India’s schoolgirls are leading a silent cycling revolution
APNibha Kumari, a native of Bihar, India’s poorest state, recalls how a vehicle transformed her life when she turned 15.
She cycled two hours per day from home to college and training sessions and again using a vehicle provided by the state government for two decades, six days per week.
” If I did n’t have a cycle, I do n’t think I could have finished high school. It changed my life”, says Nibha, then 27.
Nibha, the daughter of a farmer in the Begusarai city, moved to live with her aunt in a local primary school, which is located 10 kilometers ( six miles ) away. Females had to work in a wheelchair, and the public transportation system was unsatisfactory.
When Nibha returned residence for great college, she hopped on a bike, navigating the rough village streets to follow her knowledge.
Women have a lot of confidence since beginning to ride bikes to school and to instruction classes. They are now enrolling in class, which is increasing. Most of them have completely motorbikes”, says Bhuvaneshwari Kumari, a wellness employee in Begusarai.
Getty ImagesShe’s right. A new peer-reviewed study published in the journal ScienceDirect reveals remarkable insights about school-going children and cycling in rural India.
The most notable increase in cycling in India was among rural girls, according to the study by Srishti Agrawal, Adit Seth, and Rahul Goel, which increased by more than twofold from 4.5 % in 2007 to 11 % in 2017 to close the gender gap in the activity.
” This is a silent revolution. We refer to it as a trend because women ‘ cycling rates increased in a nation with high rates of gender inequality in terms of sexual mobility outside the home in public and for racing in particular, says Ms Agrawal.
Since 2004 the state-run completely vehicle submission programs have been targeted at ladies, who had higher school dropout rates than males according to housework and long, tiring walks. Evidence from nations like Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe also demonstrates that bicycles effectively increase girls ‘ school enrolment and retention. This approach is n’t unique to India. But the level below is unparalleled.
The three researchers examined the effectiveness of state-run programs that offer complimentary bicycles to students and tested their effects on the racing level by analysing data from a global knowledge study from Delhi’s Indian Institute of Technology and Mumbai’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.
Getty ImagesNationally, the percentage of all students cycling to school rose from 6.6 % in 2007 to 11.2 % in 2017, they found.
Cycling to school in rural areas doubled over the decade, while in urban areas, it remained steady. Indian city roads are infamously dangerous, with less urban cycling to school linked to worse traffic safety and more cars traveling on the road.
India’s cycling revolution is most substantial in villages, with states like Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Chhattisgarh leading the growth. Populations in these states are comparable to those in some of Europe’s largest nations. According to the study, cycling was more prevalent for longer distances in rural areas than in urban ones.
India only recently made a report on cycling behavior in the most recent Census in 2011; it only made it the first time. Only 20 % of those who travel outside the home reported using cycling as their main mode of transportation. However, rural residents cycled more frequently ( 21 % ) than urban residents did ( 17 % ).
Also, more working men ( 21.7 % ) than their female counterparts ( 4.7 % ) cycled to work. ” Compared to international settings, this level of gender gap in cycling is among the highest in the world”, says Ms Agrawal.
Getty ImagesSusan B. Anthony, an American suffragist, famously claimed that the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance”.
Researchers are unsure if women’s cycle rates decrease as they get older and as a result of declining job prospects and workforce dropouts. After getting married, Nibha moved to her in-laws ‘ house to stop cycling. While she still travels outside the house as she trains to become a teacher, when asked about her commute, she simply says,” I do n’t need the cycle anymore”.
Gold card scheme at risk of collapse
According to experts, the 30-baht silver card plan, which is known as the ubiquitous healthcare policy, is unlikely to provide enough security to all citizens. It is suggested that it be changed to ensure future financial viability.
The Pheu Thai Party’s populist scheme, which was launched over the course of 20 years, aims to ensure that all Thais, particularly the poor, receive equal medical care without having to pay anything.
The program was first introduced in 2002 with a 30-baht co-payment per attend required.
But, that was changed a few years after, giving users the ability to receive free medical care.
According to a network of hospitals and health staff, the program has caused issues for state-owned clinics. They are now facing increased physician visits, staff shortages and fiscal shortfalls, it said.
The group claims that the universal healthcare system is in danger of collapsing and has requested motion from the Ministry of Public Health.
It made a point about the rising prices of health care and the rising number of patients with more challenging illnesses.
Additionally, it noted a rising number of seniors and a declining range of citizens in the nation.
Suffering team
Academicians and health experts concur that the system needs to be changed to make it more economically stable.
Dr. Somsak Tiankao of Srinagarind Hospital at Khon Kaen University claimed that the hospital loses approximately 100 million baht annually as a result of a regular overflow of patients.
He said the number of people has increased by 400 %, especially after the release of the agreement’s” cancer anywhere” plan.
The yearly number of cancer people at the hospital, which increased from 6, 000 to 25, 000 in a matter of decades, has made it difficult for health workers to provide proper support to every person, he said.
More importantly, many people reported no receiving care in day due to long queues, he said.
He added that some state-owned institutions are putting in extra effort to make money to help them make money off of their financial loss.
He said the plans include opening for common donations and opening specific health clinics for out-patients.
Dr. Somsak said that unless treatments are put in place, his clinic may be forced to lower its standards to deal with the tight budget, which might include restricting laboratory use as well as everyday patient visits.
It might occur in the next five years because we will fully [become ] an ageing society, which raises the cost of medical care due to more complex diseases.
” Worst, we might have a strike of medical staff who suffer from]work ] overload. The health department should exercise its power and be truthful, he said, and not adhere to the political stance that may ultimately lead to the demise of health security.
Dr. Somsak anticipates that the care common scheme will receive more of the country’s budget in the future. Yet, he is concerned it will not target the root of the problem.
The new authorities should regard allowing patients under the general care plan to pay more, beyond the 30-baht co-pay ceiling, to help reduce the state’s economic burden, he said.
He further stated that those who are financially capable should be able to pay extra for better health care rather than just free medical care.
Somsak: Extend user-pays
Budget improve
Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, chairman of the Rural Doctor Society, said the budget allocation for the universal healthcare system is about 7 %, or about 200 billion baht, of the 3-trillion-baht governmental resources.
The number increases by 3 % per month, but it is still not enough to sustain the system, he said.
The new government ought to think about providing emergency funds to help the organization reduce the financial strain on state-owned institutions in the near future.
However, the government may invest more in area hospitals or medium-sized hospitals because they are the main locations for locals to receive medical care, he said.
If effective, it may reduce the number of people visiting key clinics, he said.
Dr. Supat urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to improve the universal healthcare system, which is regarded as one of the party’s most important policies, by chairing the board of the National Health Security Office ( NHSO ).
Additionally, he claimed that the country should have a master plan for healthcare security in place to ensure that it achieves green medical security.
In addition, Nuttanan Wichitaksorn of the Thailand Development Research Institute claimed that numerous hospitals affiliated with the Social Security Fund and the general health plan have complained about significant losses brought on by a lack of government money.
He claimed that the NHSO should be in charge of the healthcare costs under the two schemes for better control.
” I believe there should be some transformation to the country’s healthcare system, otherwise it will experience future economic unrest.”
Because it is crucial to provide Thai people with access to quality medical care, he said,” the system may be abolished.”
” We may wait and see what the next phase of the program may be.”
If there is n’t a plan to promote healthy lifestyles in Thailand, according to a recent report from the TDRI, Thailand’s healthcare expenditures will reach 2.2 trillion baht by 2032.
Supat: Focus on small services
Fight must go on, despite obstacles
The People’s Party’s new leader says the country’s efforts to transform the nation wo n’t be hampered by its dissolution.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut was appointed to lead the newly formed People’s Party ( PP ) without much hesitation.
The PP was founded on August 9th, two days after the Constitutional Court ordered the Move Forward Party ( MPP ) to be disbanded and the PP’s executive members from politics for ten years due to its opposition to the monarchy, which it claimed threatened national security.
The 37-year-old was named PP head despite earlier studies suggesting assistant MFP head, Sirikanya Tansakul, may take the helm, as she was n’t banned from participating in politics by the judge.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr. Natthaphong claimed that the main obstacle is securing more than half of the House votes in the upcoming vote, which would allow for the formation of a single-party state and the continuation of MFP’s challenge.
RAPID RISE
Mr. Natthaphong attributed his rapid emergence in Thailand’s political scene to the court’s demise of the PP’s former allies, the Future Forward Party ( FFP ) and the MFP.
He started his political career with the FFP in 2019, one year before the Constitutional Court ordered its dissolution due to vote law violations involving donations to political parties.
The computer engineering graduate from Chulalongkorn University insisted that he is the party’s “real leader,” saying that he was instructed to carry out its predecessors ‘ mission in the upcoming elections.
He said if he’s deemed set to be the group’s prime ministerial member in the next elections, he will gladly rise to the challenge.
The key is now how to increase our support center to strengthen our party’s position.
” Even though we came second in last year’s surveys, we may do much in the next election, “he said.
LOCAL Concentrate
Under his leadership, the PP may focused its efforts on local elections, he said, adding the group may join with remote citizens in the same way the FFP and MFP engaged with its young, urban voters.
He claimed that having party representatives represent the party in nearby bodies is critical to extending the party’s hold on, especially in the three years leading up to the federal elections, where local elections are equally important as national polls.
Mr. Natthaphong argued that the fact that the MFP won the most party-list votes in a number of provinces but lost in the district election demonstrated how deeply ingrained the support system is in Thai community.
We can demonstrate to them that policies alone, without reliance on political supporters, can improve quality of life by winning local elections and engaging with people constantly, he said.
He claimed his point will be made by the upcoming provincial administration organization ( PAO ) election in Ratchaburi, which will feature an “old power” group and a candidate from the PP.
S112 correction
When questioned about the group’s place on changing Section 112 of the Criminal Code or the Lese Majority Law, he responded that the party adheres to its tenet that the legislation needs to be revised but that the process and details need to be discussed further.
He claimed that the group’s position on the subject was not a source of concern for complaints, and that it is focused on the bigger picture.
Despite having lost a considerable number of key experts, including Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pita Limjaroenrat, he said the group is n’t quick of competent and qualified individuals.
There are many brilliant young people who are eager to take on leadership positions in the group. Being elected as Members is just a means to an end… a tool to push and implement laws, “he said.
We can make other contributions as people take over our functions after being removed from the MP category.
Mr Natthaphong said the group will be pushing two important issues: constitutional amendments, and a review of public separate organisations ‘ energy, especially the Constitutional Court, to break parties and spacecraft the ethics of politicians.
He urged the government to support bills the party has suggested and that the PP will continue to monitor the Pheu Thai-led government.
However, he said that the political climate would n’t drastically change as a result of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s election as the leader of Pheu Thai after Srettha Thavisin, whose appointment was approved by the royal court yesterday.
FAQ: What you need to know about Singapore’s new shared parental leave scheme
When fully implemented on April 1, 2026, a new shared parental left program will provide Singaporean parents with 10 more weeks of paid left.
The scheme, which was made public by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Sunday ( Aug 18 ), is a part of the government’s efforts to give parents more time to care for their children.  ,
Here’s what you need to know.  ,
WHAT’S THE SCHEME ABOUT?  ,
The 10 days will be fully paid for by the government, up to a helmet of S$ 2, 500 per year (up to ~S$ 10, 000 a month ).  ,
It’s on top of government-paid maternity and paternity leave privileges.  ,
It replaces an already-existing shared left arrangement that allows a working mom to split up to her father up to four of her 16 days of government-paid pregnancy leave. This will stop from Apr 1, 2025.
To minimize the impact on businesses and give them time to change their workforce and functional provisions, the new system will be implemented in stages.  ,
When fully implemented on Apr 1, 2026, it may take entire paid left to 30 days or 7.5 months, away from the latest 20 weeks.  ,
Commentary: There is much to cheer in Singapore’s fight against inflation
WHAT COULD RAISE INFLATION?
Being a little and opened economy, Singapore is very delicate to international price fluctuations. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the supply chain disruptions that resulted in the rise in commodity prices were well-known outside factors that increased inflation in 2022 and 2023.
No one knows how the international situation may turn out for certain. However, it is obvious that any rise in Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions or a Russian-Ukraine war may increase shipping costs and prices of commodities and energy.  ,
Rising local labor costs, including income, can cause higher prices for goods and services in sectors with higher demand for workers ‘ products and services in Singapore, which in turn may increase inflation.
On a fundamental premise, there is proof of matching incompetence in Singapore’s employment market, leading to an upward bias on income. Big data and artificial intelligence are significant development sectors, but there is still a lack of expertise in these fields.
The typical Singaporean worker would normally prefer to get paid more, whether they worked in tech or any other field. The major, however, is persistence and sustainability. Major wage rises, if not matched by increases in productivity, did chance leading to a wage-price spiral and increase inflation. In the end, it will be bad for neither the business nor anyone else.
The good news is that significant progress has been made in the fight against prices. The terrible news is that success is still not yet known.
Your chicken rice prices may soon stabilize, but you should n’t count the chickens before they hatch.
Top scholar at UOB is Alvin Liew.
The Big Read: Errant use of PMAs is a real menace, but tackling it is less straightforward than you think
Challenges IN IMPLEMENTING NEW Rules
If many other distribution riders plan to do the same as Mr Chen, there will be wider repercussions: There could be a surge in PMD-related crimes and accidents, said transportation and accessibility experts, adding that this should be monitored carefully.
According to the Ministry of Transport ( MOT ),  , between January and October 2023, there were about 1, 200 PMD-related offences compared to four PMA-related offences.
Transport analyst Walter Theseira said:” There is clearly great demand for a easy, low-cost, moderate-speed and motorised regional transit system.
We saw that with PMDs, and PMAs, as well. The associate professor at the Singapore University of Social Sciences ( SUSS) said,” You can regulate it but that demand does n’t disappear.”
MOT and LTA stated in their combined response to Now that they discovered that the stakeholders typically agreed with the Amap recommendations but that there must be more time for the damaged riders.
They said,” This is why the government gave us a transition period of at least a year before the novel demands would start in 2025.”
Although it is not a simple matter because several factors have to be considered, authorities agreed regulations are required.
Medical requires
According to Dr. Samuel Chng from the Singapore University of Technology and Design ( SUTD), PMAs are” significantly different” from PMDs in the sense that the former are intended to assist people who have a genuine, medical need for assistance moving around.
Therefore, Dr. Chng, who oversees the Urban Psychology Lab at the Lee Kuan Yew Center for Innovative Cities at the university, says the timing and method of implementing the PMA regulations must be set up in a way that does n’t unintentionally lead to the exclusion of those who actually need them.
For instance, the level for what kind of health condition may require some time to be standardized and made known.
Avoiding costs for stores
According to Assistant Professor Terence Fan from the Singapore Management University ( SMU), the government must strike a balance between enforcing regulations and allowing retailers to gradually reduce their inventory.
Retailers who purchased PMAs with a speed limit of more than 6 kmh would need to wait before selling their current property because the controller had obviously not be compensated should they be unable to do so before the speed limit is fully implemented, he said.
When the authorities immediately banned the use of e-scooters on shared paths with result from Nov 5, 2019, amid a flurry of major accidents,  , a S$ 7 million grant , was introduced to help supply riders travel to different forms of transportation.
But merchants at that time bemoaned the” hundreds of thousands of dollars “worth of e-scooters, which they had only brought in for” Singles ‘ Day” sales on Nov 11 that time, that suddenly became” unusable”.  ,
This time around, Falcon Mobility’s managing director, Mr. Warren Chew, claimed his company has previously reprogrammed the PMAs they currently have in order to comply with the lower speed control. Additionally, he has informed his distributors that they will continue to provide devices that meet the needs.
However, TODAY’s research on a dozen online retailers and one natural keep revealed that they are still selling higher-speed PMAs. These stores did not respond to TODAY’s questions on what they are planning to do to adapt , to the new regulations.
Free-man Thaksin awaits docs
PUBLISHED: 19 Aug 2024 at 05: 03
A certificate of innocence is expected to be issued to former prime ministerThaksin Shinawatrawithin 120 days, according to the Department of Corrections (DoC).
Thaksin is one of the tens of thousands of prisoners who received royal clemency on Sunday. On the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd day, on July 28, the pardons were issued.
On Saturday, a royal order was made available on the website of the Royal Gazette. Thaksin’s one-year prison sentence was expected to close on Aug 31.
Sahakarn Phetnarin, director-general of the DoC, stated on Sunday that Thaksin is then a free person and that a copy of his Part 6 innocence certificate must be released in the next 120 days.
According to treatment, municipal administrators, prison leaders, judges and prosecutors will post their lists of prisoners who were awarded royal pardons to the courts, which will then challenge the certificates.
The Thon Buri Special Remand Prison Chief will be in charge of Thaksin’s situation, and he will be required to provide his information to the Thon Buri Criminal Court. He claimed that because Thaksin is not the only person who has received a royal pardon, the section may give an estimate of how long the process will take.
A certification of innocence is evidence that a person has been officially discharged and given permission to travel abroad, as per Area 67 of the Corrections Act 2017. Nearly 31, 000 prisoners will be freed, according to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, and 8, 000 others who are already on probation will also be completely released as a result of the imperial pardon.
New PM looks to future
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the country’s prime minister, vowed to steer clear of a related tragedy to her father’s and her aunt’s, Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra.
She made the oath after receiving her aristocratic support on Sunday as the nation’s 31st and youngest perfect secretary.
No one would want to experience the same death as my dad and uncle. Neither did they. Therefore, my goal is now to carry out my duties to the best of my ability,” said Ms. Paetongtarn, speaking at a press conference held on Sunday to get the royal command appointing her as the fresh PM.
” And I think we may look past these concerns, or we will never achieve our targets”, she said.
Ms. Paetongtarn joins the powerful Shinawatra community as the next person to take the national helm. Thaksin and his younger sister, Yingluck, went into exile after defense dictatorships which toppled their institutions.
The Thaksin leadership was ousted in a coup on Sept 19, 2006, before the government led by Yingluck, his younger sister, faced a similar tragedy in a military putsch on May 22, 2014.
Before these military dictatorships, they both faced allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, which led to the prosecution of formal legal cases against them.
After 15 times in self-imposed banishment, Thaksin was taken to the Supreme Court, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison in three circumstances, on August 22, 2013. Prior to his royal pardon, that sentence was afterwards reduced to a year by aristocratic mercy.
On May 7, 2014, the Constitutional Court suspended Yingluck as the interim prime minister in a misconduct situation. In one of the biggest bone cases in the country, she eventually fled the country in 2017, just before the Supreme Court sentenced her to five years in jail for failing to stop corn income worth hundreds of billions of baht, which had been a source of corruption.
In her first press conference as the new prime minister, Ms Paetongtarn said she will remain the laws of her father Srettha Thavisin, including “major” monetary stimulus and reformation, tackling illegal medications, improving the government’s universal healthcare system and promoting gender diversity.
She stated that the government would continue to pursue its flagship digital wallet policy while “examining and listening to more options” to ensure the scheme is financially responsible.
Ms. Paetongtarn stated that the objective is to stimulate the economy, so this will continue.
She responded to rumor that Thaksin had ordered the contentious handout plan to get abandoned.
She may get his guidance despite the fact that she has no intention of appointing her parents Thaksin to any government positions.
She said his father does n’t want a formal position in the new government, either.
She said she and any other Shinawatra family members have their own thoughts and would like to discuss them in response to criticism that she might be a perfect minister who is always under the influence of her father.
She said she considered her husband’s vision useful, and particulars of her administration’s policies will be presented to congress next month.
Ms Paetongtarn’s royal approval took place at a standard service on Sunday, after she won a legislature vote on Friday by an almost two-thirds lot.
After the nation’s Constitutional Court dismissed Mr. Srettha over an ethics infraction situation, the 37-year-old was chosen for the perfect minister position.
Before giving a brief statement thanking him and the person’s staff for approving her as prime minister, Ms. Paetongtarn knelted in tribute to a photograph of the King.
She assured all Thais that she was ready and willing to offer them entirely despite the fact that she had not intended to become excellent secretary.
She stated that now that she is prime minister, she has a tremendous responsibility to lead the country in the face of many issues and difficulties, mainly the economic situation.
She promised to perform her duties to the best of her capacity, display admiration for the royal family, and work honestly for the public’s and the country’s best interest.
As head of the executive, Ms. Paetongtarn stated that she would work with the government with an open mind in the remaining three years of her House term to create the country.
The primary minister only don’t accomplish this great task, the statement continues. I expect to arrange authority among those of all generations and competent people in all sectors in Thailand, including the government, partnership parties, legal servants, the private business and the public”, she said.
I will encourage the development of all Thai people’s ability and skills, and produce Thailand a place where people can have their dreams, use their imagination, and shape their personal future with each inch of it.
” I, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as the prime minister, did do my duty to the best of my ability and make Thailand a land of equal opportunity and pleasure for all other Thai people”, the top declared.
Foreign leaders congratulate “Ung Ing” on new job
PUBLISHED: 19 Aug 2024 at 04: 35
European officials on Sunday praised Paetongtarn” Ung Ing” Shinawatra, the youngest child of former prime minister Thaksin, for her session as Thailand’s youngest prime minister.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Robert F. Godec, the US embassy to Thailand, were among those who shared their congratulations on social media.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Anwar wrote,” As close neighbours, Malaysia and Thailand share a essential and enduring relationship, forged on long sitting historical, cultural, and economic references as well as deep-rooted connection.
He said,” I look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Paetongtarn to fully unlock the potential of our bilateral marriage.”
However, Mr Modi took to X, previously Twitter, to say that he looks forward to working with Ms Paetongtarn to enhance the ties between the two countries”. Happy @ingshin’s victory as Thailand’s premier minister. Best hopes for a really powerful career,” Mr Modi said in a blog on his X account.
” Look forward to working with you to more strengthen the diplomatic relations between India and Thailand that are rooted in the solid foundations of ideological, ethnic, and individuals to people connections,” he said.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Wong also addressed his X accounts to express his thanks to Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who wrote,” Congrats to Paetongtarn Shinawatra for becoming Thailand’s Prime Minister. SG &, Thailand reveal historic &, multi-faceted relationships– built by years of officials over the years. I’m convinced that this connection will grow even further in the years to come.
However, Mr Godec said on United States Embassy to Thailand’s X consideration:” On behalf of the United States, thanks to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra! Working with Ing Shinawatra and her government to maintain the close connection and association between us is something I look forward to doing.
PM Wong makes ‘radical’ policy shifts in maiden National Day Rally: Analysts
Previous non-constituency member of Parliament and associate professor of economics at the National University of Singapore, associate professor for undergraduate education, said the laws were intended to promote equitable growth, a development that Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong set as Prime Minister, as well as President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, when he was in Cabinet.
A DIFFERENT Century
Dr Leong noted that Mr Wong’s view was “groundbreaking” in its own manner, compared to his father Mr Lee.
In his first National Day Rally in 2004, Mr. Lee had touched on spiritual cattle by introducing a five-day work week and the concept of gambling in Singapore.
” I think it’s about reaching out to a different era of Singaporeans. Up then, there was a sizable population of people who were born before freedom when then-PM Lee delivered his first NDR. According to him, the audience to which PM Wong is reaching out had a very unique relationships.
The key is to understand that it’s about a new social small, and now we witnessed the crystallization of the dialogue in different policies that Singaporeans can relate to, such as housing and education.
Dr. Goh noted that Mr. Lee was responding to significant problems in his day, such as the risk of stagnation in the Asian Financial Crisis and SARS.
Dr. Goh noted that most of Sunday’s announcements are focused on these issues, and that Mr. Wong is now directly concerned with hardening social mobility and the threat of long elitism and sturdy inequality.
Strong MOVES IN Guidelines
The launch of a SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, which would assist low- and middle-income employees who have lost their jobs, was one particular policy that caught the attention of spectators.
Dr Leong noted that it is” a big change of way”, recognising that even the white-collar university-educated workplace may face issues about the loss of employment.
Being a work is more than just monetary compensation; it’s also about a form of identification and dignity, according to the Singaporean tradition. The financial aid is certainly a lot compared to what you get in a full-time task, but it is crucial”.
Independent social observer Felix Tan, who has written about Singapore’s political and social environment, called it a shocking move as it is” a shift away from the president’s strict ‘ little welfare state ‘ concept”.
” I would caution against the notion that this would imply that Singapore is a “welfare state.” There are requirements for the financial support programs for those who have lost their jobs. Therefore, it is not like many developed Western countries where the state provides for its people, come what may”, he said.
Dr. Goh noted that the initiative is being referred to as the SkillsFuture banner because it is crucial that incentives to retrain and reskill the workforce in addition to the S$ 6, 000 over six months financial support.