Covid-19 recovery: Singapore MPs call for more digital economic plans, govt aid, mental health awareness
A retail assistant cleaning the shop shutter before opening the Singapore store. MP Jessica Tan urges the government to continue drive for innovation and investing in connected infrastructure.— Reuters pic
Opening the debate, Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa said that the country is in a much different position than in March, when the coronavirus had its outbreak here. Jessica Tan, MP for East Coast Group Representation Constituency , highlighted how digital technology has accelerated the disruptions and has played a crucial role in enabling connectivity and operations to continue when physical borders and interactions are restricted.
“For us to do well, we must be able to stack the competencies of different industries to build unique services and products,” he said, urging Singapore companies to develop cross-industry solutions and work together as a way to raise productivity. Dennis Tan said: “Even as the government tackles the effects of Covid on our economy, and attempt to mitigate its effects and work on the recovery of our economy, we must concurrently work on our efforts to address the climate emergency; we cannot afford to do less.”Several MPs stressed the importance of raising worker productivity as the country transforms its post-pandemic economy, as well as doing better in matching jobs to workers with the right skill sets.
The programme is led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority to help seniors gain digital skills, so as to build a digitalised Singapore without leaving older Singaporeans behind in its ambitions. Among other suggestions, she proposed that there be more choices of core subjects at the primary school level, more chances for students who fail, and smaller class sizes.
“With clearer guidelines, our unions can start a conversation with employers on the protocol to answer non-critical work calls and emails outside of working hours, as well as the provision of appropriate help for those facing workplace burnout, while keeping their identities confidential,” the labour MP said.
He said: “Direct assistance to companies such as the Jobs Support Scheme could arguably provide indirect support to employment. Yet many have still lost their jobs, even as the companies they work for receive subsidies .” Ang Wei Neng, West Coast GRC MP, suggested that the Government continue to extend the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme , which will disburse its final payout this month.
At the moment, applicants must live in a property with an annual value of not more than S$21,000 and earn a net trade income of not more than S$100,000 — which is a gross trade income excluding allowable business expenses, capital allowances and trade losses as determined by the tax authority, among other criteria.
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