Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): As Singapore’s population ages, the demand for intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) will continue to increase. A paper on the Future of Long-Term Care in Singapore by researchers from the LKY School of Public Policy, identified three main issues to tackle in this sector – manpower capabilities, infrastructure capacity and coordinationContinue reading “Intermediate and Long-term Care”
Category Archives: COS 2023: Gerald Giam
Improving Caregiver Support
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Caring for elderly parents is a heavy responsibility that many Singaporeans bear. And it can take a toll on their physical and mental health leading to burnout. Many caregivers are women or single adults who sacrifice their careers or personal lives to be caregivers. Our society must recognise caregivers’ challengesContinue reading “Improving Caregiver Support”
Assisted Living Options for Seniors
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): By 2030, almost one in three people in Singapore will need some form of eldercare service. However, Singapore’s limited assisted living options mean seniors have few choices beyond living unassisted at home, engaging a foreign domestic helper or moving into a nursing home. Nursing home residents in Singapore tend toContinue reading “Assisted Living Options for Seniors”
COMPASS Shortage Occupation List
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is one of the criteria in the COMPASS framework. MOM has said that the first SOL will be announced this month. It is expected to identify occupations requiring skills that are currently in shortage in the local workforce. Could the Minister share what occupations will beContinue reading “COMPASS Shortage Occupation List”
Workplace Discrimination against PwDs
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, about 78% of persons with disabilities (PwDs) have reported experiencing discrimination at the workplace, according to a survey last August by AWARE and Milieu Insight. Discrimination faced by PwDs can range from exploitation and denigration to stereotyping and displaying patronising attitudes towards them. The Government has announced its intentionContinue reading “Workplace Discrimination against PwDs”
Digitalisation for Seniors
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, digitalisation has taken off in a big way in Singapore. Unfortunately, this has also left many elderly and less tech-savvy citizens behind. What takes digital natives a few seconds to complete can be painfully difficult for some seniors. Many struggle to come up with strong passwords and have difficulty typing them.Continue reading “Digitalisation for Seniors”
Persons with Disabilities’ Access to SkillsFuture Programmes
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, I declare that I am an owner and director of a company that provides software for the administration of SkillsFuture-funded courses. Persons with disabilities (PwDs) need access to training and lifelong learning just as much as their able-bodied counterparts. However, they sometimes face access barriers to attending courses.Continue reading “Persons with Disabilities’ Access to SkillsFuture Programmes”
Engaging Singaporeans on Foreign Policy
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: Of all the Ministries, MFA’s work is probably the most esoteric to many Singaporeans. Some think that foreign policy is too complicated, is not as relevant to their daily lives as many domestic issues or is too sensitive to have open discussions about. As a result, foreign policy is often leftContinue reading “Engaging Singaporeans on Foreign Policy”
Strengthening ASEAN’s Credibility
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, the Workers’ Party supports Singapore’s efforts to work with our neighbours to bolster ASEAN. The regional grouping plays an important role in fostering deeper social, cultural and economic ties, enhancing regional stability and integrating Southeast Asian economies. An effective ASEAN can help countries in the region, including Singapore, toContinue reading “Strengthening ASEAN’s Credibility”
Military Expenditure
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, MINDEF’s total expenditure of FY 2023 is projected to increase 5.6% for over FY 2022, on top of an 11.3% increase from FY2021 to 2022. In the revenue on expenditure estimates for FY 2023/2024, military expenditure is just a single-lined item with an amount of $17.0 billion, without anyContinue reading “Military Expenditure”
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 