leaderopposition

COS 2021: Smaller Class Sizes

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Mr Chairman, Singapore currently has one of the highest average class sizes among advanced countries in Primary and Secondary schools. In 2019, it amounted to 33 students per class. In contrast, the average among industrialised economies is a little more than 20. Even in East Asian economies such asContinue reading “COS 2021: Smaller Class Sizes”

COS 2021: University Cohort Participation Rate

University Cohort Participation Rate Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: Every year, around 9,000 students graduate from private education institutions offering degree courses in Singapore, while thousands more study in universities overseas. Apart from the few who obtain scholarships, most of these students will have to pay full tuition fees for their studies. This can cost themContinue reading “COS 2021: University Cohort Participation Rate”

COS 2021: Foundation Subjects in Primary School

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): In Primary school, students may take a combination of Standard and Foundation level subjects based on their strengths and choices. However, many students and parents may not be aware that for the purpose of Secondary 1 posting, even a perfect score at a Foundation level maps to a StandardContinue reading “COS 2021: Foundation Subjects in Primary School”

COS 2021: Litigants in Person

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Chairman, I beg to move. “That the total sum to be allocated for Head E of the Estimates be reduced by $100”. Our Constitution provides at Article 12 that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law. Today, I wish to focus onContinue reading “COS 2021: Litigants in Person”

COS 2021: Entry of Approved Foreign Workers

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Sir, additional processes have been put in place for employers of foreign workers seeking entry or re-entry into Singapore. After getting MOM approval for the workers, there is now an additional requirement for employers to apply for slots for their entry into Singapore on specific dates. It was explained that thereContinue reading “COS 2021: Entry of Approved Foreign Workers”

COS 2021: Seniors Go Digital

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Seniors Go Digital was launched in May last year to help our seniors build digital capabilities. At the parliamentary debate last June, I stated my support for it, but was concerned about seniors who might not be able to make the digital leap. The Minister clarified that the idea was toContinue reading “COS 2021: Seniors Go Digital”

COS 2021: Work Injury Compensation Act for All Singaporean Workers

Mr Pritam Singh: Sir, Work Injury Compensation coverage has represented a form of worker protection that long predates even Singapore’s independence. It serves as a critical bulwark to protect workers against accidents, providing them important financial relief and some degree of protection in times of uncertainty and distress. Even so, the central role of platform workersContinue reading “COS 2021: Work Injury Compensation Act for All Singaporean Workers”

COS 2021: Progressive Wage Model for Lift and Escalator Sector

Mr Pritam Singh: Sir, the Progressive Wage Model for the lift and escalator sector was approved by the Government in 2018 after a tri-sector committee comprising of union representatives, the Government and lift companies made its recommendations. Arising from this agreement to raise the wages of Singaporeans and PRs in the lift and escalator sector,Continue reading “COS 2021: Progressive Wage Model for Lift and Escalator Sector”

COS 2021: Enhancing CPF Returns

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Chairman, CPF has been able to maintain its interest rates at 2.5% for Ordinary Accounts and 4% for Special MediSave and Retirement Accounts. The interest helps our CPF members to grow closer to their time and goals, which is to meet or exceed the minimum retirement sum. Now, even thoughContinue reading “COS 2021: Enhancing CPF Returns”

COS 2021: Flexible Work Arrangements

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: In 2019, about 85% of employers offered some form of formal or ad-hoc flexible work arrangement in the workplace. However, flexible work arrangements come in a spectrum and, clearly, the level of flexibility that was in place pre-COVID-19 is dramatically different from what you have seen in 2020 and today, withContinue reading “COS 2021: Flexible Work Arrangements”