Category Archives: COS 2024: Gerald Giam

Select Committees for Ministries

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mr Chairman, Parliament currently has seven standing Select Committees. But none of these is specific to individual Ministries. This is quite unlike many other legislatures around the world. The United Kingdom’s (UK’s) House of Commons, for example, has Select Committees for every government department, like Defence, Home Affairs andContinue reading “Select Committees for Ministries”

Licensed Childminding Services

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, parents who are engaged in shift work often require childminding support outside of childcare centres’ operating hours, which are typically from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. Many of these parents are from the lower-income groups, for whom shift work is more common. The Forward Singapore report said that childmindingContinue reading “Licensed Childminding Services”

Lift Replacement Fund

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mr Chairman, the Lift Replacement Fund was introduced during the 2017 amendment to the Town Council’s Act. It addresses the substantial deferred costs associated with lift renewals in our ageing estates. This provision ensures minimum disruption due to lift breakdowns for our residents, notably the elderly, young children and thoseContinue reading “Lift Replacement Fund”

Safe Footpaths

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Madam, footpath safety is a concern for many of my residents. Accidents often occur along footpaths due to a lack of awareness and courtesy among pedestrians, cyclists and PMD users. Some of my residents have suffered severe injuries as a result. I call on the Ministry to conduct more publicContinue reading “Safe Footpaths”

Healthcare Subsidies for PwDs or Persons with Special Needs

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, currently Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation and Public Assistance cardholders receive special subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). I would like to propose adding persons with disabilities or special needs as another group of Singaporeans to receive special subsidies under CHAS. They should also receive additional MediSave top-upsContinue reading “Healthcare Subsidies for PwDs or Persons with Special Needs”

Menopause Support for Female Workers

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: Sir, the number of women aged 40 to 59 in the labour force has risen by 97,000 from 2012 to 2022. Many in this group of workers will be undergoing perimenopause, which can present various physical and emotional challenges that may impact their well-being and work performance. Awareness of theContinue reading “Menopause Support for Female Workers”

Tradesperson Jobs

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, there are approximately 186,000 craftsmen and trades workers in Singapore. Their median salary is $2,700 and their median age is 56 years. Over 70% are foreigners. The low wages, ageing workforce and heavy reliance on foreign labour in this crucial sector is concerning. I acknowledge the efforts by MOM,Continue reading “Tradesperson Jobs”

Artificial Intelligence in Education

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mr Chairman, given the increasing demand for AI skills in the workforce, it is crucial to help our students develop not just good foundations and fundamental skills but also become proficient in using common AI tools. For example, all students need to be taught how to correctly input prompts intoContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence in Education”

Political Significant Persons

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mdm Chair, recently Mr Philip Chan, a Singaporean businessman and former People’s Association grassroots leader, was designated by MHA as a politically significant person (PSP) under the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act, or FICA. MHA said that Mr Chan had shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors and willingnessContinue reading “Political Significant Persons”

NS Pay

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mr Chairman, NS is an obligation that every male Singaporean or second-generation Permanent Resident (PR) must fulfil. However, it is undeniably an opportunity cost that is disproportionately levied upon one segment of society. Due to NS, Singaporean men begin their careers two years behind their female peers, first-generation PRs, newContinue reading “NS Pay”