Jobless woes in webchat

THE plight of older workers and the unemployed featured prominently in an online dialogue with Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong on Thursday night.

Participants suggested the Government give companies incentives to hire older workers, provide unemployment insurance to the jobless and let those in dire financial straits draw on their Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings, among other things.

Mr Gan, in his response, dwelt at length on various government policies, explaining why it was better, for instance, to help companies redesign jobs for older workers: 'While we want to encourage firms to employ older workers, we also have to ensure not to create too much rigidity.'

As for insurance and the use of CPF savings, Mr Gan explained why it was better to give the jobless training and support them with an allowance.

Also, it was better to preserve CPF savings for old age, he added.

Engaging him during the 90-minute e-Townhall webchat were about 30 people, including students, executives and businessmen, who posed questions on employment issues and the effectiveness of government help schemes to save jobs.

The Government's feedback arm, Reach, had organised the online forum to gather feedback on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's May Day Rally speech, as well as suggestions on helping workers.

At the prompting of Reach chairman Amy Khor, who is Mayor for South West District, some participants commented on the potential divides in Singapore society that PM Lee had raised in his speech.

These were: between Singaporeans and foreigners; between the more and the less successful; and between races and religions.

But the most spontaneous and rapid exchanges were on employment issues. One participant argued for unemployment insurance, but Mr Gan said it was better to help the unemployed get a job so that 'they can move on'.

- The Straits Times