mr Don Wee149 words
Chairman, the Government had earmarked Choa Chu Kang, Nee Soon and Tampines as eco towns.[+8 sentences] Residents can expect transformations which will enhance their built environments so that they will be more green, sustainable and liveable for residents. For example, hawker centres will aim for zero waste by composting food scraps. In addition, these towns will be able to track their energy consumption, water usage, carbon emissions and their progress in recycling. Can the Ministry provide an update on what has been implemented so far and what future developments can be expected? Will new waste disposal methods, such as a pneumatic waste conveyance system (PWCS), be introduced in these towns? How about the installation of more energy-efficient light bulbs and solar panels? Will there be incentives for more rooftops to be converted to urban farming? Will the Ministry facilitate community collaborations for recycling projects and electricity and water conservation drives?
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied)455 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, Sir, heat inequality is an issue I spoke on in last year's climate Motion in Parliament. The number of very hot days where the real feel temperature, considering humidity, exceeds 40 degrees has increased by about eight times since the 1950s to over 80 days each year now.[+1 sentence] The situation is serious. The Government mentioned one year ago that it is working on an urban heat impact mitigation action plan.[+5 sentences] I would like to ask the Minister for an update and propose that the action plan consider lower-income groups and blue collar workers, including migrant workers. Firstly, on prioritising low-income groups. The cheapest air conditioners cost about 60 cents per hour for electricity. So, many less well-off residents head to air conditioned spaces like malls and libraries, which are important for the hottest days in the year. There is not always space at the library though. From what I understand, the Green Towns Programme does not prioritise vulnerable neighbourhoods.[+4 sentences] Can we quickly provide good stopgap measures for such vulnerable areas? We already know where the warmest areas in Singapore are through Landsat thermal images and these places often have high concentrations of HDB rental blocks. We could focus our OneMillionTrees project on areas where vulnerable people live. We also have a programme providing vouchers for households to buy high-efficiency appliances like fridges but can we extend this to include fans and include more households? Moreover, can we look into including living space temperature requirements under the building control regulations? I would also like to ask what are the Government's targets to retrofit all estates to deal with the urban heat island effect?[+12 sentences] Next, on blue collar workers. Blue collar workers face the short end of the stick. For shift workers, it can be really hot sleeping during the day. This reduces sleep quality and quantity, which have an impact on workplace safety. Studies show that driving on low-quality sleep can be as dangerous as drink-driving. With migrant workers, many have spoken about why they choose to sleep on the floor or on hard boards without bedding. The heat can be unbearable because, very often, you have 16 workers in a room and many dormitories have metal roofing and walls. NEA recently released a Good Environmental Health Practices statement. However, there are no legally binding measures regarding heat management. With the MOM employers' guide for domestic workers, there is no definition for "adequate ventilation". In 2017, one of our non-governmental organisations (NGOs) even reported that a domestic worker was made to sleep on the balcony. Of course, most employers put in effort to ensure workers have decent living conditions but let us work towards stricter binding guidelines so that no worker is left behind.
Ms Janet Ang (Nominated Member)486 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, executing on our Singapore Green Plan (SGP) 2030 is an imperative, whether it is all of us using less plastic bags or NUS researchers finding ways to store CO2 below ocean floor. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, no country is spared, no business can ignore, no individual can hide. We need the collective will of all of humanity to heal the earth for which we are all stewards of. In this Committee of Supply, I would like to touch on the following points. One, at the company level, our businesses need to be brought up to speed on the what and the how of sustainability and they need help to assess their gaps and develop the plans that will take them to net zero.[+6 sentences] The SGP 2030 vision is a great rallying cry. How successful has our engagement of businesses and the public been and what are the next steps being taken? Next, at the supply chain level. The national Chambers are reiterating the importance for local companies to step up and embrace sustainability practices and standards urgently to better support their multinational companies (MNCs) partners based in Singapore. The race to create competitive green supply chains to stay relevant in the global economy and win is fast and furious. How are we planning to create competitive green supply chains out of Singapore? At a country level, our trusted status as a financial hub land ourselves as a potential key player in carbon trading.[+2 sentences] Besides that, Singapore is also blessed with: (a) having the world's busiest container transshipment port with a global network of more than 50 locations in 26 countries around the world; and (b) our Changi Airport, albeit pre-COVID-19, being the most internationally connected airport in Asia Pacific and among the top 10 air mega hubs in the world, according to OAG. How can Singapore businesses leverage these two crown jewels to play the bigger game in this world of green and sustainable? Next, financial support for green transition is critical for businesses as they map out their net zero plans.[+3 sentences] How will the Ministry ensure a robust financing ecosystem will be in place to support the industry, especially the SMEs? More assistance schemes may be needed to catalyse the SMEs with specific actions. Switching their fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) will be a good first step but SMEs must not be mistaken that they can get to net zero without changing their processes and greening their supply chains. Can the Government consider providing targeted tax incentives or rebates to SMEs as a measure of their progress in their sustainability adoption?[+2 sentences] In fact, if players in the supply chain collaborate through research to innovate and partner each other and the Government to achieve progressive outcomes, the Government can provide more tax incentives. The sustainability agenda will require leadership and talent with new skills and expertise and the collective will to act.
Committee of Supply – Head L (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment)›Budget5 turns · 952w
· 6 highlighted
budget-1875
The Chairman12 words
[+1 sentence]If you would like to take your both cuts together, please do.
Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo (East Coast)361 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. Budget 2022 has outlined Singapore's ambitious plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or around 2050. To achieve this goal, there will need to be an accelerated pace of transition. The green economy announced last year as Singapore's Green Plan 2030 sets out Singapore's objective of sustainability as a new engine of opportunity and growth for Singapore and investments to be carbon efficient. What is the Government doing to enable R&D to grow the capabilities of our industries to develop low-carbon alternative such as hydrogen and to advance other low-carbon sustainable technology and solutions? What support and investments has Singapore made and will make to support the growth of businesses in the green economy in areas such as green ICT, carbon services and trading hub and goods and services related to low-carbon project development, project financing, trading, consultancy and measurement, reporting and verification?[+12 sentences] My next cut. Mr Chairman, becoming more sustainable is not just about compliance for businesses. While companies will need to be able to address compliance, which often relates to regulations on emission, waste management, energy efficiency and labour practices, compliance also concerns investors' and consumers' decisions. Hence, businesses need to understand the benefits, competitive advantage and growth opportunities of being a sustainable business. With the unpredictability and instability in energy cost and supply, there is also direct business benefits of reduced cost for businesses to be more energy efficient and in having more sustainable operations. But we know that to become greener and more sustainable does not just happen. Businesses need funding but also much more. Companies will have to understand and track the impact of their business on the environment. Businesses need to also review and relook at how they produce their goods and deliver services, their supply chains to reduce waste and impact on the environment. This will require new skills and know-how as well as new systems and tools to manage. What are the Government's key efforts to support businesses to transition and to capture value in the green transition? What is the Government doing to enable businesses to adopt more sustainable operations and develop sustainability as a competitive edge?
The Chairman9 words
[+2 sentences]Ms Mariam Jaafar. Please take both your cuts together.
Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang)558 words
[+8 sentences]Chairman, in past speeches, I have called for Singapore to have a higher ambition, leading the way to a green future in spite of our size. To do this, our local industry must innovate and invest in a green transition. But uncertainty over costs, benefits and risks will influence incentives to make the move. Each sector has a different emissions profile, transition readiness, industry structure and willingness of the end customer to pay. The increase in carbon taxes may compel companies to move, though it must be implemented in just transition. The Government is also exploring and putting in more regulations and standards and benchmarks. What else can the Government do to encourage local companies to invest, perhaps, ahead of the market? One key lever is green public procurement. Globally, public sector procurement activities are directly or indirectly responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions – seven times the amount emitted by the entire aviation industry. They are also heavily concentrated in six industries: defence and security, transportation, waste management services, construction, industrial products and utilities.[+1 sentence] And often account for a large share of their suppliers' revenues. Using this buying power, green public procurement can be a major boost for the green economy. Government can set standards for products, services and project activities, certify companies and materials for sustainability, giving extra points for suppliers that are "greener".[+3 sentences] However, public procurement is complex and highly decentralised and there are competing priorities and socioeconomic considerations. For example, does HDB prioritise going for the fastest, cheapest way to get a lot of flats out or go for green buildings that have lower embedded emissions and reduce controllable lifecycle emissions? These are complex questions but ones which we must take a position and communicate effectively to all stakeholders as part of the green public procurement transformation. Other levers for the Government include funding and incentives for innovation and R&D in transformative new technologies, working with industry coalitions to promote decarbonisation across the value chains, upgrading and making available climate and sustainability data and analytics systems, providing incentives for market adoption such as low interest loans and tax credits and boosting understanding expertise and capabilities through education and reskilling programs, the subject of my next cut.[+9 sentences] We can also invest in relatable and inspiring public education campaigns to educate Singaporeans on the choices they make. For the right portfolio of measures and pace of implementation, we will need to understand trade-offs, consider cross-sector impact and socioeconomic impact. How will the Government support local companies that innovate and invest in a green transition ahead of the market? What is the Government doing to activate the market demand and willingness to pay, including among end consumers? Chairman, I filed the cut but I do not have to write my own speech here as the hon member Koh Lian Pin has very succinctly made the points in his Budget speech. In a green economy, every worker must have basic and foundational knowledge of climate sustainability alongside functional specific skills and sector‐specific competencies to enable a successful transition of key industries towards sustainable business models and practices. Our IHLs can play a key role in building these capabilities and competencies. I echo his views. What is the Government doing to reskill and upskill employers, employees and students for managing and capturing value in the green economy?
The Chairman12 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, would you like to report progress?
The Deputy Leader of the House (Mr Zaqy Mohamad)22 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, may I seek your consent to move that progress be reported now and leave be asked to sit again tomorrow?
The Chairman26 words
[+2 sentences]I give my consent. (proc text)]
Mr Deputy Speaker6 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad33 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2022/2023, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.
Mr Deputy Speaker5 words
[+2 sentences]So be it. Deputy Leader.
Extension of a Sitting›Motions1 turns · 28w
· 0 highlighted
motion-1874
The Chairman28 words
[+2 sentences]Pursuant to Standing Order No 91(3)(d), I propose to extend the time of this day's Committee sitting for a period of up to 30 minutes. Ms Jessica Tan.
Adjournment›Motions1 turns · 23w
· 0 highlighted
motion-1877
Speaker not recorded23 words
[+2 sentences]. (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.35 pm.
Correlation between PSLE Results and Socio-economic Status in Past Two Years›Oral Answers to Questions5 turns · 708w
· 10 highlighted
oral-answer-2767
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang58 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Education (a) in the past two years, whether it has been found that PSLE results are significantly correlated with social economic status; (b) if yes, how does the Ministry intend to reduce the correlation; and (c) if no analysis has been conducted on this issue, whether the Ministry intends to study this issue further.
The Second Minister for Education (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman) (for the Minister for Education)432 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Speaker, globally across education systems, students from higher socio-economic backgrounds tend to perform better. This is reflected in OECD’s study of 15-year-olds across more than 70 economies participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA. In Singapore, there is similarly some correlation between socio-economic background and PSLE results.[+3 sentences] This is not unexpected, as parents with more resources are able to support their children’s learning and provide them with a head-start in life. However, we must work hard against the natural tendency of societies to stratify, so as to maintain social cohesion and to give our children a good start in life, regardless of their background. In this regard, our education system plays a crucial role in levelling up opportunities and support for students from less advantaged backgrounds to develop their potential. MOE pays close attention to this issue and provides significantly more support to students with higher needs.[+2 sentences] For example, we provide dedicated support for children needing support in basic numeracy and literacy skills through the Learning Support Programme for English and Mathematics in Primary 1 and 2 students. After Primary 2, higher-needs students who require more academic support are helped through programmes such as the Reading Remediation Programme and Improving Confidence and Achievement in Numeracy programme. Some students also have needs that extend beyond academic support. This is why we have launched the Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT), which I currently chair, to enhance our upstream wraparound support for such students.[+1 sentence] Our efforts comprise strengthening after-school engagement and care through school-based Student Care Centres in Primary schools and after-school programmes in Secondary schools, as well as partnering the community to support students’ families through the UPLIFT Community Network. Schools with a higher proportion of students in need also receive more manpower and funds to support whole-school interventions for their students.[+1 sentence] Sir, encouragingly, our students from less advantaged backgrounds do well compared to their international counterparts. OECD’s PISA study, for example, has found that compared to other high-performing systems, Singapore’s students from the bottom-25% of socio-economic background not only outperform their international counterparts of similar socio-economic background, but also out-perform the OECD average in all core domains assessed in PISA.[+2 sentences] We will continue to press on to further strengthen support for these students, such as with the expansion of UPLIFT initiatives. Through this approach of tilting more resources and help towards students with greater needs, we will lean against the entrenchment of socio-economic advantages and ensure that our education system continues to provide opportunities for Singaporeans in each generation to succeed and realise their potential.
Mr Speaker3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)98 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Sir. And I thank the Second Minister for the reply and the good work that UPLIFT has been doing. Could I ask, over the last two years, whether the correlation between PSLE scores and socio-economic status has been increasing or decreasing. And two, are we tracking whether the children involved in the UPLIFT programme are actually doing better as compared to their peers who are not involved in the UPLIFT programme? So, specifically, whether the Primary school students in the UPLIFT programme are going into Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) or the Express streams after their PSLE?
Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman117 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, I thank Mr Louis Ng for his supplementary question. On the correlation, it has been stable over the last five years – it has not been going up, not going down.[+1 sentence] We will continue to do our best to ensure that we provide the resources to help our students from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue to do well. On the outcomes of UPLIFT, I hope Mr Ng will give us some time. We just started in 2018 and the initial outcomes have been quite encouraging.[+1 sentence] We see more students' attendance improving. We are tracking and monitoring different components of the programme.[+1 sentence] And I will share a bit more during MOE's Committee of Supply (COS) later this afternoon.
Support for Preschools Grappling with COVID-19 Rules and Manpower Shortage Given Rise in Cases›Oral Answers to Questions5 turns · 932w
· 10 highlighted
oral-answer-2768
Ms Hany Soh29 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what support is available to assist preschools that are grappling with COVID-19 rules and manpower shortage issues as COVID-19 cases rise.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Eric Chua) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development)467 words
[+5 sentences]Mr Speaker, since the start of the pandemic, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has been regularly reviewing the COVID-19 measures for preschools, in line with changes to our national posture and in consultation with MOH. These regular reviews aim to safeguard the health and safety of preschool children and staff, while enabling preschools to manage their operations. The measures also consider the fact that the majority of preschool children are unvaccinated. To keep our children and staff safe, and to enable preschools to keep up with changes to the health protocols, ECDA regularly updates the sector via email circulars and infographics. Preschools can also reach out directly to their ECDA licensing officer if they need help or guidance. ECDA also provided preschools with funding support in 2020 and 2021 to hire Safe Management Assistants to help implement safe management measures (SMMs).[+1 sentence] In turn, this gave operators time to review their operational processes and manpower planning to sustain evolving SMMs. To help preschools manage COVID-19 cases ahead of the Omicron wave, ECDA and MOH have streamlined the contact tracing processes and empowered preschools with greater autonomy to manage their COVID-19 cases.[+4 sentences] For example, we have streamlined the process to allow preschools to submit details of close contacts directly to MOH so that Health Risk Notices can be issued faster, thereby reducing the period of uncertainty for parents and staff. The surge in cases due to Omicron has affected many segments of society, and the preschool sector is no exception. We recognise that a high number of COVID-19 cases amongst staff can disrupt preschools’ operations. In earlier phases of the pandemic, cross-deployment of staff across preschools and across classes within the same preschool was restricted to minimise the risk of transmission. As all preschool staff are now fully vaccinated and are placed on weekly Rostered Routine Testing (RRT), ECDA has provided operators with more flexibility in manpower deployment within each preschool.[+1 sentence] Where necessary, each preschool may deploy staff across classes or tap on relief staff. In areas where manpower is very tight, such as Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teachers, such staff may be deployed across preschools, subject to prevailing SMMs. In situations where preschools are impacted by substantial staff absenteeism, ECDA works closely with the operators to initiate their business continuity plan, such as adjusting programme plans and allowing flexibility in staffing ratios.[+4 sentences] Keeping our preschools safe and healthy is a collective effort. We advise parents to monitor their children’s health and consult a primary care doctor if their child is unwell. Children who are unwell should stay at home to rest and return to preschool only when they have fully recovered. We also encourage parents, whose children are five years old and older and medically eligible, to register them for COVID-19 vaccination to give them better protection.
Mr Speaker3 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Hany Soh.
Ms Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee)85 words
[+4 sentences]I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. One is on whether ECDA will provide more support in relations to provision of more ART kits to all the preschools to ease the operating expenses and encourage more people to get tested on a regular basis. The other question is my concern in relations to a disruption of manpower and whether that will compromise the preschools' adherence to the environmental sanitation regime, exposing the children to the possibility of gastroenteritis cases.
Mr Eric Chua348 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Speaker, I thank the Member Ms Hany Soh for her additional questions. On the first question on additional support in terms of ART kits, I think that is something we can take back and explore. Last year, sometime around September, we had done the same. We issued some kits to the preschools, children, to alleviate the stress on the families of having to test regularly for the children.[+7 sentences] On the second question on disruption of manpower, as I had mentioned in my main reply, it is a balance we want to strike between maintaining the preschools' operations viz a viz getting the children tested. We understand that manpower can be a stretch, especially at this time when we have quite a number of preschool staff and teachers who might be down with COVID-19, who might be on medical leave. We want to be able to empower the preschools, give them some flexibility. So, as I had mentioned in my reply earlier, we do allow them some degree of flexibility as compared to before. In the earlier phases of fighting the pandemic, our SMMs and restrictions had been quite tight. Now, we have allowed for deployment across classes. We have also allowed for, in some cases, for example, where manpower is very scarce – as I mentioned, mother tongue language teachers – for them to be deployed across preschools, subject to SMMs. So, we are striking a right balance and we are mindful of the constraints that preschools face, we are mindful of the stress that preschools have to handle and deal with as well. But as much as possible, at this phase of the pandemic, we want our preschools to remain open as much as possible so that social impact arising from preschool closures are kept to the minimum.[+1 sentence] At the same time, as we move to the endemic phase, we hope that we can also try to alleviate some of the stress that both the preschools as well as families are facing, and that is why we will take Member's first suggestion on board as well.
Guidelines and Autonomy Given on Disbursement Amounts for MediFund Applications›Oral Answers to Questions5 turns · 573w
· 6 highlighted
oral-answer-2769
Mr Leon Perera61 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the recommended guidelines used to assess MediFund applications, including the quantum of assistance to be provided; (b) what degree of autonomy do MediFund Committees have to make decisions on such applications; and (c) what measures are in place to ensure consistency of interpretation of these guidelines by MediFund Committees across the MediFund-approved institutions.
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for Health)102 words
To apply for MediFund, applicants must be Singapore Citizens who are subsidised patients and are receiving treatment from a MediFund-approved institution. As long as patients meet these eligibility criteria, the MediFund Committees (MFCs) have flexibility and discretion over the assessment, approval and assistance quantum of MediFund applications.[+1 sentence] They work with the medical social workers (MSWs) to assess applications holistically, taking into account patients’ socio-economic and health circumstances, as well as bill sizes. MOH provides operational guidelines to MediFund-approved institutions to facilitate their management of MediFund and to provide some consistency for decision making, although MFCs retain full discretion over assessment of applications.
Mr Speaker2 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Perera.
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied)117 words
[+4 sentences]I thank the Senior Minister of State for his answer. Just one supplementary question, which is to confirm the understanding that MOH provides guidelines as to the quantum, the way in which you do the means testing for MediFund, but those guidelines, if I understand it correctly, are not binding on the different MediFund Committees, so they have the discretion to deviate from those guidelines, depending on their case-by-case assessment. The second supplementary question is, if that is the case, then what process is in place to ensure that there is a basic degree of consistency? Because otherwise, you could get some MediFund Committees being more generous than others, depending on the hospital or the healthcare provider.
Dr Koh Poh Koon291 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, the Member is correct that the MediFund Committees do have discretion and MOH provides guidelines regarding means testing criteria, the amount of assistance as a benchmark so that they can have those as a reference. The full discretion is given to these committees to actually deviate from these suggested guidelines.[+2 sentences] In terms of the outcomes, I think that is the fundamental and most important thing. Despite all the guidelines, are we able to assist most of these people and patients who are in need. In fiscal year 2020, 98.3% of the total number of MediFund and MediFund Silver applications that were received were approved and 87.6% of the approved applications received the full assistance.[+3 sentences] So, I think the outcome speak for itself that regardless of the guidelines, most of these applications actually receive the assistance they require and most of them in full, as well. Let me also add that MediFund assistance is also automatically extended to needy patients under MSF's social assistance schemes, for example, the ComCare Long-Term Assistance recipients, who fulfil the MediFund eligibility criteria without requiring them to go through the application process. So, those who are already on our radar, who are in need, will receive the necessary support, without further application. In terms of auditing some of these outcomes and making sure that the spirit of MediFund is complied with, the MediFund accounts and administration for each preceding financial year are audited annually, either by Auditor-General's Office (AGO) or an external auditor appointed by MOH in consultation with AGO.[+1 sentence] So, I think there are robust processes in place to make sure that the MediFund Committees perform their roles well and the outcomes, in terms of the numbers that have been assisted, also validate this observation.
Common Causes of Fire Along HDB Corridors and Proportion of HDB Flats with Home Fire Alarm Device Installed›Oral Answers to Questions5 turns · 558w
· 8 highlighted
oral-answer-2770
Mr Yip Hon Weng63 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the common causes of fire along HDB common corridors; (b) what percentage of HDB flats built before June 2018 have Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) installed; (c) whether the take-up rate for the installation of HFADs is on the rise; and (d) what are the Ministry’s efforts to encourage more households to install HFADs.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Home Affairs)212 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Speaker, Sir, the common causes of fire along HDB common corridors are of electrical origin, which includes fires involving personal mobility devices and personal mobility aids, arising from naked light such as candle flame and flame from lighters, and the indiscriminate disposal of lighted materials such as cigarette butts. Since June 2018, all new residential units and existing units that are undergoing fire safety works, such as renovation works involving a fire-rated door, are required under the Fire Code to install Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) within the units. For residential units built before June 2018 and which have not undergone fire safety works since June 2018, the installation of HFADs is voluntary. We do not have data on the percentage of HDB flats built before June 2018 which have HFADs installed.[+3 sentences] Members of the public can access the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)'s website for useful information on fire safety and to download the recently revised edition of the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook. These materials contain information on HFADs, including a list of HFAD suppliers, in the four official languages. SCDF has also been working with the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council and HDB to educate new homeowners on fire safety and emergency preparedness through the digital MyNiceHome Roadshows.
Mr Speaker2 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Yip.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang)70 words
[+5 sentences]Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have two supplementary questions. Can I find out the statistics for the number of common corridor fires in HDB flats in 2021? And two, how is MHA and SCDF working with agencies such as the Town Councils to prevent fires in common corridors of HDB flats, as this is a common concern amongst HDB flat dwellers?
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim211 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. In 2021, there were 122 fires that occurred at HDB common corridors and passageways. If you look at the breakdown of the top three causes of fires: (a) we had 43 fires due to electrical origins, for example, fires involving PMD and electrical risers; (b) we had 42 fires due to naked light, for example, candle flame, flame from lighters; (c) we had 32 fires due to indiscriminate disposal of lighted materials, for example, cigarette butts; and (d) we had five fires due to other causes. The number of fires at HDB common corridors and passageways has been decreasing over the years. With regard to how we work with the agencies, we have been working with HDB, Town Councils, MCSTs and many other stakeholders to educate and raise the awareness of how we can play our part in minimising or responding to fires.[+1 sentence] What we used to do was, if you remember, we had the Emergency Preparedness Day, prior to COVID-19. When the COVID-19 situation stablises, we will launch the Community Resilience Day.[+2 sentences] It would be roadshows in the heartlands where we will teach residents emergency preparedness and fire safety skills. The Member can also find more details on the SCDF website.
Monitoring of Manpower Policies in Hospitals with Respect To Rest and Leave Days of Nurses and Doctors›Oral Answers to Questions5 turns · 520w
· 9 highlighted
oral-answer-2771
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang81 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry monitors manpower policies in hospitals with respect to nurses’ and doctors' rest days and off days for compliance with the Employment Act; (b) whether the present Omicron COVID-19 wave constitutes a situation under section 38(2) of the Employment Act which allows an employer to require an employee to exceed the limit of hours worked and to work on a rest day; and (c) how it ensures nurses and doctors have sufficient rest.
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for Health)183 words
[+1 sentence]Sir, rest day provisions and work hour limits for public healthcare workers are governed by the Employment Act. For those healthcare workers that are not covered by the Employment Act, their rest day provisions and work hour limits are set out in public healthcare clusters’ employment contracts.[+2 sentences] COVID-19 has stretched our healthcare resources and placed a heavy burden on healthcare staff. All our public healthcare workers have been working doubly hard in this time of crisis. Whenever there is essential and urgent need that requires overtime work, employers will accord overtime pay as required by section 38 of the Act.[+1 sentence] We urge cooperation and understanding from everyone as the hospitals reduce non-urgent and non-life-threatening care treatments to manage workload, decant those who need less intensive care to Community Treatment Facilities and curtailed visitations to hospitals. Public healthcare clusters have allowed staff to rest and recharge by taking days off, including taking annual leave, whenever possible.[+2 sentences] MOH is supporting them by doing whatever we can and stepping up on vaccination. We hope to turn the corner soon from this current wave of COVID-19 infections.
Mr Speaker3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)99 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Sir. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. Could I just check, specifically, whether MOH has studied this issue further? In terms of overtime hours, how much are the nurses working overtime, the doctors as well during the past few months or two years in this pandemic? Two, I think it is really a manpower crunch. So, is MOH also studying the resignation rate, especially among the experienced healthcare workers, whom I understand are, leaving more as compared to the junior staff? And also, what is MOH doing to try and retain these workers?
Dr Koh Poh Koon154 words
[+1 sentence]I thank the Member for his concern on the workload of our healthcare workers. [restates an earlier point]As I have said, this is a crisis of a generation and it is the truth that many of our healthcare workers are going above and beyond their call of duty, extended hours, also in the primary care sector, our GPs as well.[+1 sentence] But this is their commitment to respond to the crisis and pulling their weight to make sure they become a strong last line of defence for our safety and our health. In MOH's Committee of Supply (COS) in the next few days, we will be giving a fuller response on some of the strategies that MOH will look at to support our healthcare staff and also to look at boosting our manpower resources over the coming decade.[+1 sentence] So, I hope the Member will give us time and we will share more and details in the coming COS.
Occupancy Cap for HDB Jumbo Flats›Oral Answers to Questions2 turns · 184w
· 5 highlighted
oral-answer-2772
Ms Mariam Jaafar28 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for National Development whether the occupancy cap for HDB jumbo flats can be increased from the current six persons to between eight and 10 persons.
The Minister of State for National Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for National Development)156 words
As HDB flats are intended to serve the housing needs of flat owners and their family members, there is no limit imposed on the number of family members who can live together in an HDB flat. Occupancy caps apply when the flat owners rent out their flat or bedrooms to unrelated persons.[+1 sentence] This is to minimise the disamenities caused by overcrowding in our public housing estates and maintain a conducive living environment for all residents. The current occupancy cap for 4-room and larger flats, including jumbo flats, is six persons.[+1 sentence] This is aligned to the occupancy cap for private residential properties of all sizes. Increasing the occupancy cap would likely create more disamenities when the flat or bedrooms are rented out to unrelated persons. Should flat owners need to exceed the occupancy cap when renting out their flats or bedrooms, HDB will consider the request and may exercise flexibility based on the circumstances of each case.
Usage Trend of Vaporisers›Oral Answers to Questions3 turns · 256w
· 5 highlighted
oral-answer-2773
Mr Yip Hon Weng47 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the statistics for 2021 shows an increasing trend in the number of people using vaporisers; and (b) amongst the users which consist of school-going youths and children, which age group and education level saw the highest number of vaporiser users.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Ms Rahayu Mahzam) (for the Minister for Health)161 words
Currently, there is no available local data on the use of vaporisers as these are illegal products and reliable self-reported data is difficult to obtain. However, in 2021, there were 7,593 offenders, across all ages, caught for import of vaporisers, compared to 6,192 in 2020. Similarly, in 2021, there were a total of 4,697 offenders caught for purchase, use or possession of vaporisers, of which about one-third were under-18, compared to a total of 1,266 offenders in 2020. While data on number of offenders may not represent the total number of users, the trend does suggest a general increase in use of vaporisers in Singapore.[+2 sentences] This worrying trend of increased vaping is also observed internationally. In response, MOH will work together with relevant partners and stakeholders to strengthen enforcement measures, as well as enhance public education efforts. The Health Promotion Board will also roll out a vape-free campaign later in 2022 targeted at youths and younger adults through popular digital platforms.
Mr Speaker48 words
[+2 sentences]Order. End of Question Time. [Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix, unless Members had asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn.]
Announcement by Speaker›Announcement by Speaker1 turns · 206w
· 0 highlighted
speaker-1869
Mr Speaker206 words
[+9 sentences]Hon Members, under the prevailing Health Protocols, Members who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases but who are ART-negative can leave their homes and come to Parliament Sittings. Safe management measures remain in place here in Parliament House and the Chamber for Members and visitors to protect their well-being. From today, as a further precaution to reduce the density of Members in the Chamber, such Members will be delivering their speeches on a separate floor, namely the additional Galleries on Level Three. These are the same arrangements for Members whereby they participated in the Sitting from seats in the additional Galleries during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the COVID-19 situation today is not the same, we will maintain vigilance out of an abundance of caution. Members of the public who wish to follow the proceedings in Parliament House will now do so via a live screening at the Auditorium. The livestream of Parliamentary proceedings is also available for the public to watch at their own convenience anywhere. Let us continue to exercise personal responsibility by monitoring our health closely and strictly adhering to the appropriate testing regimes. In doing so, everyone’s safety and well-being remain paramount as we proceed with our Parliamentary business.
Update on Study to Enhance Case Management System by State Courts to Capture and Track Data on Types of Harassment Filed Under Protection from Harassment Act 2014›Written Answers to Questions2 turns · 111w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-10223
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim57 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Law whether there is an update on the study to enhance the case management system by the State Courts to capture and track data on the types of harassment filed under the Protection from Harassment Act 2014, broken down into categories such as sexual and workplace harassment, online harassment and harassment by neighbours.
Mr K Shanmugam54 words
[+2 sentences]The specialist Protection from Harassment Court was operationalised on 1 June 2021. With this, the State Courts have also enhanced their case management system to capture and track data on the following types of harassment: (a) sexual harassment; (b) workplace harassment; (c) cyber-bullying; (d) doxxing; and (e) harassment by debt collectors, moneylenders, or creditors.
Potential Impact on Singapore's Investments and Essential Imports from Escalation of Tension in Ukraine and Neighbouring Regions›Written Answers to Questions2 turns · 360w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-10224
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim62 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the escalation of tension and the situation in Ukraine and the neighbouring regions (a) what is the potential impact on Singapore's investments in Ukraine and the region; and (b) what are the measures taken to alleviate the impact of any potential disruption to essential supplies from the region due to the situation.
Mr Gan Kim Yong298 words
[+15 sentences]The Government is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine. The immediate and direct impact on our economy and firms has been manageable, for now. Singapore companies have a limited presence in Ukraine, and we do not import many essential supplies from Ukraine and the region. However, the longer-term and indirect impact of the Ukraine conflict on Singapore will be significant. One key area we will be significantly impacted by is energy cost, as we import most of our energy needs. We have already seen a spike in the global prices of oil and natural gas, which Russia is a major exporter of. The crisis will also further strain global supply chains, as Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of commodities such as wheat, and metals like nickel and palladium. Supply disruptions for these commodities will raise the prices of goods that use these commodities as intermediate input. For example, a global disruption in the supply of nickel could affect the production of stainless steel, which is used in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Disruptions to palladium supply will affect the semiconductor industry, and consequently the wider technology goods market. We are working with our key companies to review their business continuity plans, to minimise disruptions to their business operations. Singapore has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to manage supply chain risks, especially for essential goods, which we had enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes diversifying our imports, stockpiling and producing locally where viable, as well as working with major importers and retailers to ramp up supply from alternative sources if necessary. Support measures have been announced at the Budget to help our businesses and households. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and if necessary, introduce additional measures to help them cope with the challenges.
Plans to Improve Commuters' Satisfaction with Bus and MRT Services›Written Answers to Questions2 turns · 470w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-10225
Mr Yip Hon Weng37 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Transport in view of the dip in satisfaction with public transport services last year compared to 2020, what are the plans by the Ministry to improve commuters' satisfaction with bus and MRT services.
Mr S Iswaran433 words
[+15 sentences]We are committed to providing safe, reliable and accessible public transport services. That is why we closely track a range of indicators to benchmark the quality of our public transport services. To give us a broader sense of commuter satisfaction trends, we look at a range of annual surveys conducted by various organisations. In that regard, while the Public Transport Customer Satisfaction Survey (PTCSS) indicated a decrease in satisfaction levels, the Singapore Management University's Customer Satisfaction Index of Singapore for the Land Transport sector found that satisfaction with public transport in 2021 held steady compared to 2020. It is also noteworthy that in the PTCSS that showed a decrease, more than nine out of every 10 respondents were satisfied with our public transport system. Nevertheless, we take every survey result seriously, and study them to identify areas for improvement. In the case of the PTCSS, the survey coincided with the period of the Delta wave when bus service frequencies had to be adjusted due to a spike in COVID-19 cases within the community that affected our bus captain workforce. We recognise that these service adjustments may have caused inconveniences to commuters, but they were part of our ongoing work with public transport operators to refine and strengthen their contingency plans. Apart from customer satisfaction surveys, we also track performance indicators such as the Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) which is a key indicator of rail reliability. In this regard, we have continued to maintain world-class rail services, with our MRT system sustaining a MKBF above one million train kilometres since 2019. Ultimately, a first-class public transport system depends on the quality and commitment of our public transport workers, and protecting their welfare is a key priority. Hence, even at the height of the disruption to bus services during the Delta wave, we wanted to ensure that our bus captains had sufficient time for rest even if it meant longer waiting times for commuters. As the manpower manning situation improved, we also prioritised our bus captains for their booster shots while progressively restoring headways for bus services. Last, but not least, commuters can look forward to even more convenient and accessible public transport journeys in the coming decade as we significantly expand our rail network from 245 kilometres (km) today to 360 km in 2030. The progressive opening of the remaining stages of the Thomson-East Coast Line, Circle Line Stage 6, as well as the new Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line, will shorten commuting times and bring us closer to achieving our goal of a resilient, inclusive and sustainable land transport system.
Streaming of Students at Primary 3 or 4›Written Answers to Questions2 turns · 95w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-10226
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang23 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Education whether primary school students are streamed into different classes when they are in Primary 3 or Primary 4.
Mr Chan Chun Sing72 words
[+4 sentences]Primary schools allocate students to Primary 3 classes to ensure a good mix of gender, race and learning ability. This creates a rich learning environment for students to learn holistically, enhance their socio-emotional competencies and broaden their perspectives. Class allocations are maintained from Primary 3 to Primary 4, to provide stability and continuity in teacher-student relationships. This enables teachers to strengthen pastoral care for students and better cater for individual student's development.
Withdrawal of Reservation to Article 25(e) of UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities›Written Answers to Questions2 turns · 168w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-10227
Mr Leon Perera70 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Government intends to withdraw its reservation to Article 25(e) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which recognises that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability; and (b) if so, what is the date for the withdrawal.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M98 words
[+4 sentences]Singapore supports the principle of non-discriminatory treatment towards persons with disabilities. When Singapore intends to sign to any UN conventions or laws we intend to comply and must therefore prepare stakeholders for them. In this case the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been formulating guidelines on fair practices towards all customers, including those with disabilities, and intends to embark on public consultations on these guidelines by the second half of 2022. Following the issuance of the guidelines, Singapore intends to withdraw the reservation to Article 25(e) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Variations to Existing Waste Management Contracts under Government Entities to Factor in Progressive Wage Model›Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by End of Question Time2 turns · 344w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-na-10213
Mr Gan Thiam Poh88 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for Finance (a) what is the number of existing waste management contracts under Government Procurement Entities (GPEs) that will expire beyond 2024; (b) whether an advisory will be issued to these GPEs to allow a contract variation with their waste management service providers to factor in cost increases due to the Progressive Wage Model (PWM); and (c) if not, what recourse is available to these service providers who have signed their contracts before the announcement of the PWM and unable to continue providing the service.
Mr Lawrence Wong256 words
[+11 sentences]The National Environment Agency has six existing contracts with Public Waste Collectors which provide services across the whole of Singapore. These contracts will expire after 2024. These contracts make up over 90% of Government’s waste management contracts by value. In addition, there are over 100 smaller contracts for general waste management services by various Government agencies, which will mostly end by 2024. The Tripartite Cluster for Waste Management, comprising representatives from employers, unions, Government agencies and service buyers, had decided to implement the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the waste management sector from 1 July 2023, allowing a lead time of about 1.5 years from its announcement. Contracts made after the announcement will factor in the impact of PWM. To support employers in uplifting lower-wage workers, the Government has introduced the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme from 2022 to 2026. This transitional support will help to cushion the increase in PWM wages in the waste management sector for existing contracts, while employers work towards factoring wage increases in their new contracts. MOF will work with MSE to issue an advisory to Government agencies on the appropriate treatment for their existing contracts with waste management service providers. For contracts made before the announcement of the PWM, agencies may consider contract variations with their service providers if there is justification to do so or mutually agree to terminate the contract to pave the way for a new tender to be called. This way, we work together to ensure that the PWM is implemented smoothly for our waste management contracts.
Review of Enforcement Measures for Breach of HDB's Lease Agreement›Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by End of Question Time2 turns · 155w
· 0 highlighted
written-answer-na-10219
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang44 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry is reviewing the measures that can be taken to enforce a breach of a covenant of the Memorandum of Lease to HDB's lease agreement; and (b) whether a tiered penalty system can be incorporated.
Mr Desmond Lee111 words
[+5 sentences]The covenants of the Memorandum of Lease generally set out the acts and uses that are not permitted in HDB flats, in order to maintain a high-quality living environment for all residents. We are not currently reviewing measures that can be taken to enforce a breach of the lease covenants. Where there is feedback of a possible breach, HDB will conduct investigations where necessary. In cases where an egregious breach has been committed and there is failure to rectify the breach despite warnings, HDB can consider compulsorily acquiring the flat. HDB exercises this right only as a last resort as compulsory acquisition is a harsh measure that is not undertaken lightly.
Number and Actions Taken for Animal Hoarding Cases›Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by End of Question Time2 turns · 325w
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written-answer-na-10220
Mr Leon Perera78 words
[+1 sentence]asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past five years, what is the annual number of cases reported on animal hoarding; (b) what action is taken against the hoarders, broken down by the number of animals involved; (c) under what circumstances can the authorities rescue these animals; (d) whether the Ministry will consider legal or regulatory action to strengthen such powers of rescue; and (e) what is being done to deter animal hoarding and prevent relapses.
Mr Desmond Lee247 words
[+11 sentences]From 2017 to 2021, NParks received a total of 67 cases of feedback related to the hoarding of animals in residences. Of these, NParks took enforcement action in six cases, where there were animal health and welfare concerns. Enforcement actions range from issuing letters of warning, composition fines, and prosecution in court. A majority of these cases involved cats. NParks works closely with other agencies to tackle the issue of animal hoarding in residences. For cases where there are animal health and welfare concerns, NParks considers factors such as the quality of care provided to the animals, and their living conditions, in determining the enforcement actions to take. NParks also partners stakeholders such as animal welfare groups, and pet owners, to re-home these animals where necessary. In cases where the resident is found to have suspected mental health issues or socio-emotional needs that could have led to animal hoarding behaviour, NParks will take a multi-agency approach and work with community partners, such as the Agency for Integrated Care and Social Service Agencies to support the resident as appropriate. In such cases, we need strong support from the resident’s family and community for the interventions to be successful. Beyond regulation and enforcement, NParks works closely with its partners to raise public awareness on responsible pet ownership and animal care through various platforms such as Pets’ Day Out events and webinars. NParks will continue to review its measures to ensure they remain effective in safeguarding animal health and welfare.
Committee of Supply – Head L (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment)›Budget74 turns · 23,396w
· 160 highlighted
budget-1880recorded 2022-03-08
Speaker not recorded54 words
[+2 sentences], (proc text)] . (proc text)]
Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast)8 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, should I take two cuts together?
The Chairman8 words
[+2 sentences]Yes, please. There is only one cut right?
Ms Foo Mee Har7 words
[+1 sentence]There is another one at the end.
The Chairman10 words
[+2 sentences]Alright, you can take that later. Take this one first.
Ms Foo Mee Har381 words
[+3 sentences]Okay. Chairman, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 is well-timed to galvanise a national movement, not only to achieve sustainable development but also to build exportable capabilities, such as sustainable urban solutions. Our green agenda holds much promise for our future. The issuance of Green Bonds will provide a substantial capital base for sustainable developments not only in Singapore, but also throughout the region.[+1 sentence] Singapore is well-positioned to serve as a living lab and test bed for emerging green technologies as well as a hub to foster collaboration and co-creation. It is critical that in our drive for sustainability, we fully leverage this opportunity to groom a new generation of green local firms, support them to build their green capabilities and position them to capture emerging opportunities. So, I would like to ask the Minister what can be done to ensure that the development of green local firms is an integral part of the $25 billion investment under RIE2025. We should consider a special programme, with R&D funding to be carved out, especially to support and promote development of green technologies and solutions by our very own local firms and startups.[+7 sentences] Sir, with SME making up 99% of Singapore enterprises, the need to embrace climate change and sustainability is also a matter of business survival. With successive carbon tax increases in the pipeline, as well as increasing demands from partners, investors and customers for sustainable practices, SMEs need support to pivot and adapt, in order to thrive. I would like to repeat my call to support SMEs in the transition on three fronts. First, we can promote sector-based sustainability roadmaps with industry-aligned principles, frameworks and uniform standards. Second, we need to support SMEs with pre-identified sector-based green solutions to fast track their adoption. Third, we can leverage the ecosystem to build scalable green capabilities and collaboration. Sir, the introduction of the new Enterprise Financing Scheme Green (EFS-Green) to support local farms with a range of financing needs, from developmental capital to a venture debt, is a great initiative. With the Government providing 70% of reshare to catalyse lending by participating financial institutions, there have been calls by the industry for more favourable terms, such as preferential interest rate and loan terms, in order to spur adoption.
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied)327 words
[+5 sentences]Mr Chairman, Sir, nature-based climate solutions are powerful methods of carbon capture. They also have the added benefit of protecting ecosystems. As we move to set up our carbon trading hub and companies consider buying carbon credits from overseas entities to offset emission, there is a pressing need to ensure projects are socially sustainable. Lack of local buy-in, poor oversight and poor management can result in projects with less carbon capture than what companies pay for. Indonesia's Katingan Mentaya project has reportedly been one such case. A Nikkei investigation found that more carbon credits were issued than it could likely make good on.[+12 sentences] Poor quality credits diminish accountability and reduce the emissions captured. Crucially, they could impact the Singapore brand. Renewable projects funded by Government-linked companies (GLCs) should also be accountable for Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) impacts. Reports mentioned that the Laos hydro projects could be negatively impacting food production, ecosystems and indigenous communities. With Keppel recently signing its hydroelectricity import deal, I hope that our GLCs pay attention to such externalities. Impacts can be minimised with the adoption of free prior and informed consent policies. I would like to suggest that the Government step in to recommend consistent, baseline, transparency and traceability, and due diligence process guidelines for such renewable projects. This is important from the standpoint not only of promoting green outcomes, but for our national brand as well, Lastly, my Parliamentary colleague, Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, previously expanded on the potential soft power benefits of having a foreign aid agency. Such an aid agency could support targeted cash transfers to indigenous and rural communities to manage and protect forests abroad. NGOs, like Cool Earth, already do this and one UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report studying Latin America found this to be a cost-effective way to preserve forests. In Indonesia, there are already community-managed forests. Sir, we should come in to support such efforts as good neighbours on the same pale blue dot.
The Chairman12 words
[+3 sentences]Ms He Ting Ru. She is not here. Prof Koh Lian Pin.
Prof Koh Lian Pin (Nominated Member)274 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, as Singapore positions itself to become a leading climate services hub, we need to develop a healthy pipeline of talents for our green economy. What are the Government's plans for building a Singapore core of industry-ready talents to support our emerging sustainability sector, especially in relation to our Industry Transformation Maps? Has the Ministry assessed whether our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) provide adequate training and upskilling programmes on sustainability-related competencies at the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education levels, to address talent gaps in our emerging sustainability sector?[+4 sentences] Are there plans to consult the public, private and people sectors, including IHLs, businesses, green groups and our youth, on the demand, content and modes of delivery for these training and upskilling programmes? To build a vibrant and impactful sustainability ecosystem in Singapore, we should welcome and, indeed, encourage the participation of international organisations, including research and educational institutes, service providers and non-profits, to contribute to Singapore's efforts in building a green talent pipeline towards our sustainability goals. But, crucially, to ensure success for Singapore's sustainability goals, we need to work closely with international stakeholders to build a common and deep understanding of Singapore's existing capabilities and gaps, ongoing efforts and investments and long-term vision and mission for sustainability, so that they might truly engage, collaborate and uplift our local enterprises, IHLs, civil society groups and other Singapore stakeholders. What steps is the Government taking to ensure that all stakeholder participation in our sustainability journey will be well-coordinated, complementary and synergistic to ensure that all stakeholders work towards the common goal of building a Singapore core of talents and expertise to achieve our sustainability ambitions?
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Saktiandi Supaat, please take your two cuts together.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh)528 words
[+10 sentences]Mr Chairman, Minister Tan See Leng mentioned that Singapore could harness its robust legislative commodity trading and financial services foundation to develop an international trusted carbon services and training ecosystem here. We are not the only ones interested. Other countries, like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, are all taking steps to establish its own carbon markets or frameworks to trade carbon credits. We need to coordinate a holistic inter-agency effort to create a vibrant marketplace with many active participants with clear ESG and carbon credit standards in place. At present, carbon markets are plagued by low liquidity, scarce financing, inadequate risk management services and limited data availability. We will need to further encourage our financial institutions (FIs) to get involved to meet the liquidity and financing difficulties. Market infrastructure should develop along with deliberate and calibrated regulation by MAS and MinLaw. For example, what would be the risk-weighted asset, or RWA, to be associated with carbon credits? For FIs holding carbon credits, will we need clearing houses to mitigate risks? At the moment, the weights are high and unclear. While the Government's decision to allow businesses to use high-quality carbon credits to offset up to 5% of the taxable emissions will help stimulate local demand for such credits, as with many other things, we must also look to cater to external demand.[+5 sentences] MTI and MFA must engage our partners to ensure that our carbon credits will be accepted in other countries, too. We may need to provide it in our Free Trade Agreements so that other countries cannot take protection and discriminatory approach. Further, given our lack of natural resources, including land, we are unlikely to have any huge wind farms or hydroelectric plants that can originate a large amount of carbon credits for sale. We, therefore, require our agencies like EDB to go out and attract project developers to bring and sell their carbon credits in Singapore with an "ASEAN Registry" of sorts set up. We will also need to train the necessary subject matter expertise in our workforce, whether through our tertiary institutions or our various work training programmes. Can the Government provide an update on our efforts to build a carbon credit trading ecosystem?[+7 sentences] Will we expect to see a detailed roadmap outlining how and when we will get there? One of the most far-reaching crises today is the global energy crunch. Increased fuel consumption from an economy recovering from COVID-19, production outages and geopolitical events have driven up prices. Presently, almost 95% of Singapore's electricity is generated using imported natural gas. Hence, our push to transition into a low-carbon energy future cannot come at a more opportune time. However, given our limited size, what challenges does the Government expect with energy transition and what measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth transition? For Singapore, solar energy appears more promising than other renewable energy sources like wind or hydro. Can the Government provide an update on our solar development and deployment plans and whether there are any efforts to accelerate solar deployment?[+1 sentence] Will we look to incentivise individual households to install their own solar panels to defray their own consumption?
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong (Jurong)257 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Chairman, I would like to declare my interest as the founding director of Green SG, a registered charity that aims to catalyse and accelerate green action and develop future leaders for sustainability. The price of natural gas spiked 25% in the UK to hit a record high last Friday. Italy uses natural gas to generate 40% of electricity demands and imports 90% of its natural gas, mostly from Russia.[+12 sentences] It is looking for alternatives from Algeria and Azerbaijan. In Germany, there were thoughts of cancelling plans to shut down nuclear plants and ramp up coal-powered generators. Heavy industries are affected and are reducing production and shortening of working hours. Energy supplies cannot be replaced overnight. Power generation infrastructure cannot be built over a short period of time. We are well reminded of the 1973 oil crisis caused by the OPEC embargo; the 1990 oil shock caused by the Gulf war; 2001 California electricity crisis caused by market manipulation by Enron. And to remember that peak oil is on the horizon and oil production will go on a terminal decline. We must, therefore, plan our energy transition well, well-diversified with price stability and affordability. How we plan our energy transition will affect future generations and the security of our economy. As such, I would like to ask the Minister to share more on expected challenges ahead and how the Government will ensure a smooth energy transition. What is our latest progress and future plans for our solar deployment? How will our energy transition impact future electricity prices?
Mr Saktiandi Supaat491 words
Mr Chairman, the Government has announced that, upon review, it will bring forward the timeline for us to achieve net-zero around 2050.[+4 sentences] Pre-pandemic, transport accounted for 16.2% of Singapore's carbon emissions. This is already a lower percentage than the US, UK and the global figure, but it is still a significant piece as we look out to cut our carbon emissions. What are the Ministry's plans to reduce transport emissions on land, air and sea? A key pillar of our efforts to decarbonise our transport system is the adoption of electric vehicles, or EVs. Our Land Transport Master Plan 2040 aims to phase out internal combustion energy vehicles by 2040.[+3 sentences] To successfully do so, we must make EVs a financially sensible option for users, capitalise on rapid technological advancements and ensure that our infrastructure is integrated to support this switch to EVs. Presently, a major obstacle to private adoption of EVs is the prohibitive costs involved. Vehicle prices in Singapore are already among the world’s highest, with our COE system to control the vehicle population in land-scarce Singapore. As most electric cars have a higher power output than the 97-kilowatt (kW) threshold under CAT A, they fall within CAT B where COE prices has recently soared past $93,000.[+13 sentences] This discourages the uptake of EVs and is likely preventing a wider choice of EVs from entering the Singapore market. We may need to relook how our EVs are classified for COE purposes. Another question is whether the existing incentives and rebates for EVs are sufficient to affect consumer behaviour to the desired level. Given Singapore's car-lite strategy, we probably cannot afford to give EV owners a two-year road tax exemption like how Malaysia has done. However, we do need to study our incentive and rebate structure to see if any revisions are necessary. For example, I understand that road tax for EVs is currently based on the simple addition of the power output of its motors and this may lead to weird situations where an EV is taxed based on a total added output of 390 kW even though it can only deliver a maximum combined output of 240 kW. Harnessing technological advancements can also promote the adoption of EVs by enhancing convenience and efficiency. Battery swapping technology has been tried and tested in markets like China and Norway and represents a more efficient proposition to users than electric charging at charging stations. This could complement our existing strategy of building more EV charging points closer to where people live. Finally, the recent episodes of personal mobility device fires remind us of how the stability our vehicular batteries can become a safety issue. We must reassure the people that EVs are a safe option before they can decide to embrace it. Can the Ministry share more about its overarching strategy to further stimulate EV adoption among road users in Singapore? Would the Minister consider introducing an early adoption incentive for electric motorcycles?
Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast)547 words
Chairman, the number of registered EVs in Singapore more than doubled, from 1,397 EVs in year 2000 to 3,713 EVs in 2021 or last year.[+8 sentences] Most of the individuals who bought EVs are likely to stay in landed properties due to the high cost of EVs and the ease of installing mid-range EV home chargers for about $2,500 at the comfort of their home. Can MOT shed some light on the demographics of the first wave of EV buyers in Singapore? Before I proceed, I would like to declare my interest as I work in the transport industry. I have always maintained that whether EVs can take off in the mass market segment is dependent on whether we have sufficient public charging stations in Singapore. This is a chicken-and-an-egg situation. If we leave it to market forces, few will be willing to install charging stations in large numbers. Thus, it is very important for Singapore to decisively incentivise companies to build EV charging facilities ahead of demand, like what the European countries and China have been doing. In particular, I would like to suggest four areas for MOT to consider. First, many commercial properties are not able to install fast-charging stations at their commercial buildings because these fast-charging stations are needed by the large fleet owners, because they have to pay a high fee to build substations or upgrade the grid.[+10 sentences] So, I would urge the Government to consider paying for the upgrading cost of the grid and the expansion of the electric substations. Second, to encourage the growth of the EV mass market segment, the Government can consider providing significant incentives for companies to install up to five charging stations at all HDB car parks that have a sizeable number of parking lots. Third, for condominiums, few MCSTs are successful in installing the charging stations because they need to go through a long and tedious process to obtain the residents’ support. Could LTA work with MND to consider mandating all condominiums with a sizeable number of parking lots to install charging stations? Would it be possible for the Government to provide incentives for doing so, especially for the early adopters? Fourth, would the Government consider mandating all commercial properties, including shopping centres and malls with sizeable parking lots, to install charging stations? After solving the supply side of installing charging stations, we need to provide incentives to increase the ownership of EVs, like what Norway and China have been doing. In Norway, almost 65% of all new passenger cars sold in 2021 were EVs. How did Norway do it? The Norway government taxed internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles very heavily, but does not tax EVs at all. In Singapore, the various incentives for the early adoption of EVs can amount to $45,000, but only the more expensive EV models get to enjoy these maximum savings. To further encourage the adoption of mass market EVs, I would like to propose reducing the 20% excise duty of EVs with Open Market Value (OMV) of less than $30,000.[+2 sentences] The reduction in the excise duty should be inversely proportional to the EV’s OMV, so that there would be a bigger discount for a cheaper EV. This would prevent profiteering by EV distributors and make EVs more affordable to the masses.
The Chairman11 words
[+2 sentences]Mr Gan Thiam Poh. You can take your four cuts together.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio)226 words
[+2 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. We can expect emission improvements from passenger cars as we require all newly-registered vehicles to be cleaner-energy models from 2030. What about lorries, buses, and coaches and other heavy-duty vehicles?[+9 sentences] What are the Ministry’s plans to reduce transport emissions? Will the Government increase the use of incentives for the use of EVs and other clean energy vehicles? With the steady increase in EV adoption and EV charging, will the Government set up a dedicated certification centre to oversee the safety and reliability of EVs and their charging points and batteries? What is the progress to set up a framework for the industry's safety standards for EVs and EV batteries permitted in Singapore? Would the Ministry give an update on EV adoption so far and whether the set-up of charging points and provisions for battery changes are on track? Would the Ministry encourage more private participation, including the utilities companies, as what other countries have done, to set up and offer EV fast-charging services as well as battery changing services? Transiting to a greener transportation sector will require quicker adoption of EVs by users. Will the Ministry consider further incentives and tax rebates to encourage the purchase and use of EVs, including commercial vehicles, such as vans, buses and coaches? How will the Ministry facilitate and expedite the electrification of our public transport fleets?
Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol)89 words
[+5 sentences]In embracing EVs, perhaps the biggest hurdle in the smooth transition to popular adoption of EVs is the issue of infrastructural coordination. For instance, what is the schedule like for charger deployment and how would this be synced with the gradual adoption of EV models? Will there be priority given to livelihood vehicles like taxis and PHVs at charging docks? Would the Government regulate the cost of charging? Could the Ministry give a clearer account of the overall plan on how the charger deployment will be financed and accelerated?
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang)325 words
In 2021, Singapore's population of electric cars more than doubled from 1,217 to 2,942 cars.[+3 sentences] This, however, only represents 0.5% of the 645,000 cars in Singapore today. So, this uptick is encouraging, considering that much of it was contributed by the increase of 924 units in the number of Tesla's here in Singapore, which costs about S$200,000 each. The economics of EVs currently is still such that it is difficult for the average Singaporean to adopt EVs. EVs are much more expensive compared to the equivalent for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and you see that the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, after considering various rebates, retails for $173,000, that is, $45,000 or 35% more, compared to the $128,000 for the Ionic Hybrid, and $65,000 or 59% more than the $108,000 for the ICE Hyundai Avante.[+3 sentences] I believe more can be done to ensure that we phase out ICE vehicles ahead of 2040, especially in the context of Singapore's COE system. Norway, for example, saw 84% of new car sales in January being all electric. Even as EV prices start to come down with advancements in manufacturing, the disparity in price between EVs, after factoring in Government incentives, are still significant. EV owners will also expect to fork out an additional tax of $700 a year from 2023, introduced to partially cover the loss in fuel excise duties from ICE cars, with the higher charges already starting to be phased in since 2021.[+3 sentences] This reduces the attractiveness of EVs to consumers at a time where we should be pushing forward for adoption. I hope the Government will also consider longer-term policies, such as preferential access and toll rates, which have been shown to show a significant impact on boosting EV sales in Oslo and several Chinese cities. We also need to accelerate the rollout of EV-charging points across Singapore to further incentivise EV adoption and ensure it is both economical and practical for Singaporeans to adopt EVs.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Hougang)343 words
[+1 sentence]The increase in our green ambitions requires us to look at emerging trends in last-mile logistics. Online retail sales have averaged 13.5% in total retail sales in Singapore in 2021, compared to an average of 5.4% of retail sales between 2018 and 2019.[+3 sentences] This has meant great convenience to Singaporeans who purchase from online platforms, but it also is likely to mean that there is more demand for last mile logistics. Today, all types of goods vehicles are of the diesel engine variety. The increase in demand for last-mile logistics will mean an increase in our carbon footprint. A study by the World Economic Forum in 2020, prior to the pandemic, indicates that the expected growth in last mile delivery is likely to increase carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.[+9 sentences] The accelerating effects of COVID-19 would have increased the carbon emissions more rapidly. To be clear, the Government has taken some steps to mitigate the issue. During the COS last year, then Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung made the announcement that no new diesel cars and taxis will be allowed to be registered from 2025. The current Commercial Vehicle Emissions scheme, which started in April last year, was designed, in part, to persuade owners of light commercial vehicles, which make up 68.9% of all goods vehicles, over to vehicles that burn cleaner fuels. We have also seen electric light commercial vehicle models increasingly being rolled out by manufacturers, such as Renault, Opel and BYD. The main constraint is electric charging infrastructure, which is still in its infancy. I, therefore, wish to seek updates from the Minister on the plans for a green transition for such goods vehicles, starting with an update on the Government's targets to convert goods vehicles to EVs and other green options and plans to achieve these targets. Will the Ministry be getting more industrial estate operators to roll out more EV charging infrastructure around industrial areas and encourage a switch to electric light commercial vehicles and vans? Will there be subsidies for companies that adopt these EVs early?
Prof Koh Lian Pin92 words
[+4 sentences]Chairman, the EV charging sector is growing rapidly with the acceleration of EV adoption. Has the Ministry considered the need to strengthen regulations on EV chargers and EV charging operators, to ensure a safe and reliable charging network? The Government has announced targets for the greening of our public transport and point-to-point fleets by the year 2040. Will the Ministry be announcing further details of our EV roadmap, particularly in relation to any intermediate targets for the greening of our public transportation fleets, similar to what has been done for private vehicles?
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling (East Coast)310 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, at MND's COS 2021, I said that for urban infrastructures to be more climate-resilient, it is imperative to adopt the use of existing climate change information and resources for urban planning. Further, to have buildings designed with lower carbon emissions and for sustainable maintenance, we should incorporate innovative design solutions. The Government announced then that it is driving R&D in urban sustainability, such as climate-resilient urban infrastructure with reduced carbon emissions. Can the Minister provide an update on the progress made and how the Government plans to encourage stakeholders to adopt these solutions further? Often, when people think of sustainable projects, they will, naturally, associate it with higher costs. However, that is because they did not consider sustainable principles in the project planning for building lifecycle costs. By optimising resources during the planning stage to evaluating environmental and performance trade-offs, finding a good balance between capital and lifecycle costs, it can effectively improve the outcome of the system. The push towards a low-carbon built environment also has to do with scale, speed of adoption and investment in technologies. When larger players in the value chain utilise good asset management programmes and invest in technologies at scale, the trickle-down effect will benefit the smaller players, too. With emerging trends in sustainability towards dynamic master planning for city planning or utilities, I believe we can leverage algorithms and digital tools to predict and test extensive scenarios to better organise capital allocation, project prioritisation and develop strategies to improve the city’s resilience and liveability. With all these giving momentum to the industry and deepening research for solutions, we will soon be able to put sustainability concepts into real-world practice. I would thus like to ask BCA: apart from the sustainability guidelines, as introduced for existing and new buildings, how is BCA supporting the industry to effectively transit to a low-carbon built environment?
Mr Cheng Hsing Yao (Nominated Member)310 words
[+15 sentences]Sir, Singapore should build up our capabilities in urban sustainability to help solve our own problems and to develop an exportable industry. To do so, we can look at R&D and talent development. The Government announced last year it is driving R&D in urban sustainability. Can MND update on the progress of the efforts in R&D? As the R&D topics are so wide-ranging, does it make sense to focus on specific areas, such as coastal protection and issues unique to the region or the tropical belt? This can help us focus, as well as differentiate, our capabilities. Can the R&D be commercialised by Singapore companies and developed into exportable services? The built environment (BE) sector will be the key sector that needs to be transformed to fulfil our future urban sustainability needs. However, the built sector has difficulty attracting more talent. To build up a critical mass of talents, we should have a holistic approach. For example, curriculum in schools and tertiary institutions should be updated and jobs redefined to better reflect the new capabilities needed. It may also be useful to reframe the built environment jobs to better reflect their contribution. Jobs in this sector are not just about building things. Rather, they help to enhance our liveability, support our economy with intelligent infrastructure while allowing us to be sustainable. We should also seek more ways for public-private sector collaboration. For example, I co-chair with BCA the Central Procurer Panel that works with various built sector trade associations and chambers (TACs) to administer accreditation of professions, such as construction manager, surveyor and facilities manager.[+2 sentences] The aims are two-fold: one, to help employees with continuous learning and upgrading of their professional skills; two, to help employers better recognise and reward higher skill levels. Can MND comment on how to better build up a critical mass of talents in urban sustainability?
Dr Shahira Abdullah (Nominated Member)155 words
Singapore has taken the bold step of enhancing its climate change target and having its carbon emissions target set to net-zero by around 2050.[+1 sentence] This is especially reflected in its plans for urban development. The Government aims to green 80% of Singapore's buildings by 2030.[+1 sentence] We can do so by designing and constructing greener buildings. Currently, buildings account for over 20% of Singapore's carbon emissions. In addition to that, according to the Singapore Green Building Council, the shorter building lifespans due to urban renewal means that embodied carbon emissions could go up to 40%.[+3 sentences] How will BCA continue to support our transition to a low-carbon built environment? The Government is also driving R&D in urban sustainability. This is to ensure that our urban infrastructure is made more climate-resilient while reducing carbon emissions. Can the Ministry give an update on the progress made and how it plans to encourage or incentivise stakeholders to adopt these solutions?
Prof Koh Lian Pin110 words
It has been a year since MND announced the latest edition of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan.[+1 sentence] May we please have an update on the progress made so far? Buildings account for over 20% of our carbon emissions.[+4 sentences] How will the Building and Construction Authority support our transition to a low-carbon society? The Government announced during the Committee of Supply 2021 that it was driving R&D in urban sustainability with the goal of enhancing the climate resilience of our urban infrastructure while reducing their carbon footprint. May we please have an update on the progress made so far? How does the Government plan to encourage stakeholders to adopt these solutions?
Mr Abdul Samad (Nominated Member)233 words
[+12 sentences]Chairman, we have seen that many of our existing HDB and commercial buildings have installed solar panels on their respective rooftops. Can we know how much energy efficiency and savings have been made since the installation? Some of my friends and cousins have been asking what does this bring to them as residents? Can the Ministry also share their plans for those remaining HDB blocks and do we actually target to do for all the residential properties? If so, what is the timeline that we aim for? In addition to that, is MND also planning to do this for the new HDB residential properties via the BTOs and the new buildings upcoming? I would also like the Minister to share how can the residents know the value of the solar panels installed on top of their blocks. This knowledge will go a long way in educating not just adults but everyone in the household. Will HDB start to explore having solar window panels so that residents can also play their part in adopting solar consumption? On the commercial building front, will there be plans to move our old existing substations, with their reasonably large land spaces and even those on prime land, underground? I understand there is, currently, an ongoing construction of an underground transmission substation, with commercial buildings above it. Will it just stop there or will it increase progressively over time?
The Chairman11 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Xie Yao Quan, you can take your two cuts together.
Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong)185 words
[+7 sentences]Thank you, Mr Chairman. Buildings account for over 20% of Singapore's carbon emissions. Therefore, green buildings will be a key lever for our net‐zero ambitions. How will MND and BCA continue to support our transition to green buildings and a low carbon built environment? Also, MND announced last year that it was driving R&D in urban sustainability such that our urban infrastructure is made much more climate‐resilient while reducing carbon emissions. Can we have an update on the progress made and how MND plans to encourage stakeholders to adopt these solutions? Have we achieved any innovation that has the potential to be commercialised and exported to the world? Mr Chairman, HDB envisages the Green Towns Programme as a 10‐year plan that aims to reduce energy consumption, recycle rainwater and cool the built environment in all HDB towns.[+4 sentences] Can MND provide an update on the progress of the HDB Green Towns Programme? I know the target for solar panel installation has been revised upwards. How about the targets for other aspects of the programme? How much have we moved beyond pilots to deploy solutions at scale?
Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang)72 words
Mr Chairman, to support our goal of growing 30% of our local nutritional needs by 2030, the Ministry should encourage more local community efforts, such as growing small edible plants in households and available plots in housing estates.[+2 sentences] Urban rooftop farms on multi-storey carparks will not only contribute to this movement but also bring together neighbours in a meaningful endeavour and build social cohesion. How will the Ministry support such farming efforts?
Ms Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee)84 words
[+1 sentence]Will MND consider incorporating green features into our HDB flats by adopting sustainable materials and designs in future housing projects, concurrently upgrading our existing ones through the Home Improvement Programmes? Many of our existing HDB flats comprise full-glass windows that transfer considerable amounts of heat through the afternoon sun.[+1 sentence] Will HDB consider appropriate greener alternatives, like installing low-heat transfer windows, to cool down our flats, thereby enabling residents to be less reliant on fans and air-conditioning and, indirectly, contribute towards saving their utility costs?
The Chairman10 words
[+1 sentence]Miss Rachel Ong, you can take your two cuts together.
Miss Rachel Ong (West Coast)195 words
[+9 sentences]Chairman, in my house visits and conversations with residents, I have observed increasing interest amongst private estate residents, specifically condominium residents, in being engaged in sustainability efforts. However, access to recycling bins for different materials is limited in condominium estates. In addition to keeping HDB estates sustainable, with the rising proportion of residents living in condominiums and other apartments over the last decade, it is vital that we also support these residents in Singapore's sustainability efforts. Can the Ministry share future plans to support and encourage recycling efforts in private estates, especially in the condominiums? A 2018 study by Future Cities Laboratory found that the less-educated and less-wealthy people in Singapore are less actively engaged with urban nature, with potential negative impact for health and well-being. Understandably, expending finances on travel to nature reserves would not be a priority for the lower income. Many lower-income working adults also may have limited time to access nature. For some, the distance between their households and green spaces deters the frequency of their visits. With this in mind, how will the Ministry continue to improve equity in green space access for the lower-income families, especially for our children?
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio)210 words
[+1 sentence]Chairman, Singapore has long been known as a Garden City. Two years ago, MND announced its plans to transform our green landscape even further, turning Singapore into a “City in Nature”. This includes dedicating another 200 hectares of nature parks by 2030 and having 300 kilometres of Nature Ways and 500 kilometres of park connectors by 2030.[+5 sentences] Could the Minister please give an update on the progress made so far in transforming Singapore into a City in Nature? Does NParks have further plans to enhance and expand Singapore’s green and blue spaces? Ultimately, our green and blue spaces exist for our people and for future generations. As such, it is important for the community to have a voice in shaping the landscapes they live and play in. How can the Ministry better collaborate and consult with the community? Furthermore, visitorship to our Southern Islands increased by 20% to 30% in 2020 and they are being promoted as a good escape from the city.[+2 sentences] What are the strategies to ensure that the amenities are kept up-to-date and the Ministry’s plans to balance competing priorities both on the islands and in the sea space surrounding it? Will the Ministry consider carrying out a capacity assessment to ensure our nature spaces are protected?
Prof Koh Lian Pin102 words
[+2 sentences]Chairman, climate change and sustainability education requires the teaching of not only sustainability-related skillsets, values and principles but also the ability to think ecologically and holistically at a systems level. Future generations of Singaporeans need to be both digital citizens and ecological citizens. Has the Government considered incorporating sustainability competencies and systems level thinking into our education curriculum at appropriate levels to ensure that our learners are well-equipped for a global green economy and will be ready to compete with global talent?[+1 sentence] Are efforts being undertaken to ensure teachers have access to sustainability resources and training in order to deliver such curriculum?
The Chairman11 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Poh Li San, you can take your two cuts together.
Ms Poh Li San277 words
[+7 sentences]Mr Chairman, how is the Government preparing our teachers from Primary schools to Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) for the green economy? Do we have a roadmap for Universities, Polytechnics, ITEs, JCs and Secondary schools to support the green economy? The Government will need to update the education curriculum and teaching materials for sustainability-related courses. Is this being done for our teachers? What are the programmes to train and equip our teaching staff with the latest skillsets and knowledge so that, in turn, they can teach their students the same required by businesses and industries? In order to prepare our students for the green economy, changes will need to be made to our curriculum. Has the Government set up a general roadmap for all our education institutions so that the design of the courses and programmes fulfil the wide-ranging demands of the green economy? The inaugural Skills Demand for the Future Economy report has identified more than 450 green job roles across 17 sectors, ranging from manufacturing and trade and connectivity, to financial services and the built environment.[+4 sentences] How does MOE ensure that relevant courses, diplomas and degrees are offered in the IHLs and schools in order to prepare a pipeline of local talents to fill the jobs required for the green economy? Considering lifelong learning now to be an integral part of Singapore’s education, the system should incorporate sustainability modules which can be picked up at all ages. Is provision being made for such flexibility in the SkillsFuture courses and programmes? How will the Government facilitate collaboration between education and training institutions, research and industry stakeholders to create relevant academic, internship and apprenticeship in sustainability-related industries?
Miss Rachel Ong114 words
[+3 sentences]Chairman, in my speech supporting the second Parliamentary Motion on Climate Change earlier this January, I highlighted the need for our IHLs to enhance their course offerings in PET to better integrate sustainability-focused and related modules. This is because, with the greening of jobs over time, increasing fields of disciplines will need to embrace sustainability in their practice. I also shared on the need to better complement PET curricula with CET Sustainability Modules to ensure that, by the time our students graduate, they are equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge required for their fields. Can the Ministry please share what efforts the IHLs are undertaking to further support the green economy and sustainable living?
Ms Foo Mee Har348 words
[+8 sentences]Chairman, the lack of understanding of sustainability-related concepts has been a barrier to galvanising strong action. Our students, workers and businesses can seize opportunities in the green economy if equipped with the proper understanding of climate change and sustainable development. We should prepare them to grasp the science of global warming and the current and impending impact of climate change in their respective fields of work. We should enable them to position themselves to be the change needed in the world. First, the challenges of sustainability can only be overcomed through the involvement of future generations. Our schools can play a fundamental role in enhancing our children's eco-literacy and nurture them to be stewards of our environment. I would like to ask the Minister to provide an update on how our primary and secondary schools are involved in preparing a new generation of students, who will drive the future of sustainable practices. Our universities are well-positioned to be the key enablers for the development of the green economy in Singapore. New courses at NUS include a Major in Sustainable Urban Development, which "aims to train the next generation of urban problem-solvers". Other Autonomous Universities are also launching new courses on sustainability. So, the question I have for the Minister is how the respective IHLs will develop their unique programmes as well as combine their strengths to develop world-beating sustainable technologies and solutions.[+1 sentence] Sir, the Finance Minister has committed that the carbon tax will not accrue to the revenue but collected to support the decarbonisation and transition as well as investment in green technologies and solutions. In the years to come, a significant amount of carbon tax will be deployed as Singapore progressively raises the carbon tax rate to $50 to $80 per tonne of emissions.[+2 sentences] So, what governance and accountability framework will be put in place to determine and monitor the spending of green R&D as well as to assess outcomes? I would like to request the Minister to provide an update on how Singapore is developing capabilities in renewable energy, urban solutions, green infrastructure and clean transportation.
The Chairman5 words
[+1 sentence]Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean.
The Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security (Mr Teo Chee Hean)1841 words
[+10 sentences]Mr Chairman, Sir, climate change is a real and existential threat. The latest findings from Work Group 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s Sixth Assessment Report, which were released last week, assessed that the impacts of climate change are more apparent and will affect us more severely than previously thought. We are already seeing some of these effects – stronger and longer heat waves, unprecedented droughts and floods, rising sea-levels and storm surges affecting communities all over the world. In the past year, international resolve to take urgent and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has grown. In November 2021, as part of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Glasgow Climate Pact, it was agreed that all Parties should aim to achieve global net-zero emissions by mid-century, in order to keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach. Members of this House have also called for more decisive action on climate change. Indeed, since 2021, this House has debated two Motions on climate change. This House has acknowledged climate change as a global emergency and called on the Government to accelerate efforts against climate change. Members made several suggestions, including increasing the carbon tax substantially, green financing, creating green jobs and strengthening corporate accountability. Mr Chairman, Singapore has taken important steps to contribute to the global effort to tackle climate change. Two years ago, Singapore submitted our enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2030, and our Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) under the Paris Agreement – to halve emissions from our 2030 peak to 33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions as soon as viable in the second half of the century.[+10 sentences] Miss Cheryl Chan, Ms Poh Li San, Mr Louis Chua, Mr Louis Ng and Prof Koh Lian Pin asked about Singapore's key considerations and the process for setting our climate targets and the timeframe. In our LEDS two years ago, we laid out three thrusts to achieve our aspiration: first, transforming our industry, economy and society; second, harnessing low-carbon technologies; and third, pursuing international collaboration, for example, in the form of carbon markets and electricity imports. We said that we would continue to review our climate goals with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions as soon as viable. If the potential emissions reductions from each of these thrusts are available sooner, we will be able to realise our goals earlier. Mr Chairman, since then, there have been important developments at COP26 in Glasgow. This marks an important inflection point. More countries pledged to reach net-zero by mid-century. More companies have also made net-zero commitments. This will spur greater investment in low-carbon solutions, making them technologically and economically viable earlier. The Paris Agreement's Article 6 rulebook for international carbon markets was also finalised. With these important developments, we are now able to have greater clarity and to raise our ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by or around mid-century, in line with the Glasgow Climate Pact.[+7 sentences] Mr Chairman, this is a significant improvement over our current LEDS. We are making a decisive move: one that is necessary, practical and implementable. We are making a commitment on behalf of generations of Singaporeans to come, spanning several decades into the future. I am glad that Members from both sides of this House support these moves. Before we finalise our plans and declare a specific net-zero year, we will consult closely with industry and citizen stakeholder groups. This is because raising climate ambition will not only bring about many benefits but also entail some costs and trade-offs. These engagements will take place under the Green Plan and our broader SG Together movement. We will, at the same time, review our 2030 NDC. We will then declare and make a formal revision to both our NDC and LEDS later this year.[+5 sentences] Let me elaborate on why we assess that we can now make this decisive move and why we should do so. First, why we can. COP26 successfully finalised the rulebook for international carbon markets. Carbon markets allow Singapore to access global mitigation opportunities through international carbon credits and provide an additional option for us to decarbonise. I thank Minister Grace Fu and our officers for playing a key role as co-facilitator of the COP26 multilateral discussions on Article 6 to finalise these rules. This was one of the most difficult negotiations in COP26. These rules lay the foundation for rigorous, robust and credible carbon markets and provide clarity on environmental integrity and accounting by buyer and seller countries when reporting their national emissions.[+7 sentences] They enhance the transparency of international carbon trading and provide the necessary quality assurance for Singapore to use high-quality international carbon credits to help meet our climate goals. I agree with Mr Henry Kwek on the need to strike the right balance between pursuing domestic mitigation and using carbon credits. As we strive to reach net-zero earlier, we will need to do both. We will continue to prioritise domestic efforts to meet our climate goals. However, as a small, alternative energy-disadvantaged city state, we will need to look beyond purely domestic mitigation and consider other measures, such as importing low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage, which are reliant on international cooperation. Carbon credits will help offset our residual emissions to reach net-zero and, at the same time, spur the development of high-quality carbon markets in Singapore. Second, major countries and companies are making substantial investments in decarbonisation technologies, making them technologically and economically viable earlier. Global investment in energy transition hit a record high of over S$1 trillion in 2021, an increase of 27% over the previous year. Under our own Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2020, we had invested about S$370 million in decarbonisation solutions over the five-year period. And in the next five-year period, this will continue to be a priority in RIE2025, where we will invest about the same amount, with potential for further funding from the White Space provision as needed.[+5 sentences] These investments in low-carbon solutions will drive down costs and accelerate technical viability and commercial scalability, allowing us to lower our emissions earlier. The third reason why we can: more global corporates are making commitments to reduce emissions. When the global Climate Ambition Alliance was launched at COP25 in 2019, fewer than 100 companies committed to net-zero by 2050. But, just two years later, in 2021, some 5,000 companies had committed to net-zero – a significant 50-fold increase, which, we expect, will increase further. Private financing is also shifting towards sustainability and low-carbon projects. At COP26, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, a coalition of 450 financial firms representing some 40% of global banking assets, pledged to make over S$170 trillion of private capital available for investment to reach global net-zero by 2050.[+37 sentences] Sustainable private financing and corporate net-zero targets have a powerful mutually reinforcing effect. They draw capital towards sustainable projects and make it more difficult and expensive to finance projects which are not. This will not only accelerate global emissions reduction but also provide capital to create new economic opportunities in the global green economy. With these positive international developments, we now have confidence that Singapore can more effectively find solutions to address our alternative energy constraints. We cannot wish these constraints away, but we now have more options to enable us to reach net-zero earlier. Why we should? Mr Chairman, I have just explained why we now can move decisively to net-zero. I will explain why we should make a decisive shift. We want to take advantage of the positive global trends in sustainable financing and corporate net-zero targets to make Singapore an attractive place for green economic activities in industry, services and finance. This will reposition our economy and establish our competitive edge early in a low-carbon future. Let me describe some of the potential new growth opportunities. First, in existing industries. Manufacturing makes up about 20% of our GDP and offers many good jobs for Singaporeans. The world is moving away from traditional carbon-intensive industries. For example, the energy and chemicals sector is itself re-orientating to pursue sustainable production and new areas of growth. Singapore is positioning itself as a first mover to capture these opportunities and jobs. In November last year, our Economic Development Board (EDB) announced the Sustainable Jurong Island plan to transform Jurong Island into a Sustainable Energy and Chemicals Park that makes and exports sustainable products globally. We are also moving ahead with plans to be a hub for sustainable aviation fuels and, in the future, for hydrogen. Several major companies which already have a strong presence here have committed to making major investments in their operations and products to align with our mutual goals for zero emissions by mid-century. We hope to attract new companies, too, which share our sustainable net-zero ambition. Second, we are a global financial centre. We are building the capabilities to catalyse sustainable and green finance in the region. Global sales of green bonds grew from nearly nothing in 2012 to S$380 billion in 2020. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore have set out 12 technical skills and competencies in sustainable finance to help financial institutions and training providers promote careers in sustainability and climate change-related jobs. Third, growing new green sectors. We are developing Singapore as an international carbon trading and services hub with Singapore-based global carbon exchanges, such as Climate Impact X and AirCarbon Exchange. We will continue to develop the larger ecosystem by anchoring key activities, such as project development, financing and certification, in Singapore. We will signal to global markets and corporates that Singapore is ready to be a good partner and location for forward-looking companies which have clear low-carbon goals. This will create many good jobs for Singaporeans and enhance Singapore's value proposition in the future low-carbon global economy. Mr Don Wee, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Miss Cheryl Chan asked how the revised carbon tax levels will support our green transition. As we make a decisive shift towards a low-carbon future, we need to provide the right price signal to shape responsible behaviour. We have always priced key resources like water, energy and waste disposal properly so that consumers and businesses make appropriate decisions, taking the true costs into account. This policy has served us very well. In the same way, the revised carbon tax levels will provide the appropriate carbon price signal for individuals and businesses to internalise the cost of carbon emissions in their consumption and business decisions. In Parliament last February, Members proposed raising the carbon tax, with suggestions ranging from $30 to $133 per tonne of emissions. I am glad that during the discussions of these two Motions this past year and, during this Budget session, Members from both sides of this House have so strongly spoken in support of a significant carbon tax. With your permission, Mr Chairman, may I display a slide on the House's screens and request the Clerks to distribute a document to Members?
The Chairman9 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, please.
Mr Teo Chee Hean1008 words
[+2 sentences]Members may also access these materials through the SG Parl MP mobile app. Save some paper. Our proposed carbon tax out to 2030 is set at a level that sends a significant price signal to influence consumer and business behaviour.[+3 sentences] Announcing our intentions and the expected trajectory early provides predictability for investment decisions. We also take reference from the carbon price levels of competitor jurisdictions. China and South Korea, which submitted net-zero pledges within the last two years, have sizeable emissions-intensive sectors and export to our region as well. The International Energy Agency estimates that, to match their targets, China and South Korea would have carbon prices of S$45 and S$61 per tonne respectively in 2030.[+10 sentences] But we should bear in mind that they have a range of renewable alternatives, including nuclear, which is not available to us in this timeframe. The 2030 projected carbon price for the European Union (EU) is about S$174 per tonne. The EU has legacy emissions-intensive sectors, some of which are still reliant on coal that will require considerable effort to decarbonise. Another useful reference is the internal carbon prices that many corporates are already using to make their medium- to long-term business and investment decisions. For example, the multinational consumer goods company Unilever already currently uses an internal carbon price of S$77 per tonne and Temasek uses an internal carbon price of S$57 per tonne currently. An appropriate carbon price will shape responsible behaviour. Individuals and households will have a greater incentive to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, such as conserving electricity and using more energy-efficient appliances. The savings from these changes will offset the increases in utility charges. The carbon tax will also provide the impetus for businesses to be more resource-efficient and invest in decarbonisation solutions. Mr Don Wee, Ms Foo Mee Har, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Miss Cheryl Chan asked how the Government will help minimise the impact of carbon tax on households and businesses and account for the use of the revenue collected from the carbon tax. Mr Chairman, I would like to emphasise that the Government will not derive additional net revenue from the carbon tax.[+3 sentences] The Government will flow the additional tax collected back to help households and businesses transition to a low-carbon future. Nine hundred and fifty thousand households have already benefited from U-Save rebates from 2019 to 2021, and we will provide additional support to help households manage the cost of utilities. But saving energy, and not just helping to pay the bills, is an even more important way to lower emissions and household utility bills. As of January 2022, about 70,000 or 22% of eligible households have registered for the Climate-Friendly Household Package, which subsidises the upfront cost of switching to energy-efficient appliances for lower-income households and more than 19,000 vouchers have already been utilised.[+16 sentences] All in, Mr Chairman, almost a million households and more than 200 businesses have already benefited from these schemes that we have implemented over the years. The carbon tax will fund additional schemes to support households and businesses to achieve greater carbon efficiency and decarbonisation, and these schemes will be subject to the usual stringent governance and accountability frameworks and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the use of public funds. We recognise that it will not be easy for the emissions-intensive trade-exposed sectors to fully decarbonise their emissions in the near to medium-term while remaining competitive with other manufacturing locations. Therefore, we will also use the carbon tax collected to provide transitory support for existing investments which have contributed to the current and earlier phases of Singapore's economic growth. This will give them time to make the transition to a low-carbon economy without blunting the price signal and being very clear about what our trajectory is. Mr Louis Ng asked to expand the coverage of the carbon tax to include all reportable facilities. At this point in time, we will retain the threshold of 25,000 tonnes of emissions. This covers about 80% of our emissions and is already one of the highest in the world. Coupled with our existing taxes on transport fuels, we are achieving around 90% coverage. Lowering the threshold would impose significant additional regulatory burden and costs on companies, without any meaningful increase in coverage. Assoc Prof Jamus Lim asked how we can catalyse the purchase of high-quality carbon credits. Providing companies with the flexibility to surrender high-quality international carbon credits to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions will help to create local demand for high-quality carbon credits and catalyse the development of a carbon services hub in Singapore. It will also cushion the impact for companies that are able to source for cost-effective and credible carbon credits. We will have clear environmental integrity criteria to ensure that the carbon credits surrendered by businesses to offset their emissions are aligned with international carbon market rules finalised at COP26 and reflect an actual reduction in global emissions. Mr Chairman, the carbon tax is but one part of our comprehensive package of measures to move our nation decisively towards a low-carbon future. Last year, we launched the Green Plan, a whole-of-nation movement to advance our national agenda on sustainable development. All the Green Plan Ministries have gathered again during the COS this year to explain how the various initiatives under the Green Plan will be enhanced and implemented. Mr Chairman, all of us have a part to play. We can and we should make this decisive move to net-zero. We must advance on this sustainability journey together as a nation and we will require the participation and support of all Singaporeans to do so. There will be costs to bear and trade-offs to be made. But this move will reposition Singapore and bring significant benefits for generations of Singaporeans to come.[+1 sentence] By moving decisively now, we are charting the path to a cleaner, greener Singapore for our future generations – with a sustainable environment and lifestyles, a forward-looking economy with new green jobs, and a brighter future at the forefront of a low-carbon world.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Grace Fu.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien)2798 words
[+8 sentences]One year ago, we launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to catalyse a nationwide sustainability movement to move towards a greener future. Since then, the international momentum for climate action has increased. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean spoke about the greater urgency and resolve internationally to take decisive action and why Singapore will raise our climate ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions by or around mid-century. He explained how carbon pricing will be pivotal in spurring Singapore's green transition. Singapore must catch and ride the green wave to thrive in a low-carbon future. This is key to our continued relevance as an international hub for transport, business and finance. The sustainability movement in Singapore is growing and inspiring action across all segments of society. Ms Poh Li San and Ms Rachel Ong will be heartened to hear that we have made progress in many areas under the Green Plan, including the following. Two consortia have been awarded tenders to install more than 600 EV chargers in carparks across Singapore. This year, we will begin trialling the import of electricity from Malaysia and Laos and we are seeking proposals to import low-carbon energy from beyond our shores.[+7 sentences] GreenGov.SG was launched to steer the public sector towards ambitious sustainability targets. Organisations, such as Sentosa Development Corporation, Nanyang Technological University and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, have drawn up their own sustainability plans. We have been engaging our partners from the people, private and public, or 3P sectors, to make the Green Plan a reality, as raised by Ms Janet Ang. Green Plan Ministries have engaged more than 25,000 stakeholders over the past year, including corporates, youths, NGOs and the community. They have participated in initiatives, such as the OneMillionTrees movement, Green Plan Conversations and the Youth Action Challenge. The private sector is adopting sustainability practices and committing resources to secure an early foothold in the green transition. The Maritime and Aviation sectors are trialling the use of cleaner and lower-carbon fuels. SIA and Scoot will begin a pilot to use blended sustainable aviation fuel at Changi Airport. To accelerate the decarbonisation of the Built Environment sector, more than 80 organisations have signed an embodied carbon pledge launched by the Singapore Green Building Council.[+26 sentences] Global firms, such as McKinsey, Bain and Company, and PwC, have established sustainability hubs and centres in Singapore, to serve the region and beyond. Civil society, community organisations and youths are galvanising a social movement on sustainability, empowering action and advocacy from the ground. At last year’s Climate Action Week, over 60 partners from the 3P sectors organised more than 130 wide-ranging activities, a record for the event. To mark Youth Day at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, a group of Singaporeans and youth-led environmental and climate organisations, such as Ho Xiang Tian and FiTree, released a statement with wide-ranging recommendations on tackling climate change. I am inspired by their passion to drive change and encourage our youths to continue to advocate and act for change. As we step towards a greener and low-carbon future, we will need to build a new social compact to prepare for changes in the way we live, work and play. As citizens, we must reflect on the changes we are willing to make to our lifestyles. Across the economy, we must move boldly to transform and capture the opportunities from the green transition. As a nation, we must thoroughly debate the trade-offs and come to a consensus on the right balance to strike. Today, my colleagues and I will give an update on how the Government is preparing for the transition to a low-carbon future, anchored around the Green Plan. Minister Gan Kim Yong will elaborate on our efforts to grow our green economy and decarbonise our energy sector. Minister S Iswaran will speak about measures to further reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector. Minister Desmond Lee will share about our progress in greening our built environment and in transforming Singapore into a City in Nature. Minister Chan Chun Sing will give an update on how we are nurturing the next generation to be stewards in environmental sustainability and how our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are driving skills training, research and innovation in sustainability. Let me share about my Ministry’s efforts to empower, invest in and partner companies, people and communities to move towards a low-carbon future. First, empowering businesses, workers and households. Improving energy efficiency is one of the primary ways that businesses can lower their carbon emission. We will provide targeted support to help every sector decarbonise. BCA will support the built environment sector; EMA the power generation sector; and EDB and NEA, the manufacturing sector. Prof Koh Lian Pin asked about the Energy Efficiency Fund, which is part of an enhanced package of support launched in January 2019 to help industries become more energy efficient and lower their carbon tax. Since then, we have committed over $75 million to support businesses to implement energy efficiency improvement and carbon abatement projects. SMEs deserve our attention. They are at the heart of our economy, supplying products and services to many sectors and employing a significant proportion of our workforce. While many of them are nimble, dynamic and creative, they often lack resources to invest in energy-efficient technologies or make changes to their business. Earlier in the Budget debate, Mr Don Wee and Ms Denise Phua called for more support for SMEs. Over the years, we have built on our support for SMEs to achieve greater energy efficiency. ESG launched the $180 million Enterprise Sustainability Programme to support Singapore companies in their sustainability journeys.[+11 sentences] Last year, NEA and ESG supported the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition Singapore’s LowCarbonSG initiative to help companies build capabilities in measuring, monitoring and reducing their carbon emissions. NEA and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) set up an Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC) in 2020. It provides SMEs with low-cost energy assessments to help them identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency. The Centre also develops the workforce by training students and practitioners in industrial energy efficiency. NEA is working with SIT to strengthen the Centre’s capabilities in the next phase. Enhancements will include setting up a training-and-simulation centre to enable learners to practise their craft in a realistic, yet safe environment. With the enhancements, the Centre will be able to assume a more prominent role in Singapore’s transition to a low-carbon economy. More details will be announced when ready. NEA’s Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) helps SMEs in the manufacturing sector to defray the cost of adopting energy-efficient technologies. Kawarin Enterprise Pte Ltd, a local steel manufacturing company, has benefited from the Fund. By upgrading their old air compressors to more energy-efficient ones, they enjoyed annual cost savings of more than $30,000 and abated about 48 tonnes of carbon annually. To help the manufacturing sector mitigate the impact of higher carbon tax, I am happy to announce that from 1 April 2022, we will raise the Energy Efficiency Fund’s maximum grant support for investing in energy-efficient technologies, from 50% to 70% of qualifying costs.[+14 sentences] This will help companies invest in energy-efficient equipment, such as lighting, air-conditioning, boilers and air compressors. We will simplify the grant application and disbursement process. I urge companies to take advantage of the higher support level early. The green transition will present new opportunities for our economy and workforce. We hope to anchor emerging green industries in Singapore to create good jobs. We are growing a new industry in agri-tech. Minister of State Desmond Tan has shared this in his speech. Mature industries, such as the environmental services industry, are poised for transformation, catalysing higher demand for green skills. We will support our workers to develop these skills. Mr Eu Leng Pheng, who began his career in the chemical and marine industry, took a leap of faith and entered the waste management industry in 2017, as a Facilities Manager in LHT Holdings to support wood waste recycling operations. To make the transition, he took part in a professional course offered by the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore. His vast experience in troubleshooting electrical components and circuit boards from his previous work experience allowed him to quickly render professional support to other engineers. He has also provided in-house training to the mechanics in his company, furthering their knowledge. We are also encouraging households to embrace sustainability. NEA and PUB launched the Climate-Friendly Households Programme in 2020 to help 1-room to 3-room HDB households reduce energy and water consumption.[+12 sentences] Eligible households can redeem $225 worth of e-vouchers to offset costs for energy-efficient refrigerators, LED lights and water-efficient shower fittings. The vouchers are valid till 31 December 2023. I urge eligible households to use these vouchers when your appliances are due for replacement. Making the switch can help households save on utility bills. Second, we will continue to invest in science and technology to unlock possibilities for a low-carbon future. Our water story is a good example of the critical role R&D plays in Singapore’s development. In our decades of patient and persistent investments, over the years, we have created two of our national taps, NEWater and desalinated water, and raised Singapore’s profile as a leading global hydrohub. Our research objective now is to bring down the energy requirement through science and technology. In 2023, a Desalination Integrated Validation Plant will be commissioned to trial promising technologies to reduce the energy consumption of desalination to less than two kilowatt hours per cubic metre (kWh/m3) of water. This will pave the way for the technologies to be implemented in full-scale desalination plants. The plant is just one of the many projects that are supported under our national Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan. As Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Ms Poh Li San and Prof Koh Lian Pin have pointed out, science and technology are important enablers for the Green Plan. Under RIE2025, the Urban Solutions and Sustainability domain will strengthen our capabilities in addressing climate change, advancing energy transition, promoting liveability and transforming our built environment. I am pleased to announce that the Government has allocated $220 million for R&D in resource circularity and water technologies.[+4 sentences] Eighty million dollars will be allocated to Closing the Resource Loop, to develop sustainable resource recovery solutions for key waste streams, such as e-waste, plastics and food. It will support the development of useful and safe applications for treated waste residue and low-carbon waste treatment options. This will build on the $45 million Closing the Waste Loop under RIE2020. Under this funding initiative, NEA has funded 15 R&D projects, with seven garnering commercial interest. Another $87 million will be allocated to the Centre of Excellence Programme to support water and membrane research at the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and the Separation Technologies Applied Research and Translation Centre.[+8 sentences] The remaining budget was allocated to the Competitive Funding for Water Research programme last year. Our investments will go towards developing high-impact solutions for our national water needs. But beyond that, research and innovation will also be an engine for green growth, spurring private sector R&D spending, job creation and technology spin-offs in the water industry and adjacent sectors. For example, NEWRI has developed technologies with local and global applications in areas, such as biomimetic membranes for desalination and anchored investments from global companies in Singapore. Science and technology will also inform our policies and interventions to keep Singapore liveable in the face of climate change. As Mr Leon Perera pointed out, rising urban temperatures is a major concern for our compact and dense city. The Government already incorporates urban planning measures to keep neighbourhoods cool. For example, weaving nature more intensively into our built environment, which Minister Desmond Lee will touch on later. The Government is also piloting the use of cool paints in 130 HDB blocks in Tampines, under the Green Towns Programme.[+5 sentences] We are also working with MOH, MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health Council, to ensure that guidelines on managing heat stress at workplaces are regularly updated. Third, partner. We need to involve the whole-of-society in the sustainability movement and develop a shared ownership of our environment. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Ms Hany Soh asked for an update on the SG Eco Fund. We have seen great interest since its launch in November 2020. As we wrap up our second grant call, I am happy to share that we will award $2.9 million to 68 projects.[+1 sentence] This includes 42 smaller projects under the new Sprout category, which has a simpler application process. In total, 105 individuals and organisations have been awarded $6.6 million in funding thus far.[+24 sentences] Some of the recipients in the second grant call are: Earth School Singapore, which has launched a new experiential education programme for Primary school students; U Farm, a social enterprise farm, which will train and employ persons with disabilities and host environmental programmes for the public; Mr Neo Zhi Xuan and his team, who will develop a web application to educate the public on where and how to recycle different household items. Our applicants have diverse interests and goals, reflecting the reach of the grant. We will work with our grant recipients to maximise the impact of their projects and co-create relevant environmental and community engagement targets. SG Eco Fund will also explore new partnerships to rally more people to contribute to the Green Plan. Our local communities are also responding to the call to action. Mr Don Wee asked about the progress of Eco Towns. In Tampines, Semula, a social enterprise, will be conducting plastic collection drives at F&B outlets and shopping malls and involving the community to process the collected plastics into art pieces. In Nee Soon South, the grassroots organisation is setting up a Black Soldier Flies composting hub. In Chua Chu Kang and Hong Kah North, grassroots leaders have organised hackathons with residents to co-develop an Eco Town plan for the district. We intend to provide more support, including capacity building workshops, to help more communities in Singapore plan and develop sustainability initiatives in their towns. This will complement HDB's Green Towns Programme to enhance the sustainability of estates. We will continue to consult and engage the public on environment and climate issues, including our net-zero ambition, as Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean has explained. Prof Koh Lian Pin suggested that sufficient time must be set aside for the public to learn about the issues and share their views. I agree fully. Under the SG Together movement, we created many opportunities for Singaporeans to participate and contribute actively to sustainability. Depending on the issue at hand, different approaches and modalities are adopted to engage stakeholders and we endeavour to share the insights gathered from these consultations with the public. Across the Public Service, we are also growing capabilities to engage well and consistently, through shared frameworks, case studies and ongoing training. For instance, the disposable carrier bag charge was developed after more than one year of extensive consultations and engagements with the industry and the public, including a Citizens' Workgroup. MSE and NEA released our response to the recommendations by the Citizens' Workgroup in 2021. For the Lim Chu Kang Masterplan, we brought stakeholders together over six months to discuss how the Lim Chu Kang area could be redeveloped to become our agri-food production hub of the future. The full report covering the whole engagement series has just been finalised and will be published soon. I thank the participants for their valuable contributions. These consultations and engagements enable participants and stakeholders, including the Government, to hear and understand diverse views. Participants go away with a better appreciation of different perspectives and the rationale for policies, and the Government goes away with better-informed and considered decisions. There is a sense of unity and shared responsibility in shaping the collective future of our society. And this is what the Green Plan is about – it is a movement, a collective movement towards a shared vision. It is a living plan that evolves as we engage and participate fully as a nation and as new technologies and solutions present us with new options.[+2 sentences] It is my hope that the Green Plan will spark new possibilities that were once thought to be unattainable. That it will pave the way for a greener, brighter future. That when it is time to hand the torch over to the next generation, we will be remembered as faithful stewards of our island nation, who made the right and difficult choices.[+1 sentence] In good time. This push towards a low-carbon future heralds a new phase in Singapore's sustainable development. Just as how we have transformed Singapore into a modern metropolis, our future will be even brighter as we work together to build Singapore into a city of green possibilities.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Gan Kim Yong.
The Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Gan Kim Yong)2821 words
[+19 sentences]Mr Chairman, I am encouraged by Members' commitment to sustainability. Many have spoken about it and asked how we can do more to further our sustainability and climate ambition. Members also recognise that while Singapore must take bold steps to address climate change, we must remain pragmatic, managing the trade-offs for supporting our enterprises and helping our workers in the green transition. A few days ago, I outlined in this House our economic strategies for Singapore. Sustainability must underpin these economic strategies. First, we need to press on with our efforts to help our industries and enterprises decarbonise. Second, we need to help our enterprises and workforce harness sustainability as a competitive advantage, invest in innovation and seize new growth opportunities in the green economy. And third, we need to expand Singapore's global connection to capture cross-border opportunities. Singapore's transition to a low-carbon economy is critical not only to ensure that we are aligned with the global efforts on sustainable development, but also to leverage new opportunities in the emerging green economy. Today, I will focus on Government's Green Economy Strategy and I will cover four key areas. First, decarbonise our industries, including the energy sector, which is a major emitter. Second, drive new areas of growth in the green economy. Third, invest in the development of new low-carbon solutions. And fourth, deepen our workforce capabilities. First, let me talk about decarbonising our industries and the energy sector. Many companies have already embarked on the sustainability journey, for they know that not doing so would risk them losing relevance and market share. We will continue to support industries and enterprises in their transition efforts. Last November, we released the Sustainable Jurong Island report which outlines our plan to transform Jurong Island into a Sustainable Energy and Chemicals Park. The Park will operate sustainably and produce sustainable products for exports. By 2030, we target for the energy and chemicals (E&C) sector to increase its output of sustainable products by 1.5 times from 2019 levels and achieve at least two million tonnes of carbon abatement per annum from low-carbon solutions.[+4 sentences] For example, Shell Singapore has announced plans to halve its operational emissions by 2030 from 2016 levels. Another example is specialty materials manufacturer, Arkema, which will be setting up a new bio-factory on Jurong Island to produce high-performance polymers made from castor beans. The new plant will enable Arkema to increase its polymer production capacity by 50% to meet the rising global demand for sustainable, high-performance materials. Decarbonising Singapore's energy sector is key in greening Singapore's economy. The energy sector powers our industries and households and is a major emitter, contributing around 40% of Singapore's direct emissions.[+11 sentences] The demand for energy will grow as we digitalise our economy and electrify our transport and various processes. However, the energy transition is especially challenging for Singapore. Many of the renewable energy options adopted by other countries are not available to us. We have little wind, hydro or tidal power. Solar is our most viable form of renewable energy, but we have heavy cloud cover and limited land available to expand our solar energy deployment. Despite these limitations and complexities, we must continue to forge ahead to transform the energy sector and reduce its carbon footprint. First, we will enhance the energy efficiency of power generation plants. Last year, we launched the second Genco Energy Efficiency (Genco EE) Grant Call to support generation companies in improving the efficiency of their existing power plants. EMA is evaluating the proposals and will announce the successful applicants later this year. We also amended the Electricity Act to empower EMA to require electricity generation licensees to meet greenhouse gas emissions standards. EMA will consult the industry on the specific standards later this year. Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Shawn Huang asked for an update on our alternative energy deployment plans. They will be pleased to know that we are on track to achieving our solar deployment target of at least two gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030, which is equivalent to powering 350,000 households annually. Since 2015, our solar installed capacity has increased by over nine times to around 560 megawatt-peak (MWp) in the third quarter of 2021.[+13 sentences] We are finding ways to further accelerate solar deployment. Our public sector agencies are taking the lead in solar deployment. HDB, for example, recently launched the seventh SolarNova tender, to aggregate demand across HDB blocks and Government sites. Since 2020, JTC has also put in place a mandatory solar deployment scheme for its lessees. And to-date, over 224 MWp of solar has been deployed across JTC's industrial estates or around 40% of our total solar deployment. We are also exploring how we can overcome our land constraints. For example, PSA has installed vertical solar panels on its external walls of the PSA Tuas Port Maintenance Base Admin Building as a trial. The Government is also exploring the use of vertical solar panels on other surfaces. To further expand the potential of solar deployment in Singapore, EMA is looking at ways to integrate energy storage systems into the grid, to overcome the intermittency of solar energy and manage the stability and resilience of our energy grid. But these efforts alone are not sufficient. Increasing the energy efficiency of our natural gas power plants can, at best, reduce carbon emissions by about 10%. Even if we maximise all available space in Singapore for solar deployment and account for efficiency improvements, we would still be unable to generate enough power to keep the lights on with solar energy alone. Meaningful abatement can only be achieved through tapping on renewable energy beyond our shores and by developing the use of other low-carbon alternatives in the longer term. In October last year, I announced that MTI and EMA plan to import up to four gigawatt (GW) of electricity by 2035. This will constitute around 30% or one-third of Singapore's electricity supply by then. In the interim, we will conduct small-scale 100 megawatt (MW) trials which will help us learn, build confidence and pave the way for our larger-scale sustainable electricity import projects.[+15 sentences] The energy transition will require trade-offs and we will need to accept changes to the way we live and work. In particular, the transition to more carbon-efficient generation and low-carbon technologies, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and importing electricity, may not mean cheaper electricity, as Mr Shawn Huang pointed out. We will need to invest in infrastructure and technology which will be costly and are likely to lead to higher electricity costs. This is an inevitable but necessary trade-off to build a better and greener world. The Government is pacing and managing the transition to ensure that electricity remains affordable and will provide assistance to vulnerable groups when necessary. We will continue to work closely with our industry partners and stakeholders to innovate and explore new solutions. Even as we push on with decarbonisation, there are exciting new economic opportunities, too. They are different sides of the same coin on sustainability. Green financing, for example, will grow as companies look to financing instruments to support their sustainable investments. Another opportunity is in the carbon services and carbon credits market. Firms and even countries will want to trade in carbon credits to offset their emissions and meet their climate goals. Mr Leon Perera suggested that we need to scrutinise and properly account for the carbon credits and, indeed, so. This also means that we will need monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) services. These growth areas will lead to good jobs in the professional services. Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked how the Government will enable the development of Singapore's carbon markets. Today, there are more than 70 organisations in Singapore providing carbon services, which is the highest concentration of service providers in Southeast Asia.[+20 sentences] We will continue to work with the private sector, as well as with other countries, to develop carbon credit projects which have high environmental integrity and quality, as Mr Leon Perera talked about. These credits can be traded via trusted platforms in Singapore or can be used by corporates or the Government to meet climate targets. For example, we have partnered local ecosystem players, such as Climate Impact X (CIX) and AirCarbon Exchange (ACX), to establish marketplaces for companies to access high-quality carbon credits. This entire value chain and ecosystem will require new skills. MOM, MOE, Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) are working together to equip our workers with these new skills and for these new job opportunities. Another area that presents opportunities for Singapore is sustainable tourism. Eventually, global tourism will recover and become vibrant again as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists are increasingly demanding sustainable travel options, such as eco-friendly hotels and attractions. This is why we have been taking steps to work with the tourism industry to move towards more sustainable operations, create sustainable products and experiences for our visitors to establish Singapore as a sustainable urban destination. This includes initiatives, such as the launch of the hotel sustainability roadmap later this month. This is a key milestone that will spur hotels to adopt sustainable operations. Last year, Sentosa received the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories Award. The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) also launched the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network, Singapore's first business alliance committed to carbon neutrality by 2030. The network aims to help businesses develop sustainability solutions through the sharing of resources and expertise while also leveraging economies of scale and providing a common network to introduce larger-scale precinct level solutions. I agree with Ms Jessica Tan, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Ms Foo Mee Har that businesses which start early on the sustainability journey can gain a competitive advantage over those which are slow to do so. This is why, last year, the Government launched the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) to enable local enterprises to uplift their capabilities and capture opportunities in sustainability. The ESP provides support at three levels. First, to develop sustainability capabilities in enterprises through training and access to relevant tools and resources. Second, to strengthen sector-specific initiatives through partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and corporates. And third, to foster a vibrant and conducive sustainability ecosystem by working with service providers and enablers in training, certification and provision of green financing. ESG has announced the roll out of the first series of ESP-Sustainability Courses for businesses which were developed in partnership with the Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), PwC Singapore and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).[+1 sentence] Businesses are also making good use of the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS) - Green, which provides enterprises better access to green financing. For example, Durapower Group was extended a green trade loan of $6 million by HSBC Singapore.[+15 sentences] The loan will enable the Singapore tech company to accelerate the development and distribution of its high-tech energy storage solutions using lithium-ion batteries for the Tuas Port's automated guided vehicle fleet. I encourage more companies to tap on the ESP and EFS-Green. Mr Chairman, as Ms Foo Mee Har and Ms Jessica Tan pointed out, innovation and the development of low-carbon solutions are key to sharpening Singapore's competitive advantage in the green economy and facilitating the energy transition. Some of these solutions, such as low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage, or CCUS, have the potential to be a gamechanger, especially for the hard-to-abate sectors, such as energy and chemicals. However, the technology will take time to mature and become more commercially viable. The Government is studying how we can catalyse the development. Let me elaborate on hydrogen, which has, in recent years, emerged as a promising energy carrier in the global search for low-carbon fuels. Many of the technologies required to enable the production, transportation, storage and use of hydrogen at scale are still nascent and relatively costly today. Currently, there are also no commercially available utility-scale combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) that can use 100% hydrogen. Without significant retrofitting, only small amounts of hydrogen up to 5% by volume can be deployed. Another challenge is in transporting hydrogen in larger volumes over long distances as the technology to transport liquified hydrogen is not yet available. Alternative carrier forms of hydrogen, such as ammonia and liquid organic hydride carriers, are more easily transported but come with their own challenges, such as the need to extract the hydrogen from the carriers at the destination. We expect the costs of low-carbon hydrogen technologies to fall over time with technological advancements and greater economies of scale. Low-carbon hydrogen will also become increasingly more accessible with the development of global supply chains and as technological developments make its transportation and use easier. The Government is, therefore, investing resources to understand and monitor the potential for hydrogen deployment in Singapore and exploring potential solutions. Last year, we awarded $55 million for R&D projects under the Low-Carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative to pursue R&D in low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen.[+6 sentences] One of the projects supported involves NTU working with a consortium of companies comprising local enterprises, such as PSA and Sembcorp Industries, and international partners like Chiyoda Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. The consortium will seek to develop new technologies for the extraction of hydrogen from liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Another project involves NUS and NTU researchers collaborating with the industry to develop new catalysts to liberate hydrogen from ammonia in a more energy-efficient way. These have the potential to allow for more efficient and economical transport of hydrogen, which can, in turn, contribute to the expansion of global hydrogen supply chains and improve the viability of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Another promising low-carbon technology is CCUS, which could be deployed to capture greenhouse gas emissions and keep them out of the atmosphere. Efforts are underway to make CCUS pathways a reality and we will put in place a robust verification system to ensure proper accounting of the carbon captured, as Mr Leon Perera mentioned. In November last year, A*STAR's Institute of Chemical Engineering and Sciences (ICES) worked with EDB and JTC to partner 13 energy and chemicals (E&C) stakeholders to study the development of a Carbon Capture and Utilisation Translational Testbed (CCUTT) to be housed on Jurong Island.[+11 sentences] CCUTT will facilitate the rapid evaluation and test-bedding of emerging carbon capture and utilisation technologies to accelerate industry adoption. This will complement our efforts to develop Jurong Island into a sustainable E&C park. To enhance the synergy of our R&D efforts in low-carbon technologies and solutions, A*STAR will reorganise key R&D capabilities across its institutes into a new Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment, or ISCE2. ISCE2 will advance research areas, such as carbon capture and utilisation, low-carbon hydrogen, carbon life-cycle accounting and synthetic biology, to pave the way for alternative green materials, products and processes to support Singapore's sustainability agenda. ISCE2 will continue to partner academia, public agencies and industry to contribute to Singapore's climate change goals. We look forward to reaping the fruits of these industry and international partnerships in time to come. Sir, as we transform our industries, we must also equip our people to seize upcoming opportunities in the transition to the green economy and low-carbon power sector, as Ms Mariam Jaafar and Prof Koh Lian Pin have highlighted. I shared about the reskilling and upskilling programmes offered by agencies in January. These include the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Clean and Renewable Energy Professionals by WSG and MAS' setting up of centres of excellence for training and research in green financing. I am pleased to hear of employers and workers coming forward to make use of these skills programmes. One such example is Mr Wang Yi Tian, a design engineer at SembCorp Marine (SCM). Mr Wang and seven of his colleagues enrolled in the CCP for Clean and Renewable Energy Professionals to undergo training in new offshore wind technologies. They will be future-skilled to take on job roles, such as supporting the construction and commissioning of overseas windfarms and windfarm substations. With these new skills, Mr Wang and his colleagues will be part of the team to expand SembCorp Marine's capabilities in renewable energy beyond our shores. We will continue to roll out new programmes to keep pace with the evolving needs of the transition to a green economy.[+7 sentences] This will enable our workers to benefit from the emerging green economy and low-carbon power sector. Mr Chairman, over the past five decades, Singapore's economy has built up significant strengths and competitive advantages. We have adapted to the various challenges and constantly reinvented ourselves to stay relevant in the regional and global economy. Our transformation to a low-carbon economy is yet another chapter in the Singapore story. It will be a challenging journey but an exciting one. The Government will partner our industries, businesses and workers as we undertake this journey. Together, we can navigate the transition, explore new ideas and forge new frontiers as we create a greener future for Singapore and for the world.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister S Iswaran.
The Minister for Transport (Mr S Iswaran)2010 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, the Singapore Green Plan articulates our national climate ambitions, as well as our commitment to climate action and achieving net-zero emissions. Sir, climate change is a challenge of the global commons. The cost of solutions will be incurred by individuals, enterprises and economies, while the benefits will take time and accrue to the global community. But we must act now, individually and collectively, by making responsible choices and trade-offs to avert a tragedy of the commons and prevent grave harm to our environment. Our land transport system is an important part of this endeavour. It is our third largest source of emissions, accounting for 15% of national emissions today.[+2 sentences] Over the decades, we have taken significant steps to build an efficient and sustainable transport system. We have, progressively, introduced policies on car ownership and usage, invested heavily in public transport and active mobility and promoted the transition to cleaner-energy vehicles. As a result of these moves and other changes, I am happy to share with Members that our land transport carbon emissions peaked at 7.7 million tonnes in 2016. While this is a significant inflection, we must do more to work towards net-zero emissions, as stated by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. Hence, aligned with our national effort, we aim to reduce land transport emissions by 80% by or around mid-century, from the peak in 2016.[+4 sentences] This is a reduction in absolute emissions. It is an ambitious goal that will require policy moves, new technologies and behavioural shifts across our land transport system. Along with the decarbonisation of the power grid, electrification of vehicles is a key initiative that will have a material impact and I would like to elaborate on our moves in that regard. Globally, EV technology continues to advance and sales of electric cars have gained momentum. In Singapore, new electric car registrations increased 18-fold, from 100 in 2020 to 1,800 in 2021, accounting for almost 4% of all new car registrations.[+12 sentences] This is a promising indicator of the impact of our measures, such as the EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) for cars, which has been highlighted by Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Louis Chua. We will monitor developments and assess the need for similar measures in other vehicle segments, like electric motorcycles. To sustain the momentum of our EV transition, we will step up our efforts in three key areas. First, charging infrastructure. Several Members have highlighted the need for charging infrastructure to keep pace with, if not be ahead of, EV adoption. Range anxiety is a commonly cited impediment. In practice, the average driver in Singapore may need to fully charge her electric car only once every five to seven days, given that most have a range of at least 300 kilometres. Nevertheless, this concern over nascent technology is understandable. To take anxiety out of range, chargers must be widely available. Last year, MOT shared plans to deploy 60,000 charging points across public and private carparks by 2030. Since then, LTA has undertaken a major survey of the switchrooms and substations serving residential carparks across the island to assess the additional electrical capacity needed to support EV charging. This evaluation has given us the confidence to accelerate the implementation of our plans. We will make every HDB town EV-ready by 2025.[+40 sentences] To achieve this, we will install charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB carparks over the next three to four years. They will mostly provide low-powered, overnight charging, which would meet the needs of car owners and minimise the load on the electrical grid. There will be at least three charging points per carpark and more where there is demand and adequate electrical capacity. LTA will launch the large-scale tender for charging points at HDB carparks in the first half of this year. We have also made progress in the deployment of chargers at other premises. Mr Ang Wei Neng’s question was regarding the pattern of ownership. More than 80% of electric car users live in private residences today, many in condominiums and private apartments. So, to incentivise non-landed private residences to install chargers in their carparks, we introduced the EV Common Charger Grant last July. So far, 12 developments have used this grant and at least 20 others are in the pipeline. Their applications are being processed and I would like to encourage more Management Corporation Strata Titles (MCSTs) to benefit from this scheme. Our second move is to upgrade the supporting electrical infrastructure. Consumer switch-rooms and substations will have to be expanded to support increasing use of the residential charging network. After industry consultation and feedback, we have decided that the Government will undertake this long-term infrastructure programme. The National EV Centre at LTA will take the lead, working with other Government agencies like EMA and HDB. Upgrades will commence over the next few years and continue well into the 2030s. Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked about financing. LTA will be issuing green bonds to fund these infrastructure upgrades. The bond repayment obligations will be met through a tariff on EV charging operators and users, which will be phased in at a later stage. The third thrust of our EV masterplan is to implement policies and regulations that support adoption and ensure safety. I agree with Prof Koh Lian Pin that robust regulations and standards are necessary to ensure a reliable and safe EV charging ecosystem. To that end, LTA has worked closely with the industry on revisions to Technical Reference 25, or TR25, which is our national EV charging standard. The revised TR25 will preserve public safety while easing compliance and maintenance obligations for owners of EV chargers. It will also allow for new technologies, such as battery-swapping, for electric motorcycles and very high-powered charging of up to 500 kilowatts. Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Gan Thiam Poh have asked about our approach to such technologies. As they are still relatively nascent, we will focus on safety regulations, while monitoring industry and technology developments to assess their applicability to our overall charging network. To lay the foundation for a new regulatory framework, we will introduce legislation to regulate EV charging. This will cover the approval and registration of EV chargers and the licensing of EV charging operators. It will also mandate the provision of charging infrastructure in new buildings and major redevelopments. There will be a public consultation on the proposed legislation later this year. We have also reviewed our vehicle policies to ensure they are relevant for an EV future. With the changes over the last two years, the road tax for mass market electric cars is now comparable to that of equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Several Members, in this debate and before, have suggested using pricing and other incentives to increase the attractiveness of EVs vis-à-vis ICE cars. We earlier introduced the EEAI to reduce the gap in upfront costs. However, the cost differential remains for certain mass market EVs because they fall within Category B COEs, along with bigger ICE cars. One reason for this is the Maximum Power Output (MPO) criterion. We introduced the criterion of 97 kilowatts in 2013, in addition to an engine capacity of 1,600 cc or less, for Category A cars. That was to address the market trend then, when many luxury petrol cars with smaller but turbo-charged engines could draw on Category A COEs. Introducing the 97-kilowatt MPO threshold shifted these turbo-charged luxury cars into Category B. However, mass-market electric cars in international markets tend to have a MPO of 110 kilowatts or lower. Locally, more mass-market EV models with an MPO above 97 kilowatts have been introduced in the last year. So, Mr Saktiandi Supaat would be pleased that MOT has reviewed the MPO threshold between Category A and Category B COEs for electric cars. We will be increasing the Category A MPO threshold for electric cars from 97 kilowatts to 110 kilowatts. Based on the EV models approved by LTA for use so far, this move will double the number of models that fall within Category A from 10 to 20, including models like the Hyundai Ioniq that Mr Louis Chua mentioned in his speech. This change will apply to electric cars registered using COEs obtained from the next COE quarter in May 2022.[+5 sentences] Mr Chairman, the EV transition also applies to other vehicle segments. Prof Koh Lian Pin and Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about the plans for the public transport and point-to-point (P2P) fleets. The P2P sector is key to emissions reduction as taxis and private hire cars clock a much higher daily mileage, compared to the average private vehicles. Our taxi operators have already announced some plans. ComfortDelgro will roll out up to 400 electric taxis, or e-taxis, in 2022, while Strides has committed to a fully electric fleet by 2026. To support these initiatives and higher ambitions, the Government will extend the statutory lifespan of e-taxis to 10 years, up from the current eight years.[+18 sentences] As EV batteries for e-taxis may need to be replaced around the five-year mark, this extension will enable taxi operators to optimise their investments and price e-taxi rentals competitively. In turn, our taxi operators have committed that at least half of our taxis will be electric by 2030. This is a significant move, given our total taxi fleet of around 15,000 today. Among private hire cars, 50% of GrabRentals fleet will also go electric by 2030. LTA will continue working closely with private hire car operators to increase EV adoption. We will make a similar concerted push for our public bus fleet. We aim for half of our public buses to be electric by 2030. This means an almost 50-fold increase from the 60 electric buses today, to about 3,000 by 2030. To achieve this, bus buys from now till 2030 will primarily be electric. For a start, LTA will replace over 400 diesel buses with electric buses by 2025. To further green our public transport infrastructure, LTA will call a tender later this month to deploy more solar panels at locations like rail and bus depots, the upcoming Integrated Train Testing Centre, covered linkways and pedestrian overhead bridges. This will reduce both emissions and energy costs. Goods vehicles and private buses are also key to our effort as they contribute the bulk of our remaining emissions. As Mr Dennis Tan noted, last year, MSE implemented the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme and enhanced the Early Turnover Scheme to encourage the adoption of cleaner-energy light goods vehicles. However, for the heavier goods vehicles, there are fewer viable cleaner-energy solutions currently available. We will work closely with industry partners to track technology advancements in this space with a view towards early adoption of viable solutions for heavier goods vehicles. Mr Chairman, in summary, we are taking decisive action to reduce land transport emissions by 80% by or around mid-century. We will make every HDB town EV-ready by 2025. We will support EV adoption with adjustments to our COE Category A MPO threshold, upgraded electrical infrastructure and a robust regulatory framework for EV charging and ensure half our public buses and taxi fleets are electric by 2030.[+1 sentence] But beyond these efforts, the success of this green endeavour, ultimately, rests with each one of us and the commuting decisions we make every day. Based on LTA’s estimates, compared to driving an ICE car, switching to an electric car halves our carbon footprint. Taking an electric bus reduces our carbon footprint by 70%. Taking the MRT reduces our carbon footprint by close to 90%.[+5 sentences] And if we walk or cycle, the carbon footprint is practically zero. So, we can make a difference with our choices. At the MOT COS debate, we will share more about our plans to make all these options more accessible by expanding the rail network, repurposing our roads and building more cycling paths. Our informed individual choices will have an indelible and enduring impact on our carbon footprint, environment and future. Together, we can make the vision of the Singapore Green Plan a reality.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Desmond Lee.
The Minister for National Development (Mr Desmond Lee)2456 words
[+4 sentences]Mr Chairman, I will first give an update on our work to make our city more sustainable and how this will support our transition to a low-carbon economy and create opportunities for our firms and workers. Second, I will report on our progress to transform Singapore into a City in Nature. And third, set out how we will strengthen our R&D to find innovative ways to improve our urban sustainability. Let us start with how we are making our built environment and our city more sustainable. Our buildings contribute more than 20% of Singapore’s carbon emissions.[+2 sentences] So, the work to green our buildings is very important. As we do this, we also want to create growth opportunities for our companies and workers in our built environment sector. Last year, we launched the latest edition of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan (SGBMP). We set three targets: “80-80-80 in 2030”, to push further in greening our buildings.[+3 sentences] We have moved decisively to meet these targets over the past year. So, let me share some updates on our progress and our plans to support the industry in this green transition, which Members like Miss Cheryl Chan, Mr Xie Yao Quan and Prof Koh Lian Pin have asked about. Our first target is to green 80% of buildings by Gross Floor Area (GFA) by 2030. To date, we have greened more than 49% of our buildings.[+11 sentences] So, we are well on our way to meeting our target. But we need to do more to sustain our momentum and push ahead. Last December, we raised the minimum energy performance requirements that both new buildings, as well as existing buildings undergoing major retrofitting, must now meet. We have also worked with our industry to revise the Green Mark scheme. We have set higher energy efficiency standards and increased our emphasis on other sustainability outcomes, too, such as reducing carbon emissions across a building's lifecycle. This will help ensure that Singapore’s Green Mark remains one of the world's leading green building certifications and the go-to standard in the tropics. So, we have raised both our minimum environmental sustainability requirements, as well as our standards at the higher end, for Green Mark. In particular, we want to encourage owners of older buildings to retrofit them to be more energy-efficient, because these tend to be less resource- and carbon-intensive than demolishing them and constructing new ones. I will share more at MND's COS. Our second target is for 80% of new developments to be Super Low Energy (SLE) buildings from 2030. These are buildings that achieve energy savings of over 60%, as compared to 2005 levels, when we started our journey to green our buildings. Over the past year, we have certified close to 7% of new buildings by GFA as SLE buildings.[+36 sentences] This is a modest but promising start, as we bring SLE developments into the mainstream. The Government is taking the lead to make more buildings SLE buildings. Under GreenGov.SG, we have raised our energy performance requirements for public sector buildings. All new public sector buildings and existing ones undergoing major retrofitting must now meet Green Mark Platinum SLE standards. We are encouraging developers to pursue SLE standards, too. In November last year, we started an incentive scheme that will give developers of private projects bonus GFA, if they meet Green Mark Platinum SLE standards and other requirements. We will also require higher environmental standards from developers for the new Government Land Sales (GLS) sites that we launch from the second quarter of this year. If we want to achieve these ambitious targets, we must ensure that our firms and workers have the capability to design, build and maintain SLE buildings. We have been building up a core of talent to support our sustainability efforts, as Mr Cheng Hsing Yao has mentioned. As of September last year, we have worked with our partners to train more than 22,000 green professionals. We will work with training providers so that their courses cover the latest developments in sustainability. Through collaborative platforms like the Super Low Energy Building Smart Hub, we will also facilitate the sharing of new energy-efficient technologies. We hope that our firms and our professionals will make good use of these resources to upgrade their skills. We will share more on our plans to attract and upskill talent at MND's COS. This brings me to our third target, which is to achieve 80% improvement in energy efficiency, compared to 2005 levels, for our best-in-class buildings by 2030. Currently, we have achieved some 65% to 70% improvement. So, we have some way to go. To help us with this important effort, we have a programme under what we call the Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC). This supports the research, prototyping and demonstration of our green building technologies and encourages companies to adopt these solutions. Let me give Members an example. The SMU Connexion building uses a Passive Displacement Cooling system, which makes use of convectional currents to circulate cool air throughout most of the building. This new technology can achieve energy savings of up to 40% over conventional air-conditioning systems. It is one of several technologies that enable the building to achieve Zero Energy standards, which means that its entire energy consumption is offset by renewable energy generated on-site. To further push the boundaries of energy efficiency, we will enhance funding for GBIC by a further $45 million. Under GBIC 2.0, we want to target key demand drivers, such as building owners and developers, as well as their value chains, to jointly develop innovative solutions. These include energy-efficient cooling technologies, smart building systems and enhanced building ventilation. We will accelerate the commercialisation of these solutions through industry partnerships and help to grow the local ecosystem of firms with green building expertise. This way, our companies can compete better in serving the growing global demand for sustainable urban solutions and take the lead to drive sustainable development across the Asia Pacific, home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Beyond individual buildings, Members have asked how we will make our HDB towns more sustainable. We will do this by tapping on new technologies and smart infrastructure solutions under our HDB Green Towns Programme. This will complement the various initiatives that MSE is piloting in the Eco Towns. For example, for new HDB flats, we are using green technologies, such as smart lighting for common areas, as well as rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce energy consumption and the use of potable water. Ms Hany Soh asked whether we use green construction methods for our HDB Home Improvement Programme (HIP) upgrading works. We require all builders for our HIP projects to come under the Green and Gracious Builders Scheme, which sets standards to mitigate the environmental impact of construction work. HDB also adopts other green construction practices, such as reusing metal hoardings for future projects. We have also been installing solar panels on top of our existing HDB blocks to power common services, such as lifts and lighting. Mr Abdul Samad asked how we are progressing with these plans. We have done this for more than 2,700 blocks already, more than a quarter of the over 10,000 HDB blocks we have in Singapore today.[+1 sentence] And we will strive to install solar panels on as many HDB blocks as possible. By 2030, we target to have a solar capacity of 540 MWp, equivalent to powering 135,000 4-room flats.[+2 sentences] Beyond this, we are also exploring how to make good use of our limited space to enhance Singapore’s food security. Ms Poh Li San and Mr Don Wee asked how we can support more urban farms on the rooftops of multi-storey carparks (MSCPs). Since 2020, HDB and SFA have launched tenders for 16 sites on MSCPs for food production.[+17 sentences] Although the expected production volume is not very high or large, it will contribute to our “30 by 30” food production goal. We will be evaluating the outcomes of this programme first before we decide on future plans. Next, we are piloting some new initiatives in our HDB estates to encourage residents to live more sustainably. For instance, we will introduce e-waste recycling bins in our HDB estates to make recycling more convenient. This will also support our Green Plan efforts to help Singaporeans recycle more and recycle right, as Minister Grace Fu had shared with us earlier. We are also exploring the use of Light Emitting Surfaces (LES) for signages in our housing estates. LES is a new technology that can potentially reduce about 80% of energy consumption, compared to standard fluorescent block signages. We hope that these initiatives will enable our residents to lead more sustainable lifestyles and leave a lower carbon footprint. To finance the building of green and sustainable homes, HDB has also developed a Green Finance Framework. New HDB projects that seek to achieve BCA's Green Mark GoldPlus certification or above can now be financed or refinanced with green bonds or loans under this framework. This will support HDB as it seeks to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption in our projects. HDB's Green Finance Framework will also contribute to our whole-of-Government effort to further develop the green bond market in Singapore. Let me now update Members on our work to transform Singapore into a City in Nature. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked how we balance conservation and development. I will give a fuller update on our approach at MND's Committee of Supply later but let me briefly share some of the progress that we have made. First, we have restored and enhanced several core habitats throughout the island. These comprise over 12 hectares of forest, marine and coastal habitats in Singapore which are key ecosystems and important homes for native biodiversity. Last year, we expanded the Species Recovery Programme from 94 to 120 species and, by 2030, we will increase these to 160 species.[+8 sentences] We have seen some early success. Our latest studies have shown that many of our native flora and fauna species have become less threatened over time, such as the Smooth-coated Otter and the Lesser Mousedeer. Second, beyond our core habitats, we have greened other parts of our city more intensively. We have established more nature parks, especially at the fringe of our core biodiversity areas, as ecological buffers. Over the past two years, we have announced new nature parks, such as the Khatib Bongsu Nature Park, a rich mangrove and mudflat habitat, and the Rifle Range Nature Park, a key buffer for our Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Last year, we also added new parks at Bukit Gombak and Pasir Panjang and enhanced existing ones, such as the Coastal Playgrove at East Coast Park, with more lush vegetation and natural landscapes. We have even expanded the greenery on our rooftops and facades of buildings and in our sky gardens, to over 140 hectares. We are well underway to meeting our target of 200 hectares of skyrise greenery by 2030. Third, we have continued to enhance connectivity between our green spaces to help our native flora disperse and our fauna to traverse our island. We have completed more than half of the 300 kilometres of Nature Ways that we aim to implement by 2030 and we are on track to meeting our target of 500 kilometres of park connectors by 2030, with around 370 kilometres of park connectors completed so far.[+2 sentences] Miss Rachel Ong asked how we will make our green spaces accessible to all Singaporeans. The moves we have made as part of City in Nature not only help nature to thrive in our city state but also bring all Singaporeans closer to our green spaces for all its benefits. Over nine in 10 households are now within a 10-minute walk from a park and we aim to reach 100% by 2030.[+9 sentences] Our City in Nature efforts can also help us build up our climate resilience through nature-based solutions. For example, we have already begun to weave natural designs and plantings into our parks and streetscapes. By planting different shrubs and trees to mimic the multi-tiered structure of a natural forest, we can better connect our green spaces for animals like birds and butterflies and also beautify our city, provide shade, cool our surroundings and improve our air quality. We can also use nature-based solutions to help protect our coastlines from rising sea levels. Looking ahead, as Minister Grace Fu had shared earlier, research and innovation will enable us to achieve a low-carbon future. We will continue to invest in science and technology for our city and our natural spaces. Let me share some of our plans, which Members like Dr Shahira Abdullah and Mr Cheng Hsing Yao have asked about. To support our City in Nature ambitions, we have invested in R&D under our Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) and the Marine Climate Change Science (MCCS) programmes to explore solutions that tap on nature to help strengthen our ecological, climate and social resilience. In one project, researchers created "green seawalls" that enhance our marine ecosystems at the same time. These specially-designed tiles can host a range of native species, such as crabs and sea snails, more abundantly than conventional seawalls. They will be piloted at Pulau Tekong and have the potential to be applied to other parts of Singapore.[+3 sentences] The Cities of Tomorrow R&D programme will also improve our urban sustainability, such as by designing greener buildings for our tropical climate. For instance, air-conditioning uses a lot of energy. BCA and NUS are exploring the use of weather sensors and smart watches that track how building occupants respond to indoor conditions to optimise cooling and ventilation systems. This technology aims to reduce energy use while still providing comfort for the occupants. I am glad to share that we will invest an additional $64 million into R&D under the City in Nature and Greater Sustainability pillars of the Cities of Tomorrow programme.[+6 sentences] This will support us in developing innovative solutions for a more sustainable, liveable and resilient city. Let me conclude. Whether it is making our built environment and city more sustainable or transforming Singapore into a City in Nature, we all need to work together – Government agencies, industry partners, academics and researchers, nature groups and the wider community. While we have made good progress so far, there is much more to do and we must press on in close partnership. Along the way, we can help local firms and our workers build expertise in sustainability solutions and create good jobs and good opportunities for Singaporeans. And we can grow a greener and more sustainable home for all of us – one where we live in harmony with nature as good stewards of our environment for generations to come.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Minister Chan Chun Sing.
The Minister for Education (Mr Chan Chun Sing)1127 words
Mr Chairman, to achieve sustainability as our competitive advantage for Singapore, foundational education in our schools will be a key enabler; but the capabilities of our institutions – Universities, Polytechnics and ITE – and the competencies of our graduates and the workforce, will be the real needle movers.[+8 sentences] Let me first provide an update on our efforts in our schools. MOE has been making good progress since the announcement of the Eco-Stewardship Programme, or ESP, last year. Through the "4Cs" approach of Curriculum, Campus, Culture and Community, we continue to holistically nurture our students from Primary to pre-University levels to be environmental stewards for our future. We will continue to support our teachers for the ESP through professional development opportunities and teaching resources on sustainability in the Student Learning Space. MOE is also developing an Eco-Stewardship Toolkit, which will include a repository of resources to further support schools in strengthening their sustainability journey. Beyond our schools. I agree with Ms Foo Mee Har that our institutions play a critical role in Singapore's green transition. As part of our Green Plan effort, our institutions have made sustainability a strategic priority in their agendas, with some of our Autonomous Universities developing comprehensive masterplans on their sustainability targets and initiatives. Miss Rachel Ong has asked how our institutions are stepping up efforts to support sustainable living and the green economy. There are two needle-moving areas that our institutions can contribute to the national sustainability push.[+9 sentences] One, leveraging their research and innovation capabilities to develop new products and services which enable other sectors of our society to tackle sustainability challenges. Two, developing the skills and competencies of our graduates and the workforce to enable them to seize opportunities in the green economy. Let me elaborate. The deep research and innovation capabilities of our institutions position them well to advance Singapore's sustainability goals. In tandem with their hands-on approach to sustainability education, our institutions partner companies, agencies and our community on research and innovation projects that advance national sustainability efforts. This is done in two ways. First, our institutions can develop innovative solutions to support the industry's green transformation. Through projects that they work on with the industry, the Polytechnics enable local enterprises to reduce their carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals. For example, in January this year, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) launched a Sustainability Experience Centre in partnership with Schneider Electric, a company specialising in energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. Through the Centre, NYP staff and students will work with 100 small and medium enterprises by 2023, to co-create and implement energy-efficient initiatives.[+7 sentences] In partnership with a local startup, Firmbase Private Limited, Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Environmental and Water Technology Centre of Innovation has recently developed a membrane for effective oil-water separation in the treatment of oily wastewater in the oil and gas industry. Second, our Autonomous Universities are leveraging their deep research capabilities for sustainability R&D and using their own campuses as "living laboratories" to support national research and talent development efforts. For example, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has partnered France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, or CEA, to set up the Singapore-CEA Alliance for Research in the Circular Economy, focusing on research around recycling of electronic waste. As part of its Sustainability Plan, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will be transforming its campus in Changi into a green experimental ground. This will allow SUTD faculty and students to partner the industry and the community to testbed new technologies and innovative projects for sustainable and smart living. Such studies may include waste management and reducing electricity usage. Our institutions also play an important role in equipping our youth and workforce with the skills and competencies for the growing green economy. The "Skills Demand for the Future Economy" report by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) noted that over 450 job roles across 17 sectors already require green skills in their job tasks.[+8 sentences] We can expect more new jobs to emerge and more exciting jobs to adopt green practices. We, therefore, need to invest in "green upskilling" for our workforce so that they can seize the new opportunities presented by green growth. Our institutions are refreshing their specialised course offerings and are launching new programmes. These programmes provide young Singaporeans with forward-looking skills for emerging green jobs or existing jobs that are going to be "greened". For example, Republic Polytechnic recently launched the Diploma in Environmental and Marine Science, which prepares students to take up roles at the forefront of developing sustainable, environmental and aquaculture solutions. Beyond equipping students to enter green jobs, we are also equipping the broader base of students with knowledge, competencies and skills related to sustainability. Almost all our institutions include sustainability as a theme for their common curricula for undergraduates. Singapore Management University, for instance, offers a common module on "Climate Change, Global and Local Solutions" as part of its core curriculum for undergraduates. As part of the enhanced LifeSkills framework, students at our institutions will also explore and discuss sustainability-related issues and how these relate to their roles as global citizens.[+1 sentence] Our institutions will continue to work closely with industry partners to curate more internship opportunities. These allow students to acquire and apply green skills in real-world settings and better prepare them for future careers in green jobs. We will ramp up our Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses for those already working in industries that face a "green transition". Currently, our institutions offer more than 100 CET courses that provide training in areas, such as sustainable built environment, green engineering solutions, green finance and environmental sciences. One example is Temasek Polytechnic's Specialist Diploma in Energy Management and Sustainable Design which upskills workers in the building industry to take on job opportunities in energy efficiency design and technologies.[+7 sentences] We will expand the offerings in our institutions to meet the market demand and our students' aspirations. Mr Chairman, to conclude, MOE is fully committed to contribute to a sustainable Singapore under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Our schools will be a key foundational enabler for this journey, as they nurture the next generation of our students to be stewards in environmental sustainability. Our institutions will play significant, needle-moving roles by building up their capabilities and capacities, in partnership with the industry. They will leverage their research and innovation capabilities to develop sustainable products and solutions and equip our graduates and workforce with in-demand and emerging green skills. However, it takes a whole-of-nation effort to make sustainability our way of life. We, therefore, welcome experts, educators, companies, community partners and all Singaporeans to join in this endeavour to embrace sustainability consciousness and practices, build skills for the green economy and develop innovative solutions to create a greener and lasting future for generations to come.
The Chairman5 words
[+2 sentences]Clarifications, please. Ms Nadia Samdin.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin56 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I thank Minister Grace Fu for giving the update on the progress of the SG Eco Fund. I would like to ask and clarify what environmental and community outcomes are tracked as part of the Fund to ensure the effectiveness of the Fund and that these are mapped towards the Singapore Green Plan.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien94 words
[+7 sentences]I thank the Member for that question. The Eco Fund is actually designed to allow very broad-based participation and it is made very inclusive for different types of groups. Individuals, businesses, community, grassroots organisations or charities can participate. Actually, it allows groups to participate in a wide area of interests. It stretches across all the five pillars of the Singapore Green Plan. The key indication that we are looking for in all these groups is whether they are able to mobilise the community around them. That is the key that we are looking for.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Sakitandi Supaat.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat226 words
[+10 sentences]Chairman, I would like to thank the Senior Minister and the Ministers for their very detailed answers to some of our cuts. I have two clarifications. My first clarification is with regard to the risk-weighted assets question that I asked in my cut. With the efforts to incentivise carbon credits and the ecosystem, may I ask Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong whether the efforts to incentivise by introducing risk-weighted assets are a bit lower for FIs, for example, to hold on to carbon credits? As of now, I think carbon credits are regarded as a high risk and the weights in the risk-weighted asset are quite high. That is my first question. For my second clarification, I would like to first thank Minister for Transport S Iswaran for sharing that the cut-off for EV cars for COE Cat A has been increased to 110 kilowatts, thus benefiting 10 cars. But my question is with regard to my cut about the taxes – road tax for EVs. Can the Minister share a bit more how we can enhance this incentivisation of the rebate structure for EV cars on the road tax front? And the other one is on motorcars – what monitoring developments and assessments will be needed to ensure that earlier adoption incentive for electric motorcycles can be done earlier than later?
Mr Gan Kim Yong162 words
[+3 sentences]Sir, I thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for the question. In fact, banks do have exposure to carbon credits, for example, from trading in carbon credits arising from a market intermediary. Banks, therefore, can be exposed to the risk of losses arising from market movements in the price of carbon credits. Under the MAS' bank capital framework, banks' exposure to carbon credits are treated similarly as exposures to commodities.[+1 sentence] These attract a risk-weight of 187.5%. The risk-weight is agreed internationally in the capital standards promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and has been calibrated very carefully based on demonstrated riskiness of the commodities and carbon credits. So, we will have to be very careful in adjusting the risk-weighting for some of these assets because it may inadvertently expose the banks and financial institutions to unacceptable risks.[+1 sentence] We will continue to work with the financial institutions to see how we can better quantify the risks so that we can manage risk-weighting better.
Mr S Iswaran406 words
[+10 sentences]Mr Chairman, I thank the Member for his questions. If I may take the second one on electric motorcycles first. As I have said earlier in my speech, the technology is still evolving, different models, different types of solutions. So, we are tracking this very closely and we will make an assessment of the need to put in place any specific measures that might facilitate earlier or quicker adoption of such e-motorcycles. The Member's first question was around incentives for electric cars and, in particular, the road tax angle. So, let me address this in three parts. First, road tax. As the Member would be aware, last year, we made a series of changes to the road tax treatment of EVs. As a result of that, the road tax payable by mass- to mid-market EVs is, generally, in line with their ICE equivalents. I think that does not seem to be an impediment per se, but we will continue to monitor this and see if there is a need for further tweaks. Second, we have also introduced the upfront ownership cost adjustments through the EV Early Adoption Incentive which, when combined with the Vehicle Emission Scheme (VES), can result in a reduction of up to $45,000 in the upfront cost, depending on the OMV of the car.[+6 sentences] So, I think that is quite substantial. So, when we put these together with the recurrent costs – and the likely savings in recurrent costs of running an EV, because the maintenance tends to be less costly and so on – we think that, on balance, the economics works in favour of EV adoption or, at least, not against it. But we will continue to monitor this because this is an evolving space. But if I may make a final point, Mr Chairman, I think it is important to bear in mind that EVs are, first and foremost, vehicles; hence, "V"s. And that means our policies on car ownership, usage and, indeed, the emphasis on a car-lite strategy and greater use of public transport – those must remain as important principles that guide our larger transport policies. So, we want to encourage the adoption of EVs in the context of our larger green transition, but we also want to ensure that, where we can and where it is also within the ken of our people, greater transition to the use of public transport and less carbon-emitting modes of transportation.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Miss Cheryl Chan.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling138 words
[+6 sentences]Chairman, I would like to seek two clarifications from Minister Gan Kim Yong. The first one is on the projects of the sustainable Jurong Island project because, currently, most of all the projects and the carbon emissions are based on disclosures by the industry or the companies. I would like to understand from the Minister how we would be tracking these so that we can validate the carbon emissions that they said have been reduced over time. That is the first question. The second question is with regard to the new technologies that we are going to bring across, whether on Jurong Island or in Singapore, how will we be doing this sandbox of the new pilots? Could the Minister elaborate further on how this would be possible so that people with good proposals would put them up?
Mr Gan Kim Yong240 words
[+1 sentence]Thank you. In fact, I mentioned this in my speech, that as we embark on projects on reducing our carbon emission as well as new projects like carbon capture and so on, it is very important for us to develop our capability in tracking and verification in auditing some of these carbon reductions that they claim. In time to come, we will work with the various industries to set standards and work out a system where we can verify the actual carbon emission and the carbon savings that they have achieved.[+6 sentences] So, it is something that we will continue to work with the industry on and to develop the standards for that. Miss Cheryl Chan also asked about how we embark on sandbox projects. EDB, ESG and A*STAR are working very closely with industries and looking at the various new technologies, new solutions. We welcome industries, companies or researchers who are interested in the respective areas of green projects to discuss with us. For the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), it would be easier for them to approach ESG to talk about potential projects and the various schemes that will be available that they can tap on to embark on these projects. And for the larger projects, like CCUS and so on, they can talk to EDB as well as A*STAR, which has a centre which I mentioned that they have set up with regard to carbon utilisation and technology.
The Chairman3 words
[+1 sentence]Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon)58 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Sir. I thank the Senior Minister for sharing that we will be doing some consultations when it comes to net-zero emissions. Could I ask that we consult with the NGOs and activists sooner rather than later because they have shared with me that they were consulted rather late when it came to the carbon tax increase?
Mr Teo Chee Hean3 words
[+1 sentence]Yes, of course.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Poh Li San.
Ms Poh Li San166 words
[+8 sentences]Mr Chairman, I have two questions. The first one is for the Senior Minister. The Senior Minister mentioned that about 5,000 companies now have given their commitment towards the decarbonisation solution. I would like to know how many out of these 5,000 are actually present in Singapore and what kind of contribution would they be able to help us in our decarbonisation efforts locally. On the second question, the Senior Minister and Minister Gan Kim Yong also shared about some of these new and nascent technologies, such as carbon capture and hydrogen, that we are now studying to open up our own technologies for future renewable energies. So, I would like to understand more about do we have any plans to devote more of our resources, our Budget, to investments in such energy, new nascent energy and technologies. Some of these facilities will require also large amounts of land to build them. Do we have plans to adjust our land use plans to accommodate such facilities?
Mr Teo Chee Hean219 words
[+14 sentences]On the first question, I do not have a count of how many of the 5,000 which have committed to net-zero in COP26 are actually in Singapore. But we do know that there are many companies in Singapore – international companies and major ones. Minister Gan Kim Yong has given the example of Shell, which is a major E&C company, which has made a commitment to go to net-zero by 2050 – Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3. They have been long-time residents here in Singapore, contributing greatly to our economy and we will partner them. A number of other companies – ExxonMobil, for example, has committed to going net-zero in its operations by 2050. They are very interested in CCU as a technology. Both companies are very interested in developing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and other forms. These provide very good partnerships for us. There are other important companies in Singapore like Neste, which is a major producer of biodiesel. In fact, it is the biggest producer. We have one of the biggest plants in the world, if not the biggest plant in the world. And they have expressed an interest in expanding their range of products here in Singapore. So, there are a number of useful opportunities. Minister Gan Kim Yong may want to add to that.
Mr Gan Kim Yong232 words
[+1 sentence]I mentioned this in my remarks earlier on that we have devoted quite a lot of resources into the development of technology and R&D. For example, I mentioned that, last year, we awarded $55 million of R&D projects under the Low-carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative to pursue R&D in low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen.[+5 sentences] We are also consolidating the various institutions under A*STAR so that we can create greater synergy among these research efforts to focus on investment in the development of these technologies. But I must add that many of these technologies are still very nascent and they are in the developmental stage. We will need to continue to remain nimble and monitor their development, keep pace with their development not only in Singapore but globally, and explore collaboration with international institutions, research institutions, so that we are able to keep tabs on the latest development in the technology and seek collaboration in developing some of these capabilities. I also agree with the Member that it is important for us to also invest in building capability among our people, as well as I have also mentioned about training and upgrading. Minister Chan Chun Sing talked about education and how we equip our people to be able to invest their resources into R&D and also to capitalise on the employment opportunities that will be brought about by some of these emerging technologies.
The Chairman4 words
[+1 sentence]Ms Foo Mee Har.
Ms Foo Mee Har115 words
[+3 sentences]Thank you, Chairman. I have one clarification for Minister Gan Kim Yong. My question relates to the new Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS-Green) to support local firms with a range of financing needs. [restates an earlier point]As I said, despite the generous Government risk-sharing at 70%, the industry's feedback, mainly coming from the SMEs, is that the interest rate and loan terms offered by the participating financial institutions are actually not much different from commercial loans.[+2 sentences] So, I would like to ask the Minister if ESG would look into the feedback from the industry for FIs to look into more favourable terms for the EFS-Green to spur adoption. This is especially if the Government is risk sharing at 70%.
Mr Gan Kim Yong77 words
The short answer is yes, we will take in the feedback from industries and to continue to refine our various schemes, including EFS-Green, so that they are relevant and are able to help the industries in embarking on this sustainability journey. But we also have to bear in mind that we have to also ensure that these schemes and these projects make sense and are viable, so that we have a sustainable outcome for the sustainable projects.
The Chairman19 words
[+3 sentences]Any more clarifications? Happy to take clarifications. No? Okay. Mr Louis Ng, would you like to withdraw your amendment?
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang274 words
[+2 sentences]Sir, our words in this House matter, so do our deeds. Let me start by thanking Members for their passionate speeches for our planet, for sustainability and for the health and livelihood of our people, and for Senior Minister of State Amy Khor's favourite topic of hawker culture. I also thank the Government for its strong, concrete and very significant steps forward in tackling climate change, in ensuring that we live and breathe sustainability and that we have fresh air to breathe – my most favourite and Senior Minister of State Amy Khor's second favourite topic of second-hand smoke.[+5 sentences] But as some of you might realise, many of us are wearing green in this House today. In fact, it is the first time I am not wearing my white shirt in this House. And I should thank Speaker, the Chairman, for also greening Parliament, for turning up the heat during our debates in this Chamber, and, by that, I mean turning up the temperature in the air-conditioning and also phasing out the use of single-use plastic bottles. I thank him for all these steps in greening Parliament. But we are not just wearing green today; I am glad and, hand on heart, we are truly going green. For that, I thank Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Minister Grace Fu, Minister Desmond Lee, Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister S Iswaran and Minister Gan Kim Yong for their strong leadership and commitment on this issue and all the other political officeholders from the different Ministries and Statutory Boards for all their hard work and dedication. And, with that, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.
The Chairman61 words
[+1 sentence]So, amidst a 24oC setting, is the hon Member given leave to withdraw the amendment?