TODAY newspaper

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Knitting with $10m

Call for ideas on tapping fund to bond locals, immigrants

Why spend so much money on this?

Is there a need?

Why not spend on Singaporeans who need financial assistance?

What would happen to Singapore if all jobs and all Singaporeans are replaced by foreigners?

Why not spend money to attract overseas Singaporeans to return?

It is very difficult to get domestic workers who are as helpful and loyal.  Those new arrivals are of sub-standard, incompetent, inadequately trained and of low calibre and yet their salary is escalating.  MOM should reduce the foreign workers levy to make it more affordable for people who does not have family support and really needs to rely on domestic workers.  We also need to pay a fee to the employment agencies to bring in those sub-standard domestic workers and cover insurance.  If they did not survive the training or after we gave them a chance and train them, they packed and go off prematurely without completing their two year term, we have to pay the agency again.  It makes us feel like a fool to provide them with free food, lodging and training and they turn around and bite us.

Sometimes it is very difficult to choose between work and family.  If we choose to work, we have to put in long hours and neglect our family.  On the other hand, it is not advisable to have a sole bread winner or single income family as jobs are not secure and if we are not rich.

There are some young generation Singaporeans who does not want to get married, does not intend to start a family and have children as they do not want their next generation to suffer and go through the stress that we are experiencing.

It is extremely tough to be a woman in this modern era as we have to take on multiple responsibilities.  We have to work to contribute to the family's financial pool, to help support parents, parants'-n-law, children and grand parents, if any.  I used to dispised and cursed those people who abandoned their aged parents, but having gone through that difficult period myself, I am now more sympatetic and understanding towards them.  My mother-in-law was hospitalised and we would visit her every evening after work and did not have any chance to talk to the doctor..After two to three weeks, I suddenly received a call from the staff nurse who informed that my mother who could not talk and was under tube feeding can be discharged.  We were to bring her home immediately, if possible the next working day.  I panicked as I was not mentally prepared to take care of a patient with tube feeding and to nurse her.  I have to purchase all the essential items for tube feeding and pick up some knowledge of nursing.  The nurse was kind enough to direct me to get the service of the nurse from the hospice for home visits and to apply for subsidy.  After my mother-in-law was discharged, my 13 year old daughter was hospitalised.  Everything seemed to be coming down hard on us, there were no family support, I almost broke down and nearly lost my job.  Unfortunately, by the time the subsidy was approved, my mother-in-law passed away.  The nurse from the hospice called to make appointment for her next visit and informed that the applicatiion for subsidy was approved, I told her we don't need it anymore.

Why do we need to wait another 4 months till 1 January 2010 to be able to use the weekend car on whole of Saturdays.

Whenever there is a raise in bus and train fares, it will be increased the very next month after announcement.  Why do we need to pay so much more for road tax for the use of another half a day on Saturdays.  Why the Singapore government is always talking about money, money and more money whenever there is something that is in favour of the people.  After slogging for almost half a century, we managed to own a weekend car to enjoy the fruits of our labour during our golden years.  When it was announced that we can make full use of the weekend car on Saturdays (especially for marketing and not for luxury), we were so elated that the government is now more caring towards its people, only to find that we have to pay, pay and pay. 

My daughter is in Poly this year and she is paying $50.00 per month for her student card for travelling by bus or train whereas her counterparts in JC is paying only $28.00 per month.  I have written to the authorities concerned and they replied that it is based on their academic achievements and not their age.  My daughter's 'O' level results enables her to be admitted to JC, but she chose Poly because it offers subjects of her interest.  Why such discrimination?

The article on Friday, August 28, 2009 on Today's newspaper with regards to Fair Employment Practices - Mature workers still valuable

Whatever amount of training and upgrading will not land older workers a job when all employers have already adopted mindsets and follow the trend of employing foreign workers.  Employers feel proud to have foreign workers on their payroll - like having a rare gem even if they are less competent, not capable and unproductive.  Even if older workers are fortunate enough to be employed, they are often at the mercy of the employers and are subject to exploitation and discrimination.

On the job training will be more appropriate, but first of all the older workers must be given the opportunity.  The other probability is that younger employer may feel inferior when they employ older and more experienced worker.  Employers failed to realise that older workers are more dedicated to their job and are absolutely more loyal.  They may impart their valuable knowledge to the younger colleagues which will benefit the organisation.