"In WP’s National Day Statement two years ago, titled “Honouring our First Generation”, we said: The men and women in our pioneer generation have borne society’s burdens for the past 46 years and more. They gave the best years of their lives to our nation. Our nation must now give its best in return to them. Even as we strive for progress and economic efficiency, our nation has an obligation to help this generation of Singaporeans live their latter years in dignity, comfort and fulfilment; free from worry and fear for lack of provision. In last night’s speech, the Straits Times reported: (PM Lee) specifically singled out a group he called Singapore’s pioneer generation, whom he said had worked hard to build today’s Singapore… These people, in their late 60s and above, and now mostly retired, said Mr Lee, and had “paved the way for us to live a better life than themselves”, and “had fewer safety nets”. “We must take special care of this pioneer generation in their golden years,” he said. During my maiden speech in Parliament in October 2011, I said: …whether in healthcare, public housing or public transport, the Government has gone too far down the road of pursuing free market efficiency, often to the detriment of the elderly and low wage workers. At a time when our citizens are exposed to heightened risks in the form of global competition, increased economic volatility, rising inequality and wage stagnation, the Government is exposing them to even more competition from foreigners. Our workers are told to be “cheaper, better, faster”, more self-reliant and less selective about their jobs. This regressive transfer of risks from government to citizens must count as one of the PAP Government’s biggest policy failures in the last decade. The demographic, social and economic changes of the 21st century demand a rethink of how much a government should provide for its people, and how much we can reasonably ask our citizens to provide for themselves. PM Lee said in his speech: …we must make a strategic shift in our approach to nation building. Individuals must still do their best, but the Community and Government must do more to reduce the pressures on individuals." geraldgiam.sg/2013/08/national-day-rally-2013/
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 06:27:09 +0000
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