07/02/2013

Parliament Debates WP's Proposals

Update: "Worst-case Scenario" Of A 6.9 Million Population

MP Low Thia Khiang’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Sylvia Lim’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Chen Show Mao’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Pritam Singh’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Png Eng Huat’s speech on the Population White Paper

MP Lee Li Lian’s speech on the Population White Paper

NCMP Gerald Giam’s speech on the Population White Paper

NCMP Yee Jenn Jong’s speech on the Population White Paper

MPs take issue with WP’s proposal 

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Communications and Information, Ms Sim Ann, took issue with the Workers’ Party’s proposal whereby she questioned which groups of Singaporeans will have to step in to make up the shortfall.

Speaking in Mandarin in Parliament on Thursday, she said the circumstances of these groups may not allow them to enter the workforce so easily.

She said: "If we were to go with what the Workers’ Party had proposed, let us now fix the situation as it is today and turn off the foreign manpower tap, and just tap on the local manpower, what are the groups of people that we can tap on?

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Be realistic about raising labour force participation rate

In trying to get more Singaporeans to work, "we have to be realistic of what we can achieve," he cautioned, in a speech on the Government's White Paper on population.

Mr Chan did not refer directly to the Workers' Party proposal, but the WP had called for freezing the foreign workforce and instead boosting the resident workforce through increasing the labour force participation rate by 1 per cent every year for the next eight years.

He argued that foreigners are needed for his ministry's efforts to care for the old and the weak, such as building more senior activity centres, studio apartments and institutional homes. Calls for slower growth, he warned, should bear in mind that below a certain rate, the low-income group will find their wages not catching up with inflation.


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WP Performance in White Paper Debate


I think its safe to say that the biggest winner in this White Paper episode is the WP.  The entire team was thrusted into the spotlight in a big way, just days after basking in the Punggol BE win.  The people was aghast at the half-cooked nature of the White Paper and the way PAP seemed to be hastily pushing it.  They turned to the WP to be their voice in Parliament.

I think they did fairly well. You can read their speeches here: http://wp.sg/category/parliamentary-speech/ and I'd encourage everyone to do so.  The ST reporting is kinda biased. 

Here are some things I observed and learnt that I didn't know before.

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PAP MP Lim Wee Kiak apologises to Low Thia Khiang for a rude remark made during parliamentary debate
Hardwarezone Forum, 8 Feb 2013
SINGAPORE — The cut-and-thrust between the People’s Action Party and the Workers’ Party (WP) over the latter’s population proposals peaked yesterday, with Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Lim Wee Kiak making a personal remark against WP chief Low Thia Khiang, for which he subsequently apologised.
 
The incident was sparked by Dr Lim’s charge that the WP’s current position on the number of new citizens differed from what Mr Low said during last year’s Budget debate. When Mr Low countered that his remarks had been taken out of context, Dr Lim said: “I will quote (from your speech then) one more time. And maybe your hearing aid has to be (turned) up a little bit.”
 
Mr Low did not respond to the comment. Immediately after the next speaker, MP Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC), ended her speech, Dr Lim rose and apologised. Full story
Related:
  1. MP Lim Wee Kiak apologises for his comments linking ministerial pay with dignity of politicians - Yahoo! News Singapore
  2. PAP MP  Lim Wee Kiak apologises to Workers’ Party chief - inSing.com

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If WP's measure leads to a tailspin, it means PAP has been speeding

Singapore is so crowded, it is now like a car travelling in a tight congested car park. If you jam-brake and the car goes into a tailspin, it means that you were speeding in the first place. Stupid implicit admission of guilt by Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran.
WP plan could send economy into tailspin: Iswaran

WP is not exactly asking to jam-brake. It is just asking to slow down the immigration intake. But that's not the issue here. The issue is the alarm bells sounded by Iswaran that business closures would be sped up if we slow down immigration intake.

Doesn't Iswaran's statement expose what we've always suspected? That is, the govt has been too dependent on foreign labour? Not that these jobs cannot be filled by locals. You see them almost everywhere. From waiters and waitresses, admin clerks, customer services execs, tele-marketeers. You mean Singaporeans don't want these jobs?

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Minister S Iswaran criticises WP's proposal



Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran has criticised the Worker's Party's proposal to immediately stop the growth of the foreign workforce until 2020 and capping it at current levels - as being "extreme" and "inherently very risky".

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday during the debate on the White Paper on Population, Mr Iswaran said such a move will exacerbate uncertainty in the economic environment, accelerate business closures and the off-shoring of activities.

Mr Iswaran said Singaporeans will lose their jobs and instead of productivity-led growth, the move could easily tip the economy into a downward spiral.

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Parliament debates WP's proposals on labour participation

A considerable amount of time was spent debating the Workers' Party's (WP) proposals put forward on Monday by its party chairman Sylvia Lim.

The opposition party had proposed that the growth of foreign worker numbers can be reined in by increasing the labour force participation rate of Singaporeans.

The Workers' Party also suggested lowering the GDP growth proposed in the White Paper by 0.5 to 1 percentage point.

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White Paper: WP stand under fire in Parliament

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Singaporeans will be worse off if this happens, because there will be fewer jobs left, he added. Besides, the WP proposal would also be asking too much of elderly Singaporean workers who have already extended their working life - PHOTO: SPH 

The Workers' Party's (WP) counter-proposal to the White Paper on population - in particular its call to tap more Singaporean workers and freeze the recruitment of foreign workers - was shot down in Parliament yesterday.

Quizzed by some in the House, including Second Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran and Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, WP's Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam said that while his party was not advocating that the tap on foreign workers be turned off, it would like to see no growth in the number of these workers.

Instead, the WP prefers to squeeze more out of the Singaporean labour pool and to entice more of the economically inactive to join the workforce.

PAP MPs, ministers take aim at WP 5.9 million population proposal

Attacks on the Workers' Party's 5.9 million population counter-proposal in Parliament came thick and fast on Tuesday from a long list of ruling party MPs and ministers, as the debate on the population White Paper continued.

In the hot-seat were WP MP Chen Show Mao and NCMP Gerald Giam, who during their respective speeches spoke further on the population proposal first tabled by party chairman Sylvia Lim on Monday.

They both delved into greater detail on the idea of not adding new foreign workers to the existing workforce -- apart from replacing outgoing ones -- while focusing efforts on growing the resident labour population in Singapore (consisting of citizens and permanent residents) by one per cent each year until 2020.

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Gerald Giam lays out WP plan, sparks debate

Workers' Party Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam sketched his party's alternative population roadmap in Parliament today.

It projects that modest GDP growth of 2.5 to 3.5 per cent per annum from now until 2020 can be achieved largely by combining productivity gains with expanding the resident workforce by 1 per cent every year.

From 2020 to 2030, as productivity gains slow, it projects that GDP growth of 1.5 to 2.5 per cent per annum can be achieved.

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Chen Show Mao questioned on how best to grow labour force



Workers' Party MP Chen Show Mao said in Parliament on Tuesday that the Government should focus on getting more citizens and residents into the workforce rather than import foreign labour - prompting a string of questions from PAP MPs and two ministers.

Speaking on the White Paper on Population, Mr Chen said that the WP believes that the resident workforce can grow at 1 per cent per annum if more elderly, homemakers and foreign spouses of citizens are encouraged to enter the labour market.

This, coupled with productivity gains, can result in modest economic growth without diluting the national identity, he said.

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White Paper on Population: The Workers Party's Solutions




"The trouble with the government is not that it lacks 20/20 foresight in infrastructure development, but that it fails to recognize that the problem is its immigration policy in the first place. The problems of low birth rates and ageing population lie in a social and physical environment that is not conducive to family life.

Therefore, the solutions must be sought by focusing on promoting the quality of life of Singaporean families. By focusing on immigration, the government is using the cause of the problems today as the solution for tomorrow." -- Mr Low Thia Khiang

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PAP’s Inderjit Singh: Stop the growth in PRs and new citizens
 


People’s Action Party’s deputy party whip Inderjit Singh on Tuesday urged the government to stop the growth in the number of permanent residents and new citizens, and focus on improving the lives of Singaporeans.

The call by the Ang Mo Kio parliament member was made Tuesday in response to the population white paper tabled for discussion in Parliament proceedings this past week. The paper’s estimate of a population of up to 6.9 million by 2030 -- of which nearly half would be made of foreigners -- has drawn heavy flak from Singaporeans, many of whom have been complaining about the rising cost of living and overcrowding in public transport.

Among the few MPs of the ruling party that have come out to criticise the white paper, Singh argued in Parliament that the government should “take a breather” from  population growth for five years and solve the problems created by past economic and population policies.


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Amy Khor says WP's proposals will affect Singaporeans

Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor has rebutted several points raised by the Chairman of the Workers' Party, Sylvia Lim, during the debate on the White Paper on Population.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Khor warned that this would exact punishing cost on local businesses and even some MNCs.

Dr Khor explained that based on the Workers' Party's proposals of lowering the GDP growth proposed by 0.5 to 1 percentage point, the corresponding total workforce growth worked out to 0.5 per cent per annum for the next two decades. 

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AMY KHOR, DO YOU KNOW YOU SHOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT TODAY?

Taking issue with WP's proposal to go for slower GDP growth during today's Parliament session, you warned that this would mean a reduction in the corresponding total workforce growth of 0.5 per cent per annum for the next two decades. 

This, you said, was drastic as businesses were already decrying the current restrictions imposed by the PAP Government. 

You then went on to argue that raising productivity would not compensate for the reduction in manpower as there was a limit to its growth.

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11 Days to "Say No to 6.9M"

I happened to watch the parliamentary highlights this evening and was perturbed by Minister Tan Chuan Jin belittling WP Gerald Giam implying that WP uses "rhetoric" and pressing "emotional buttons" to score political points. He and Iswaran tried very hard to make Gerald Giam and WP look bad.

Yahoo's reported, "WP’s Chen Show Mao takes fire in Parliament over 5.9 million projection" [Link] It looks like there were more that 2 attack dogs in parliament embarrassing themselves as bullies! I often wonder why PAP is so stupid.


The debate is on the 'papulation paper' put forth by PAP. Instead of defending PAP's proposal with sound reasoning, it sends its attack dogs to terrorise an "alternative proposal" that will never see the light of day.


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MRS LINA CHIAM's PARLIAMENTARY SPEECH ON POPULATION WHITE PAPER



There has been a lot of media attention on what the 2030 population numbers in this white paper represent – is it a target? is it a projection? or, quote-unquote, a ‘worst case scenario’? Yes, the Minister has taken great pains to explain that the white paper is very much an exercise in infrastructure planning for Singapore.

But make no mistake. The 6.5 to 6.9 million population figure range for 2030 is a planning target set by the government. Subjected to the economic situation in the next 15 or so years, but a target nevertheless. The Minister has given us his justifications for this target set.

As such, the Singapore People’s Party opposes the recommendations of the white paper.


PAP ‘calling for help’ after unpopular policies: Chiam See Tong



Chiam See Tong, secretary-general of the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), has chastised the ruling People’s Action Party for the 6.9-million target set in the population white paper currently tabled in Parliament.

In a video uploaded on YouTube Tuesday, the 77-year-old opposition leader said that the PAP’s previous policies of having “growth at all costs” led to unpopular decisions such as importing many foreign workers. Chiam believes this led to a job squeeze, where “many of the jobs that were held by Singaporeans were taken away by foreigners, especially the PMET jobs”.

Speaking slowly and sometimes reading from his notes, the former Member of Parliament for single-member ward Potong Pasir accused the PAP of being the main driver in the population target increase and was “appalled” at the decision to set the numbers as such.

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MP proposes amendment to motion on White Paper on Population

 

Member of Parliament (MP) for Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency, Liang Eng Hwa, has proposed an amendment to the original motion being debated in Parliament on the White Paper on Population.

He said reflecting the concerns raised by Singaporeans, he proposes to amend the motion to further reinforce the point that Parliament supports maintaining a strong Singaporean core. This is by encouraging more Singaporeans to get married and have children.

He said: "A key thrust of strengthening our Singaporean core in the workforce is to help enhance the employability of Singaporeans and prepare Singaporeans for the competition. We need to help our citizens better maximise our so-called 'home ground advantage' and benefit from the job opportunities available and get higher salaries

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Thinning Singaporean core troubles MPs

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It's estimated to shrink to 55% of the population by 2030, sparking concern 

Members of Parliament kicked off the debate on population yesterday, with many of them expressing concerns about a thinning Singaporean "core" that could erode the Singapore identity.

They felt that the government had not pushed hard enough to grow the population internally, but turned instead to the easier answer of using immigrants to make up the shortfall.

Recent immigrants have not been here long enough to sink their roots deep and become "true" Singaporeans, the MPs feared.

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MPs concerned over possible dilution of S'porean identity

The debate on the White Paper on Population continued with one key issue resonating in the speeches of many MPs.

The concern many had was the possible dilution of the Singaporean identity, with the plan to bring more foreigners into Singapore.

Questions were asked about how to maintain a strong Singaporean core.

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"Promoting marriage & parenthood" central to keeping S'porean core
"Promoting marriage & parenthood" central to keeping S'porean core
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu has rebutted the notion that bringing in more foreigners would dilute the Singaporean identity.

That was one area of concern raised by several MPs, including the opposition Workers' Party, during the parliamentary debate on the Population White Paper and Land Use Plan.

Ms Fu said promoting marriage and parenthood is central to maintaining a strong Singaporean core and that allowing immigration does not mean the government takes its marriage and parenthood objectives less seriously.

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POPULATION INFLUX: VIEW FROM THE GROUND

The WP after all 'the accusations of being silent or soft' has finally 'woken up' and presented its case, even SPP's Lina Chiam has chimed in. Sylvia  Lim got it in 1 when she said the Govt got the whole White Paper the other way round, it should be a 'A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore'.

I read this Blog :  http://thehearttruths.com/ 

And while I don't agree with everything suggested, the blogger got it right when he suggests the Govt runs Singapore more as a city as opposed to a country, and as he infers by doing the former, it's run more like a business and the concept of GDP growth equates to ensuring profitability as the primary goal.

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The PAP Future is as good as the Population White Paper

The PAP’s future is a magic number 6.9 and it claims it is a ‘worst-case scenario”.    Yes, it is indeed the worst-case scenario for the PAP in term of popularity support.  It has shown its intelligence, leadership, quality and standard in the colourful Population White Paper. And people in Singapore will make the judgment in due time when GE is called.  (Will the PAP dare to call a Referendum on the White Paper?) 

In the past, such a white paper will see no objection in the parliament. It will just go through the motion. Now, you see the Workers’ Party wants to reduce the magic number to 5.9.  Which is a better magic number for future Singapore?  - Slower growth for smaller population or higher growth for bigger population. 

In addition, even PAP MPs also feel the uneasiness of 6.9:

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Dynamic Population For A Sustainable Singapore



Another point Ms Lim brought up is that immigrants grow old and consume public services as well, adding to the burden of the national budget. She asked the obvious question, “Who will support them when they grow old?"

By that time, it may be very difficult to try to solve our population needs through improving TFR, but instead another White Paper may be introduced to justify bringing in even larger numbers of immigrants. She only missed the bit that most immigrants also bring in aged parents, which makes mockery of the dubious claim that newcomers "refresh" the age profile.

Isn't it nice to have our heart felt thoughts articulated in parliament for a change?

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Population: Elemental considerations 2

In the last two days, our government-friendly mainstream media  are loudly featuring calls from various chambers of commerce saying: We must have more labour or our businesses will collapse. I can picture the government waving the conductor’s baton frantically, summoning up fortissimo choruses from them.

There is an old saying we seem to forget: Necessity is the mother of invention. Innovation and creativity come not when inputs and resources are unlimited, but when constraints are tight. Unlimited inputs merely allow us the easy way out of carrying on as before.

When an interior designer has to work within just 50 square metres and still meet the client’s brief, that’s when he may be doing his best work. When a restaurant operator has to please the same number of customers with two fewer servers, that’s when he starts to look critically at his processes.

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MPs suggest ways to up resident workforce



The second day of parliamentary debate on the Population White Paper cast the spotlight on increasing Singapore's resident workforce in order to reduce the import of foreign labour.

This was a key proposal made by the Workers' Party (WP), which on Monday said it opposed the Government's population road map.

WP Member of Parliament Chen Show Mao reiterated his party's alternative population projection of about 5.9 million or less by 2030. This is in exchange for a reduction in economic growth rates. The White Paper projects a population of 6.9 million by 2030.

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Discussion on Singapore Population White Paper 2013: Part 7 

Truth is, the whole fracas about the Singapore Population White Paper 2013 isn’t about the population figure at all. Truth is, the current debate is about the type and of government and government leaders we want.

Frankly, do we really know what the impact of 7 million people in Singapore will bring? We know that Singapore will get more crowded, we know we will feel more stressful and squeezed. But have we done our maths? Do we know what the impact on businesses, on employment and our livelihood will be? Thing is, we don’t really know. And it doesn’t help that the white paper looks more like a brochure for a new condominium more than an executive paper with carefully analysed statistics, as some have pointed out.

As Mr Tan Cheng Bock had also pointed out that, “”in 2007 , when Singapore’s population was 4.6 m….URA revised its planning parameters …………based on – to 6.5m , up from a 2001 projection of 5.5m” (yet) How then did our infrastructures of housing, transport ie road and rail, social and health amenities be so woefully short when 2001 forecast was already 5.5m?” Truth is, so what if the white paper has been released? There are another 20 years before we get to 2030

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Detractors on Day 2 

I wish The Straits Times had excerpted Inderjit Singh’s speech. It’s amazing how he swung both ways – hit the G and hit the Workers’ Party. But his words resonated with me although I wonder quite a bit about his call for a “breather’’ on growing the population.

He said that we should stop getting in new citizens and PRs for a while and get going on correcting the mistakes of the past, that is, ramp up the infrastructure. So let Singapore be like Dubai for a while, with transient workers. Sounds interesting. But this still doesn’t mean Singapore won’t be crowded, however transient those workers are. I am not sure whether Singapore is more worried about the rising number of foreign-born new citizens and PRs, or the absolute number of people crowding this space.

The New Paper had a lot more detail on his speech and in fact, focused parliamentary coverage on the veteran MP who has been known for speaking his mind and speaking up for small businesses. It seems like he wants some measures to make sure that PRs and new citizens are “committed’’ to the country. So much so that he actually suggested jailing PR boys who don’t do national service. He also wants a $50,000 levy on PRs who buy HDB flats on the open market and to sell them to Singaporeans only if they moved. Also, to tighten rules on the number of dependents a new citizen or PR can bring into the country.

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Summary of Parliamentary debate on the White Paper (5.1.2013) 

Parliament ended at 7.15 pm today...Interesting debate...I heard Amy Khor, some PAP MPs which I do not want to know their names then Grace Fu, Chen Show Mao, Lily Neo, Inderjit Singh, Gerald Giam and Lina Chiam..Lui Ah Tuck..spoke.

Each got their say mainly supporting the motion....only Lily Neo and Inderjit Singh abstain their support. if the whip is lifted they would have vote against !!

Lily Neo was passionate on the elderly being left out, on community living and proposed an Elderly Needy and Medical Fund to assist the poor elderly.

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Full coverage

Singaporeans plans rare protest as population debate rages

Livemint - ‎8 hours ago‎
09 24 PM IST. A file photo of people walking through a street in Chinatown of Singapore. Photo: AFP. Also Read. Singapore under pressure over global match-fixing ring · Singapore boosts 'baby bonus' scheme · Thousands march against Hong Kong's leader ...

Population White Paper will benefit S'pore economy: SICC

Channel News Asia - ‎9 hours ago‎
SINGAPORE: The Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) said the Singapore economy will benefit from the many long-term principles outlined in the Population White Paper. In a statement on Wednesday, the SICC pointed out that early ...

MPs tackle issues of declining TFR, ageing population and cost of living

Channel News Asia - ‎8 hours ago‎
SINGAPORE: Fifteen members of Parliament on Wednesday tackled the issues of a declining total fertility rate (TFR), an ageing population and cost of living in the debate on the Population White Paper. MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Zaqy Mohamed argued ...

White Paper is govt's plan to forestall impending crisis: ESM Goh

Channel News Asia - ‎13 hours ago‎
SINGAPORE: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the White Paper on Population is the government's plan to forestall an impending crisis. Speaking in Parliament for the first time since he stepped down from Cabinet in 2011, Mr Goh also said ...

ESM Goh hails PM for dealing with future problems early

AsiaOne - ‎14 hours ago‎
SINGAPORE - Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Wednesday applauded Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his team for tabling a white paper now, rather than kicking the can down the road. Making his first speech as a PAP backbencher since ...

Singaporeans Plan Protest as Parliament Debates Population Boost

Businessweek - ‎16 hours ago‎
Singaporeans are planning a protest next week against the government's projection of an increase in the island's population by as much as 30 percent by 2030, as Parliament debates the country's demographics for a third day. More than 900 people said on a ...

MPs suggest ways to up resident workforce

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
The second day of parliamentary debate on the Population White Paper cast the spotlight on increasing Singapore's resident workforce in order to reduce the import of foreign labour. RELATED STORIES. Special: Population 2030. This was a key proposal ...

Chee Hean explains case for immigrants

Business Times (subscription) - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
[SINGAPORE] Even as the White Paper on population proposes a significant slowdown in the rate of workforce and population growth, this must be balanced against the possibility that we will be an "aged" population by 2016. This is why taking in foreigners ...

Thinning Singaporean core troubles MPs

Business Times (subscription) - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
[SINGAPORE] Members of Parliament kicked off the debate on population yesterday, with many of them expressing concerns about a thinning Singaporean "core" that could erode the Singapore identity. They felt that the government had not pushed hard ...

MPs concerned over possible dilution of S'porean identity

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: The debate on the White Paper on Population continued with one key issue resonating in the speeches of many MPs. The concern many had was the possible dilution of the Singaporean identity, with the plan to bring more foreigners into ...

Parliament debates WP's proposals on labour participation

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: A considerable amount of time was spent debating the Workers' Party's (WP) proposals put forward on Monday by its party chairman Sylvia Lim. The opposition party had proposed that the growth of foreign worker numbers can be reined in by ...

Amy Khor says WP proposal on White Paper will hurt businesses

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
SINGAPORE - A day after the Workers' Party attacked the White Paper on Population and offered its own alternative, Minister of State (Health and Manpower) Amy Khor said their proposal could hurt the very people it wants to help. The WP's idea to sharply ...

MP proposes amendment to motion on White Paper on Population

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament (MP) for Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency, Liang Eng Hwa, has proposed an amendment to the original motion being debated in Parliament on the White Paper on Population. He said reflecting the ...

Baby-making push in Singapore

Asia Times Online - ‎Feb 5, 2013‎
SINGAPORE - Although Singapore's population is on course to rise from around 5 million to almost 7 million by 2030, an influx of foreign workers has spurred the government to prod its brood-shy citizens into having more children. Almost half the country's ...

Amy Khor says WP's proposals will affect Singaporeans

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor has rebutted several points raised by the Chairman of the Workers' Party, Sylvia Lim, during the debate on the White Paper on Population. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Khor warned that this ...

MPs' views on strong S'porean core

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
TRADE-OFFS should be made in favour of the well-being of Singaporeans, and not economic- growth targets, said Workers' Party (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim. Hence, the WP opposes the Government's Population White Paper, she said during a parliamentary ...

Foreigners 'not here just to drive growth'

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
THE Government is not pursuing growth at all costs, as some have mistakenly claimed, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday. RELATED STORIES. White Paper marks slowdown in population growth: DPM Teo · Sustainable population the ...

WP opposes Population White Paper, says its chairman Sylvia Lim

Straits Times - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
This 2012 file photo shows Workers' Party's Sylvia Lim asking questions during an earlier parliament session.The Workers' Party opposes the Government's Population White Paper, said party chairman Sylvia Lim in Parliament today. --ST PHOTO: SEAH ...

Singapore defends population forecast

Bangkok Post - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
Singapore on Monday defended its population policies after an outcry over a forecast that it could have 30 percent more people in less than 20 years, with foreigners forming almost half the total. Pedestrians pictured in a downtown financial district of ...

MPs call for ways to avoid 6.9m-strong population

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Some 60 Members of Parliament (MPs) have indicated their interest to take part in the debate on the White Paper on Population. There were several references to the much-talked-about population number, which the government is using to ...

MP calls for constructive debate on White Paper

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Nearly 60 Members of Parliament have given notice to take part in the week-long debate on the White Paper on Population. Kicking off the debate on Monday - after Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean's wide-ranging speech - was Seah Kian ...

Singapore: expats set to drive population growth

Telegraph.co.uk - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
Singapore's population could rise by up to 30 per cent by 2030, with foreigners making up the bulk of the increase. The city-state already has a high percentage of foreign workers, who currently make up 38 per cent of the total population, which has caused ...

Most foreigners in future will be here on work permits

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE - Most non-resident foreigners in future will be on work permits and do jobs and provide services that Singaporeans need but do not want to do themselves, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament on Monday. RELATED ...

Population White Paper for benefit of all Singaporeans: DPM Teo

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has presented in Parliament the White Paper on Population, a roadmap to address Singapore's demographic challenges. The Land Use Plan was presented along with the White Paper. The White Paper ...

Sustainable population the most important part of paper

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
SINGAPORE - An ageing and shrinking population could mean higher taxes on those working to fund subsidised healthcare for a large number of seniors, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Monday. RELATED STORIES. White Paper marks ...

White Paper marks slowdown in population growth: DPM Teo

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
The Population White Paper proposes a significant slowdown in population and workforce growth, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Monday as he launched the debate in Parliament on the proposed policy that has sparked debate since its ...

6.9m figure is reference for long-term planning, says Iswaran

AsiaOne - ‎Feb 3, 2013‎
SINGAPORE will continue to need foreigners in certain sectors, like health care and community services, as the population ages, even while it tightens its immigration policy, said Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran yesterday. At a grassroots event in ...

6.9 million population is a projection: S Iswaran

Channel News Asia - ‎Feb 3, 2013‎
SINGAPORE: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S Iswaran assures Singaporeans that the 6.9 million population figure in the White Paper is not a target the government is setting itself to achieve. He said it is the upper bound of a range of 6.5 to 6.9 million ...

What family-friendly really means ― Trisha Craig

The Malaysian Insider - ‎22 hours ago‎
FEB 6 ― The government deserves a great deal of credit for its much-anticipated White Paper on Population that has initiated a frank conversation on Singapore's future, and has shown how the dynamics of family life, the exigencies of the labour market, the ...

Go for 5.9 million instead of 6.9 million: Workers' Party

Yahoo! Singapore News - ‎Feb 4, 2013‎
AFP News - Pedestrians pictured in a downtown financial district of Singapore on January 29, 2013. Singapore has defended its population policies after an outcry over a forecast that it could have 30 percent …more more people in less than 20 years, with ...

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Continued from: Parliament Debates White Paper On Population