Struggling to find work? Singapore unveils S$6,000 lifeline for middle- and lower-income job seekers

-

April 17, 2025

Screenshot 2025-02-03 at 9.02.32 AM — CORRUPTED IMAGE: DON'T USE FB screengrab/ Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong may be in for a tough time, according to news outlets reporting on Singapore’s upcoming General Election on May 3

This election, the first for PM Wong, who was sworn into office on May 15, 2024, is perceived as a test for him.

Reuters acknowledged that the ruling People’s Action Party “is almost certain to dominate and win most seats”, as it has in every election since Singapore became independent in 1965.

The question is how much of the popular vote the PAP will keep.

In the last election in 2020, the party won 61.24 per cent of the overall vote.

While this figure may be considered enviable in most other countries, it was a drop for the PAP. It had won by an even bigger margin in the previous election in 2015 when it secured 69.86 per cent of the vote.

The Workers’ Party won an unprecedented 10 seats in 2020 and captured two GRCS for the first time. The Progress Singapore Party also put up a keen fight, suggesting that the opposition may have momentum on its side.

PM Wong faces problems also because of global tensions, both economic and otherwise. The tariffs announced earlier this month by US President Donald Trump could heavily impact trade-reliant Singapore.

Mr Wong acknowledged as much in a social media post on April 15, writing, “We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled, and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapore’s success over the past decades may no longer hold.

“That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation, and to chart our way forward together.”

“Singapore, one of the world’s biggest transhipment hubs, finds itself exposed after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, disrupting global supply chains and sparking fears of a full-blown trade war with China,” noted the Agence France-Presse, adding that the Ministry ofTrade and Industry of Singapore downgraded its economic growth forecast for the year from 1 to 3% to zero to 2%.

The AFP also made mention of PM Wong as a “non-Lee leader”.

The BBC similarly pointed out that GE2025 will be a test for PM Wong, adding that the cost of living, housing, employment, as well as the healthcare needs of Singapore’s ageing society would be key election issues.

Al-Jazeera, meanwhile, said that the elections come at a “delicate” moment for Singapore due to the tariffs issue.

Although the 10% tariff on Singapore is the lowest imposed by President Trump, PM Wong said on April 8, “We are very disappointed by the US move, especially considering the deep and longstanding friendship between our two countries.”

The Diplomat pointed out that the decreasing support for the PAP among younger Singaporeans is another issue the ruling party must face. After the 2020 general election, surveys showed that support for the Workers’ Party was highest among voters aged 21 to 25, who were then facing economic uncertainty and poorer job prospects owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. /TISG

European Commission President calls Singapore a ‘like-minded partner for the EU’ after call with Lawrence Wong

By

-

April 17, 2025

SINGAPORE: Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, had a “warm” phone call with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (April 15), which touched on a number of topics, including support for Ukraine and shared endeavours towards climate security and sustainable development.

Ms von der Leyen called Singapore “a like-minded partner” for the European Union and praised the excellent cooperation between Singapore and the EU, according to a statement released by the European Commission after the conversation. She also noted that the partnership is growing, especially given the upcoming signing of the bilateral Digital Trade Agreement.

“President von der Leyen reiterated the importance of predictability, transparency, fairness, and openness in the global trading system – the only way the system can function, thrive, and benefit all,” the statement added.

Ms von der Leyen also said she and PM Wong discussed the possibility of closer ties between the EU and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which she had also brought up in a conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Importantly, she also said that the EU intends to enhance dialogue and cooperation with Singapore concerning security and defence, and encouraged the start of formal talks on Singapore’s association with Horizon Europe, the largest research and innovation programme around the globe.

Ms von der Leyen also posted about her phone call with PM Wong on her X account (formerly Twitter), where it has received positive responses, especially at a time of increasing polarisation, both economic and otherwise, across the globe.

One reaction from a user read, “The EU’s interest in the CPTPP, where Singapore is a member, could lead to future trade negotiations, enhancing regional influence. This aligns with the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, aiming to deepen ties with ASEAN countries.”

“Geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific, especially US-China rivalry, pose risks, as the EU must balance its strategic interests without getting entangled in regional conflicts,” the X user added.

Another agreed, writing, “An EU partnership agreement with the CPTPP would be welcome.”

A commenter addressed the European Commission, calling her “the adult in the room”.

“While others rant about tariffs and hats, you’re out here building real partnerships, stabilising the world one call at a time,” they added.

“Strong UK-Singapore ties $26B+ trade, key in AI, defence, fintech. Deepening CPTPP links tap into $13.5T market. Strategic Indo-Pacific pivot,” another noted.

Europe, along with the rest of the world, has been responding to the sweeping tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump earlier this month that have threatened to disrupt the global economy.

Ms von der Leyen has been on telephone calls with representatives from Norway, Iceland, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as New Zealand and Singapore. Significantly, she also spoke recently to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, which could signal a change in relations between the EU and China

“The world has become a globe also geopolitically, and today our networks of friendship span the globe, as you can see in the debate about tariffs

“Right now, I could have these conversations 24 hours a day. Everyone is asking for more trade with Europe – and it’s not just about economic ties. It is also about establishing common rules, and it is about predictability. Europe is known for its predictability and reliability, which is once again starting to be seen as something very valuable,” she was quoted in the German newspaper Zeit as saying. /TISG

Even with a degree, it’s hard: 25 yo fresh grad calls job hunt ‘painfully depressing’

By

-

April 17, 2025

female worker sad — Photo: Depositphotos/ benzoix (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A 25-year-old fresh grad recently shared on social media that it’s “hard to get a job these days—even with a degree”.

Posting on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum on Wednesday (April 16), she wrote, “I recently graduated literally four days ago and even before then, I’ve been job hunting, and yet I’ve got nothing to show for it.

“It’s so painfully depressing that even entry-level or fresh grad jobs are somehow still too hard to get, even with a degree, and now I’m working on a cert to boost it. I always hear ‘job market has been bad,’ but like.. is it getting even worse?”

She then asked the locals, “How likely can I get a full-time job (not F&B, unfortunately, family issues with it) that’s related to my degree or even my diploma? (Business Info Systems degree, Game Design Diploma).”

“The job market has been pretty rough lately.”

Her post resonated with other young Singaporeans who also feel stuck in a cycle of applying and hearing nothing back. One individual shared her own experience, writing, “I feel you on this! I’ve recently graduated too and have been on this job hunt cycle in tech since January or February. Some companies take more than a month to get a response from, and I’ve been told it’s considered normal to take up to one whole year to find a job which kind of sucks.”

Another commented, “Yes, the job market has been bad and is getting worse. Many companies are freezing hiring. Several of them keep openings listed because they do not want to spook their investors.”

A third wrote, “The job market has been pretty rough lately — it took me about four months to land a role after graduation. So if things are moving slowly for you, that’s totally normal.”

Others, however, stepped in to offer advice on how she could better navigate the current job market. Some told her to start by polishing her resume, ensuring that it clearly highlights her skills, qualifications, and experience, and setting up a LinkedIn profile to connect with people in her industry, former classmates, or alumni.

In addition, several others encouraged her to reach out to her former internship mentors or supervisors. They pointed out that since they had already worked with her, they might be able to refer her for job openings or even help her secure interviews in their companies.

One individual added, “Do some small projects to gain a better understanding of IT, and with that, you can showcase them during interviews. This will put you ahead of other candidates. It’s best if you can describe what you did clearly, or if you’re into coding, a brief showcase of your code would also be helpful.”

In other news, a woman, who’s still adjusting to her new role as a mum, vented on social media about how “some aunties” have shamed her for using the hybrid policy and working from home on some days.

In a post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, the woman said that these aunties are “now approaching retirement” and refuse to work from home, despite having the option to.

She explained, “They love to come to the office daily, and to make it worse, they come in way before the official start time and leave way after the official end time. Even though the company has a hybrid work policy, they don’t want to WFH and they make you look bad for wanting to work from home. Like, please, the birth rate is already so damn low.”

Jobseeker willing to take 30% pay cut, but says company still hesitant to hire him

By

-

April 17, 2025

young man, using phone, calling — Photo: Depositphotos/ mentatdgt (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A jobseeker took to social media to share that one company is still hesitant to hire him, even though he’s willing to accept a significant pay cut of nearly 30%.

In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, he explained that the company was reluctant to hire him due to his higher previous salary, and they were worried he might treat the role as a “temporary” position and quit as soon as a more lucrative job opportunity came along.

He continued, “I understand the concern, but do I stop sharing my last drawn salary? Most of the employers I talk to require me to share my last draw, though. Is taking a pay cut a red flag? How much of a pay cut should still be reasonable for employers to hire a candidate if they knew that the candidate would be taking a pay cut if they accepted the role?”

He also mentioned that he’s been job hunting for the past five months, applying for both higher- and lower-paying roles, yet still hasn’t secured any offers.

“They are low-balling you.”

In the discussion thread, many Singaporean Redditors pointed out that the real red flag in this situation wasn’t the job seeker, but the company, as they seemed to be attempting to underpay him.

One commented, “They are trying to underpay you; 30% is too high; 2-8% is an acceptable range unless you earn S$10,000+.

Another wrote, “30% cut? Walk off, my friend. The max I’ll go is 10%, and ONLY if there is an opportunity to grow. They are low-balling you. Is this a local company you’re talking about? I won’t be surprised if it is.”

A third said, “Personally, I wouldn’t take it. It would take many years of 2 to 3% increments to recover that 30%, and by then it would also be eroded by inflation.”

A fourth shared, “I was interviewed for a job, and the HR told me I was over their budget, and she asked for my current pay and knew it would be a 20% pay cut. HR asked if I would be willing to accept the job, and that’s the max they can give. I rejected.”

In other news, a 27-year-old worker shared on social media that she felt “embarrassed and angry” after being publicly called out in a team meeting for supposedly “not being a team player”.

She later discovered that the remark was made because she did not volunteer to take on her older colleagues’ unfinished workload after completing her own.

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Wife makes more but pays less: Disappointed husband questions fairness of household finances

By

-

April 17, 2025

couple fighting — Photo: Depositphotos/ kaew1967.gmail.com (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man recently took to a popular online forum to express his disappointment over his wife’s financial contributions.

In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, he shared that although his wife earns slightly more than he does, due to her high bonuses, he still ends up covering the bulk of their household expenses.

The man revealed that he is responsible for paying for most things at home, including groceries, utility bills, and the majority of their children’s enrichment classes.

He also mentioned that whenever his wife wants to sign the kids up for a new class or buy something, like insurance for them, she expects him to pay for it. Moreover, when he says, “I don’t have the money,” she always asks for an explanation as to where all his money has gone.

“She will demand that I explain…When I mention things like spending on groceries, she interrupts and says she pays too. Which is true, but out of ten times, probably only once. I get irritated and talk back, asking why I must explain where I spent my money (it is mainly on family) every time I say I have none,” he wrote.

“I told her that since her earnings are higher, she should contribute more. Then she’ll say she pays for utilities ($300), two of the enrichment classes (out of six), and occasionally covers our dinner or groceries… but definitely, not even half of what I’ve paid for the household,” he added.

The man said that whenever he points out these facts, his wife tends to “get angry and walk away”.

He concluded the post by asking the Reddit community, “How do you guys manage the finances? Is it equally paid since both earn almost the same?”

“A little communication could go a long way here.”

In the discussion thread, many users suggested that the couple consider opening a joint account. One user shared, “My spouse and I have a joint account; as he earns double my salary, he will transfer 2/3 of the agreed amount, and I will transfer 1/3. We use that joint account to pay for everything.”

Another commented, “At one stage, my hubby and I had trouble with splitting bills. After we set up a joint account for household expenses (groceries, eating out, utilities, etc.), no more issues. Legit zero. We still have our private accounts, which we’re both free to do whatever we want with.”

Meanwhile, a third user proposed creating a budget spreadsheet to track expenses more clearly. They wrote, “Spreadsheet a budget like a smart couple…. I’m not sure if you are pooling your income, but it will give greater transparency over where the spending is going.

“Once you have a proper idea of where your expenses are, you can decide how you’re going to fund it, whether both your salaries go into a shared pool, whether you split 50/50, or pro rata based on the % of total income you earn.

“Give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she doesn’t realise you’re carrying out more spending on day-to-day items, groceries. A little communication could go a long way here.”

Four common ways married couples split their expenses, according to financial experts:

Equal split (50/50 method): In this approach, both partners agree to contribute an equal amount toward all shared expenses, no matter what their individual incomes are.

Proportional to income: In this arrangement, each partner contributes a percentage of their income toward joint expenses. For example, if one partner earns 60% of the combined household income and the other earns 40%, they would contribute to bills in that same ratio.

Assigning specific bills: This method can simplify budgeting and give each partner clear ownership over specific expenses. For instance, one person might cover rent and internet, while the other handles groceries and utility bills.

Joint account for all expenses: Another popular option is for both partners to pool their incomes into a joint account and use it to pay for all household expenses.

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

ICYMI: WP’s He Ting Ru: Even with speculation abounding over the timing of the next election, our work in Parliament continued

By

-

April 17, 2025

SINGAPORE: The impending elections did not distract the Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) from her work. “Even with speculation abound[ing] over the timing of the next election, our work in Parliament continued,” she posted on Facebook on April 14, just the day before Parliament was dissolved and elections called for May 3.

Ms He summarised what she did in last week’s sittings, which turned out to be the final deliberations of Singapore’s 14th Parliament,

Despite the election buzz, legislation work has gone on. Last week, Ms He, a longtime advocate for mental health, followed up in Parliament on the issue of regulation in mental health services through data release-style questions.

She was also among the parliamentarians who asked questions about “finfluencers” – specifically if the government sees the need to review safeguards against non-licensed influencers who provide financial advice – after a finance provider temporarily suspended withdrawals early last month.

Additionally, she acted on recommendations in a recent report from the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) concerning transporting foreign workers in lorries. She asked the Minister for Transport whether the government would consider a phased timeline towards a ban on lorries transporting workers, with subsidies to support the transition for smaller businesses.

“Unfortunately, the Minister argued that it is ‘not operationally possible’ to do so,” noted the Sengkang MP.

Ms He, who chairs the Sengkang Town Council, said that following feedback from residents, she filed a question asking for more clarity and understanding about the regulations on the Early Childhood Development Agency’s oversight and role in addressing child abuse cases.

She added that they had also received questions regarding when an HDB flat would be subjected to a fresh minimum occupancy period (MOP) in the case of a divorcee buying a part-share of their flat from their ex-spouse pursuant to a court order.

“The Minister of National Development clarified that HDB approves any MOP waiver on a case-by-case basis,” added Ms He.

Her post has been well received by social media users, one of whom called her “one of the most hard-working MPs among all constituencies” and added that Sengkang’s constituents “lucky.”

“Keep up the excellent jobs. Best wishes in this coming GE,” they added.

Another agreed, writing, “And humble. No entourage, no PA, no grassroots, and no influencers when the WP MPs did their rounds to visit residents and not just at MPS.”

“Thank you for asking about the MOP waiver,” wrote a Facebook user, who added that they feel that MOPs cause “unnecessary hurt” to Singaporeans.

Over the weekend, Ms He, together with her fellow Sengkang MPs Louis Chua and Jamus Lim, were out and about at the Rivervale Shores coffee shops, saying hello to the residents having lunch.

“While most of the patrons were our #SengkangGRC residents, we met several diners who were from the non-Sengkang GRC part of Sengkang, Fernvale too!” wrote Mr Chua. /TISG

‘Only $20?’: Maid shocked at low salary increment after contract renewal, asks netizens if this amount is ‘normal’

By

-

April 17, 2025

helper maid tired cleaning — Photo: Depositphotos/ DragonImages (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: After finding out that her salary would only go up by $20 for her second contract renewal, a domestic helper took to social media to ask if that amount was considered “normal”.

Posting anonymously in the MDW in Singapore Facebook group on Tuesday (April 15), she shared that her first renewal had come with a $50 raise, so she was surprised to see a much smaller increase this time. Unsure if this was standard practice, she reached out to fellow helpers and netizens for their thoughts.

In the comments, many pointed out that employers in Singapore aren’t obligated to provide a pay raise when renewing a contract.

One explained, “Usually, it depends on the employer’s generosity and appreciation, as well as the helper’s performance and skills. There’s no law mandating a fixed salary increase after a contract. You should have asked before agreeing to sign your next contract to avoid this kind of situation.”

Another commented, “The most important thing is that you have a job and can help support your family. Be thankful and grateful, because some employers never give salary increases. One of my friends has been with her employer for almost 20 years, and they’ve never given her a raise.”

A few others suggested that if she wasn’t happy with the increment, she should speak directly with her employer. One netizen advised, “I think it’s better to talk to them because no one here can help you. It’s only you and your employer who can solve what’s bothering you. Every employer has a different approach to increments for their helper.”

Another provided a possible explanation, writing, “First increase, $50. Now, only $20. I suggest you step back and reflect. Maybe the employer isn’t satisfied with your performance, which could explain the lower increment this time.”

Pay raises for domestic helpers

In Singapore, employers aren’t legally required to give a pay raise when renewing a domestic helper’s contract. However, the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) encourages employers to increase the salary periodically as a reward for “good performance and loyalty”.

It’s also a good idea for employers to consider offering a contract gratuity, which is a lump sum paid to the helper when her contract ends. This incentive, agreed upon by both parties, could serve as motivation for the helper to continue performing well.

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Jobless S’porean with Master’s in AI asks if the ‘system is failing local talent’, but commenters say their CV is full of red flags

By

-

April 17, 2025

Job seeker, Resume — Photo: Depositphotos/ BiancoBlue (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user, alarmed after submitting over 1,000 job applications in the past two years but yet to get hired, recently asked if the “system is failing local talent”.

Instead of agreeing with them, many commenters pointed out the flaws in the post author’s CV and offered them advice on how to fix it.

In an April 15 post on r/Singapore, u/For_Entertain_Only wrote that they have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in artificial intelligence, taking the latter course in 2023 after getting laid off, believing it would lead to better opportunities in tech and AI, which they called a “field our country claims to prioritise”.

The job search has been hard going, however. Not only have they received no offers, but they’ve also not received replies to most of their applications. The post author added that there is no clear support or re-entry programmes and that they’ve “been applying non-stop” for positions in AI, data science, and software engineering, both in Singapore and other countries.

“I’ve also reached out to recruiters, attended workshops, networking events, and even career fairs. Nothing worked,” they added.

They also still owe S$21,000 in loans from their undergraduate years, but expressed gratefulness to the Education Ministry and DBS for showing empathy and approving their appeal for deferment. The post author feels very differently about the Manpower Ministry and other related agencies, however, because of a lack of a pathway for local tech grads and a bridge between education and employment.

“We were told AI was the future. I believed in it. I worked hard. I stayed in Singapore. I took on debt. I played by the rules. And yet, here I am. Two years, 1,000+ job applications. Still nothing.”

U/For_Entertain_Only also posted links to screenshots of the different versions of their curriculum vitae as well as other proof of their work experience, and added that they believe they are “ok” when it comes to EQ, and that they also have recommendation letters from their previous boss and colleagues.

Many Reddit users have since commented on the post, with a sizable number pointing out that the post author’s CV could use a lot of cleaning up.

“Your argument might be valid if you say you can’t find jobs in Singapore. But you mentioned you applied for jobs both locally and overseas, and still had no replies, then it’s not limited to a ‘Singapore issue’ already. It might be user error.

Addendum: Just looked at the images of your CV. What’s up with the word ‘dump’? It’s quite a turn-off for a potential interviewer,” wrote one.

One called the CV “a messy red flag” and advised them to fix it.

Another offered this advice: “Look, a resume is to get you through the door. You need to hit the key points, key words. This has nothing. As an experienced hire, you have to focus more on the work experience than on education. But this is so generic and weak. Fix issues? Raise Jira tickets? You need to really expand on those points. Every swe does this. Putting module names in the education part is pointless. Just the degree and the areas you study are more than enough. 1 or 2 pages is more than sufficient.”

A Reddit user chimed in with, “I hope you will take this on as genuine advice. We can’t help you if you don’t help yourself (much less the govt).

Please use a resume creator tool or something. Reformat everything. A tool will help with formatting, sectioning, etc. I personally use FlowCV — they have templates you can choose from, and it’s ATS-friendly.
Please reformat and update everything.” /TISG

‘Like the cost of living, the cost of an election campaign has also risen,’ Pritam Singh appeals for support

By

-

April 17, 2025