SINGAPORE: The Singapore Government has promised to take steps to provide more targeted financial assistance to low- and middle-income individuals who are involuntarily unemployed.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier hinted at these efforts at the National Day Rally, expressing the government’s commitment to helping job seekers overcome challenges and enhance their skills to secure better long-term employment prospects.

The Forward Singapore report, released on Friday (27 Oct) detailed the government’s plan to extend aid to those who are most susceptible to financial hardship during periods of unemployment. This initiative will be accompanied by certain prerequisites, including a requirement for beneficiaries to actively seek employment on a monthly basis.

The central focus of this endeavor is to keep workers motivated in their pursuit of re-employment while addressing their financial needs. The benefits offered through this program will complement existing social assistance initiatives for disadvantaged families and the training grants available under the SkillsFuture program.

The report made clear that the government is emphasizing not just financial relief, but also active career guidance and employment support. The aim is to assist unemployed individuals in identifying and pursuing suitable career paths.

One notable recommendation that emerged during the Forward Singapore initiative’s dialogue sessions is the creation of a “career passport” for every job seeker. Participants said that such a personalized document would offer an analysis of an individual’s skills and qualifications, along with tailored recommendations for career development. In addition, there was a suggestion to offer personalized career coaching services to Singaporeans.

Career guidance experts have weighed in on the matter, highlighting the current gap in services available to job seekers in Singapore. Existing services primarily focus on helping individuals secure employment but often neglect the vital aspect of career guidance.

According to a career guidance counselor and lecturer who spoke to Channel 8 News, the importance of career self-management skills cannot be overstated. He said, “In addition to traditional services, such as resume writing, how to interview, and career assessment, what is more important is career self-management skills, which helps each citizen more deeply understand their career direction and their own personality.”

The counsellor added that this will help them avoid bringing negative thoughts into their work life and can have a more positive outlook of their own value and their purpose.

SINGAPORE: The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has issued a warning to the public regarding an ongoing email scam that seeks to deceive recipients into clicking on suspicious links to view fake tax notices. The fraudulent scheme involves scammers posing as IRAS officials and using the agency’s name to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.

The perpetrators behind this scam are sending fraudulent emails, falsely claiming that the recipient can access their tax notices through the file transfer website WeTransfer. These deceptive emails include a link to the alleged tax notice.

IRAS has made it clear that it will never distribute official tax notices through unsecured email platforms or websites such as WeTransfer.

To safeguard taxpayers from falling victim to such scams, IRAS has stressed that it only issues secure tax-related notices through the official platform, myTax Portal. Taxpayers are strongly advised to check for their tax notices exclusively on this trusted website. Additionally, the Singpass verification process is required for any financial transactions to ensure the highest level of security.

In light of these ongoing threats, IRAS urges the public to exercise vigilance and disregard any phishing emails related to tax matters. Under no circumstances should recipients click on suspicious links, provide personal or banking information, follow instructions outlined in such emails, or make any payments.

Anyone who has unfortunately been deceived by these scams is urged to report the incident promptly to the local authorities, namely the police. /TISG

SINGAPORE: In an effort to foster a more inclusive society and promote understanding of people with special needs, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) hosted its first-ever “Everyone Matters” event on Friday (27 Oct). The event featured a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness, challenging preconceived notions, and ultimately creating a more inclusive environment for individuals with special needs.

The “Everyone Matters” event showcased a unique blend of education and entertainment, with eight exhibition booths presented by community partners, including the Singapore Association for the Visually Impaired and the Singapore Dyslexia Association. These booths provided a hands-on experience for students and teachers to better understand the challenges faced by individuals with special needs. Participants could engage with these partners, learn about their services, and gain insight into the lives of those with disabilities.

One of the highlights of the event was the “Amazing Race,” where teachers and students took part in a series of games and challenges designed to simulate the obstacles individuals with special needs often encounter. The games were carefully crafted to encourage empathy, awareness, and understanding among the participants. Through these activities, attendees gained valuable insights into the difficulties faced by people with special needs, offering a glimpse into their daily lives.

The “Everyone Matters” event was the result of a year-long planning effort by a dedicated team, consisting of four students, one teacher, and three college staff members. The organizers aimed to create a platform that offered meaningful challenges and engaging experiences to help participants learn how to create a more inclusive learning and living environment for individuals with special needs. Moreover, the event aimed to raise awareness and understanding of the unique challenges faced by this community.

This event is not the first instance of Singapore Polytechnic championing inclusivity. The school has previously taken steps to ensure accessibility for all, including the implementation of Braille signages and ramps throughout the school premises.

Attendees of the “Everyone Matters” event expressed their newfound appreciation for the challenges faced by individuals with special needs. Many students acknowledged that, prior to the event, they may not have fully grasped the difficulties faced by their peers with special needs and may have treated them like any other person. The event succeeded in shifting their perspective, making them more empathetic and committed to advocating for inclusivity and support for individuals with special needs in society.

As the “Everyone Matters” event concluded, many students voiced their hopes for a more inclusive future, where society would extend more encouragement and assistance to individuals with special needs.