Religion, race & rights — Topics

3 Apr 2024

Data on Complaints Received of and Investigations on Job Listings and Companies on MyCareersFuture

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Manpower for data on complaints, investigations, substantiations, and penalties related to alleged discrepancies in job listings on MyCareersFuture.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not specifically track complaints based on perceptions of discrepancies between job listings and hiring experiences.
MOM and TAFEP received 446 complaints involving nationality-based discrimination in the past three years.
MOM took enforcement action against 34 companies for selecting foreign candidates without considering applicants via MyCareersFuture, including warnings, corrective courses, and debarment from hiring foreign workers.

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3 Apr 2024

Update on Plans for Training of Educators for Children with Special Needs in Pre-schools

Joan Pereira asked about plans to train and place educators for children with special needs in all pre-schools.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is working with training providers to include inclusive practices in both pre-service and continuing education for early childhood educators.
ECDA supports children with low to medium intervention needs through existing programmes and plans to expand these to cover more preschools and children.
Specialist diploma programmes are offered to enhance the skills of educators in screening and supporting children with developmental needs.

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3 Apr 2024

Data on Racial Groups of Families in Public Rental Flats who Became HDB Flat Owners from 2014 to 2023

Leong Mun Wai asked for a racial breakdown of the 8,300 families who moved from public rental to HDB ownership from 2014 to 2023 and for the number of Malay households in one- and two-room rental flats in 2023 compared to 2020.
Desmond Lee responded that 44% of the 8,300 households that progressed to ownership were Chinese, 39% Malay, 15% Indian, and 2% other races.
He also stated that as of December 2023, about 18,300 Malay households lived in one- and two-room rental flats, with their proportion in public rental remaining at about 35%, similar to 2020.
The government will continue working with agencies and community partners to support public rental households through holistic social support aimed at achieving stability, self-reliance, and social mobility toward home ownership.

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3 Apr 2024

Disability Sector Representatives in Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness

Miss Rachel Ong questioned whether the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness would include representatives from the disability sector or SG Enable, and asked what steps would ensure the voices of persons with disabilities are heard.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower replied that the Committee had already completed its work and issued final recommendations in August 2023.
He assured that the Committee had consulted widely, including with SG Enable and disability community groups, to inform its recommendations.
The Committee recommended prohibiting workplace discrimination based on disability and supporting employers who hire persons with disabilities.
It also recommended issuing a Tripartite Advisory on reasonable accommodations, with tripartite partners continuing to engage disability groups during its development.

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2 Apr 2024

Trend Analysis of Women Involved in Substance Abuse and Measures to Tackle Substance Abuse among Young Women and Young Mothers

The Minister for Home Affairs stated that arrested women drug abusers share similar trends with men, primarily being Malays aged 20-39, and commonly abusing methamphetamine, heroin, and cannabis.
The Singapore Prison Service uses a gender-responsive, trauma-informed approach in rehabilitation, focusing on relationships, emotion regulation, and tailored psychological programmes for women.
Upstream interventions are provided for incarcerated mothers with children under 18, including family assessments and referrals to community resources through partnerships with organizations like New Life Stories and Women In Recovery Association.
Additional programmes aim to strengthen women’s pro-social identities as mothers, offering parenting skills and support groups to aid reintegration and reduce re-offending.
The approach combines general interventions like family and education programmes with specialized support to address the unique needs of women and young mothers in substance abuse rehabilitation.

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2 Apr 2024

Building Owners Applying to Accessibility Fund to Offset Cost of Construction of Lactation Rooms

Louis Ng asked for data on building owners who applied for grants from the Accessibility Fund for lactation rooms or pods over the past five years and, if unavailable, whether the Ministry would start collecting it.
Desmond Lee stated that the Code on Accessibility since 2013 mandates lactation rooms in certain new and retrofitted buildings, with pre-2013 private buildings eligible for up to 60% co-funding via the Accessibility Fund.
Since 2019, two building owners have applied for the fund to retrofit lactation rooms, and the Ministry encourages more owners and tenants to use the fund to enhance inclusivity.

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2 Apr 2024

Topics for MINDEF's Platform to Deepen Commitment to Singapore

Nexus developed resource packages on Singapore's nationhood journey, common identity, shared values, national challenges, and contemporaneous global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food and energy security, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
These resource packages are used by national education partners and practitioners for programmes and activities, and are also publicly available online via the SG101 website.
The Israel-Hamas conflict resource package outlines Singapore's national position and emphasizes the importance of crisis preparedness, social cohesion, and racial and religious harmony amid external divisive events.
The resources are conveyed to national servicemen as part of National Education, though the specific delivery methods to this group are not detailed in the response.

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2 Apr 2024

Appeals to Authorities for Purchase of Insurance Coverage for People with Disabilities, Individuals on Autism Spectrum and People with Mental Health Issues

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the number of appeals made to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) from 2015 onwards regarding insurance coverage issues for people with disabilities, individuals on the autism spectrum, and people with mental health issues.
Lawrence Wong, representing the Prime Minister, stated that over the past three years, MAS received fewer than 10 consumer appeals or complaints related to these groups.
Prior to the last three years, MAS averaged less than one such case per year.

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2 Apr 2024

Number of Training Providers Applying for SG Enable's Capability Development Grant

Since 2017, eight training providers have applied for SG Enable's Capability Development Grant to develop customised training programmes for people with disabilities, five of which are from the disability or social sector.
The number of customised courses for persons with disabilities has increased from about 10 in 2014 to about 50 in 2023, reflecting enhanced course offerings by SSG and SG Enable.
SSG and SG Enable will continue to encourage training providers to apply for the grant to make course modifications or incorporate assistive technology to suit different learning needs.

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2 Apr 2024

Measures to Further Close Gender Pay Gap

The Minister noted that Singapore's gender pay gap has narrowed from 16.3% in 2018 to 14.3% in 2023, with an adjusted gap of 6.0% when comparing similar characteristics, and highlighted occupational differences, parenthood responsibilities, and workplace discrimination as key causes.
The government is taking a multi-pronged approach, including encouraging women to enter and stay in higher-paying STEM sectors, promoting equal sharing of caregiving duties through enhanced paternity leave and introducing flexible work arrangement guidelines.
Workplace fairness legislation to combat discrimination based on sex, marital status, and caregiving responsibilities will be introduced later this year.
The Minister expressed caution about pay transparency guidelines, suggesting they may not address underlying causes and could be counter-productive, but indicated support for employer-led initiatives similar to the existing Alliance for Action on Work Life Harmony.

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2 Apr 2024

Building a Culture of Gender Equality

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum highlighted that gender inequality deeply affects all aspects of life in Singapore and proposed engaging men and boys as equal partners, promoting male role models, empowering men to take on caregiving roles, and establishing a National Gender Equality Framework to foster a culture of equality.
Minister of State Sun Xueling emphasized the government’s commitment to gender equality through policies, education, and workplace initiatives, noting progress in women’s development and the need for partnership with men, including enhanced paternity leave and efforts to encourage men in caregiving professions.
Both speakers agreed that building a culture of gender equality requires a whole-of-society approach, starting from families and extending to schools, workplaces, and communities, with a focus on changing mindsets and norms through collaboration between men and women.

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2 Apr 2024

Character and Citizenship Education Lessons on Gaza Conflict

Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai requested the Ministry of Education to publicly release the lesson materials for the CCE module on the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Leong expressing disappointment that the slides were not shared and arguing for greater transparency so parents can know what is taught.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the lesson materials are available on MOE’s website and highlighted that the Ministry prefers to engage parents directly to explain the content and delivery, rather than releasing the slides alone, which could be taken out of context, and that schools are prepared to dialogue with concerned parents.
Sharael Taha supported the CCE lesson’s goal of helping students navigate complex issues and maintain social harmony, and Chan affirmed that the Ministry will continue to address sensitive topics in the curriculum, consulting stakeholders while maintaining leadership responsibility to guide students and protect Singapore’s social cohesion.

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7 Mar 2024

Assessment of Recent Classroom Sharing of Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Ministry of Education addressed multiple parliamentary questions on how schools handle the Israel-Hamas conflict in Character and Citizenship Education, including lesson delivery methods and teacher preparation.
Questions focused on ensuring balanced, sensitive coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, providing teachers with support, and managing potential backlash from stakeholders.
The Ministry outlined its process for incorporating stakeholder feedback and updating the curriculum, emphasizing transparency and comprehensive content on global issues.
Officials highlighted the importance of fostering thoughtful and compassionate global citizenship while respecting diverse viewpoints in classrooms.
The debate concluded with references to prior discussions in the Committee of Supply, indicating existing policies and frameworks for such educational content.

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6 Mar 2024

Committee of Supply – Head X (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth)

The debate highlighted the government’s support for emerging sports and the need to expand facilities for inclusive sports participation, with a focus on upgrading existing infrastructure and building new amenities to encourage active lifestyles across all demographics.
Key initiatives were discussed for supporting Malay/Muslim community advancement through education and employment programs, including mentorship, professional networks, and targeted interventions to help individuals thrive in a dynamic economy.
The arts and culture sector received attention on funding allocation for the Our SG Arts Plan, with calls for greater transparency on disbursement and preserving heritage spaces, alongside plans to engage youths and seniors in cultural preservation efforts.

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5 Mar 2024

Study on Extending Development and Learning Support Programme to Differently-abled Children at Nursery Levels

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for an update on the ECDA's study about extending the Development Support and Learning Support Programme to differently abled children at nursery levels.
The Development Support-Learning Support (DS-LS) Programme currently supports preschool children aged five and six with mild developmental delays or learning needs.
In 2021, the Early Childhood Development Agency piloted extending the DS-LS programme to children aged three and four in 20 preschool centres.
The pilot extension to younger children is still in progress.
The debate focused on whether the programme can be further extended to include differently abled children at the nursery level.

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5 Mar 2024

Alternative Accessibility Solutions for Wheelchair-bound Residents in HDB Blocks where Lift Upgrading Programme Remains Unfeasible

Residents in HDB blocks without direct lift access face challenges, with the Ministry highlighting that 99% of blocks now have lifts and offering a grant for relocation, but some MPs argue this isn't always feasible for long-term residents.
The Ministry is exploring alternative accessibility solutions and urges affected residents to approach HDB for personalized assistance, but has not yet detailed specific options or timelines.
MPs raised questions about stair-lifts, cost-benefit analyses, and lift upgrading timelines, with the Minister acknowledging ongoing feasibility studies but noting safety and technical constraints.

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1 Mar 2024

Enrolment and Accessibility of SkillsFuture Courses for Persons with Disabilities

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Ministry for Education for data on the number and reasons for rejections of persons with disabilities applying for SkillsFuture courses over the last five years, including whether providers rejected applicants due to an inability to provide reasonable accommodations, and whether the Ministry would collect such data if unavailable.
She also inquired about the proportion of SkillsFuture course enrollees who are persons with disabilities and whether the Ministry would review protocols within the SkillsFuture scheme to increase accessibility beyond the specially curated courses at Enabling Academy.
Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provides enhanced training support through Enabling Academy, benefiting about 380 persons with disabilities annually from 2021 to 2023, and that persons with disabilities can also access mainstream courses with subsidies.
SSG does not collect data on unsuccessful applicants, including those with disabilities, but engages with stakeholders like SG Enable and training providers to gather feedback and improve accessibility, including through grants for assistive technology and programme development.

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1 Mar 2024

Proportion of Students with Disabilities in Polytechnics and Institutes of Higher Learning

Ms He Ting Ru requested the proportion of students with disabilities admitted to polytechnics and other Institutes of Higher Learning over the last five years.
The Ministry of Education does not track admissions specifically for students with disabilities but instead monitors students with special educational needs (SEN), which includes various disabilities and conditions.
From 2019 to 2023, approximately 3% to 5% of those admitted to polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education, and autonomous universities were students with SEN.

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27 Feb 2024

Ensuring No Vulnerable Groups are Impacted by Decline in Readily Available Street-hail Taxis

The Ministry for Transport will ensure street-hail taxi services remain accessible for vulnerable groups, including seniors and special needs individuals, through ongoing reviews of the point-to-point transport regulatory framework.
The SG Digital Office under IMDA provides digital skills training, including how to use ride-hailing apps, to help less digitally savvy individuals through the Digital Skills for Life Framework.
IMDA collaborates with partners like Grab, Gojek, and ComfortDelGro to develop resources supporting digital literacy, ensuring vulnerable groups are not left behind in the transition to app-based transport.

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27 Feb 2024

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Sharael Taha stressed the need to balance fiscal discipline with attracting quality investments and supporting workers, highlighting concerns about global uncertainty and the importance of a united social compact to navigate future challenges.
Sylvia Lim emphasized tackling age discrimination in the workplace and expanding opportunities for older workers, while questioning some details of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme's implementation and effectiveness.
Don Wee proposed enhancements to tax incentives for businesses, better support for SMEs and lower-wage workers, and more targeted measures to address household needs and inclusivity hiring.
Syed Harun Alhabsyi underscored social mobility as essential for fairness and national progress, welcoming the Budget’s support for lifelong learning and urging compassionate delivery of policies to uplift the vulnerable.
Christopher de Souza highlighted AI's impact on jobs and social compact, praised Singapore’s proactive AI governance, and shared a personal story to illustrate how government measures and ground efforts can support seniors and families.

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