LAST FRIDAY, Singapore's FM released his budget on parliament. At the same time the live telecast was transmitted to republic's people. Since the government has announced the 2010 GDP's has been over-achieved than projected at 14.7%, the people are seemingly talking and hoping this year budget will bring so much benefit to them. The media highlighted how people are eager to know and how can't they wait to learn it. Analysts and opposition parties are like people busy with guessing how would it be alike. It made me a bit more interest despite I am just a foreign worker and nothing to do with this budget 2011.
Once the budget finally come out, as predicted it brought a lot benefit to its people. It paid more attention on needy people, rising cost of living and inflation that were current hot issues among international communities. Most economists see this budget generous as it is equipped several hong boas for its people. Most obviously, all Singaporean would earned what they call "growth dividend" from a range of S$100 to S$800 depend on their household income. The NS men will get S$100 more than the rest. The elderly people are not ignored by the government and heath-care service would be made more affordable among Singaporean. The CPF contribution by employer side is suppose to increase as a positive point for all working adults.
I'm happy to learn Singaporean enjoy their budget mostly because it's paramount important to make them happy not only for government but all migrant workers like us. Otherwise they, as usual, will keep complaining for even a tiny weak point made by their current leaderships. I sometime don't understand their behavior towards their credible government with merciless comments. The budget is considered as a temptation of people's vote for forthcoming election by some analyst. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that the people benefit most from this budget.
Meanwhile, there were bad news for foreign worker inside the budget 2011. It's increasing levy rate for foreign unskilled and semi-skilled workers. The employers are suppose to pay S$300 to S$450 per each foreign workers from current S$50 per head. What a vast different for those companies who rely on foreign workers especially on construction and service sectors. Because this two sectors is labour intensive and locals are probably sham to do these jobs. The local SMEs are first to suffer before they benefit from productivity fund set up by government. One MD from service sector voiced that they have made every effort to boost productivity since first round of government's encouragement by giving training to their own staff. He questioned if they can use robots to replace the jobs of chefs and waiters. I think his question is unanswered for the moment.
Anyway the increasement of foreign worker levy will affect the job market of foreign workers like me. The employers will think twice once they are going to employ new foreign workers. With the new levy, they, employers, will find paying levy is more than contributing CPF for local staffs. What a genuine step moved by a clever government? I salute their policy changing but it effectively sink our chance. I understand how important the power of people are especially this time of pre-election. I see this budget is attached some cynical effort. But every government will do the same in favor of their power. I think at least the government show how they take care people's benefit by this year budget. I also impress to learn the transparency of allocation budget. The figures suggest that the government earn S$55.90 billion and spent S$55.80 billion for year 2011. What a good balance sheet in the prospect of macro-finance is it?
There is no way to see such transparency in my country. No wonder Singapore government has conquered the hearts of people while my junta government concede the hate of its people. People are keep changing and no longer constant stupid like previous old days. The IT sector made people's eye and ear widen and able to understand the situation of country. Also we can't be effectively barred by tightening media as there are alternative incoming sources that bring world's news. People nowadays want to know what's happening in this world by time and it made big different between today people and their old generation counterpart. The ruler must change the way they rule people. The decade old methods are no longer working in a good system. If it's still working then I am sure this country is suffering from a bad system. I hope my country can find a good leadership like Singapore's talented leadership's quality to ease people's life.
For the moment, the most I wanted to ask myself is "when can we get the similar budget of what Singapore has done?". If it's happening to Singapore, then why not to us?. the difference? We lack the quality leadership which city state own. Wake up Myanmar, see around and change for the sake of people. It's already noon.
Once the budget finally come out, as predicted it brought a lot benefit to its people. It paid more attention on needy people, rising cost of living and inflation that were current hot issues among international communities. Most economists see this budget generous as it is equipped several hong boas for its people. Most obviously, all Singaporean would earned what they call "growth dividend" from a range of S$100 to S$800 depend on their household income. The NS men will get S$100 more than the rest. The elderly people are not ignored by the government and heath-care service would be made more affordable among Singaporean. The CPF contribution by employer side is suppose to increase as a positive point for all working adults.
I'm happy to learn Singaporean enjoy their budget mostly because it's paramount important to make them happy not only for government but all migrant workers like us. Otherwise they, as usual, will keep complaining for even a tiny weak point made by their current leaderships. I sometime don't understand their behavior towards their credible government with merciless comments. The budget is considered as a temptation of people's vote for forthcoming election by some analyst. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that the people benefit most from this budget.
Meanwhile, there were bad news for foreign worker inside the budget 2011. It's increasing levy rate for foreign unskilled and semi-skilled workers. The employers are suppose to pay S$300 to S$450 per each foreign workers from current S$50 per head. What a vast different for those companies who rely on foreign workers especially on construction and service sectors. Because this two sectors is labour intensive and locals are probably sham to do these jobs. The local SMEs are first to suffer before they benefit from productivity fund set up by government. One MD from service sector voiced that they have made every effort to boost productivity since first round of government's encouragement by giving training to their own staff. He questioned if they can use robots to replace the jobs of chefs and waiters. I think his question is unanswered for the moment.
Anyway the increasement of foreign worker levy will affect the job market of foreign workers like me. The employers will think twice once they are going to employ new foreign workers. With the new levy, they, employers, will find paying levy is more than contributing CPF for local staffs. What a genuine step moved by a clever government? I salute their policy changing but it effectively sink our chance. I understand how important the power of people are especially this time of pre-election. I see this budget is attached some cynical effort. But every government will do the same in favor of their power. I think at least the government show how they take care people's benefit by this year budget. I also impress to learn the transparency of allocation budget. The figures suggest that the government earn S$55.90 billion and spent S$55.80 billion for year 2011. What a good balance sheet in the prospect of macro-finance is it?
There is no way to see such transparency in my country. No wonder Singapore government has conquered the hearts of people while my junta government concede the hate of its people. People are keep changing and no longer constant stupid like previous old days. The IT sector made people's eye and ear widen and able to understand the situation of country. Also we can't be effectively barred by tightening media as there are alternative incoming sources that bring world's news. People nowadays want to know what's happening in this world by time and it made big different between today people and their old generation counterpart. The ruler must change the way they rule people. The decade old methods are no longer working in a good system. If it's still working then I am sure this country is suffering from a bad system. I hope my country can find a good leadership like Singapore's talented leadership's quality to ease people's life.
For the moment, the most I wanted to ask myself is "when can we get the similar budget of what Singapore has done?". If it's happening to Singapore, then why not to us?. the difference? We lack the quality leadership which city state own. Wake up Myanmar, see around and change for the sake of people. It's already noon.
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