FOREIGN MANPOWER REQUEST FOR COMPANIES
Dennis Tan asked about the number of companies which have had their foreign manpower requests approved despite not meeting the minimum salary or quota requirements.
Josephine Teo replied that in the past five years, an average of 400 enterprises were provided with enterprise-level flexibility at any one time, constituting 0.5% of all employers of work pass holders.
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YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LEAVE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Daniel Goh asked whether MOE tracks the employment, and continuing education and training prospects of young people who leave the education system after their PSLE, “N” and “O” level exams.
Ong Ye Kung replied that MOE does not track students who drop out of schools statistically and longitudinally as a group because different agencies and organisations come in to provide support at different stages of a person’s life.
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SPECIALISED TRANSPORTATION OF SENIORS TO CARE CENTRES
Daniel Goh asked whether there is a crunch in the specialised transportation of seniors to care centres and, if so, how is this affecting the placement of seniors in these centres.
Lam Pin Min replied that from time-to-time, some centres may encounter short-term challenges in accessing transport services. When any centre faces transport difficulties, MOH encourages them to inform MOH and AIC will work with them.
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GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Leon Perera asked whether the Competition and Consumer Commission will require companies planning a merger or acquisition that will substantially change the distribution of market share in any industry to seek approval before the deal is publicly announced.
Tan Wu Meng replied that under our voluntary merger notification system, there is no mandatory requirement for merger parties to notify their merger situations to the Commission.
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AVERAGE AND MEDIAN SALARIES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS
Daniel Goh asked whether MSF tracks the average and median salaries of early childhood educators according to their education attainment.
Desmond Lee replied that ECDA monitors the salary trends of early childhood educators by commissioning surveys from time-to-time on salary and other job-related issues, and via the annual Polytechnic Graduate Employment Surveys.
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ANTICIPATED CHANGES IN TIMELINE AND PLANNING FOR JURONG LAKE DISTRICT
Leon Perera asked about the anticipated changes in timeline and planning for the Jurong Lake District should there be major delays, route alterations or cancellation of the High-Speed Rail project.
Lawrence Wong replied that while there may be a need for some adjustments, MND does not expect major changes to the overall plans for the Jurong Lake District.
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DENIAL OF LIFT UPGRADING DUE TO FUNDING LIMIT
Png Eng Huat asked whether HDB will consider polling residents in blocks that are not given lift upgrading due to the funding cap, to explore the possibility of co-sharing the amount beyond the funding cap to have lift access at their floors.
Desmond Lee replied that for some of the blocks where LUP is not feasible, the cost of providing 100% lift access would be prohibitive, and that asking residents to co-share part of the amount beyond the cost cap may cause undue financial hardship to them.
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DEGREE AND NON-DEGREE HOLDERS IN CIVIL SERVICE
Leon Perera asked whether the Civil Service pays non-degree holders the same compensation as degree holders for doing the same work, assuming all other factors being equal between the two types of employee.
Chan Chun Sing replied that for candidates with no work experience at the point of recruitment, their starting salaries may be differentiated by qualification. But, once the officer is in service, his progression depends on performance and potential and is independent of starting qualifications.
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INCREASING COST OF LIVING
Leon Perera asked whether MTI will consider measuring and publishing the CPI based on different demographic groups?
Chan Chun Sing replied that MTI already does that.
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SUCCESS RATE FOR JOB MATCHING
Leon Perera asked for an update on the job match success rate of the Jobs Bank for Singaporeans.
Josephine Teo replied that as employers may not update the outcome of their job postings, MOM is not yet able to capture all job matches facilitated by Jobs Bank.
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SINGAPORE AS AN AIRCRAFT LEASING HUB
Dennis Tan asked for an update on measures to boost Singapore’s competitiveness as an aircraft leasing hub.
Chan Chun Sing cited an extensive network of Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs), our strong financial industry, a growing professional services ecosystem, and strong support from our aviation and aerospace industries as factors which support our reputation as a major aircraft leasing hub.
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SINGAPORE’S GINI COEFFICIENT
Dennis Tan asked whether published data for Singapore’s Gini coefficient includes both employer and employee CPF in the definition of income.
Chan Chun Sing replied that the Gini coefficient published by the Department of Statistics includes both employer and employee CPF contributions. DOS also publishes a Gini coefficient that excludes employer CPF contributions, but not one that excludes both employer and employee CPF contributions.
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SOLD AND UNSOLD 2-ROOM HDB FLEXI FLATS
Png Eng Huat asked about the number and percentage of 2-room flexi flats that are (i) unsold including those under construction (ii) sold under a 99-year leasehold and (iii) sold under 15 to 45 year leaseholds.
Lawrence Wong replied that as at May 2018, 15 200 2-room Flexi flats have been offered for sale since HDB introduced such flats in August 2015. This comprises 1900 (13%) unsold flats, 7000 (46%) sold under 99-year leases, and 6300 (41%) sold under 15- to 45-year leases.
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SELF-HARM CASES INVOLVING CHILDREN AGED 14 AND BELOW
Daniel Goh asked whether there has been an increase in the number of children aged 14 and below involved in self-harm cases.
Desmond Lee replied that the number of students aged 14 and below who have been referred for school counselling over the past 3 years has been small with no significant increase, while the number of hospital admissions for self-inflicted injuries among children aged 14 years and below was 42 in 2015, 37 in 2016 and 30 in 2017.
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COLLAPSE OF VIADUCT STRUCTURE AT UPPER CHANGI ROAD EAST
Dennis Tan asked about the outcome of LTA’s investigation on the causes of the collapse of the viaduct structure at Upper Changi Road East in July 2017.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that investigations have been completed, and that AGC has filed charges against various parties. The matter is now before the courts and at this time it is inappropriate to comment on the proceedings.
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RECTIFICATION WORKS FOR FAULTY CONSTRUCTION OF VIADUCT STRUCTURE AT UPPER CHANGI ROAD EAST
Dennis Tan asked whether Or Kim Peow Contractors will be responsible for the carrying out the rectification works arising from the faulty construction, and for the additional costs.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that LTA has reached an agreement with Or Kim Peow Contractors to terminate the contract, including the recovery of appropriate costs from OKP. LTA will engage a new contractor to complete the construction of the viaduct, including the rectification works.
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LIVING CONDITIONS AND PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS
Daniel Goh asked whether MOM regulates the living conditions and protection of rights of foreign domestic workers after they have arrived in Singapore and before employment.
Josephine Teo replied that the Employment Agencies that bring in Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) are required, under their licence, to upkeep and maintain the FDWs prior to their deployment to their employers’ households.
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CAPITAL RESERVE IN PUB’S ACCOUNTS
Low Thia Khiang asked whether infrastructure investments by PUB will be borne by Singaporean consumers through the water price hike alone or also via grants from the Government.
Lawrence Wong replied that PUB does a combination of both.
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IMPACT OF CANCELLATION OF HSR PROJECT
Pritam Singh asked about the implications of a cancellation of the HSR project on the Government’s decision to raise GST.
Daniel Goh asked about the impact of a suspension of the HSR on Government revenues and expenditures.
Lawrence Wong replied that the underlying rationale for the GST increase is not affected by the outcome of the HSR Project, and that the Government’s practice is not to reveal the costs of projects until tender processes are over.
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FRESH GRADUATES HIRED BY PUBLIC SERVICE
Leon Perera asked about the proportion of fresh graduates of autonomous universities, private educational institutes offering degrees, polytechnics, and ITE hired by the public service as their first job.
Ong Ye Kung replied that the latest reported proportions for autonomous universities, private educational institutes offering full-time degrees, polytechnics, and ITE are 26%, 7%, 13%, 13% respectively.
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ESTIMATED REVENUE FROM PARKING FEES FOR TEACHERS
Leon Perera asked about the estimated annual revenue that will be derived from the imposition of parking fees for teachers in schools.
Ong Ye Kung replied that the annual revenue from car park charges collected by 360 primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges is estimated to be $8-10 million. The revenue will be retained by the schools.
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