Election Watch

"Singapore's Elections Department is in the process of updating its system records of all premises that will be used as polling stations or counting centres for the next General Election and Presidential Election.

It has sent letters to schools to help update its records. A copy of the letter - dated yesterday - was obtained by MediaCorp. In the letter, the Elections Department wants the school to indicate the exact location of premises such as the canteen or hall, in an attached map. It also requested that the information be sent by June 8."

Abstracted from TODAY, June 5; 2010

Perc Survey Results - Singapore Is Best "Bureaucracy"

"Regional financial centres Singapore and Hong Kong have the most efficient bureaucracies in Asia, according to a survey of expatriate business executives by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (Perc).

The survey, released yesterday, cited India, Indonesia and the Philippines for having the most inefficient bureaucracies in the region.

It was the fourth time that Singapore topped the poll.

Singapore was also No 1 and Hong Kong was in third place globally, behind New Zealand, in a separate survey by the World Bank on the ease of doing business, which covered 183 economies."

-----Abstracted From TODAY Jun 03, 2010-----

In a separate survey on 125 countries by the World Economic Forum (WEF, a Geneva-based independent organisation ) released in Hanoi (TODAY Friday, June 04, 2010), Singapore is ranked No. 1 as the best place in the world to carry out business, based on the performance in four main areas: Market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure and general business environment.

Singapore is ranked No.1 in this PERC survey, but what does this ranking signifies and what is it suggesting?

A BUREAUCRACY is defined by the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionarys as "a system for controlling or managing a country, company or organization that is operated by a large number of officials who are employed to follow rules carefully".

Red tape is known to occur only within a bureaucracy.

When we are described as a efficient "bureaucracy", is it necessarily a "compliment"?

• 
  
  Are we too good as a BUREAUCRACY with redundant rules and regulations ?
• 
  
  Are we then creating WASTE ?
• 
  
  Is this the "missing link" to explain our dropping PRODUCTIVITY ?

In a world of uncertainty and change, current achievements are no guarantee for future survival. Even if the initial chosen set of principles, policies and practices are good, static efficiency and governance would eventually lead to stagnation and decay. We need DYNAMIC GOVERNANCE.

But can government institutions be dynamic?

The typical government institution is not usually regarded as a dynamic, entrepreneurial organization, but a slow, stodgy bureaucracy that consistently and, sometimes, mindlessly enforces outdated rules and sticks to procedures without any care or concern for individuals or businesses.

Can institutions ever be dynamic?

Dynamism is characterized by new ideas, fresh perceptions, continual upgrading, quick actions, flexible adaptations and creative innovations. Dynamism implies continuous learning, fast and effective execution, and unending change.

And we require less and less rules and regulations. Rules and regulations should protect the individuals from the institutions and corporations, and not too much vice versa.

As critics also pointed out, "Singapore has the most pro-business policies in the whole world but the least protection for workers rights". While the neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India might be ranked badly in these surveys, all are known to have have mandatory severance pay or retrenchment benefits, but in Singapore such compensation is not mandatory despite a highly acclaimed National Trade Union Congress which is headed by a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

As an example, in order to improve the investment climate for foreign corporations, Parliament barred unions from negotiating promotion, transfers, firings, and working conditions after 1968.

 

Reference #1

India, Indonesia worst for red tape in Asia

TODAY Jun 03, 2010

Abstracted

Perc Survey Results

Countries were ranked on a scale from one to 10, with 10 as the worst possible score.

1. Singapore 2.53

2. Hong Kong 3.49

3. Thailand 5.53

4. South Korea 6.13

5. Japan 6.57

6. Taiwan 6.60

7. Malaysia 6.97

8. China 7.93

9. Vietnam 8.13

10. Philippines 8.37

11. Indonesia 8.59

12. India 9.41

Source: Political and Economic Risk Consultancy

Reference #2

S'pore still the best place for business

TODAY Jun 04, 2010

Abstracted

WEF Survey Results

Enabling Trade Index based on performance in four main areas :-

Market access,

Border administration,

Ttransport and communications infrastructure, and

General business environment.

COUNTRY RANK

Singapore 1

Hong Kong 2

Japan 25

South Korea 27

Taiwan, China 28

Source: WEF

Garish Graffiti & Security Breach By A Swiss National - Next Michael Fay?

Will this Swiss national, who is 2 years younger than Micahel Fay now,  face the same fate as 18-year-old  Michael Fay in 1994 ? And he had also committed a serious security breach in a restricted area.

Or is this an advertising stunt from SMRT, following SINGPOST ?

The HR Department of the SMRT does not believe in "human guard" security. They believe in having "cameras" security. Look at the number of cameras SMRT has installed at each exit.

What if the culprit was a terrorist and had planted a time-bomb in that MRT train for the morning "sardined" crowd?

They would think that it was HOMETEAM's job to ensure security. This is a big issue about interfacing responsibilities between our Government departments.

Or is that a job for the super-salaried Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security DPM ?

Reference

Straints Time Online Jun 4, 2010

MRT train vandalised

Man arrested; incident raises security concerns at restricted areas

By Teh Joo Lin

A screen grab taken off YouTube showing the graffiti-painted train in service. A commuter had shot video footage of the train pulling out of Kembangan MRT station and posted it on the video-sharing website. The train plied its route for an unknown period of time, in full view of commuters. -- PHOTO: YOUTUBE

AN MRT train parked in a depot was hit with garish graffiti in what amounted to a serious security breach in a restricted area here.

The vandal apparently sneaked into the sprawling depot at Changi, despite an array of barriers, including fences topped with barbed wire.

Once inside, he spray-painted elaborate graffiti on one side of a train, across one carriage. The Straits Times understands that the vandal, a 33-year-old Swiss national, cut through the fence of the depot along Xilin Avenue, in what is believed to be the first such case of vandalism here.

A conference too soon - A Reader's Response in Chinese

The following is a reader's response (in Chinese) to my letter published in TODAY on the MBS conference woes.

Abstracted From
随笔南洋网 http://www.sgwritings.com 2010-5-22 23:49
By 斜桥的个人空间 http://www.sgwritings.com/58885

《今日报》（《Today》）有一读者来信，令我大开眼界。

小标题是“There's no way MBS would have been ready for bar meet - and the IPBA should've known better”（金沙不可能为律师年会完全准备完毕，而且那些在全世界开业的名律师们（top lawyers practising worldwide）应该知道这一点）。原来，错都错在顾客，你们明明知道会有断电，会有冷气不足（空调故障），会有行李迟送到客房，会有电梯失灵，会有厕所无法冲洗……这些顾客怎么这样傻，奋不顾身地来开会，过后却抱怨连连！

大标题更是妙：A conference too soon！（一个来得太早的会议！）好莱坞有一部二战名片《A Bridge Too Far》，叙述二战后期盟军制定了战史上最大规模的空降行动，计划一举夺得莱茵河上的几座大桥，攻入德国鲁尔工业区，从而结束战争。但因为计划仓促，忽略了重要情报，最终惨败而归。虽然战后始终没有追究惨败的原因，但战役的策划者用“A Bridge Too Far”间接地承认了错误。而今天，“A conference too soon”倒是暗喻律师协会做了错误的决定。难道这个金沙主办的第一个会议是那些在全世界开业的名律师们强烈争取来的？

Fresh woes hit both Singapore IRs

"Shouldn't ample time have been given for the premises to be ready for its opening? That would have been fairer to the thousands of construction workers who had to work non-stop to ensure the building was ready for the opening ceremony." ... as I asked in my earlier letter to TODAY!

And now we have more woes. I am glad that both operators are now doing the right things - delaying events rather than compromise the safety or spoiling the mood of the "RESORT" visitors.

In fact, I had advised my fellow colleagues (also from the construction industry) against riding the Battlestar Galactica ride too early after its launching, and this was even before its closing due to a technical gitch.

Reference # 1

Fresh woes hit both Singapore IRs

Yahoo News – June 2nd, 2010

Marina Bay Sands has been hit by fresh delays.

 

Fresh reports says one of the star attractions of the integrated resort, The Lion King Show, will not make its roaring debut in September because its theatre facilities will not be ready in time.

The Straits Times understands that the award-winning Broadway musical by Disney could debut only next year.

Nearly 200 applicants who were interviewed for stage, lighting and sound positions have now been told their names will be kept on file, but no date has been set.

The delay comes after a wave of negative publicity for MBS.

The IR was set to open last December but had to push back its soft launch to April. Then, last month, at the first major event it hosted, the Pacific Bar Association’s 20th Conference, delegates complained of power failures and lack of air-conditioning in their hotel rooms.

Both sides are now locked in legal battle over payment.

In related news, the centrepiece of Resort World Sentosa’s Universal Studios, the Battlestar Galactica ride, is still closed – more than two months after it was shut down due to a “technical glitch”.

A Universal Studios spokesman declined comment on when the ride will re-open.

However, a report on Genting Singapore issued last week by Bank of America Merrill Lynch said it expects the ride to re-commence only next year.

Reference # 2

A conference too soon

There's no way MBS would have been ready for bar meet - and the IPBA should've known better

My Letter to TODAY; May 22, 2010

IT HAS been reported that Marina Bay Sands had slapped the organisers of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) conference with a writ of summons to claim payment of $300,000 ("MBS serves writ on conference organiser", May 20). Last week, the organisers asked MBS how it would compensate them for the "aggravation and embarrassment" encountered during the four-day event.

This incident highlights the unique way the construction industry operates as compared to other business sectors.

In the construction industry, new buildings are often issued a TOP (Temporary Occupation Permit) after a series of checks by the Building Control Authority, certifying "substantial completion".

The common Standard Forms of Contract adopted locally, including the Public Sector Standard Conditions of Contract for Construction Works, allow for construction defects to be rectified within the Defects Liability Period - usually at least 12 months after substantial completion.

The is an entrenched practice, one which I believe is not alien to the organisers of the IPBA conference, which consists of top lawyers practising worldwide.

There could be no way of ensuring the conference would proceed without fault unless the premises had first been meticulously put through a thorough testing and commissioning regime.

You could compare it to the situation at the Singapore Flyer soon after its launch, when a power failure saw dozens of visitors trapped for hours.

As such, the IPBA was walking in with "eyes wide open" in opting to be the first to host a conference at the integrated resort.

Shouldn't ample time have been given for the premises to be ready for its opening? That would have been fairer to the thousands of construction workers who had to work non-stop to ensure the building was ready for the opening ceremony.

General Elections Getting Nearer

ELECTION WATCH

With the appointment of Mr Yam Ah Mee as the new Returning Officer for Elections announced today, the General Elections D-Day draws nearer. (TODAY, Wednesday Jun 02, 2010)

Support The Anti-Gambling Cause

The Singapore Government approved and supported the timely opening of the two IR projects, including their star attractions - the 2 casinos.

The primary "economic" objectives must have been met, with promising data announced so far on the amount of CASINO entry levy collected by the two casino operators for the Government, which amounted to about $70 million as of May 10. This must have been "easy" revenue for the Government.

As I worked in the construction industry, without surprise; I had been approached by HR hunters to work at during the construtcion phase of these 2 iconic construction projects which offered good salaries, though on a contract basis. However, I had all given them a miss in order to see through my previous project (a Polytechnic project); and most importantly, I do not believe in supporting the gambling cause, despite its economic justification by our Government.

Casino gambling is certainly different from making small bets on 4D, TOTO or Sports bets on the World Cup matches, as the attached report from Yahoo News "Teen chalks up S$3.4 million losses" unfolds.

Reference # 1

Yahoo News

Teen chalks up S$3.4 million losses

By Ion Danker – May 29th, 2010

A millionaire’s son in Malaysia who started gambling at the age of 16 accumulated losses of up to S$3.4 million by the time he was 19.

In a news report on the star online, the boy’s father was a compulsive gambler who lost millions in foreign football bets over the internet before his son picked up the habit.

According to Klang Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo, who was unable to coax the teenager to come forward to relate his gambling spree, the teen grew up watching his father gamble and at the age of 16, gambling agents gave him a credit line of S$42,000.

Said Teh, “His father bailed him out each time he went into debt. He would lie to his father that he needed money for his college fees but used it to pay gambling agents.”

The final straw came when the losses hit S$3.4 million. The father, in his 50s, barred him from gambling and stopped his son from attending college. He is said to be working for his father now.

What makes people, especially teens, start gambling? Is it ‘hereditary’?

The incident will certainly raise some concern in Singapore.

With the opening of the two Integrated Resorts, the gambling bug has hit Singaporeans despite the S$100 casino levy imposed.

A Straits Times report on 19 May indicated that the two casino operators, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, have collected about S$70 million in entry levies as of 10 May since they opened.

What makes people, especially teens, start gambling? Are they lured by the temptation of taking a shortcut to making it big?

Or does nurture play a role? The incident in Malaysia seems to indicate so.

Parents play an important role in their children’s lives and should set a good example for their kids to follow.

A father-son relationship is all about a boy emulating his father. In order for this to be an effective relationship, a father must be a good role model to his son. As the old saying goes, like father, like son.

Reference # 2
Wed, May 19, 2010
AsiaOne

CASINO entry levy collected by the two casino operators in Singapore have amounted to about $70 million as of May 10, said Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Nominated MP Mr Terry Lee asked the Minister during a parliament session this week on the breakdown of the total amount of casino levy collected and how this collection will benefit Singaporeans.

In a written response, Dr Balakrishnan answered that all casino entry levies are paid to the Singapore Totalisator Board and are used to fund projects which benefit the community.

He also said that "it would be premature to draw conclusions on casino patronage and its attendant social impact from the entry levy data as it is still early days".

MCYS will continue to ensure that sufficient resources are dedicated to tackle the issue of problem gambling, said the Minister.

Learning From HK How To Regulate Real-Estate Agents

After the seemingly "face-off" with President of REDAS as reported in the Straits Times (March 27, 2010), the National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan was reported (Mypaper March 30,2010) to have left for HK from March 30 ~ April 1st, to learn how HK regulates its real-estate agents in order to improve such regulations here.

It was reported that he would meet senior officials from the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, and the Estate Agents Authority.

It would be interesting to see how he could "cut-and-paste" some of these regulations from HK for implementation here in Singapore to help deter speculation, and make HDB housing more affordable for Singaporeans. Or would he be making it more expensive so that one day Singaporeans could milk their "cash-cow" in future under Mr Mah's proud asset enhancement strategy?

Little protection for older workers

Opinion

I refer to the attached letter by Mr Tan Kin Lian which was published in the Straits Times (24 May 2010).

I agree with Mr Tan Kin Lian that there is still a lack of statutory protection for older workers, particularly PMEs against prematured layoffs before reaching retirement age and also unfair retrenchment.

I had quite similar experience when I worked for a Korean MNC contractor, even though I was in the Mid-40s. I was retrenched in 2005 and paid a meagre compensation for my 13-year employment service, only after raising the issue with the NTUC and MOM. Luckily, I was hunted by another company, whom I had business contact, for a difficult project then.

Those years of wage re-structuring during the economic downturn had allowed employers to put forth and stretch unfair practices; while many middle income earners (PME) were forced to sacrifice with wage cut, CPF cut and CPF income ceiling cap, etc., but at the end; they suffered from a lack of statutory protection for retrenchment.

In Singapore, HR practitioners continue to support and capitalise on a blurred line between the following :-

(a) definition and contractual provisions for "termination" of employment contract,

(b) definition and contractual entitlement for "retrenchment" compensation or severance pay under the employment contract,

(c) statutory provisions under the Employment Acts.

The NTUC capitalises on it as a grey matter to attract membership, and talks too much on "ex-gratia" entitlement rather than push for statutory protection.

The MOM now convene a tripartite mediation process, which will be in place next year to help junior and mid-level professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) earning up to $4,500 a month to address common employment issues with their employers, except issues on "retrenchment benefits".

Note there is still a blur line between "workmen" and "employee" as far as HR practices are concerned, as opposed to the Employment Acts.

**********

Employment Act (Cap 91)

PART IV

REST DAYS, HOURS OF WORK AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Application of this Part to certain workmen and other employees

35. The provisions of this Part shall apply —

(a) to workmen who are in receipt of a salary not exceeding $4,500 a month (excluding overtime payments, bonus payments, annual wage supplements, productivity incentive payments and any allowance however described) or such other amount as may be prescribed by the Minister; and

(b) to employees (other than workmen) who are in receipt of a salary not exceeding $2,000 a month (excluding overtime payments, bonus payments, annual wage supplements, productivity incentive payments and any allowance however described) or such other amount as may be prescribed by the Minister.

**********

Outsourcing also marginalise local workers when there is no "Minimum Wage Policy".

Even if local workers are not discriminated when there is exceptional economic performance, it is alright only if employers are willing to pay. However, this is just the macro view for the Government.

At the micro-level, the local workers still suffer, because a minimum wage policy is not in place.

The Governemnt is happy because they could collect foreign worker levies...while our State provides little welfare to locals; and zero unemployment benefits.

There remains much to be done to accord older workers the necessary fair statutory protection from unfair employment practices.

Reference

ST Forum

May 24, 2010

Little protection for older workers

I REFER to last Thursday's letter, "Less than 3% of private firms cut older workers' wages", sent in jointly by the Singapore National Employers Federation, Ministry of Manpower and National Trades Union Congress.

Employers in Singapore have the flexibility to terminate an older worker for a variety of reasons, including restructuring and outsourcing. This has been practised quite often in the private and public sectors. There is little need for them to keep workers until age 60 to have their wages reduced under the Retirement Age Act. This probably accounts for the low percentage of employers exercising this wage cut.

I cite the case of a friend who has worked for 11 years in regional business development for a local insurance company. He was rated a good performer by the previous management. Recently, with a change of top management, he was asked to leave and was offered a compensation of only three months of salary.

He asked for my assistance on how to make an appeal to the Ministry of Manpower, as he still has a family and a sick elderly mother to support.

I hope that our tripartite partners will recognise this type of difficulty faced by many Singaporeans. The current employment practices offer little protection to workers, especially older ones, when the top management outsources the work to contractors to reduce their costs or replaces senior people with their own buddies.

Tan Kin Lian

"Work-life balance? Here's one day in the life of a teacher",

Another letter to expose the unhealthy "Work-life balance" - Not only time for family life, but also preventing setting-up of family.

I think the Government should restrict working hours to support "Work-life balance".

Reference

ST Forum

May 21, 2010

Passion for teaching quickly sapped

I AGREE with Ms Aishah Quek's letter, "Work-life balance? Here's one day in the life of a teacher", last Saturday. Her husband is not alone.

The situation is also true for my daughter who is in the teaching profession too. She leaves home at 6.45am, returning at 7.30pm for dinner and continuing her work till midnight, all for a meagre salary. She hardly has any time to be with us or for herself, much less enjoying any kind of work-life balance.

My daughter was full of passion when she started teaching, but under these circumstances, it won't be long before her passion gets eroded and she suffers from burnout. Any new teacher would be quickly disillusioned and thus leave the profession in search of more fulfilling careers.

My daughter is single and with this routine, how is she going to look for a life partner? A number of my daughter's teacher friends who have been in the profession for about 10 years are still single, with no plans to get married. With the Government's push for more families and babies, even if my daughter wanted to support it, she is unable to.

If the Ministry of Education does not seek to understand the true demanding routine of a teacher, how can it say that it is taking measures to ease a teacher's workload?

Chin Sian Yew (Mdm)

Work-life balance

I work in the construction idustry for over 20 Years. The working hours in this industry is known to be mercilessly "anti-social" against employees. I recall when I started work, I had to work a 6 day-week. Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 8am to 5pm. At night there was overtime work, without any OT pay, but a mere "meal allownace". Most employers were either Japanese or Korean MNCs. Even local contractors soon follow such "market" practice.

Quite often overtime works are required despite the long hours. The practice is often to compress salary first and then to pay some ovetime pay. One way was to use "foreigners". I am not sure if they deserved to be called "foreign talents"; for obvious reason that there is still a diifference. During the downturn, ovetime pay was even withdrawn. Hence, it is not worth the long hours worked.

The construction industry employs many foreign employees, beside the general workers. Many signed employment contracts in their home countries, often at lower salaries. Soon local employees are marginalised.

There is weak "union" representation to advocate for more decent woking hours, despite the environmentally unfriendly working environment. As time progresses, only employees of the Developer or Consultants work a 5-day week. Those who work for Contractors continues to work such "anti-sovial" hours.

To hear of the "anti-social" working hours for the teaching profession is not surprising for me. However, teachers belong to a well-represented "union" and is a civil service job. Why does the Government and NTUC allow this profession to deteriororate to such a stage just like what is described in the letter? The teaching profession is supposed to build the "pillars" of the future generation, why do we allow their current status quo to worsen.

Ironically, I knew of an engineer who had left his father's subcontracting firm, without an heir to the business, to join the teaching profession, because of the "anti-social" working hours of the construction industry. I wonder how is he today - Happy or Dis-illusioned?

Reference :

ST Forum

May 15, 2010

Work-life balance? Here's one day in the life of a teacher

I am often told how the Ministry of Education is easing teachers' workload, but I see little evidence of it.

My husband has been teaching in a neighbourhood school for several years. Despite the mantra of work-life balance, I see little of it in the lives of teachers. Here is a typical weekday routine for my husband:

5am: Wake up and prepare for school.

6am: Leave for school.

7am: Arrive at school and perform morning duty (in a sense, 'guard duty').

7.30am to 1pm: Regular teaching duties (including extra games for students who need more exercise during recess, which is part of the Holistic Health Framework that replaced the Trim and Fit scheme).

1 pm to 1.30pm: Prepare for remedial lessons.

1.30pm to 3.30pm: Conduct remedial lessons (my husband's school believes that to improve students' results, remedial lessons must be conducted daily).

3.30pm to 5.30pm: Be present for the co-curricular activities he is in charge of.

5.30pm to 6.30pm: Administrative work like keying in remarks on students for the mid-term report book).

6.30pm to 6.45pm: Pack 36 books and piles of worksheets to take home and mark.

6.45pm to 7.45pm: Travel home.

7.45pm to 8.30pm: Eat dinner and rest.

8.30pm to 1am: Continue with administrative work, such as marking books and worksheets, reviewing examination papers, and preparing programmes for the June school camp and Youth Olympic Games activities.

Weekends are hardly restful. I often ask him if the endless work is because he is singled out. That is not so, he tells me. His colleagues face the same punishing workload.

As I am writing this letter at 10am, my husband has developed a fever. But he is unable to seek medical attention as there is an oral examination in the afternoon.

I understand there is a need to be accountable to students' parents. But in this case, who is answerable to a teacher's family if anything happens to the teacher?

Aishah Quek (Ms)

TODAYonline | Voices | A conference too soon

A conference too soon

There's no way MBS would have been ready for bar meet - and the IPBA should've known better

My Letter to Today Voices, May 22; 2010

IT HAS been reported that Marina Bay Sands had slapped the organisers of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) conference with a writ of summons to claim payment of $300,000 ("MBS serves writ on conference organiser", May 20). Last week, the organisers asked MBS how it would compensate them for the "aggravation and embarrassment" encountered during the four-day event.

This incident highlights the unique way the construction industry operates as compared to other business sectors.

In the construction industry, new buildings are often issued a TOP (Temporary Occupation Permit) after a series of checks by the Building Control Authority, certifying "substantial completion".

The common Standard Forms of Contract adopted locally, including the Public Sector Standard Conditions of Contract for Construction Works, allow for construction defects to be rectified within the Defects Liability Period - usually at least 12 months after substantial completion.

The is an entrenched practice, one which I believe is not alien to the organisers of the IPBA conference, which consists of top lawyers practising worldwide.

There could be no way of ensuring the conference would proceed without fault unless the premises had first been meticulously put through a thorough testing and commissioning regime.

You could compare it to the situation at the Singapore Flyer soon after its launch, when a power failure saw dozens of visitors trapped for hours.

As such, the IPBA was walking in with "eyes wide open" in opting to be the first to host a conference at the integrated resort.

Shouldn't ample time have been given for the premises to be ready for its opening? That would have been fairer to the thousands of construction workers who had to work non-stop to ensure the building was ready for the opening ceremony.