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Uniquely Singapore
Jobs in Singapore – 54,000 Job vacancies: Really?
Feb. 5 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ About two weeks ago, I gave a talk to a group of about 25 unemployed Professionals, Managers, Engineers and Technicians (PMETs). Many of these PMETs have been unemployed for more than a year. So, when the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)...
Jobs in Singapore – 2011 income growth, 1% or 0.7%?
Feb. 1 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to article “Median monthly income of Singaporeans rises 6.3%” (Straits Times, Feb 1) and the Employment Situation 2011 report, (Report) released on 31 January, 2012. Foreign employment up, locals down? Despite...
Does NKF have $27 million more in the kitty now than it had in 2005?
Jan. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to media reports that the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is raising funds from the general public again, after a hiatus of about five years. It has launched a “give $1 a day to help sponsor artificial kidneys” campaign. According...
Poor children have 10% chance of making it to the top?
Jan. 18 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Mobility in S’pore ‘higher than previously thought’” (Today, Jan 13). It states: Having poor or less-educated fathers does not necessarily mean their sons will fare similarly,...
Electricity tariff: Did fuel component increase by 181 percent?
Jan. 16 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the advertisement notice in the media on the increase in the electricity tariff. The chart (see HERE) shows the increase in fuel prices versus the electricity tariff for the last five years. Non-fuel component not shown? As...
Can eligibility criteria for PA scheme be made more “humane”? Chan Chun Sing’s non-answer
Jan. 11 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “MPs urged to tell MCYS about those in need” (Today, Jan10). The article quoted Acting Minister for MCYS (Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports), Mr Chan Chun Sing as saying “We are...
18 percent drop in salary for poly graduates?
Jan. 10 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Higher pay but fewer full-time jobs for polytechnic graduates: Survey” (Today, Jan 9). It states that “The median gross monthly salary of fresh poly graduates in full-time permanent employment went...
Re-employment act: 90 per cent get pay cut?
Jan. 7 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ The Re-employment Act has been implemented on 1 January 2012. Employers are now required to offer re-employment to their workers at age 62. Many re-employment issues? There may still be many unresolved issues with the re-employment...
Ministerial salary review – what’s missing?
Jan. 4 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report of the Ministerial pay review committee (Review Committee’s full report HERE). Whose pay grew more? Since the new benchmark is the median income of the top 1,000 earners who are Singapore citizens with a 40%...
Confused over U-Save rebates?
Jan. 3 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “800,000 HDB households to receive S$40m of U-Save rebates” (ChannelNews Asia, Dec 31) and the 2.3 per cent increase in the electricity tariff. It states that “The U-Save rebates in January are the final...
Pawners linked to casinos?
Jan. 2 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ 2nd in the world for gambling losses? I refer to the article “Gambling: The biggest losers” (The Economist, May 16). It states that “Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa alone nearly outgross the entire Las Vegas Strip”. In...
1 in 3 PRs quit NS: How many still in S’pore?
Dec. 27 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “8,800 PRs served NS in last five years” (Straits Times dated Nov 23). It states that “About 8,800 male foreigners, who became permanent residents (PRs) under the sponsorship of their parents, enlisted...
Inflation: 5.7% – How much more can Singaporeans take?
Dec. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Singapore’s inflation figures still higher than expected” (ST, Dec 24).Inflation in November has hit a three-year high of 5.7 per cent. Real earnings down Against this, real average monthly earnings...
How many Singaporeans have $131,000 in CPF at 55?
Dec. 20 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “CPF keeps 4% Special and Medisave Account interest rate” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 19). It states that “from January 1 next year, the Medisave Required Amount (MRA) will be raised from the current S$27,500...
Real wage down 0.2 per cent
Dec. 15 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “S’pore sees strong employment growth in Q3″ (Channel NewsAsia). According to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) press release on 15 December, on the Labour Market Q3 2011 (see HERE), “Nominal...
Cool HDB or private property?
Dec. 9 | by Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Home prices may fall 30%, say analysts” (ST, Dec 9). Arguably, a bigger problem affecting many Singaporeans may be rising HDB prices, rather than the private property market. In the last quarter, HDB resale...
Incomes growth: Well done! Really?
Dec. 8 | ~ by Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “Increase real incomes for better lives key challenge for govt: PM Lee” (Dec 6, Channel NewsAsia). Incomes grew 3%? It states that “real median incomes grew by three per cent between June 2010 and...
Year-on-year statistics reveal 36 per cent increase in non-Singaporeans
Dec. 3 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Monthly Digest of Statistics (MDS) for Nov 2011 (see HERE), released by the Department of Statistics on 2 December 2011. More foreigners? Singaporeans in the population grew by 0.8 per cent, the lowest rate for the...
Income growth: Only 0.1%?
Nov. 30 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “S’pore job rate hits new high” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 30). According to the Singapore Workforce – 2011 report released on 30 November (see HERE) “Excluding employer CPF contributions, growth in...
How many HDB flats are occupied by PRs or former-PRs?
Nov. 23 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “48700 HDB flats owned by PRs as of Sept” (see HERE). This means that about five per cent of the total number of HDB flats, excluding HDB rental flats, are owned by permanent residents (PRs). How many of...
CPF: Pay to disabled children monthly?
Nov. 22 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “More CPF protection for children with special needs” (see HERE ST, Nov 22). Under the new Special Needs Savings Scheme (SNSS), the savings of a CPF member who dies can now to be distributed to their disabled...
Workers happier: interesting findings
Nov. 12 | by Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the report “Singapore workers happier than two years ago: survey” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 10). Some interesting findings from the survey were:- “60% of the respondents also indicated in the survey that they are satisfied...
Alas! Singaporeans’ unemployment rate!
Oct. 31 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Singapore sees strong employment growth in Q3”(ST. Oct 31). It states that “the unemployment for residents dipped to 2.9 per cent from 3 per cent, and the unemployment rate for citizens is now at 3.0...
Does higher education equal to higher pay?
Oct. 12 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “Median income of Singaporeans up 11%” (see HERE). It states: “Singapore has one of the highest employment rates internationally and the median income of workers also increased 11 per cent in real terms,...
Financial Planning: Are you ready?
Oct. 10 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “More making voluntary CPF top-ups” (ST, Oct 10).It states that “The Are You Ready” campaign comprises a set of checklists on four key aspects of financial planning – cash flow, health care, housing...
Will HDB prices keep rising?
Oct. 5 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ Image from ChannelNewsAsia.com I refer to the articles “HDB resale prices up, private property prices moderate” (Asiaone, Oct 3) and “First-time BTO applicants stand good chance” (Channel NewsAsia, Oct 3). The Urban Redevelopment...
High living costs, low wages & purchasing power?
Sep. 30 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the latest issue of the UBS Price and Earnings report, which is a study of purchasing power around the world (see HERE). Out of 73 cities ranked, Singapore comes in at 10, 42 and 47, for Price Level, Wage Levels and Domestic...
Population: Foreigners rate of growth up 36 per cent year-on-year?
Sep. 29 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Department of Statistics’ Population Trends 2011, released on 28 September 2011 (see HERE). In 2011, the number of non-residents increased by 89,400 or 6.9 per cent, compared to 51,300 or 4.1 per cent in 2010. The...
Is GIC experiencing a computer glitch like CNB?
Sep. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “CNB miscalculated statistics since 2008, releases correct figures” (see HERE). Following this revelation, the blogs have been abuzz as to whether other statistics may have problems too. According to the...
Harder to be re-employed if you’re more educated?
Sep. 17 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Labour Market Second Quarter 2011 report, released on 16 September (see HERE). It states that “Total employment grew by 24,800 in the second quarter of 2011. Although the growth...
EP minimum salary helps Singaporean workers?
Sep. 16 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the increase in the salary thresholds for Employment Passes. How many Employment Passes were given last year? How many passes were given to foreigners to stay for up to a year, to look for a job? Without such statistics,...
President guards Reserves: Really?
Aug. 24 | Leong Sze Hian/ I agree with Presidential candidate Dr Tony Tan’s remarks (“PE: President’s custodial responsibilities are important: Tony Tan”, Channel NewsAsia, Aug 19) that the custodial responsibilities of the president...
Saddest statistic ever: 200,000 families helped?
Aug. 22 | Leong Sze Hian / I have analysed hundreds of statistics over the last ten-plus years, but the Comcare cumulative assistance statistics given on 14 August were the ‘saddest’ statistic that I have ever had to analyse. 34% increase in a year I...
What percentage of students in our universities are Singaporeans?
Aug. 16 | I refer to the National Day Rally speech about ‘Singaporeans First’ in the universities (“At a glance, key points from Prime Minister Lee’s speech“, ST, Aug 15). Calls have been made in the past for the Government to continue...
More taxing for charities?
Aug. 15 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “When a charity’s business does too well …“ (ST, Aug 1). It states that “Charity organisation The Helping Hand’s business, which includes selling teak furniture made by residents at its...
No Government endorsement: Not fair to Presidential candidate?
Aug. 12 | Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Seven trade unions endorse Tony Tan: Presidential candidate also holds dialogue with SMCCI members, pays tribute to Malay community” (Today, Aug 12). It states that: “The seven unions are the first...
Is SMRT implying that the noise level is a constraint on increasing train trips?
Aug. 11 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to media reports (“Increased frequency of train trips means higher noise level: SMRT”, Channel NewsAsia, Jul 29) that SMRT has added 1,600 train trips since 2008, which has resulted in a higher level of noise, with SMRT...
How much of the Reserves has been really used?
Aug. 10 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Past reserves tapped on to fund land reclamation and Sers” (ST, Aug 7). It states that “President S R Nathan’s office has been approving the use of past reserves to fund land reclamation projects...
Transport Minister’s logic
Aug. 10 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ The Transport Minister said that the opposition National Solidarity Party’s (NSP) proposal to introduce more competition among public bus operators, is not feasible because it would only lead to “cherry-picking” of...
Hospitals: ‘Subsidised’ not available?
Aug. 1 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the deposit required for admission to public hospitals. No subsidised ward, how? Since patients needing emergency care and who have financial difficulties with furnishing a deposit (because the estimated hospitalization bill...
CPF: Leave at 55 at your own peril?
Jul. 30 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the article ‘Why do it without my permission?‘ (New Paper, Jul 17). OA transfer to MA? The article states that “(Jerry Low, age 58) a retired bank trader got a surprise when the CPF Board transferred $10,000 into...
More unemployed? How many more?
Jul. 29 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Employment Situation in Second Quarter 2011 report, released on 29 July. Unemployment rate rise to 4% It states that “On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the overall and resident unemployment...
Re-employment: A joke?
Jul. 25 | Leong Sze Hian/ When Ravi Philemon, TOC Interim Chief Editor alerted me to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) latest report of the Survey on Re-employment, and asked me to “crunch the numbers”, I was hopeful that unlike previous surveys on...
Transport fares: Up again?
Jul. 17 | Leong Sze Hian and Joshua Chiang / We refer to the report “PTC to review fare adjustment formula after 2012” (Channel News Asia, Jul 14). Fares formula valid until end 2012? It states that “[t]he Public Transport Council (PTC) will review the...
Drugs: More buying from JB?
Jul. 15 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the licensing and registration fees for medicinal products. Before 1991, there were hardly any fees payable for the registration of medicinal products. When registration began in 1991, the per product licence fee was $66 a...
HDB DBSS: 76%, 25% or 15%?
Jul. 2 | Leong Sze Hian / I was surprised to read the blog posting by Minister of National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan, ‘Startling But False‘. Allow me to explain why. The blog posting states, “I was startled when I read the front page article in...
HDB: Why not so easy to downgrade
Jun. 28 | Leong Sze Hian/ Over the last few weeks, we have encountered more than 10 cases of Singaporeans with HDB housing problems and homelessness. There was a Singaporean divorcee in her mid 40s, who works as a security guard for $1,300 a month, who downgraded...
NKF reserves can last forever?
Jun. 27 | Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the reports “Charity sector to get public confidence boost” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 25)and “Donations to charities up 13% to S$776m in 2010” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 17). The latter states that: “… the sector remained...
Needy: Pay $10 to get $6 back?
Jun. 24 | Leong Sze Hian/ Source: fairpricefoundation.org When TOC’s Interim Chief Editor, Ravi Philemon, asked me to write something on the report “NTUC FairPrice to raise $1 million for low-income workers” (Yahoo News, Jun 22)., my first instinct...
