SINGAPORE: A Singaporean businessman was ordered to pay over A$ 38 million ( S$ 33.7 million ) after racking up a huge gambling debt at a Gold Coast casino, an Australian court ruled on Monday ( Sep 9 ). Wong Yew Choy, who lost his money at The Star GoldContinue Reading
On Monday, MPs voiced their support for the costs while also worrying about the effects of the higher efforts.
Who was the first to worry about having to bear the costs of higher Pension contributions and labor injury compensation?
Starting in 2025, system operators, who now contribute no to a worker’s net earnings, will start contributing 3.5 % of that worker’s gross income.
In accordance with the proposed legislation, system operator and worker CPF contributions will gradually increase to meet those of both employers and employees.
In his launching address, Dr. Koh made it clear that the modifications would raise firm costs and that consumers should be willing to pay more to help pay for software workers ‘ protection.
However, many MPs expressed concern that platform operators may end up taking CPF efforts and work injury insurance from employees ‘ wages instead.
Additionally, they questioned how the government may manage prices so that software providers, workers, and customers are evenly distributed.
Pritam Singh, the WP-Aljunied head, questioned the possibility of software companies “profiteering in the name of governmental compliance.” He claimed the WP supported the expenses.
He inquired about the planned price increases for platform apps and whether platform companies may be specific about the potential impact of price increases on the heels of stronger worker protections.
Some of these issues, according to Mr. Singh and other MPs, are related to a lack of transparency regarding work allocation and worker compensation.
Nominated MP Jean See attributed the low confidence of software users to the fact that many system operators appear to be merely making “half-hearted attempts” at issuing rate sheets and statements for jobs and earnings, and protocols for job allocation are frequently vague.  ,
This lower level of trust is also exacerbated by glitches that frequently disrupt operators ‘ applications for extended periods.  ,
System workers are forced to double up as system operators ‘ helpdesk when confronting irate customers and retailers while trying but frequently failing to get support from operators, according to Ms See, who directs the Freelancers and Self-Employed Component of NTUC.
System workers also worry about electric problems undermining their incomes, she added.  ,
Ms. See advocated for system operators to be held responsible for the accuracy of apps transactions and the effects of apps disruptions on platform workers ‘ lives.
She suggested that system operators be required to protect income from engaged system workers, who lose out on long-term earnings from extended platform app outages.  ,
Another issue that many MPs raised was prejudice against employees who are required to pay more than they can afford to.
Mr. Singh expressed concern that platforms will launch granting more jobs to those who do not choose to participate in higher Pension contributions in order to lower business costs.
Similar to how platform companies may change their algorithms to prioritize jobs to those who are contributing more to CPF or to “blatantly reduce” the salaries of those who opt in, according to Associate Professor Jamus Lim ( WP-Sengkang ).  ,
He acknowledged that starting to save for their retirement first may be the biggest benefit for younger software staff from the higher Pension efforts.  ,
However, due to how much more expensive they are now, this may unintentionally cause bias against choosing, according to Assoc Prof. Lim.  ,
Leong Mun Wai, a non-constituency member for Progress Singapore Party, claimed that there are n’t enough safeguards to stop discrimination against platform workers who choose to receive higher CPF contributions.  ,
Additionally, some MPs advocated for program employees to be kept safe from abuse.  ,
The verbal abuse platform workers have to deal with, according to Ms. Joan Pereira ( PAP-Tanjong Pagar ) said, can have an emotional or even financial impact on them.  ,
“( They ) may be given bad reviews even though they are not at fault or for situations beyond their control”, she said.
On Tuesday, the app workers bill debate will continue.
The second-term MP asserted that” PAP leaders often claim that this symbiotic partnership has helped Singapore understand crises and create a nation.”
” This near position also poses significant problems to union independence,” the author continues.
Mr. Giam questioned whether a potential conflict of interest could arise when union officials are also ruling party users.
When those interests may conflict with their own government policies or the PAP’s political agenda,” Can they fully advocate for workers ‘ interests”? he asked.
They may experience stress to back the plan, even if they genuinely believe it to be harmful to the personnel they represent.
This could lead to a subdued union advocacy where social harmony is prioritized over worker right.
” Over time, the serious ingrained PAP impact within unions may lead people to believe that organisations are modifications of the PAP’s political apparatus rather than separate body representing workers.
Organizations may lose the ability to efficiently mobilize and support staff if they believe their passions are being subordinated to the PAP’s political objectives or their political goals.
Mr Giam also said that an” exceedingly near “relationship between the PAP and the NTUC risked creating” groupthink”, where union officials are less inclined to challenge prevailing plans.
” Such a condition may lead to a decline of vitality in labour policy-making, reducing the possibility of new and better methods from emerging, “he said.
The risk of this positioning may be especially high in Singapore in the event of a major social change. Organizations affiliated with the PAP may struggle to collaborate with the fresh state if the PAP were to lose power.
He continued:” It is crucial that crucial institutions in Singapore, including the trade union movement, are no answerable to one social party.”
Then, according to MP Christopher de Souza ( PAP-Holland-Bukit Timah ), Mr. Giam’s speech was deemed to be unrelated to the draft law debate.
He claimed that it was primarily an assault on the NTUC and the parasitic relationship between the PAP and the NTUC.
Indranee Rajah, the PAP-Tanjong Pagar head, scurried in and asked Mr. Giam if he thought labor unions had to be democratic party independent.
After Mr Giam agreed, she replied:” Someone who knows something about democracies will realize that in many of the democracies in the world, unions and social parties really have a nearby connection.”
She claimed that organisations were a key component of the political parties in the United Kingdom and the United States and Canada.
In reply, Mr Giam said the associations between the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party in the UK” is not the same as them being symbiotic”, as the organizations” reserve the right to express their own jobs”.
He said,” I would like to just let it be known that WP supports the confederal dialogue between companies, organizations, and the current government,” but he opposed an explicit position with any political party.
” I think that organizations must be free and non-partisan, and they must reflect their workers without fear or favor in front of their businesses, the government, and the ruling gathering,” he said.
Eventually, Mr Giam asked:” You I presume that… if the PAP were to ever lose power, the NTUC had thus become an instrument of opposition against the novel government?”
Ms. Indranee claimed that it would be up to the NTUC and the employees to decide whether they would support a social gathering, and if so, which one.
What I may say is that the PAP will do everything in its power to prevent them from believing that they will never help them or that they will not do their very best to support the staff and the business union senate.
Therefore, according to Ms. Indranee, Mr. Giam was “driving more and more into the democratic domain” when the topic of the discussion was supposed to be platform worker protection.
She noted that a general election had be held in Singapore by November of that year.
The political rhetoric “every time a general election occurs or is about to occur, the rhetoric ramps up,” but do n’t place the platform workers in the middle of this. Do n’t use them as the beating bags or the pawns for this. We have a Bill to move.”
The PAP is “deeply embedded” in the unions, so Mr. Giam rejected Ms. Indranee’s claim that it would be up to the NTUC and the workers to decide which group they support.
” It is not an matter of only philosophical politicking, but this is an issue of administrative stability. Are we going to experience a situation where any fresh government that emerges from energy is fully encircled?
Ms. Indranee responded that trade organizations elect their own officials, and that having PAP users among the present coalition leaders did not imply that this would always be the case.
The key level that Mr. Giam is missing is that business organizations have their own minds. They have management. They are aware of what they are doing and will behave in the manner that they believe is best for both their organizations and their employees, she said.
NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How ( PAP-Jalan Besar ) also called on Mr Giam to” give due respect to our union leaders”.
” They are not lackeys. They have the proper intentions. As fellow MPs thumped their handles in aid, the older minister of state for defense said,” They do all this for their own employees.”
The NTUC and the PAP have a synergistic relationship, enabling us to communicate the workers ‘ opinions and needs to our political partner, so that when they become the ruling party, when they gain Singaporeans ‘ confidence and have the authority to be the ruling party, that the interests of workers in this nation will always be prioritized above all else.
” And you take a look at the PAP’s track record throughout its tenure in office. What has it delivered for this land? What has it delivered for the personnel? Has it sold out the personnel? Has it embarrassed our union rulers”?
Additionally, according to Mr. Heng, the” parasitic relationship” that Mr. Giam and the WP expressed support for led to the House’s review System Workers Bill.
Political parties and trade unions “are not uncommon, and they do n’t do this out of ignorance,” but “because it serves the interests of the constituents that they represent simultaneously” in a partnership or alliance.
He urged the House to be “very, very cautious” with Mr. Giam’s arguments, noting that the MP’s prediction for a scenario in which tripartite companions would be more likely to agree for the benefit of the workers was untrue.
” So I just wanted to ( say ) this as my heartfelt response: Be fair to our union leaders, be fair to our unions, be fair to the NTUC”, said Mr Heng.
Mr. Giam responded by addressing the structural limitations that unionists face rather than “punching the determination and the work of unionists.”
” I think that many organisations are doing their best to represent the employees that they represent, but they face a lot of limitations because of the restrictions that the government places on them through the NTUC and other laws,” he said.
Members debated whether Mr. Giam’s talk was pertinent to the proposed platform workers law.
Mr de Souza described Mr Giam’s talk on the NTUC as “unfair”, “opportunistic” and useless, while Mr Giam said it set the framework for items he wanted to make about the particular laws being discussed.
Seah Kian Peng, the house speaker, said Mr. de Souza made a” true point.” He later requested that Mr. Giam refer to Section 50 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which mandates that members of Parliament only make observations about the subject being discussed and refrain from bringing up unrelated issues.
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh ( WP-Aljunied ) immediately rebutted the speaker, saying that Mr Seah’s remarks were” critical”.
He recalled that Mr. de Souza had made a speech in which he “did not speak about the Budget, but he later advised the government or the PAP to make a decision regarding the 4G leadership” during a debate on the government’s budget in 2022.
” So I think the sanitary message you provided at the end is important, because it cannot be just accusations made at the opposition, but I think some PAP members ought to reflect on themselves”, the WP secretary-general said to Mr Seah.
Mr de Souza said that during the Budget debate,” the members have free reign to discuss what they want in addition to the Budget– the objectives, the values, the future they want to see for Singapore”.
He claimed that his speech on the 4G leadership was in line with the budget because, “budgets are nothing without key leadership.”
Later, Mr Giam said:” Why is it that… very often, when Workers ‘ Party brings up a valid policy point, we are accused of politicking and making political speeches, whereas when the PAP talks about something different, it becomes a relevant policy point.
I believe there is a need to treat us equally unfairly.
The discussion ended when the MPs resumed delivering their speeches on the draft platform workers law. The discussion of the proposed Bill continues on Tuesday.
The vehicle entry times are estimated and content to traffic conditions that day. Singapore had three medals at the conclusion of its Paris Paralympics strategy. Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu clinched medals in the , 100m freestyle S2 and 50m freestyle S2, winning the names for the second consecutive Games. Jeralyn TanContinue Reading
PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 19: 48
Surapong Piyachote, the deputy transport minister, wants the State Railway of Thailand’s ( SRT ) prime minister’s ) intention to ratify one of the last two construction contracts for the first phase of the long-delayed Thai-Chinese high-speed train project.
Boonchai Panich Co has already received a bid for the lease number 4 4-5 to construct a 13.3-kilometer part of the first phase project, according to the minister.
He claimed that due to a problem with the location of its Ayutthaya Station, which is 1.5 kilometers from the Ayutthaya Historical Park, the deal filing was halted. Although the Unesco World Heritage site is not accessible or opposite to this section, common issue is raised by its close proximity.
According to Mr. Surapong, it led the SRT to request consultations with Unesco and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning ( ONEP ) to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment ( HIA ) on the construction plan. The judgment has been completed, and an HIA record has been submitted to Unesco for attention.
The SRT has even agreed to reduce the level of this section’s increased high-speed train track from 19 meters to 17 meters, according to Mr. Surapong.
However, the SRT wo n’t take into account moving the planned route because it will result in a significant budget increase and cause the construction to be delayed by another ten years, he said.
He claimed that the SRT had sufficiently responded to Unesco’s suggestion and that it could not afford to postpone the anticipated construction worth 9.91 billion dollars while awaiting Unesco’s last opinion of the HIA research.
He claimed that the SRT wants the PM’s endorsement before the development contract is signed with the chosen company by October. He further stated that he would try to speak with Ms. Paetongtarn about the situation as soon as possible.
The high-speed train project will have to deal with its original construction plan regardless of how Unesco’s last opinion on this matter may turn. No layoffs”, he said.
PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 19: 42
The main opposition party, the People’s Party ( PP ), urged the new government to support the passage of a section-by-section charter amendment and the creation of a new constitution on Monday to ensure that both steps are taken before the following general election.
PP list-MPParit Wacharasindhustressed that the need for section-by-section revisions was justified because certain issues need to be addressed immediately and cannot wait for a whole new charter to be written, a process that can take up to two years.
His request came in advance of the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government’s plan assertion being presented to parliament on Thursday.  ,
Before officially beginning its job, the government is required to make its speech to parliament in accordance with the constitution. More than 30 MPs have been assigned by the opposition group to debunk the plan speech.  ,
Mr. Parit said the group may raise concerns about the new charter’s roadmap, referendum questions, and whether the authorities would help a wholly elected charter drafting body.
Based on the government’s review plan speech, the mandate act is broadly defined, similar to the transformation declared to congress by the preceding Srettha Thavisin management.
” The fully elected charter drafting body is n’t stated in the policy statement. While Pheu Thai has proposed it earlier, there is no official confirmation from the state”, he said.
He also expressed concern that the new law and its natural laws will likely not be available before the next elections with three polls on the new contract.  ,
Nevertheless, he noted that the fresh government’s and the Senate’s views on policy article may be apparent later this month when the PP-sponsored documents go up for debate.
The Move Forward Party proposed three law act documents before it was disbanded and reborn as the PP in an effort to lessen the impact of the military government’s requests, stop retaliation, and repeal the junta-backed 20-year nationwide approach.
Of the three charges, one proposes scrapping Part 279 of the contract, which says all announcements and commands of the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO ) and its chief are lawful and constitutional.
Another aims to stop future uprisings by allowing state officials to disobey orders from those who are trying to seize strength and forbid judges from recognizing a revolution as a means of establishing a genuine state.
The 20-year regional plan and the regional reform plan, which are both proposed in the most recent costs, are both proposed to be eliminated by Sections 16 and 65 of the law.
PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 19: 42
The main opposition party, the People’s Party ( PP ), urged the new government on Monday to support the passage of a section-by-section charter amendment and the creation of a new constitution to ensure that both steps are taken in time for the upcoming general election.
PP list-MPParit Wacharasindhustressed that the need for section-by-section revisions was justified because certain issues need to be addressed immediately and cannot wait for a whole new charter to be written, a process that can take up to two years.
His request came as the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government’s plan speech was being presented to parliament on Thursday.  ,
Before officially beginning its job, the government is required to make its speech to parliament in accordance with the constitution. More than 30 MPs have been assigned by the opposition group to debunk the plan speech.  ,
Mr. Parit said the group may raise concerns about the new charter’s roadmap, referendum questions, and whether the authorities would help a wholly elected charter drafting body.
Based on the government’s review plan speech, the mandate act is broadly defined, similar to the transformation declared to congress by the preceding Srettha Thavisin management.
” The fully elected charter drafting body is n’t stated in the policy statement. While Pheu Thai has proposed it earlier, there is no official confirmation from the state”, he said.
He also expressed concern that the new law and its natural laws will likely not be available by the upcoming elections after three polls on the new charter.  ,
Nevertheless, he noted that the fresh government’s and the Senate’s views on policy article may be apparent later this month when the PP-sponsored documents go up for debate.
The Move Forward Party proposed three law act documents before it was disbanded and reborn as the PP in an effort to stop future uprisings and repeal the junta-backed 20-year nationwide approach.
Of the three charges, one proposes scrapping Part 279 of the contract, which says all announcements and commands of the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO ) and its chief are lawful and constitutional.
Another aims to stop future dictatorships by allowing state officials to disobey orders from those who are trying to seize strength and forbid judges from recognizing a revolution as a means of establishing a genuine state.
The 20-year regional plan and the regional reform plan, which are both proposed in the most recent costs, are now included in Sections 16 and 65 of the law.
The law made recommendations regarding the development and planning of equipment, the development of new market mechanisms, and energy security.
Tan Discover Leng, the second secretary for trade and industry, claimed that energy rationing might be necessary to maintain power balance in the event of a severe and long disruption to all of Singapore’s fuel imports.
People will have access to electricity for their daily needs, as well as receiving objective for services like medical and communications, and will be given as much advance notice as feasible.  ,
Businesses will not be held responsible if they do not fulfill their obligations by following EMA’s recommendations for power rationing.
Once the situation improves, the rationing measures will be lifted.  ,
” Power rationing is only a last resort. Dr. Tan, who noted that the UK has also implemented power rationing as part of its energy resilience strategy, said it is one part of Singapore’s preparation for an increasingly uncertain world.” I hope we will never have to use it.”  ,
The law establishes the Future Energy Fund for investments in clean energy projects that may involve significant commercial, technological, and geopolitical risks in addition to power rationing.  ,
The initial injection will be S$ 5 billion ( US$ 3.8 billion ) in FY2024, with further top-ups in the years to come.
Other proposals include:
Dr Tan said that the proposals will strengthen Singapore’s ability to “plan for and develop a decarbonised, secure, and cost-competitive energy system” against the backdrop of geopolitical, commercial and technological uncertainties which can threaten the country’s energy security.  ,
Given that Singapore still relies primarily on imported natural gas for its energy needs and lacks alternative energy sources, the proposals, particularly those aimed at centralizing gas procurement and power rationing, are intended to ensure energy stability.
PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 16: 57
This year, more weather is forecast for the Bangkok place, and flooding is expected in the provinces of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya.  ,
More than half of Greater Bangkok was expected to experience rainfall this year, with especially heavy falls forecast for Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department’s Monday estimates.  ,
The Crisis Prevention and Mitigation Department warned of storms in piece of Ang Thong and most of the areas of neighboring Ayutthaya over the next 24 hours, and the Hydro-Informatics Institute reported spills from two major rivers in Ayutthaya state.
The Chao Phraya River movement was measured at 1, 498 cubic feet per minute on Monday, according to the university.
The ocean is still tolerable, according to the Royal Irrigation Department. During the 2011 Great Flood, the Chao Phraya storm dam released 2,700 m3/s.
After causing deaths and wreak havoc in the Philippines, Vietnam, and southeastern China, the former very storms Yagi has been downgraded to a low pressure system.  ,
To assist software workers in achieving the same levels of cover and appropriateness as employees who make the same amount, the CPF contribution rates may gradually increase over the next five years.  ,
Workers may also notice a general increase in their entire earnings as a result of the CPF efforts from system operators.
The increased efforts are required for those born on or after January 1, 1995 because younger software workers need them more because of housing requirements and because they are more likely to benefit from the compound interest, according to MOM.
No, they will not. The operator will only deduct the necessary MediSave contributions from platform workers ‘ wages and send them to the CPF Board each month for those who do not opt in.  ,
There is no timeframe, older platform workers may settle in at any time.  ,
However, older workers are advised to opt in early to receive the Platform Workers ‘ CPF Transition Support (PCTS ) if they are eligible. This program aims to lower the influence on take-home pay for employees.
Starting the following month, program workers who choose to participate on or before the 15th of the month will receive the higher contributions. Then, it will begin a month later.  ,
For instance, if a program employee chooses to participate on April 15, the higher contributions will begin on May 1. If he or she chooses to participate on April 16, the higher achievements will begin on Jun 1.
It would not be “practical” for program providers to help opt-outs, the Manpower Ministry said.
Because employers would have to monitor the status of employees and compare the CPF contributions that are due when employees choose to settle in and out of work several days.
” This may incur significant business expenses for software workers”, MOM added.  ,
Therefore, software workers are advised to carefully consider their choice based on their individual circumstances before opting in.  ,
Program workers will have enough time to make their decisions before CPF contributions are implemented by the opt-in website.  ,
Lower-income platform workers who earn S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 300 ) or less per month– after the deduction of expenses, including income from platform work and other employment sources – will qualify for the updated PCTS scheme.
In 2025, the government will cover 100 % of lower-income workers ‘ CPF contributions. This means that their take-home pay wo n’t decrease in 2025.  ,
Starting in 2026, the offset proportion will eventually decrease, ending in 2029.
Starting in 2025, all platform workers who are eligible for the Workfare Income Supplement ( WIS ) scheme will start receiving monthly payments instead of annually. To aid them in saving for retirement, this program tops the earnings of lower-income workers.
Moreover, from 2029, program workers whose Pension efforts are aligned with those of employees may receive higher WIS payments. Additionally, there will be a higher Neb percentage in dollars.  ,
If the Bill is passed, this will ultimately protect an increasing proportion of workers because it will be required for all system staff born in 1995 or later to contribute to the increased CPF.  ,
Therefore, it may be “more useful” for software providers in the long term to treat workers pretty, regardless of whether they opt in or are subject to mandatory Pension contributions, MOM said.
Software employees also have the choice of switching software operators. Therefore, it is “in the attention” of operators to handle all workers quite so as to keep them, the ministry added.  ,
Additionally, now that system work associations is now represent platform workers, they can collaborate with the operators to protect against unfair practices.
Additional guidelines will also be included in the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to make it clearer that platform operators and intermediaries should n’t discriminate against people based on traits that are n’t related to the job.