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Ex-WP MP Leon Perera elected to HOME board

Jewel Stolarchuk
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Ex-WP MP Leon Perera elected to HOME board

SINGAPORE: Former Workers’ Party (WP) parliamentarian Leon Perera has been elected as a board member and treasurer of the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME).

Founded in 2004, HOME is dedicated to empowering and advocating for migrant workers facing abuse and exploitation.

The charity offers immediate crisis intervention as well as long-term support to promote the well-being and employment prospects of migrant workers, aside from helping to amplify their voices in Singapore.

Mr Perera, who left the WP last July, wrote on a Facebook post that he is proud to have been elected to the non-profit’s board.

“The amazing team at HOME has been striving to advance migrant worker rights for two decades. It provides helpdesk services, enrichment programs and research/policy advocacy to benefit migrant workers,” he added.

The board was elected on 2 June and included prominent thought leaders besides Mr Perera.

Prof Ng Kok Hoe, a senior researcher at the Lee Kuna Yew School of Public Policy, was elected board president, while noted activist S Suraendher Kumarr was elected as his deputy.

Other board members include veteran community worker Gerard Ee, lawyer Priscilla Chia, photographer Grace Baey, and other passionate advocates.

This is Mr Perera’s first public role since he exited politics last year. As the next general elections loom, it remains to be seen whether he will again throw his hat into the ring to serve Singaporeans. TISG/

72-year-old man fined S$600K for converting 11 private residential properties into unauthorised dormitory accommodation

Mary Alavanza
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72-year-old man fined S$600K for converting 11 private residential properties into unauthorised dormitory accommodation

SINGAPORE: A 72-year-old Singaporean man, Tan Hock Keng, has been fined a total of S$600,000 for converting 11 private residential properties as unauthorised dormitory accommodations, The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a release on June 14.

On May 30, 2024, Tan was fined the maximum penalty of S$200,000 for each of the three charges brought against him. The sentencing also took into account eight additional charges related to similar offences.

The case against Tan stemmed from investigations by the URA and enforcement officers from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

These inspections revealed that Tan had exceeded the legal occupancy limits set by URA for private residential properties. URA regulations permit a maximum of six unrelated individuals per property.

Specifically, inspections conducted on properties associated with Tan uncovered significant breaches of these regulations. At 1012B Upper Serangoon Road, 15 foreign workers were residing over the allowable limit.

Similarly, 32H Lorong 22 Geylang and 32J Lorong 22 Geylang housed 16 and 17 foreign workers, respectively.

Further investigations disclosed that Tan had converted an additional eight private residential properties into dormitory-style accommodations between 2016 and 2018. These properties were found to house between seven and 23 unrelated occupants each.

During court proceedings, Tan admitted to being aware of the regulations but proceeded with the unauthorised conversions regardless. This admission was pivotal in URA’s decision to press charges against him in November 2021.

Commenting on the case, Martin Tan, Director of the Development Control Group at URA, emphasised the detrimental effects of unauthorised dormitory accommodations.

He noted, “Unauthorised dormitory accommodation not only adversely affects the residential character of the neighbourhood, but also negatively impacts the occupants, who may be from more vulnerable groups that are susceptible to exploitation.”

“URA will continue to take strong enforcement actions against perpetrators, including property owners, tenants, agents and anyone found to have flouted URA’s regulations on the rental or subletting of private residential properties,” he added.

Under URA regulations, property owners can seek temporary exemptions to house up to eight unrelated occupants, provided all individuals stay for a minimum of three consecutive months.

However, strict adherence to these guidelines is essential to prevent the misuse of residential properties for commercial purposes. /TISG

URA releases new residential sites for sale: Dairy Farm Walk, Tengah Garden Avenue and Bayshore Road

Mary Alavanza
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URA releases new residential sites for sale: Dairy Farm Walk, Tengah Garden Avenue and Bayshore Road

SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) released three new residential sites for sale on June 13 as part of the Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme for the first half of 2024.

These sites, located at Dairy Farm Walk, Tengah Garden Avenue, and Bayshore Road, are set to contribute significantly to Singapore’s housing market by offering a potential of 1,915 residential units.

The Dairy Farm Walk and Tengah Garden Avenue sites are listed under the Confirmed List, meaning they are guaranteed to be put up for sale.

These two sites alone are expected to provide 540 and 860 residential units, respectively. This contributes to the overall goal of making 5,450 units available through the 1H2024 GLS programme.

In addition to these two sites, the Bayshore Road location is available under the Reserve List. The Bayshore Road site could potentially yield 515 residential units.

This move by the URA is part of a broader effort by the government to meet the growing demand for private housing.

The supply of private housing units on the Confirmed List increased to 5,450 units for the first half of 2024, up from 4,090 units in the same period last year. This marks a significant increase and the highest supply since the second half of 2013.

The tenders for the Dairy Farm Walk and Tengah Garden Avenue sites are scheduled to close on Jan 14, 2025, at 12:00 pm.

For more details on the three land parcels mentioned, check here. /TISG

Read also: URA reveals 6000 homes to be built on Pearl’s Hill, the first in more than 40 years

Veteran journalist urges PM to get rid of his image as a ‘last-minute compromise candidate’ who no one can take offence with

Anna Maria Romero
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Veteran journalist urges PM to get rid of his image as a ‘last-minute compromise candidate’ who no one can take offence with

SINGAPORE: In a recent interview, veteran journalist Bertha Henson had a piece of advice for new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, urging him to show that he’s not a last-minute, inoffensive candidate but someone who his whole cabinet has gotten behind.

Ms Henson, a former editor with The Straits Times and The New Paper, said this in an Inconvenient Questions interview.

On Wednesday (June 12), she spoke with series host, former Nominated Member of Parliament Viswa Sadasivan, about a number of issues facing Singapore and Singaporeans today, including political and economic challenges.

And while she had a lot to say about Singapore’s former Prime Ministers, particularly Goh Chok Tong, whom she spoke of fondly, she feels that she doesn’t quite know Mr Wong, whose profile rose during the pandemic when he led the multi-ministry task force assigned to tackle the crisis.

“Before that, he was a technocrat with very little visibility,” she said.

However, she also said that she welcomed the handover of power from now-Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, even stating that she wouldn’t have minded if it had come earlier.

Nevertheless, Ms Henson gave Mr Wong this advice:

“I think he has to find a way to get rid of this image of himself as a last-minute compromise candidate who no one can take offence to. He has to be able to show that his cabinet colleagues are behind him.”

She added that the best occasion for him to be able to do this would be the ruling People’s Action Party (Central Executive Committee) conference in November.

“I think he should quickly make a bid to be Secretary General because that’s when it’s very clear that his cabinet colleagues” chose him and stand behind him as a leader “so he won’t suffer from this short runway that he had.”

Mr Sadasivan, however pointed out that when Mr Goh and Mr Lee became Prime Minister, neither man immediately became PAP Secretary-General. “So there is precedence,” he told Ms Henson.

“So what if there’s precedence?” she replied. “We do what’s right for our time.”

Ms Henson clarified that this would show that even if PM Wong’s runway to the election is short, as Secretary-General, he will come into the GE with everything in his hands, which means he can set the tone for the next five years.

She added that what the Prime Minister tells the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee—what he believes about the number of GRCs and SMCs—will say much about him, how fair he is, and what sort of playing ground there will be.

Watch the interview in full here:

/TISG

Read also: Bertha Henson: People have stopped reading ST because ‘it wants to give message rather than the news’

Yet another IT major says no job in sight despite sending hundreds of applications

Anna Maria Romero
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Yet another IT major says no job in sight despite sending hundreds of applications

SINGAPORE: Another person seeking a job in tech has lamented over their difficulties with finding employment, and seemingly feeling having only a diploma is insufficient.

“Why does it feel like a crime to not have a degree?”  wrote u/Swyk94 in a post on r/askSingapore earlier in the week. They explained that they’re a diploma holder in their early 30s who made the transition from a job in finance to IT, hoping to work as a full-stack developer under the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme.

They’ve just resigned from their “stepping stone” job as a junior full-stack developer where they earned S$3,000 a month with a delayed bonus.

In the past month or so, they’ve sent out almost 100 applications for a similar junior software engineer role, asking for a monthly salary of S$3,600. However, so far, there have been no takers—no responses from the companies he has applied to.

They went on to ask if they’re being too entitled with their asking salary, adding that their interns, newly graduated from university, are earning between S$4,500 and S$5,500.

“I’m really at a loss and don’t know how to move forward. Should i just resign to fate and accept a no brainer no progression admin job? Seeking for any advice or even criticisms are welcome as well. Is anyone else in a similar plight?” asked u/Swyk94.

Read also: NUS Computer Science grad yet to land job despite sending hundreds of applications

Many people have commented on the post, with a number of Reddit users encouraging them to manage their expectations, given that they’re competing with university graduates for the same jobs who have an advantage over them.

Companies may not consider the SGunited mid-career switch programme as valuable, one said, adding that these firms may be prioritizing fresh university graduates.

“With competitive market for software engineering and the fact that half the population has a degree, it’s difficult to expect great response rates from employers with high salaries,” another chimed in.

Another wrote that “SWE is oversaturated with degree holders in SG. Basic supply and demand.”

One Reddit user suggested that the post author consider a position in an adjacent field, such as business analyst or project manager where they could leverage their work experience better.

Others encouraged u/Swyk94 to keep on going, saying he can even pursue a degree part-time. /TISG

Read also: Gen Z jobseeker doesn’t get hired for saying no to 90-minute task during job application process; sparks online debate

Bedok Mall refutes claim that items dropped off at Recycle N Save machine end up in trash

Anna Maria Romero
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Bedok Mall refutes claim that items dropped off at Recycle N Save machine end up in trash

SINGAPORE: Bedok Mall has refuted a man’s claim that the trash items brought to a Recycle N Save machine at the mall were merely being dumped in the trash.

Facebook user Jack Chng took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on Thursday (13 June) to allege he had just witnessed a “shocking scene” at Bedok Mall. He claimed that the Recycle N Save machine is “just for show” because the plastic bottles and cans that were deposited into the machine were not being recycled but merely dumped, according to the man who cleared  the machine.

“The uncle… said the recycling company has gone bust so they don’t collect cans and bottles any more, so he has to periodically clear the machine cos it fills up quickly.”

Mr Chng added that the man has suggested that the machine should just be removed, as he just keeps having to remove the contents and dump them, but this suggestion has been refused.

“And I thought I’ve been ‘saving the earth’ all this while,” he added.

The Independent Singapore reached out to Mr Chng for further comment. We also reached out to the National Environment Agency, as Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) are a joint project of the NEA and F&N. NEA referred us to CapitalLand, as Bedok Mall is under the company’s purview.

As Bedok Mall spokesperson told TISG that they are aware of Mr Chng’s Facebook post, but further clarified “that plastic bottles and drink cans are collected from the RVM at Bedok Mall daily and sent to a designated recycling area at the mall. These recyclables are collected by our recycling vendor twice a week for further processing.”

NEA and F&N’s project to distribute RVMs all across Singapore is an initiative whose goal is to encourage everyone to adopt a lifestyle that is eco-conscious lifestyle through providing a  convenient way to recycle as they can deposit cans and plastic bottles into the machines.

CapitaLand was an early adopter of the initiative, rolling out RVMs in several of its malls, including Plaza Singapura, Tampines Mall and Westgate.

Reverse Vending Machines, which are used in many countries across the globe including the United Kingdom, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Canada, and the United States, are widely considered to be an effective way to encourage recycling as they’ve been proven to help reduce litter and save natural resources. /TISG

Read also: Reduced rewards at reverse vending machines see shorter lines, fewer recyclers

Could Singapore’s declining birth rate improve by letting workers go home one hour early?

Mary Alavanza
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0
Could Singapore’s declining birth rate improve by letting workers go home one hour early?

SINGAPORE: The debate over Singapore’s declining birth rate has taken a new turn with an intriguing proposal: letting workers go home one hour early.

The conversation started with a concerned citizen questioning if Singapore is really unconducive for raising a family.

In a post circulating online, a Singaporean woman highlighted the challenges of raising a family in the city-state. Central to the discussion was whether the current corporate culture, along with existing maternity and paternity leave policies, adequately supports families.

The post pointed out a common belief among some Singaporeans that the system often pressures new mothers to return to work prematurely, that women are “rushed back to work just a mere 12 weeks after their entire lives/bodies/minds turned upside down.”

“The number of women I know who genuinely struggle so much, not because of the baby but because of the SG system after giving birth,” the post read. “We are not a nation ready to accept mothers in the workplace.”

Critics argue that despite financial incentives like baby bonuses, the underlying attitudes in corporate environments remain stagnant. Many still perceive mothers as burdens on company resources. This perception dissuades women from considering motherhood or from having more children than they might otherwise.

“Throw all the baby bonuses you want but mindsets have not changed in the corporate world,” the post continued, “The day mothers stop having to put teeny tiny three month old babies in infant care centres to return to work in order to earn money to simply survive (and pay for said infant care), is the day that more women will want to have babies.“

A notable proposal emerged from the discussion: allowing employees, especially parents, to leave work one hour earlier each day. The commenter argued, “Leaving work 1 hour early is not going to end the economy or cause businesses to shut down considering that most people are playing on their phone in that final hour anyway. But it will make a difference to parents to spend extra time with kids.”

One netizen on another post, meanwhile, suggested taxing unmarried individuals who do not contribute to the national birth rate.

“Should unmarried individuals be taxed at a higher rate?” he asked. “Especially those who hit menopause with their own HDB flat as they did not contribute to the birth rate of the nation in their lifetime or national service yet they still receive good benefits such as buying HDB. It does not make sense at all.“

His suggestion was roundly criticised as unfair and unrealistic by fellow Singaporeans online.

/TISG

Read also: Singapore birth rate record low: Nearly 8% drop in 2022

Singapore woman claims job offer was withdrawn due to her pregnancy

Mary Alavanza
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Singapore woman claims job offer was withdrawn due to her pregnancy

SINGAPORE: A Singapore woman has taken to social media, claiming that a job offer was withdrawn due to her pregnancy.

Venting her frustration online, she said, “I still have an existing job, so will stick to it. Appalled by the outright discrimination and wonder if there’s any recourse against such companies?”

She also expressed she is not sure if reporting it to authorities is worth pursuing, citing concerns about damaging her reputation.

Singaporeans online weighed in on the matter. One commenter cautioned that she should not “self victimise.” She said, “Unless there is concrete proof, don’t assume it is due to pregnancy.”

Undeterred, the woman rebutted, firmly stating, “It is pregnancy.” She shared, “I disclosed it upfront when they called to finalise the offer, so that the future employer could plan ahead. However, they then planned to withdraw the offer instead.”

Another illustrated what would constitute clear evidence of pregnancy discrimination, highlighting the difference between indirect dismissal and direct refusal based on pregnancy status.

He explained what cannot be considered as evidence, stating, ”Them: We didn’t want you after all. Kthxbye.” He also added what could be considered as evidence: “Them: Sorry but your pregnancy is a problem. We don’t want you anymore.”

Another commenter suggested seeking tangible evidence such as written correspondence or voice recordings to support her claim. He cautioned, “If you do not, the company can use any other excuse (not a good fit, retraction due to change in company direction, another potential hire signed first, removal of job position etc). Once that happens, it’s a he-says-she-says situation and it’s no longer worth fighting for.”

He also advised that she could report the incident to MOM or post a review on Glassdoor to inform potential hires about the company’s practices.

Individuals facing workplace discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, family status, or disability can take proactive steps to seek assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP):

  • Contact TAFEP: Contact the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) at 6838 0969.
  • Provide details: To assist TAFEP effectively, provide your identity and specific information about the discriminatory practices, including names and roles of involved parties.
  • Ensure cooperation: Cooperation is essential for a thorough assessment. TAFEP relies on accurate and complete information to handle complaints fairly and transparently.
  • Confidentiality: Your privacy is respected. TAFEP seeks your consent before contacting your employer and maintains confidentiality throughout the process.
  • Resolution steps: TAFEP will engage with your employer to gather facts, review employment practices, and recommend improvements.
  • Escalation to MOM: If there are serious breaches or employer non-compliance, TAFEP may refer the case to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for investigation, potentially leading to penalties.

For more information on workplace matters, visit the official TAFEP website. /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos

Some workers turn to Grab deliveries or giving tuition to fill long periods of unemployment

Mary Alavanza
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Some workers turn to Grab deliveries or giving tuition to fill long periods of unemployment

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans facing long periods of unemployment are turning to alternative gigs such as Grab deliveries or tutoring as they navigate through a challenging job market. The sentiment on social media reflects widespread concern, with many seeking advice on how to earn money while job hunting.

In a recent survey by ManpowerGroup released on June 11, it was revealed that hiring sentiment in Singapore has been declining over the past three quarters.

According to Linda Teo, country manager at ManpowerGroup Singapore, this decline is largely due to companies streamlining operations, including offshoring to manage costs and address skill gaps.

The survey highlighted a shift towards flexible working arrangements and remote hiring, contributing to the overall decline in hiring sentiment.

The employment outlook has varied significantly across organisations of different sizes. For instance, larger companies with 1,000 to 4,999 employees saw a notable decrease in hiring optimism from 44% in Q2 2024 to 6% in Q3 2024, indicating cautious hiring strategies amidst economic uncertainties.

Meanwhile, beyond Singapore, the United States has also experienced a rise in unemployment, with the number of Americans filing for benefits reaching the highest level in 10 months.

According to recent data from the Labour Department, jobless claims for the week ending June 8 surged unexpectedly by 13,000 to 242,000, surpassing analysts’ forecasts and marking the highest level since August 2023.

Amid these economic challenges, Singaporean job seekers are increasingly prioritising salary in their search for employment, as revealed by an annual survey on graduate sentiment conducted by GTI Media.

Many individuals have taken to social media to share their job-seeking experiences, expressing frustrations over high rates of interview ghosting and rejection. In response to these challenges, Singaporeans are exploring various temporary job opportunities to sustain themselves, with many seeking roles that allow them to “earn money while job hunting at the same time.”

Online, many Singaporeans are turning to “gigs that are relatively short yet pay decently.” Some have chosen to become Grab delivery drivers, capitalising on the flexibility and quick earnings these platforms offer. Others have opted for tutoring, using their skills to provide academic support to students, which also provides a reliable income stream.

Beyond making deliveries and tutoring, here are a few other options to consider to fill periods of unemployment:

  • Event Staff
  • Bartender
  • Barista
  • Sales Assistant
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Receptionist
  • Warehouse Assistant
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Freelancer

These roles may provide viable alternatives for individuals navigating through a competitive job market. /TISG

Read also: Jobstreet spills the tea: 8 tips to nail your job hunt in 2024 and avoid ending up in unemployment!

Featured image by Depositphotos

Company allegedly sent legal letter to ex-staff, demanding they delete Glassdoor review

Anna Maria Romero
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Company allegedly sent legal letter to ex-staff, demanding they delete Glassdoor review

SINGAPORE: A Reddit user posted that they feel their troubles with a certain company are not stopping even though they’re no longer employed there. After they wrote a review on Glassdoor, they claim to have received a cease and desist letter telling them they need to take it down, and that they owe the company money.

In a June 13 post on r/askSingapore, u/nuggurt wrote that in May,  they had posted a review on Glassdoor, a site where former and current workers post reviews anonymously. In the review, they said that their time with the company had been “terribly traumatizing due to the harassment I faced from the top manager.”

But now, they have received a legal letter claiming that the post author has made multiple bad reviews about the firm, which came as a surprise to u/nuggurt, who said they have written nothing untrue.

“So what’s the point of Glassdoor then? The top manager went onto Glassdoor to review herself in a positive light, I quote from her post ‘good leadership’ as well.”

They added that the legal letter also says they need to pay the company “a few thousands … due to a poor handover,” which u/nuggurt says is not their fault, but is something their predecessor was responsible for.

The post author asked if being asked to pay back is valid, given that the handover had not been part of their scope, and nor was it included in their contract.

u/nuggurt asked for advice from other Reddit users, asking if they could acknowledge that they have received the legal letter but not pay the amount demanded. They added in an edit that they had taken down their original review on Glassdoor “because it was quite obvious it’s me.”

However, they have sent in a new review—now pending—wherein they stated that they have been issued a legal letter by their former manager, who has since gone on to post a review on her “good leadership.”

Commenters on the post have encouraged u/nuggurt to ignore the legal letter and, if the threats continue, document everything to file a report with the Manpower Ministry.

Others called what the former manager was doing “scare tactics” and “harassment,” with some chiming in to reassure the post author that they don’t need to take down their reviews on Glassdoor.

One commenter even said the post author was lucky to leave the company, saying that the way the firm had gone after u/nuggurt is “not normal.” /TISG

Read also: “Is it worth it to leave a bad job review on Glassdoor about a company I worked for?” — Employee asks

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