Budget 2016: A more caring Singapore
In May last year, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the then-finance minister, was interviewed at a symposium by BBC's HARDtalk presenter Stephen Sackur.
When asked if he believed in the concept of safety nets, Mr Tharman replied: "I believe in the notion of a trampoline."
That is to say a trampoline is there to catch you and help you get back on your feet.
Mr Tharman added: "We are achieving a paradox on active government support of personal responsibility, rather than active government support to take over personal responsibility or community responsibility."
This year, the man who took over him as Finance Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat, reinforced that trampoline metaphor with the 2016 Budget.
Mr Heng said: "As economic cycles shorten and changes occur faster, the pressure on our people to adapt will rise... and we must give every support to our people."
The result? A more caring and cared-for Singapore.
Below are some of the main points.
1) Helping workers adjust and adapt to ever-changing market demands
As expected, the SkillsFuture initiatives introduced last year will continue to expand. Retrenched workers may be comforted by the Ministry of Manpower's "Adapt and Grow" initiative. The Government will provide more wage support to firms as an incentive to encourage these job-seekers.
Mid-career jobseekers who had lost their jobs and have difficulty finding work will get help to switch to other industries such as design and information and communications technology (ICT).
Mr Heng also introduced a new skills development and job placement hub known as the TechSkills accelerator, to equip people with new ICT skills.
2) Caring for seniors, low-wage workers and people with disabilities
More support will be given to low-wage workers with enhancements to the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS).
More people may be able to qualify for WIS with the income ceiling raised from $1,900 to $2,000.
It will also be easier for workers to qualify for WIS.
Previously, eligible workers had to work for two out of three consecutive months, or three out of six consecutive months.
From this year onwards, the WIS will be paid for every month worked.
Payments will also be made monthly, compared to every three months now.
For seniors, eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above will receive $300 and $750 every quarter. These payments will be made automatically, so eligible seniors won't have to apply to be a part of the Silver Support Scheme.
For people with disabilities, there will be no age limits to qualify for the Workfare Training Support Scheme from Jan 1 2017. The public service will offer more job opportunities for them.
3) Forging a more caring and giving society
Mr Heng also spoke about the importance of bringing Singaporeans "together to build a caring society".
This involves encouraging businesses to support employees who want to volunteer.
Mr Heng introduced the pilot Business and Institutions of Public Character (IPCs) scheme.
Businesses which rally employees to volunteer and provide services to IPCs will receive a 250 per cent tax deduction on associated cost incurred.
The costs will be capped at $250,000 per business and $50,000 per IPC.
A new initiative, Our Singapore Fund, worth $25 million, was also introduced to encourage ground-up initiatives to build national identity or meet community needs.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
