What are your thoughts on the Budget and how will it benefit you?

Question

The 2010 Singapore Budget has just been announced by the government.

The government will be committing S$1.1 billion a year over the next five years in the form of tax benefits, grants and training subsidies to support the national bid to raise productivity.

Foreign worker levies are also set to increase, with levy rates to go up between S$10 to S$30 for most Work Permit holders on July 1 this year.

What are your thoughts on the Budget and how will it benefit you? What other suggestions do you have on the Budget?

Answer 1

Budget 2010 is just a sham with cosmetic changes trying to placate an outraged citizenry on the presence of too many foreign workers on work permits in Singapore.



We have waited with bated breath for this day only to be disappointed as it does not address many other pertinent issues faced by born and bred Singaporeans.



It clearly shows that this government is still adopting a pro-foreigner policy and only paying lip service to Singaporeans' plight.



This is definitely the last straw.



In just two words :



PAP SUCKS.

Answer 2

The 2010 Singapore Budget has just been announced by the government.



The government will be committing S$1.1 billion a year over the next five years in the form of tax benefits, grants @(term & con apply)@ and training subsidies @(train who,S or FT?)@ to support the national bid to raise productivity @(work smart don't hard how to raise?).



Foreign worker levies are also set to increase, with levy rates to go up between S$10 to S$30 for most Work Permit holders on July 1 this year @(some 1 getting pay rise again).



What are your thoughts on the Budget and how will it benefit you? What other suggestions do you have on the Budget? @(so what if U have thoughts, will it be listen???)@



Recently, some report indicated that the performance of Singaporean are much worse than foreigners in general @(Don't see report, report is to cover problems see the fact with your eyes).

Answer 3

I fully trust the government's intentions were to look after the interests of Singaporeans and Singapore's long term viability when formulating the budget. Although my fellow countrymen have been complaining since I was young enough to understand and despite all the predictions that Singapore will "disappear", we're still here going from strength to strength some 30 years after I heard my first prophecy on the demise of our little island.



That being said, I would like to highlight some areas that I feel have been overlooked by the goernment which, I feel, can be safely dealt with to ease the perceived burden of the people.



1. Car insurance - Motor insurance companies are having a laugh. There are over 800,000 vehicles on the road and if the average insurance per vehicle is $1,000, the insurance industry collects over $8b in revenues a year. However, I believe there was a report last year that insurance payouts had hit over $700m therefore nesscessitating a hike in motor insurance premiums. 93% gross profit and they still feel that they are not earning enough, surely the governmnt can do something about this.



2. Road Tax - While I like the current off-peak car scheme, I am of the opinion that the $500 rebate given is not in keeping with the way cars are taxed. a 4 litre car is charged at a much higer tax rate than a 1 litre car but owners of both cars only get a $500 a year rebate for converting to off peak. While $500 may be a significant saving for the owner of a small car, it is insignificant for someone who pay be paying $4,000 a year in road tax. The government should consider making the rebate a percentage of the road tax instead of a flat fee to make it equitable for drivers of larger cars. With the new day licence scheme, it would then also be possible to have different pricing for day licenses based on the tax bracket of the car.



I applaud the push to increase the productivity of Singaporeans. I do feel that more education needs to be done in this area bcause alot of people here seem to equate productivity with working longer hours. Perhaps the government can better explain the concept of productivity so that more Singaporeans understand that it's about the value of a person's output and not the quantity.



Other than that, Singapore is a great place to live and I am nore aware of any other government in the world that does a better job than ours.

Answer 4

Before I respond, please be reminded of this:



For the people, of the people and by the people, this what a government should be.



Now to the crux of the issues:



1) Older People still working - cleaning condos, apartments, if this is the way Govt treats old people, shame on you. The Govt should have a good plan to support the older people in this country who together with the founding fathers developed Singapore to the present state. I cry in silence, whenever I see an old lady/man working.. mopping the floor, pushing trolleys at the airport. These people built the country, have a heart, help them give them the support they need, Singapore is rich and can afford it.



2) Not every Govt department need to have a ROI, there should be some that just need to help the local citizens.



3) HDB - housing, the idea was to have people afford housing, but now it seems it will be a dream to be able to afford a decent HDB flat to start a family. HDB must disengage to compete with private enterprise.



4) Tax the citizens and the PRs differently then the EP holders. All these people have a country to go back to, the citizens don't have a place to retire.. with cost of living going up, driving a taxi when free will not safe the day anymore.



5) Put Citizens first in your policies, medical should be free for citizens, schools should be absolutely free and senior citizens should receive pension.



Finally, stop being a country that attaches profits on all enterprise, have a heart, help the poor, tax the rich and make the country great again, but this time a country that has a heart.



Regards





Eyex

Answer 5

I think that it's all about opportunity costs here.



The opportunity cost of increasing the foreign levies is the shortage of labour in some economies(primarily the primary and secondary industries.)This will discourage firms from hiring foreigners and if they find it a must to have them,their costs will increase and Singaporeans like us might get a lower pay check.But the government goes on and give us taxes rebates so as to offset the losses we might face because of the increase of foreign levies, hence in turn solves a social problem faced in Singapore. However, I feel that the Singapore should give us a long and sustainable solutions in addition to tax rebates. For example, they might consider setting up an wage retrenchment insurance to solve the problem of unemployment due to high costs.When someone is retrenched, and if they secures a new job, money will be given to them.



I think the government is in a very difficult position to balance everything.To increase productivity and at the same time make older Singaporeans employable. To increase levies and expect economic growth.I need we as Singaporeans should change our mindset and increase our competitiveness.Ultimately there is just so much the government can do. If we are able to change our mindset and increase productivity, we will be more productive than the foreigners and also ensure Singapore has a stable economic growth.



Cheers!

Answer 6

Well 5.5 billion assistance to business community, will this filter down and help the staff ?



Foreign workers are always a source of revenue for the Govt. Imagine if all foreign workers are sent back what will be the levy collected and the impact on the growth, how would Singapore develop its infrastructure without the Foreign Workers.



Without these foreign workers will our HDB be clean, will the roads be clean, will the tree pruning happen, will the roadworks, bridges, etc be maintained. Or are we Singaporeans prepared to take up this kind of jobs?



Reduction of tax rates which was expected by many, in any case would not benefit much to the middle class families as they would not be earning much to pay tax. Reduction of taxes would only benefit the high end and the business community.



Generally the Budget is good. Nothing much can be done anyway.

Answer 7

There so much talk about how much the government is going to spend etc. That's based on the fact that the electorate will have the means to pay. At this time, I think the people that have most of the means, besides those "high-flyers" and business persons, are those working in the civil service. Over the years, through the policies of the PAP Government, the general public are bled high and dry.



How so? For starters, GST, ERP, Increase S&CC, Public Utilities, petroleum etc. Just pick one essential and you can check and see if the price increase, now two or three years, but over last year. Most are in the 35% mark over prior.



So, even if the Governments said that there will be such and such subsidies, reduction etc., it still does not help because you are still asking us to pay more over prior years.



I am truly disappointed. What the ministers say is one thing but what is implemented by the civil service and statutory boards are another. One says North is the way to go but their people think that in order to go North, you need to make your way by going South. And there iss always the excuse that let's try this and that out first or their favourite line, the people must learn to sacrifice for the good of nation-building. Then, they will announce the civil service pay increase because of the "excellent jobs" that they had done.



Oneridiculouslyclaim by the ministers is that the PAP has a good team and that's why they deserved their high salaries. This means that even if there is no one to sacrifice, they can even perform their jobs.



So, the Budget benefits no one except the civil servants, the ministers and the GLCs and "high-flyer's" business persons.

Answer 8

Budget, it seems like ensuring someone will still have the expected same salary, or even better, despite the poor economic now...



Please open your eyes an take a look around you. Personally, I do not think that I am in Singapore anymore as anywhere I go, its all the " Foreign Talents” around us and majority of them had even obtain citizenship.



Just curious how the agency issue PR or citizenship to these “ Foreign Talent” as I personally had a fellow worker, low education, only does things that you instruct him to do, and nothing more, but was grant P.R.

So in the end, we, the local born citizen will also have to compete with the new citizen and PR for our survivor here, where we have a family to support.



Please spend some time in front of your television set in the evening and you will realize that there are still a lot of fellow local citizen that is still living without food and even a place to stay, and with just S$400 from the welfare grant, do you think they are able to make ends meet?



Its not because local Singaporean are less productive, but we have a family to support and the cost of living are way too high for us, for the “Foreign Talent”, they just have to endure for a few year and they will be able to lead a much better life back home, is the government suggesting that the local Singaporean should also seek employment elsewhere?



It just seems to me that the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.



Is there is going to be a budget, please at least put in some effort to address these issues and not just release some figures and expect acceptance with no comments.

Answer 9

The budget is more committed towards assisting the senior citizens and the not so well off of Singapore. This is a very general budget which we have seen for the past 3 to 4 years.



The only point is that a super direct financial scheme to assist local tehnopreneurs or entrepreneurs to improve and/or in their research and development. I do not want any micro loans schemes or what ASME etc. A straight to the point of assessing any business viability of a SME then followed by a scheme that caters to the real needs of a local start up.



Many local start ups have got viable technical change products and services. Assist this group of start ups. Whether the directors have tertiary education or not is also an issue to be put away. Many well skilled and value added employers without tertiary education are always put to the high test of resources gathering.



Do kindly avoid the old ways of setting up a all-for-one schemes. I have tried it and at most time programmes such as micro loans failed to assist. We have a system with a low carbon foot print and a high rate of return. Yet the government encourages systems provider such as solar panels or windmills with rate of return that goes by the decades.



If all this SMEs do succeed, more Singaporeans will be more productive in short more value added.

Answer 10

I'm not very sure what these budget is covering but after reading much comments especially Nat's, I asked myself. Is this really going to make life easier for many $ingaporeans? Perhaps not. I realised how expensive it is to live in $ingapore and Unle$$ they start working on lessening the expenses or "in order to live fee$$$$" for $ingaporeans or all the thingthang they are doing now are only going down the drain. 1 point cskp brought up. Talking about ratios between Singaporeans and Foreigners, I suppose everyone knows the 2 broad categories of foreign worker. 1) Foreign Talent or the professionals. 2) Construction and Service. How will I manage these 2 different sectors? I will promote more foreigners to come Singapore and do the job which most Singaporeans dislike to do mainly jobs from the 2nd group and allow Singaporeans to use the help of foreigners to the maximum and work happily and easily and I would give more 1st group job chances to Singaporeans, who deffinitely will prefer. Keep things simpler and easierrrrrrrrrrrrr for everyone, I think that's the best way to raise productivity, I think (:

Answer 11

I'm not sure if anybody has thought about this. If nobody has, it probably testifies to how well the government has performed a sleight of hand. When things are looking good, its credit to them. When things are looking bad, well, the ball's back in the courts of the people. Singapore is not doing well because we have not been productive enough. Better buck up. Train hard to be more productive. So, in case anything goes wrong. Well, too bad. We have just not been productive enough. Not their fault.



Actually the issue really, is not one of productivity but of calibre and toughness. If it was really a matter of survival, of course anyone would think of ways and means to be productive. If i were having 5 kids and their survival depends on my food stall, i better do whatever it takes to feed them. That's productivity.



The problem is, Singaporeans have grown soft and whiny after enjoying prosperity for so many years. My grandmother had more than ten kids. Not all of them survived. One was even sold off to make ends meet. Did she whine? You bet she didn't. She did whatever it took to survive. There were no baby bonuses, no childcare, no social workers.



Why are foriegn workers more ''productive"? It's a matter of survival for them. Back home, the things we are all enjoying in Singapore would be unthinkable. I went to the Kopitiam at sentosa. They were supposed to close at 9. But by 8.30 all the stalls have closed. Guess who was still slogging it out there? An old couple from China.



Face it. We're not less "productive". Just more soft, whiny and flabby. If we don't wake up to this, we will all go down together. The people and the government of Singapore. Doesn't matter who's right or worng anymore.

Answer 12

Totally disappointed. We are talking about unemployment and under-employment problem in Singapore. What can this $1.1 billion and raising productivity and these levies, taxes...blood sucking policies help the Singaporean.



Tax benefits, grants and training...how can it benefit those that are already out of job for months if not years. Those that have zero income, what Tax benefits they talking about?



Increasing of FW levies??? The employer can just pass this cost back to the consumer.



If these is the best SinKapore gov't can come out with. I think SINKapore will be History in the very near future. Well, unless there is a CHANGE in Management or key positions.



Productivity? We are no longer in the industrialization economy.



The only benefit for me is that it has given me more reason to leave the country for good.

Answer 13

1st : I believe every organisation ( local, foreign company etc..) in Singapore will not anounce that they hit their target n reveal to their employees the amount.Every year the same announcement that is business bad ( never make ). 2nd :From the time I step out to the society,company who participate in the cpf contribution are employer 20% N employee 20%.Later economic crisis occurs n thats benefit employer.Till to date government keeps say economic improve by certain % but I don't see any adjustment at all . I wonder till when can I see the % back to normal that is 20 - 20 .3rd : As a Singaporean,income tax is a must for high income holder.Income high means we have extra? Let me give an example, I am a divorce n need to pay monthly maintenance of $600.Presently,I have a family of 3 children, a maid n my wife to take. All the above I mention are unseen by the government. I hope government can do something about this .Maybe any other ways which can widen the benefits for all our fellow Singaporeans n not just announce Singapore budget every year alone... Hope more n more other benefits concern individually or family matters.

Answer 14

Disappointed when reading on the Budget.Was wondering how long has it been discuss or debate before bringing out on the table. Must first examine what will bring Singapore to the next "Height" or what Singaporeans really need. NOT JUST PLUG FROM THE AIR!!!!!

What are the resources we have ?? NOTHING !!! So what have to be done ?? Productivity??

Then what is productivity to Service,Manufacturing Industries etc.?? Cut working hours?? Automation Solutions?? Think about it............Worst increase Levies??

To be frank, to increase productivity means to CUT COST but increase OUTPUT... So doesnt Labor also include in COST?? and what if those industries which involve labour intensive??

Why not give incentives to cross-train those labour instead of increasing the levy rates. Sure benifits those who has training programmes inplace, if not defit the purpose of stressing training during recession.

Those Families n Home Owners benifits were not attractive at all..... None of them benifit...Not even attractive to those who are still single. If those who are still struggling to make a living or commitiments what are the use if all those are going into the CPF?? and what is there to use if it's 20-30 years down the road? n worst, what are the values by the time?? Good interest return??



Please look into the FIELDS then look into the views as Bosses, Workers, Singapaporeans or Foreginers.....Do a mirrior of reflections on what they will think as they want to be....then bring all the "Heads" and brainstorm it. Put it on debate n views of others.....Fine tune it.......Then implement it. NOT just sit high n think of what u think and assume its what all Singaporeans want it to be..

Think more and work from low level to top........

Answer 15

Nothing great. Foreign workers levies increase but government give companies other subsidy in the end make no difference.The government don't do anything about controlling the fees of child care centre so when the government increase the subsidy the school too increase the fees so what make the differences government should control the price of the child care centre and with the government subsidy we can work out the budget we have and can we afford to have more babies. The fees for hospital is too high and to encourage us to go to Malaysia for treatment is not a good idea. First cross way every week jam going there is a problem and coming back again on saturday or another night stay there which will incurred more cost. Singapore hospital is build by us why not reduce the price and make it affordable to us. At the same time can the government gurantee us the same standard of service in Malaysia hospital and they increase price too. Asking us to take care of the old but asking us to put them in malaysia hospital if we can't afford. Are the government trying to solve their problem to malaysia one day when the price of medical care increas in malaysia we might need to go to Indonesia.

Answer 16

Thoughts on the Budget?

Off course there have to be a budget after every busy year of collecting revenues. Why five years span for a Year 2010 budget? Put all $5.5b into Year 2010 will be a real booster at this point of time; just don't put up Budget countermeasure to raise productivity in revenue collection.



Will it benefit you?

That depends on how far back are you in the que. With the long list of activities and changing hands, the Budget will be consumed before it reaches the end of the que. I who is at end will not benefit, but will suffer the effect of Budget countermeasure. The bigger the Budget the bigger the suffering; no happy ending for us, whom is at the end of the que.

Years of heavy revenue collection and inflation had stressed, tolled and numb out the average Singaporean. "The governing system is the problem". The average Singaporean can hardly cope up with this governing system and survive any crisis, let alone benefit.



Suggestions?

The government has enough wealth already. Affordable government revenue, affordable cost of living and "investing in the average Singaporean" should be the primary function of a government.

Culturing resources and raw material import must be privileged to create more employment and lowering food and processed material cost. Lowering the cost of motherland for such businesses will make this possible. Live with the basic, harmony and babies will come.



Living with a governing system that favour fame and fortune has put the average Singaporean on the edge for too long for the damage to be reversible. Any longer a REFORM becomes necessary.

Answer 17

The Singapore Budget is Good in the form of Tax Benefits etc.,

The Levy on Foreign workers levy is good sign as Economic is recovering and should raise to S$100/- over a period of time as the foreign worker levy was there before.

The property tax is wonderful but the authorities should always check the property market for a period of 5years/10years and impose as the property market changes and there should be a balance on the market price and property taxes

Suggestion : I would like to request that in future all vehicle should be allowed to park freely in the whole of Singapore (except CBD) during lunch hour say from 1130hr and until 1330hr and during 19000hr until 2100hr(People of Singapore can visit friends, there relatives / parents house - with there children and Family members).



Hope this can Benefit the Public as a whole



Regards

Kumar

Answer 18

Budget - is it referring that we s'pore has to go budget??? on spending when the living condition prices are soaring high and yet not much initiative been done..All I can say is The Pay is like peanuts feeding the elephants...The repercussion on foreign levies perhaps to control and regulate the amount of workers entering s'pore but are we s'porean prudent enough to think this one more time...



1) More foreign workers the employers has easier access in managing the money in their captivity by spending less and earning more..but in the same case of a foreigner been paid 800 a month will this able to substantiate a family of 3 or 4 if a s'porean being a breadwinner taking back the said salary..



2) For the foreigners - most of their families in abroad and the pay converting to their currency they are still able to sustain but can the same pay make the family here sustain thus that is why this is one of the reason why not all singaporean does appreciate in accepting the lowed paid wages jobs.



3) Re considering the fact if the singaporean is paid at a minimal of S$1100 to S$1200 the rich employers are going to suffer and with the same work they pay to the foreigners they save...so now you know the reason getting rich..

Answer 19

Officially: Subsidies and benefits will increase disposable income that will enable greater participation and economy activity to increase growth, a good thing for Singapore and any economy.



If these subsidies are in value-added processes such as education and upgrading, it will cause a spill over externality in total factor productivity.





Unofficially:



Economically.



The greater aggregate demand stemming from the temporary surge in income will cause inflation.



Apart from a mention of past "inflation," future inflation and average incomes was not mentioned at all in the budget statement.



It seems Singapore is getting more expensive. Singaporeans will find it more expensive to live here and might leave, as they already are apparently, but population growth can be solved with importing workers and giving them PR status.



=> There is a new Citizen Unit office at the Prime Ministers office specially set up to integrate foreigners, to that effect.



Apparently. Singapore cannot afford to be a welfare state because our lesser developed neighbours are cheaper and better in industries. Minimum wages and shifting the burden of taxation toward Singaporeans instead of foreigners and investors helps to keep Singapore cheap to draw in investment.



There have been no public discussions on the implications behind raising taxes on foreign investors or instituting minimum wage. It is taken as a given that Singapore must remain cheap to continue growth. But no economic figures or studies seem to be available.



There appears to be no oversight committees or checks and balances regarding investment decisions made with Singaporean money in CPF accounts. Transparency also appears to be lacking in many circles regarding management of monies.



Politically.



The local government still has strong support and is legitimate by its strong majority vote.

There is comparatively less available information about Parliamentarybriefings, sessions are not televised and transcripts are not available on the parliament website. Unlike the british parliamentary website.



If sections of the community blame bad government decisions on investment, there has strangely been no hearing or hard interviews.



The Singapore economy is an interesting case study.

Answer 20

I think this is not a great budget. Without much thought into implementation.



Increasing productivity is right.. BUT I tried to apply courses under SPUR and I am rejected. No reason given. Hopefully.. with this new fund.. I will be accepted. Training should not differentiate between employed workers or unemployed workers, higher paid workers or lower paid workers. Because, one day employed.. another day may be unemployed in this globalised world. Things happen fast..like the speed of light. We must train all Singaporeans irrespective of their background.



Govt always like to use levy (in other words money) to control. This only enrich the coffers and make everyone unhappy. The levy will only make things more expensive .. may be better to have minimum wages for foreign workers. In this way, we will encourage employing Singaporeans as this will level the playing field. This will also be fair for foreign workers. If the price between a foreign worker and a Singapore worker is not that great, they will more likely employ Singapore workers and also improve productivity.



I hope there is tax rebate.. hei.. have to pay more taxes.

Answer 21

Too much hype and too much of high sounding statements for our budget. Things like transformational budget etc. The budget ,at its very best, can only serve as stimulus for things like increasing productivity and alter people behaviour by taxing people or giving away tax money.



I do understand govt wants to look good so coin such statement during the budget. But, it also need to work hard to do the marking up on a daily basis. Empty talk or throwing money at the problem is not the way to go. Down to earth and work hard. Like Tan Kee Giap said, increasing productivity is not an option and a must do. Every year with all these high sounding statements, what have we achieved so far ?? I am sure previously we have also had transformaton budge as well. So, why transform so many time. Is it because the last transformation failed to work.

Answer 22

Whatever budget that is, I think people should not just solely rely on the government but themselves. Government can only do so much, people should be more mature enough to manage themselves. Think out of the box in resolving money matters, if we don't spend wisely or prudently, no amount of government subsidies or grants will ever help.



Depending on less foreign workers? Which group are we talking about? Construction workers? who is going to build condominiums and flats for us to live? MRT? or other infrastructures? We Singaporeans? Think again. Work levy increase will only increase labour cost, in the end, they are passed on to developers who in turn pass the cost to who? consumers like us?



Foreign professionals? Yes, if they really contribute. Hard to filter the good from the bad ones. Have all the measures in place to ensure we have a good pool of professionals. If they want to be PR? better not to let them get it easily. They have to earn it. They must contribute to Singapore's economic growth.



Productivity will always be a chicken and egg thing for everyone, whether you are employer or employee, Singaporean or foreigner. There are just so many variables.



At the end of the day, what does Singaporeans want for themselves in the coming years? Do we always have to rely on the government? Things and circumstances have changed in the last 50 years, but attitude should not be. If the previous 2 generations can do it with little help and they can still make it today, that's because they know the importance of survival and do whatever it takes. That's the attitude and spirit.

Answer 23

S$1.1 billion dollars is from the taxpayers, not government. We selects the government to use the taxpayers money to do the good for Singapore, not to use the taxpayers money to tell them how productivity they are.



All these tax benefits, grants and training subsidies are not giving singaporeans an advantage over FT/FW. In the name to remain competitiveness, govt is giving these benefits to the companies who likely exploits for their own pockets. Look at the SPURS programmes. If you or have friends in the programmes, get feedbacks from those sent by the companies. Talk to them, some of them not even doing what they are studying now. Don't be surprised to know that majority are there just to make up numbers in order for the company to meet the requirements to get the benefits. Not too hard to figure out why foreign companies are attracted to start offices here.



The levy rates increase will not stop the influx of less-quality workers. It will be a evil chain reaction that the consumers will be the ones bearings the cost of the increase. During CNY visiting a relative house whose block recently completed the lift upgrade. Out of 2 lifts, 1 broken down, some tiles on the lift lobby wall dropped, revealing the bad patches. Found out from the relative that the lift breakdown more frequent than the previous ones and the lobby wall have been patches many times. My view on this incident; Yes, the skill of the worker is not up to standard. Why ? The contractor use the lowest bid to get the project, not likely to employ a competent worker whose demand a higher salary. Increase the levy rates will result more costs for the contractor, in turns, using more taxpayer money. So what makes you think the increase of S$10-$30 levy rates benefits us ?



I suggests the govt should focus how to make Singapore remains competitive not solely by making the wages of the majority working population (PMET) so low that can't even match up the forever raising living standard. FT/FW taking up jobs that Singaporean shunted is because they don't have to pay the committment that we have here. They earned $600, spent $400 here, send back home $200. $200 Sing dollar is way much better off than working in their country. Ask a average singaporean that have children education, utilities bill, Insurance premium & daily expenses to take care of with just $600 a mth is kind of tough surival. So please don't easily label Singaporean choosy lots.



Just like how international looked at singapore as a corporate managed by a group of talents, I like to remind that the taxpayers will probably choose a better team to lead if the present team fails to live up their expectations. Don't forget we have FT as our citizens, they might do a better job than the local talent.

Answer 24

Isn't it a little too late for the government to make such actions? Or yah almost forgot, elections are coming. I guess Singaporeans might be able to make out a clearer picture on what we want.



Government throwing out 1.1billion, but truly how much amount will actually go towards the citizens?

But providing 1.1billion, in the end higher living standards and also non effective measures by the government to curb rising housing prices would we end up losing more then we get?



Levies increment for the FTs? Haha what a joke. After the impact left upon Singaporeans, now increasing levies so that the government pockets can fill up again. What can the government do to ensure job security of Singaporeans over the FTs?



Lets hope that the coming elections will give our government a harsh wake up call.

Answer 25

The budget was disappointing.



Increasing the levy, burden the company and families.



Government should not curb those work permit holders e.g construction, marine which

most singaporean are not interested in these kind of work scope ( hard labour).



Government should curb those work permit holders, employment pass for managerial, executives, clericial which most Singaporean would be more keen to take up these jobs.



Tighting the work permit holder on hard labour will cause company to fear taking up new projects without such foreign workers.



The economy has not really show great improvement, but the government is starting to increase ERP, Levies, SP, and property tax, personal tax.......



I have not seen the government giving benefits to middle income singaporean all this years.

Answer 26

A bit of a disappointment. It does not cover major issues like having more babies and productivity. How many companies will allow their employees to go for training?



Even with the baby bonus, can singaporeans afford to have more babies? What about subsidized education?It is easy to have a baby but upkeep and education will kill you.



Foreign TALENT. This should mean talented foreigners coming into singapore so that we can learn from them. Not FW coming to singapore to take the food out of our mouths. The spass and dependentpass system should be phased out. Companies must survive using fewer foreign talent.The baby boomers are going to turn into a tsunami of unproductive aged. The government want us to work as long as we are able but can a fifty or sixty year old be more attractive to hire then a young FW. There should be more incentives for companies to hire singaporeans. As singapore is very small micromanaging the labour system should not be to much of a problem for us, maybe MOM can hire more elderly workers to do this?



Productivity I can remember the time from the sixties to eighties when we were building many projects and they were always completed before projected dateline. What is the situation now? The only FW we had then were malaysians. Now you can see four or five FW doing jobs that can be done by two men. I wonder if this is advantageous to the labour suppliers?

Answer 27

Foreign workers levy should not be a blanket rate. How do government reconcile the aim of making Singapore a lifestyle destination and growing the hospitality sector while at the same time restrict the use of foreign workers in a "people-centred" industry like F&B? What sort of "human innovation" can be achieved in service staff - shall we develop robots to serve our customers? For such industry, employing a large number of people is a necessary evil. Added to that, many Singaporeans shun such job as the hours are long and the pay not as attractive.



All F&B businesses should be granted a special privilege of a lower foreign worker's levy.

Answer 28

At first look, the Budget seems comprehensive as the Minister talks about detailed financial assistance in terms of M&A and innovation.



After taking a second look and reviewing the pressing needs of the country, its apparent that a lot of important issues were overlooked by this Budget.



Low birth-rate issue was not addressed, financially. Over-priced public housing problems that spiralled to hyper-extension in personal expenditures whilst incomes are still artifically suppressed with the influx of cheap foreign labour.



The urgent problem of employment for locals versus much cheaper (may not be more skillful though) foreign labour stamps right at the heart of the locals was not well addressed. Ideally, the taxes and levies should be brought up so that the cost of hiring locals versus foreigners can be matched, which then makes employers look at the strengths of the candidates, rather than cost savings from hiring foreigners.



Its a pity that the minister is unable to find measures to address the pressing problems. Instead, he went around the bush and made the measures seem more fanciful rather than effective.

Answer 29

It is disappointing budget year as gov made the announcement. Increase rates for foreign levy is not helping the company to employ more singaporeans tho.



There's no benefits for the low income or middle income to get the feel of home in this stage if everything is up and raising.. Hope the gov can look into this matter seriously, what can we singaporeans benefits from this budget?



Wondering what's up next before and after GE... Really hopes there's a changes.



Thanks.

Answer 30

I fully agree with cksp...I know someone who last year joined a well known and very popular organisation in Singapore. The person is a local and was asked to be laid back together with 2 or 3 other local employees. The foreign employees were not retrenched. This organisation claims that more than 60% of their staffs are Singaporean! Maybe as what cksp wrote...maybe their Chairpersons and bosses can be foreigners!!! Maybe many companies are not hiring Singaporeans because foreigners can be paid less...I dont know I may be wrong.



We were told by Govt that some jobs Singaporean shuns....but i see those jobs which a local can confidentaly do goes to foreigners from India and china...jobs like financial analysts, Administrator, HR,Auditing...Accounts even IT related but young Singaporeans nowadays are taking up IT related degree...also jobs in multi media industry. Where will the current graduates go for job once they graduate?



If we shun shift related work then give Singaporeans good benefits and payout..we won't shun.



Here, there are alot of PRs who will earn well for many years then some will go back to their own countries. Good to have foreigners but it is getting a little too out of hand now. In the name of globilisation we, a tiny island taking in way too many foreigners.



Make construction work attractive and meaninful....give a criteria only certain diploma or certificate holders can work. Work is a work regardless of its scope. Some years back I remember cleaning job was made lucartive with modern cleaning machines. Also few years back Singaporeans shun Nursing jobs, but Govt made Nursing job as a diploma course followed by degree and so forth and now many Singaporeans take up Nursing despite the shift work, so why we need foreigners when they can't even speak proper English.



I also always wonder, every where we turn buildings are sprouted...and I guess we only have like 20% of land to build more buildings(only my guess) then why we are having so many foreigners amidst us?



So I am clueless..I hope Govt can be more specific of what are those jobs Singaporean shuns.They can specifically publish the jobs instead of the sectors.



Our small tiny island is overcrowded, I hope for one month every working day, decision making government officials should take the public transport...like the MRT! There, they can see how crowded our country is..or should I say our island. An old saying goes...take medicine as you need and if its too much the same medicine can be a poison!



Many years back in the 70s, only 2 kids per household and now Govt saying not enough babies..so predictions can be wrong. I am sure Govt is looking into this over crowding foreigners issue...hope they do thorough research and implementing effective measures by setting up a committee to look into this matter before its too late.



There were no incentives for the below average earners and no incentives on HDB related issues. Nowadays young couples are committed to pay mortgage loan for 20-30years. The feeling of ownership of the flat is not there until...I guess, it will only happen when we turn 50years old once loans are settled! I hope Govt can look into HDB matters, too many flats and our island is no more an island but a concrete abode



Thank you.

Answer 31

It can be better.



Usually, the government's good intention can be misinterpreted and hence, the forum etc.



Baby bonus - the benefits are good enough. The lacking is the intangible support and education stressing on the importance of having a family, upbringing and the mind set.



E.g. overheard - "I pity those who have kids." Bosses, colleagues, families, institutions etc. play a part.



Increase productivity - totally agree.



We hope the government will emphasize on the definition because many are misinterpreting it.



My boss always ask why do we knock off so early when the government is encouraging productivity. And my colleague will continue how can we make babies if we work till 9-10pm every day.



Productivity - is to work less but gain more!!



Good manager - is lacking. Qualifications aside, we lack the right attitude, positive outlook and understanding managers. We talk without listening. Hence, we will not improve.



Good managers must include allow us to take calculated risk and not dictate but dedicate.



Foreign workers - while they push us to compete in a friendly way, they cannot over shadow us with numbers/ voice. And my company is using them to cut down on expenses. We are indirectly training them to adapt to an international world.



Many foreign workers are also getting too arrogant because they know their strength vs. Singaporeans.



Housing - mid earning workers are most vulnerable because while we are earning enough, there is no back-up plan. Hence, if we can afford to buy properties/ some shares, allow us to benefit a little. If not, we will fall into the lower income group and will need more support from the society.



Allow us to make small bonuses along the way. It is better than many who resorts to getting 2 jobs or gambling. It is still decent living.

Answer 32

All this while the NIH's budget has been frozen at $36 billion for the past two years. That means that there is no money for the 50,000 new scientists that were created over the last two years. It means 6% less for existing scientists (inflation). It means cut-throat competition, back-stabbing, bribery, corruption as scarce resources bring out the worst elements of the human soul. The most devious and/or well connected are getting the resources, not the best scientists. Is this what we want for the United States of America. Already our stem cell policies have made us the laughing stock of the world. Are we to reduce our contributions even further by shrinking the NIH budget to irrelevence?

Answer 33

Wow... already 271 answers in 3 days....



Ok.. here's my 2 cents worth about the Budget and the Singapore Government.



1. Concentrate on lowering the cost of living in Singapore. Stop trying to squeeze money from our pockets to to your coffers. Without the people, the country is meaningless.



2. Get rid of the antiquated GST. It was first implemented to combat economic inflation, or so the government said, but they refused to lower it even in the global economic crisis. Tsk. What a joke!



3. Stop putting up ERPs and all the hair brain schemes to make money from us on a daily basis.



4. Instead of doing re-training/upgrading work skills, look into the schooling system. There is a future in our children, not the past. Our children are being choked to death by the insane competitions in the schools. Education should be about learning, not running a race.



5. If you want to stop your people from buying more cars, quit allowing the transportation companies to increase their fees and prices when they are not making any losses at all. a loss of profit is not a loss.



6. That significant increase in MPs' salary some months ago should be retracted. they are not doing the job they are hired to do. Instead they are always coming up with plans to siphon off more money from the people who pay them (aka Singaporeans), making us poorer while they are fattened.



7. Start getting the infrastructure in place for a move away from relying on petrol and diesel to power our vehicles. We are a country where this will work easily, and yet the government is not enough. Or are the oil-dealers lining the government's pocket, since we don't charge for distilling their petrol, but ask for a small percentage of it while processing.



Singapore government used to be harsh and tough, but at least they were for the people. These days, they are still trying to be harsh and tough, but they are now for the people's money.



Do you seriously want us to believe that the Import Tax, Road Tax, GST, ERP, COE and whatever else taxes, are collected just to improve our transportation infrastructures? After all these years? Please.

Answer 34

It will be good if further subsidies for local students be it part-time or full-time studies to upgrade themselves and learn more things so they can be more employable in various sectors. It's the responsibility of ownself to upgrade and $$ is an issues because education here is very expensive and the working salary is not enough to pay for living and education.



With higher education, people can think. They will be more productive naturally and everything will fall into place. The babies will come because more stable income, even increase GST also no problem because T-generation know how to earn $$ to survive. They can go overseas to work and come back home. Here is still the safest with no natural disaster and political unstable issues except no natural resources.



Pls Pls Pls Plssss....do not grant training subsidies to company. Some unethical company will not send their staffs for training and still demand them to fill up forms claiming they are trained so that they can get the $$. If staffs are not cooperatives they will be subject to horrible political games. Worst they only select certain "nationalities" for training. There is always loopholes in the system and all people hard-earn $$ are wasted down the drain. You will not get productivity if continue to grant training subsidies to company. There are many ways for companies to earn $$, they don't need these kind of help, they will only abuse the system.

Answer 35

I strongly feel that its not the right time to raise the levy at this moment . The economy is not really stable yet , it will be a very tough move for those smaller company . As for the thoughts of using more singaporean workers , is it realistic ? Are singaporean willing to take up those tough and dirty jobs like construction and marine sector ? I suggest we should start from the F&B sector . I have seen too many foreign workers at coffee shops and restaurants . They should try to employ locals instead .

Pls bear in mind , the two IRs are almost complete . Are there anymore mega project like these in near future ? Otherwise by raising the levy at this time is zero benefit but possibility of unaccountable damages for all sectors . By the way , are we just thrashing our disagreement on the enforcement here in vain or are the govt really willing to hear us out ? But i know , there are lots of people out there who are not satisfy with this year's budget .

Answer 36

I feel that this productivity focus is not well thought of.



Productivity is merely a ratio = value add per unit of input. If you raise levies - it means that your cost of production goes up and then for every unit of output - there is going to be lower value after netting out increased levies. It does not seem that the move will encourage employment by Singaporeans - since i) net of levies - foreign workers are still cheaper ii) there are not enough Singaporeans to take up construction jobs. Result : Singaporeans will lose out since the increased levies will end up driving cost up. Put simply - some jobs are best done by lower cost overseas labour since their value add is inherently low and no amount of technology and training is going to get the guy to lay bricks at triple time.



Does training make one more productive? Has there been a study on past training subsidies given and how much actually went to increased value add? So far I am not aware of any comprehensive report has been done. On the job training and rewarding for performance is the best productivity boost and all companies including govt should put more emphasis on this rather than just the training aspect. The mantra 'Show me the money' applies. Also one has to be careful what one wishes for - higher productivity per worker may result in lower employment numbers.



Re Singaporean investments - perhaps more pertinently - productivity shd be employed here - more risk adjusted returns for every $ put in investment pool. One can argue that the improvement in investments here will serve towards raising reserves alot more than the additional few pct or 2 growth in the budget surplus.



--------------

Answer 37

In order to increase the productivity of Singaporeans everybody must have a common intention. As an example company wants to send all its Singaporean staffs for skills upgrading but all its Singaporean staffs refuse to do that despite all the encouragement and incentives given to them by their employers. In this way Singaporeans will have fewer jobs. In this case foreigners will have more job opportunities in Singapore. The foreigners will bring along with them more skills and determination to work hard. Ultimately Foreigners will play a big role in boosting the Singapore economy.



Another thing the government is going to raise the levy for foreign workers progressively so it is going to be very difficult for the constution sector to hire people. As working in a construction related sector I had met some Singaporeans who do not like the nature of our work. As an example a Singaporean driver who is working in a construction related sector dos not want to anything extra other than dropping the workers to the respective site and sending them back to their dormitory.



Moreover those companies who are employing foreign workers has bear so many other expense such as accommodation , bonds, salaries and etc so it will be best if the government does not increase the levy any further

Answer 38

Government should not be always think of giving incentives to the citizens to satisfy the citizens needs because these incentives do not help much. What the government must look into are the increase of the net wages not the gross wages, because gross wages are not the final payment credit into the citizens bank account or cash they receive for each industries. These facts must be base on the present standard of living in Singapore. It is this net wages that every citizen use to spend on their daily expenses. Just take for example: if a person earn a gross wages of $1600 (not inclusive of OT pay) after CPF contribution, the net wages that credited into the bank account is $1300. Base on this net wages a month to spend on their daily expenses, do you think is enough with such a high cost of living in Singapore?



As government always use the citizens gross wages to do estimation and comparison which is not a very correct figure to use.



Maybe for certain industries like building construction companies (constuction workers), electronics factories (eg. production operators), still require foreign workers but not for executives, managers, technicians, engineers,..etc (classified as PMETs). Actually Singapore have their own local talents (PMETs). Why not employ them? Maybe during their interviews they do not how to present themselves and this does not mean they do not have the skills and talents to perform the job.



In actual fact, those companies with foreign bosses are better because they value their workers experiences, skills and talents and they only dismiss or sack the workers when the workers themselves have attitude problems or done something seriously wrong in the company. As for local boss, they do not value the experiences, skills and talents of the workers or the going to be employed person. Many local boss, think that if the workers reach a certain age, the workers cannot contribute to the company, the bosses will try ways and ideas to dismiss them or when come to recession, they are first one to get retrench.

Answer 39

Why am I not surprised that there is a deficit in the budget report? Because it was for 2009! If I did not remember incorrectly, that was also the year of the economic crisis, and the poor investment decisions of many in Senior Management of Government and Quasi Government who lost much of our monies....



And I disagree with the previous writer that productivity of Singaporeans have fallen - most local average Singaporeans are very hard workers - yet, no matter how hard they worked, they cannot keep up with the increasing subtle taxes the government imposed on ordinary citizens - eg. GST taxes on daily necessities such as food, medical expenses and education. These monies add up in the long run; surcharges in the name of competition on taking taxis (who except the ordinary people who take taxis when it is warranted - rich people have cars, have drivers so they are not affected). I was extremely shocked by these ERP location extensions, 35% surcharges, extra $1 or $2 surcharges - all these are designed to systematically reduced the average Singaporean to poorer status....and the government come back in pretending to be a knight in shining armour, rescuing the people in the form of tax benefits (wonder who it really goes to), grant and training subsidies (wonder who that will go to - is there a name list of companies or individuals getting these, maybe if one has connnections like in China).



It seems those who are running government nowadays has nothing better to do than tweeking things whenvever they feel bored - just to make it look like these officials are doing something useful.



I can only say that Singapore instead of getting better, Singapore is deteriorating...what a sad state of affairs it is for those of our generation who have worked so hard to make Singapore what it was today, and then to be slowly but gradually destroyed...

Answer 40

Not an exciting budget I thought.



How can we make the quality of life for Singaporean better instead? What is the point of amassing huge reserve to see more foreigners coming in and Singaporean migrating? There is a chinese saying.."early generations plant trees and future generations enjoy the shade". In our case, with the current government policy, the shade will be enjoyed by the rich foreigners and singaporean has to move to a less stressful area. After working so hard for many decades, we now still have to fight for carparks, long hospital queues, public transport....because there are more and more people. Yes, the government's coffers went up...the stress is on the citizens.



Can something be done?

Answer 41

The government in giving handouts shouldnt convey a wrong message that Singapore is a welfare state. Handouts are meant for those truely in need and deserving. I have lived in welfare states and I have seen how people abuse the help as eternal wealth.



My contention is actually with the increase of work levies. Is the government deterring people from engaging the much needed service of foriegn blue-collar workers and house maids?



I am also disappointed that despite all the talk about a shrinking population, the government did not roll out any incentives for parents-aspirant.

Answer 42

Actually this productivity issue really baffles me.....I thought Singapore has moved towards the multi tasking culture many years back? It is hardly surprising to find many Singaporeans at the workplace doing the job of 2 or 3 people. How does productivity really boost wages when cheapo foreigners are still coming in at such a high rate?



Is the govt saying that if we are more productive, less workers need to be hired and hence the employers can afford to pay us more? Would they pay us more if there are constantly cheaper foreigners by the side waiting to come in?



This sounds kind of LPPL to me. Considering that Tharman was schooled in economics at LSE then chief executive of MAS for many years, and this is the kind of budget produced.

Answer 43

The Singapore government is corrupt and thrives on screwing it's own citizens. The majority of the population is under-educated and poor while the president makes millions per year.

If the government wants people to have more children they should make life more affordable.

If the government wants to cut back on foriegn workers they should make education more affordable.

Singapore is not a democracy; it's a capitalist dictatorship.

Shut up, obey the rules, and do your menial job or you will be fined.

Do not think for yourself or you will be fined.

If you want to gamble $1.00 to try to enrich your life you will be fined $100.00.

The way the government treats it's own people is obscene.

The only concern of the government is making another dollar to further enrich the government.

With the addition of the new theme park and casinos they now realize more babies will be needed to grow up and be waiters, maids and taxi drivers.

The labor force will need to be boosted to build new motels and restaurants to coddle the tourists while the Singapore citizens will continue to live in poverty. The architects and engineers will continue to be foreign workers. I see no change on the horizon.

I am a foreign worker and can't wait until my assignment is finished so I can return to a "free country".

Answer 44

I think that the incumbent government and its over-paid ivory tower-dwelling department store dummies have completely lost touch with what is happening on the ground. The majority of Singaporeans are facing real issues which seem to be falling on deaf ears, indeed we are even being chided for voicing out our concerns or in their words "complaining".



To answer the question posed in this survey/questionnaire "How will it Benefit you?"

Well it doesnt benefit me as a citizen of Singapore. I can definitely see how it will benefit the government, but overall it does nothing to address the more immediate issues faced by most Singaporeans such as rising cost of living, rising prices of Housing, unemployment and depressed wages, and the list goes on..



There are some very good suggestions here to create a more sustainable society that the government should really consider if they are really sincere about making effective changes that are beneficial for Singaporeans, to make sure, in the words of Lee Hsien Looong, "no singaporean is left behind"



http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/02/21/chorus-of-change-for-singaporean-survival-guide-to-sustainable-nationhood/



The issues are clear. There are definite solutions to these issues which granted will have some painful effects initially but in the long run will improve the overall condition of Singaporeans in general.

Answer 45

S'pore has been progressing and wanting to progress too fast a pace. Not many people can catch-up with it. Some stressed/burnt-out affecting mental and physical well being. Many were left behind, more so with imported labours leaving locals with low moral. Once upon of time, locals were very productive until our rice bowls were slowly taken away by foreigners. Of cos, foreigners come cheaper at the expense of locals. No budget will pacify the citizen. How chirp chirp can we go? We cant fly away like those rich. Hope the next govt (PAP or any opposition) can slow down a bit and not too pushy. We are tired. We need a break.

Answer 46

It was a good idea to raise productivity by tax benefits, grants and training subsidies; this is one of the right paths to increase the national income and overall growth.

But I was bite disappointed with there isn’t genuine reduction on the income & companies taxes rate after the globe economy down turn, as the reduction in the taxes rates will help in kick off the pickup of the current weak economy situation.

As for going up in foreign worker levies, this will lead to increase the COGS and reduce competitiveness, especially for the trades which are non welcome by Singaporeans and PRs.

Answer 47

I agree with the budget proposal for this year.



However, I would like to suggest that given the huge budget, the government is also poised to get back this amount in the form of taxes and levies from Singaporeans who had to pay unnecessary amounts such as:



1. MDA-Radio and TV license both for Home and car

-Home license according to MDA is used to produce programmes that enhances harmony and development of a better Singapore.

Option: Scrap this license and pass a law that requires Media outfits to produce programmes with the same intent and let them and their advertisers pay for it!



-the government already placed al lot of taxes just to buy a car: COE, Road Tax, Season Pass, ERP and then tax the owner for having a stereo inside!



2. Levy for domestic Helper

-In order to increase productivity of singaporeans, they need domestic help to cope with household chores. I cannot fathom the reason why the government should tax the employer and set parameters to have a maid!

Option: Scrap the levy for maids and set a minimum wage for domestic workers. If the goverment still do not know that maids are paid $300 or lower only without vacation and working a minimum of 12 hours a day. If Hong Kong is able to make opportunity for foreign maids why not singapore?



3. Formulate a policy for Non-singaporean siblings and relatives of Singaporeans to stay with them as household helpers. Singaporean couples who do not have children are also worried who will take care of their children other than a domestic worker who is not related to them. I am very sure that more babies will come if Singaporeans are confident and enjoy peace of mind when leaving their children at home.



Currently Non-Singaporean sibling are treated as visitors and are limited to 30-day stay or maximum of 3 months.



If the government was able to implement a special 6 month to 1 year pass dor those seeking jobs here in Singapore why not for relatives of singaporeans!

Answer 48

The choice is clear & loud for all of us... VOTE FOR OPPOSITION!!



Budget? What budget? Budget made for those who made these budget or for all Singaporean?

Seriously... it's time for all Singaporeans stand up and fight for their rights and benefits!



Look at Japan, opposition won the GE first time in history, simply because the nation's people have already given up hope on current garmet and gave someone else a chance. Even if the opposition may not be the best garmet they have, but what could be worse?



Look at Malaysia, BN lost majority of their seats all over the various states. Why? Because the people have spoken, they want a garmet who can help them, not helping the politician themselves...

Answer 49

We are expensive, and getting way uncompetitive. With the developer hyping up the market, and milking the average people on the street, while the government milking the developers. There is no way to compete with anyone else except HK and London, which precisely were what been compare by our world renown NUS lecturers in the newspaper articles to "justify" we are still cheap. Even at zero labor cost, we have no value to add. I can buy thing on the net airmail from HK, on small quantity, compare to purchasing from the local shops, not 1 or 20% cheaper but at 1/2 or 1/3 the price. The only weak chain is the local delivery which depend on the SingPost outsourced aunties, she can skip Friday deliverly and even Monday if it rains. I seriously doubt automation can help, compare Singpost to USPS, or HK Post. Anyway, 3 years down the road - time for the real pain to be felt, get ready for devaluation of currency. No more CPF to cut, and property price need to be sustained so ruling power can be sustained.

Answer 50

I hope there will not be any hike to the foreign domestic worker. Currently, the domestic worker's monthly levy (subsidise) $190. Honestly, do not want to employ a domestic worker, but I do not have a choice, i need someone to look after the children.



I have came to know households install security camera in the house, to monitor the domestic workers.



Are they trustworthy? I don't think so.

Can they understand what you want? Only 60% of my expectation.

Can they really take care of the children? Only 70% of my expectation.



Occasionally, there are articles of abuse by the employer, I would suggest the Gov. severely penalties those employers.



Nevertheless, there are articles of abuse by the domestic worker to the elders and children.



There should not be any hike for those

- household with children below 10 yrs old

- elders above 70 years old

- Singaporean suffering from chronic illness

Answer 51

If our living cost had not escalated so much due to rise in property and foreigners,

there would be no issue in productivity.



We have attack the root causes: property cost and foreigners.



1) Current levies on Work Permit holders are not enough at all.

especially when our PRs and Work Permits are given out like toilet papers.

PRs should be included in the levies.



I agree with Cskp that many S'poreans are literally losing jobs due to discrimination by foreigners.

Have witnessed these around me.

Even the most qualified staffs are losing jobs due to office politics by foreigners.



2) Property should be further regulated.

Property as investment and foreign buyers should be restricted.



High property cost trickles down to rental, living cost, salary and competitiveness of an economy.

These effects cannot be underestimated.

Answer 52

Tax relief, grants and training subsidies... I don't think that I will benefit much from those.



Just look at the standard of living in Singapore, most of the price was going up..ERP Charges, Taxi fare, Service Charge, GST.. its not only taxes, the daily expenses is what I am worrying about. And seriously, to "raise productivity" does it means people living in Singapore has to work harder than ever?



I suggest to lower the above charges till the economy stabilize.Whats the point of raising productivity when people can't afford to buy?

Answer 53

Frankly speaking, Im quavering whenever the Govt announces "rebates" and Im sure many would be sceptical towards this act of "kindness" which is not really the intended reaction and is really ironical. There is no free lunch in this world and to be frank, I dont need the rebates, I would rather the Govt address certain forms of taxation which I totally am befuddled with.



For eg. property tax. I can understand if the Govt wants a share of the pie if your renting your house out (esp if its HDB) since the purpose is to provide locals with affordable housing, but what confounds me, is that property tax (based on an estimate of the projected annual value your house would earn through rental) is imposed on house owners who actually stay in them. Hence, where would this supposed stream of revenue, that they are taxing on, coming from?



ERP: The fundamental rationale behind the imposition of ERP has been totally misconstrued, I feel. Because I had thought that the purpose of it is to dissuade people from using only 1 popular road and ease traffic flow along that road in question. But I find that no matter which alturnative route you plan, even though it means taking a longer route(which will then ease the traffic flow on that particular stretch in question), you still end up hearing the inevitable beep as long as your destination happens to fall within that land surounded by a moat of ERP gantries.



There is plenty more that is to be said, but in general, I just feel a suffocating sensation and inevitable frustration being a Singaporean and thats kinda sad when I actually do love the place that I call my home and where I grew up in. I strongly feel that not all solutions to our problems lie in imposing taxes, and levies, because if that were the case, then we do not really need the elite to lead us cos the answer to all problems would be just inevitably monetary, and anyone could come up with that.



Solve our problems and not give the impression that your trying to fatten your own wallets in the process.



Not everyone is perfect so be ready to admit your mistakes if and when you have made them.



And remember that we are only humans and hence are bounded by the natural laws of constraint. Want something, but know that something has to give as a result of that.



I look forward to a more reasonable and humane touch. Stay connected with the people and our problems.

Answer 54

The increase in Foreign Worker Levies seem to only have an impact on workers involved in construction and who do domestic work. I don’t believe Singaporeans are vying for jobs in these industries. So it is in my opinion that the increase in Foreign Worker Levy will have little impact on the issue of there being too many foreigners working in Singapore.



I do believe, however, that Singaporeans are more concerned about competing for professional jobs with foreigners. As such the grants provided by our government would help to make Singaporeans more competitive. However, the funds are not enough as Singaporeans will need to be more efficient and productive than we already are during these times of slow economic growth. Singaporeans will need to be savvy in several aspects of economics and business if we are to remain competitive with the influx of foreigners looking for professional jobs.



I do hope that the Government will regulate the way these grants will be spent so as to ensure that businesses use these grants optimally and not misuse them.

Answer 55

Job Credits:



No objection to the gradual phase-out of rebates to employers but government should do more on protecting the local citizens' jobs which must exclude P.Rs' as a whole. There are already lots of foreigners in the island, can the government substantiate their claims that the unemployment rate is in fact within control whereby these figures were calculated with P.Rs?



Foreign Worker Levy:



A small increase of $10-$30 per month is okay but if FDWs' (maids) were also included, than it defeats the purpose of helping families as most parents had to work in order to survive. FDWs' is the only solution for most families now if the government is really sincere in promoting birth rate.



Tax Rebate:



No comment for Property tax but income tax rebate (for citizen) should be more flexible given the fact that current inflation is relatively high.



Conclusion:



Government must take citizens' benefit into priority as they are the one who had contributed to the success of the country & eventually stay put to face further challenges with the country but not for foreigners & P.Rs alike.

Answer 56

I don't care less about the yearly budget. To me, it's the same, nothing much is done.

The Goverment is not helping it's citizen but trying to pull them to a much deeper hole.

I can see that now Singapore is getting more crowded with this 'Foreigners'. They came here not only to work but doesn't know how to keep our places clean at all. Most of the housing went to SPR rather than the citizen....how's frustrating.



Well, getting a housing even for a poor is damn difficult. They have to go some sort of mean test.

The budget really doesn't help fellow sngaporean, as most of it went to the investments outside Singapore. We heard of the losses that Temasek Holdings made which they invested overseas. Naturally, to me, it doesn't matter, whether there's budget or no budget, it's the same.



It's a shame that this time round, the opposition will get or earn much more voters than the previous election.

Answer 57

Ha Ha Ha!



Very funny Budget, think hard. Actually what did the people of the nation really get from this. Increase in foreign worker levies will only do good for the people that collect them. And this will bring up the cost of a company. In the end, who will suffer "Singaporean Workers". Why? Boss will say that cost went up so no money to increase your salary and bonus (if there are any!).



Singaporean worker and foreign worker went to interview, and the foreign worker will get the job and not Singaporean. Why! You can say that increase of the foreign levies, why the company still employ foreign worker. Because they asking for a lower salary than Singaporean. But does the company understand foreign worker only working for a short period of time in Singapore and the Singaporean will stay forever. For example, foreign worker will ask for $S800.00 and Singaporean ask for S$1,000.00. Just S$200.00 more, the Singaporean lost out the employment. But the Singaporean still have to feed their families in Singapore as for the foreign worker only feed their families in their own country.



Many people is saying that it is the right way to re-employ old age workers. Yes, I agree and very support over this. But one must understand that if the old age workers willingly to progress together with the younger generation group of people and not become their blocking stone. I agree that these (old age) people are full of experience but they are also those that unwillingly to change group.



Training budget for the company. Are you sure that the company willingly to send the workers for training. Most of the company will not do it because they scare that after the training the workers will run away from the company. Frankly speaking, if the company have done their very best towards the workers benefits and welfare. Will the workers run away?



Productivity. When I saw this word, it make me laugh! If a company having all top management people that unwillingly to grow and progress. Who can have good productivity? I have seen top management unwillingly to train, grow and progress. Worst of all, try their ways and means to stop others workers to train, grow and progress.



The Budget surely help some people but not everyone. And most of them don't benefit from it also.



I would like to say this, "One that born with a silver or golden spoon will never understand the feeling of One that born with a wooden or steel spoon". Who will really understand the needs of the mid-class and lower-class earning workers. Most of the top people only understand the high-class and higher-class earning people. Because they are the same type.



Everything increase in prices, water and electrical bill, handphone bills, internet bills, daily market foods, daily necessary items and many more..... But the salary never increase. Oh, I forget the Head of the Increase "G.S.T.". Singapore is a so small country and G.S.T. also need 7%.......Wow don't anyone think that it is on the high side. From main suppliers to main distributors to sub-distributors to main retail to sub-retail to us. This is only I think this way but I believe that there are still many change hand for the product before reaching us. So we have to pay how many G.S.T. before we can get our product. Too many until I also don't how to count.

Answer 58

Same old solution...the government needs to be more creative in solving the foreign labour issue. Its not about the numbers, its about paying more to get people to work. Minimum wage is still a better way. The government kept saying it needs to keep cost down as reason for not applying minimum wage. Isn't increasing levy another way of increasing cost? Its all about the $$$$$$.

I am getting tired of all the levies we have to pay living in Singapore. Taxi levy, ERP, COE....the list goes on. We may have one of the lowest income tax in the world, but we pay more indirect taxes than any country in the world!!!!!!!

What a pain living here and I am Singaporean (born and raised).

Answer 59

I don't know much about policy and budgeting, so not able to give suggestions. But would like to address some issues that hope government can understand what normal Singapore life is, so that government could really really come up with policy and budget to help the local.



We Singaporean really struggle hard to survive in Singapore. We can't afford to work like foreigner, accepting lower salary and work long hours, because our family is here, our house is here, our home is here, and the expenses is sky high, everything need lots and lots of $. Foreigner can endure for a certain period of time and go homeland build house, buy land, etc but Singaporean how? We work no day no night, being discriminate by foreigner and employers, then blame us for being low productivity and low birth rate.



It's not that we don't want to have baby. My husband and I have aged stroked parents to take care, not only we need to work hard to pay the medical fee, we need to take leave to bring them for medical appointments, taking care of them and working at the same time already drained our time and energy, how to make baby? and boss also not happy when we take leave, very sad right? what can we do, it's our fate that we are normal Singaporean (unless you are rich), suffering, not being taken care of and yet still ganna blame.

Answer 60

i think that 50% of singaporeans will be happy and unhappy when they heard that the government will be committing $1.1.billion a year.first,some families had maid to look after their children and their parents.when they heard that the levy rates will go up,they will surely sent the maid back to the company cause they had pay more money to the company when the levy start on july 1.secondly,as they had mentioned,the government give u money ,we had to pay back to the government when the bills had come.3.i suggest that the government increase the gst credits from $200 to $300 per person so that we can save some money for emergency uses.4.i suggest that the service and conservancy charges rebate from half a month to a month,

Answer 61

This budget is .....



S$1.1 billion a year over the next five years in the form of tax benefits, grants and training subsidies to support the national bid to raise productivity, after losing tens of billions in bad investments....



Is this an irony?

Answer 62

Not exactly thrilled about it.



What is the point of having tax benefits, grants and subsidies

if there aren't any jobs available matching with the right qualifications?



I do not see how these policies benefitting the PMETs and retaining older workers.

If the government is truly in helping the lower income and bridging the gap between the poor & rich.

They should look into minimum wages for certain industries.



No amount of training subsidy is gonna benefit this group of people if they do not have enough

cash for training courses.

Answer 63

Kind of disappointed.



Was looking for more incentives to promote Singaporeans to have more babies given the recent talk about the need to increase the birthrate.. benefits provided to families will hardly scratch the cost of bringing up a child..



Also, hope the foreign worker levy will not apply to maids... if not that is another hit to potential parents who is considering getting some help around the house after childbirth..



Does not also see how this specifically address an aging population.. was hoping to see tax incentives to promote facilities to help old people like mobile clinics, ambulance services etc..

Answer 64

I am shocked and disappointed that nothing was mentioned about: -- PMETs who lost their jobs during last year's downturn. ARE WE FORGOTTEN?



The Straits Times dated 29 Jan 2010 reported that "the proportion of vacancies for PMETs fell from 48% in 2008 to 44% in 2009 due to a growing number of jobs which required lower qualifications, while the number of white-collared positions shrank. Openings for professionals dipped the most; down by 1240 vacancies to 6240. The drop in PMETs openings explains why degree holders were the hardest hit in 2009 downturn, as more stayed jobless for longer. As reported, the jobs mismatch is also evident from other figures in MOM's annual report."



Unfortunately I was in that group; PMETs. I was retrenched from a US MNC more than a year ago. At the onset, I was still very positive about our government's efforts in doing something for PMETs. I followed through news articles concerning the plight of jobless PMETs and what the government had to say. After a while, sadly I found that it was just a lot of talk, and thoughtless solutions which didn't address all or much of the jobless problem.



Some suggestions / solutions I read, I feel are too idealistic. For example:



How can the government police (what measures are taken to check).....



1) that their stimulus package (Jobs Credit) are not abused by companies; i.e. the companies do not retrench and fill the same positions in a short span of time. When the bad hats abuse the meaning of retrenchment (by replacement), doesn't it defeat the purpose of such incentives to retain workers? Companies whose holding company / HQ is in a foreign country have a different set of priorities and rules to abide just to stay afloat, they will downsize (axe headcounts) despite suggestions given by our local government. Should these abusers enjoy all of such benefits too?



2) the discrimination in terms of age and gender when hiring is concerned? Our population is ageing and people are encouraged to work till an older age. Ironically, age is still a concern when hiring.



I eventually turned to the CDC for help and it was futile. A course which I took offered 'SDF Training Assistance (for company-sponsored training)'. As I was jobless, I was informed that I could not enjoy this so-called Assistance. The question I raised to CDC was: 'Why would I require Assistance if I have a job? Aren't those who are jobless more in need of such Assistance?' They made a photocopy of the training flyer I had with me and promised to contact me once they have an answer for me, but of course I never heard from them.



All said and done, what is the government going to do for the PMETs who are still jobless? I strongly believe they still make up a significant percentage. Does anyone know the jobless figures ('000) for PMETs, then and now?

Answer 65

What is there to say. The long-awaited Budget does nothing for the common man. Yes, Singapore is coming out of a financial crisis and need to spend towards moving businesses to increase productivity and decrease reliance on foreign workers but why can't a little be allocated to the people who have weathered the financial crisis as well?

The Budget in simple terms to me means one thing: Go for upgrading. The government encourages you to do so. But what about those who can't study or are employed in jobs that hardly has any courses available for them to study in? Forgotten.

This Budget is a huge disappointment in my view.

Answer 66

Sadly the BUDGET confirms the widening gap between the government's perception of seeking nirvana against the harsh realities of expensive living faced day-in-day-out by 90% of the working population.and 98% of the SMEs. As expected at the end of BUDGET day, most MPs would come out in full force and robustly support the BUDGET as a magical solution to all our ills.

Fully agree that we must compete since we are surrounded by growing economic giants and a productive and highly-trained workforce is a key solution, nevertheless the first duty of an elected government is the well-being of its citizens, for we do want to call Singapore "HOME".

Answer 67

The Government should start to care more about Single Women in this country. We do our share of contributing to the society and as we age - we are not being cared for by the country. A lot of us felt left out after contributing to the country our whole life.



Housing grant was not given to us if we have an income ceiling of $3K and above. Hey! Its not easy living alone in Singapore and definitely not easy surviving on our own. Our expenses are just as high and we need to think of our future and we need to save even more as we have no one to depend on when we are old. Everything has to come from our own pocket. The Government should take that into considerations. We are only allow to buy a house when we reach 35 years old. Prior to that, we rent. With renting, how much saving can one have? And after we reach 35 years old, we are slam with a huge bank loan that we will need to carry on working till we are 70! So what happen then?

Answer 68

so much talk year after year, but they still clueless, no concrete solution for the long and immediate term



fully agree with most, it benefits the upper class than the lower



some standards are way overdue, consider gross pay above $1700 as middle class? consider a couple both earning that amount after less CPF, take home only $2720, how to afford more babies



think again if couple with combine income of $5000 or less hv 1 or 2 babies, how about those earning far more, especially those earning 6 digits figures, how many kids are they having?dun blame the majority of citizen for not producing more, when those at the upper end are not even having more, the upper end citizen can easily afford to hv more but do they?



think again with our flats getting smaller n smaller how to hv more kids, where they going to place an addt'l bed/table etc........



as most hv highlighted, blaming Singaporean for not being productive at work ? dun blame the worker but blames the top management, cos they lack management skills themselves, as some already said for the last 10yrs most companies hv cut down manpower but the remaining still performing to cover those that left, hv we bn less productivity?



bringing more foreign workers or trying get them become PRs n citizen will not solve our problem, go back to the roots please, these foreigners unlike our forefathers only comes here to earn some big bucks and most will go back later where they can retire comfortably



simply our current leaders are just clueless and they dun deserve to be paid the kind of wages they're getting



hope opposition will field more candidates coming election, doesn't mind if they dun win more seats, but let the ruling party see for themselves how many really supports them, the truth is due lack of opposition the ruling party have been walk over easily without contesting



if every constituency is being contested, and they dun win by more than 80% votes do you consider that as good?even 70% is not consider good? worse if only manage 60% or less votes overall



our current crops of leaders, how many are from lower incomes family, they'll never understand our concern

Answer 69

No doubt that the long term vision of the nation is to be more productive to make us become an advanced society, the government should look at how some fundamentals are still not being met or need further improvement. I am grateful with the tax benefits/grants given however, i hope that the government can do more to push the birth rate higher. They can consider grants such as caregiver/nanny grant to be given to parents.

Firstly, this may encourage more bonding in the family. Parents may not need to look for professional help and leave their babies with grandparents instead.

Secondly, with the grant, parents can go back to work with less stress without having to think of the source of income to pay the nannies.

Thirdly, it may encourage birth rate since it becomes less taxing to pay for nanny services.

Another area the budget can include is to give caregivers to handicapped family members some form of tax benefit or payout. Like my mother, she is taking care of my father who is handicapped due to stroke 4 years back. Both my parents are not working and my mother is the only caregiver at home since all of us are working. The government should give some benefit to these caregivers since they are devoting 100% of their time on taking care of a handicapped family member. this should give some financial relief to the family especially those who are in the mid/lower income group.

Answer 70

There are so many areas where lower income Singaporean immediately needs are not addressed urgently. Tax reliefs benefits those in the higher income brackets.But everyone are subject to different taxes. Even a glass of tap water in coffee shop cost 20 cts. The proprietor use this to offset his tax so this is indirect tax for the lower income singaporean.

The Wage Supplement only help the lower income when they are hospitalised as a large chunk of it goes to the CPF Medishield or Medifund due to their inablilty to contribute sufficiently. Its like helping 'me to get sick so I can claim this benefit'. Its a sickening thought many lower income Singaporean lamented.

The increase in foreign workers levis is not and does not effectively stop the Employer from paying a little more to keep his company afloat. He can always make the foreign workers work extra hours without much problem. As long as there is more work and extra money, even not computed as overtime pay. Singaporean has a family and longer hours means 'overtime pay' which is to the detriment of the Employer. Working smart meant 'doodling' for more overtime work. Working efficiently, meant more extra work without overtime.and may be reprimanded for idling. Worst, is being shown the exit, or peer pressure forces one to resign for being 'kei kiang' (unreciprocated clever act).

Perhaps there should be a reward program for employer who employs diligent singaporean in the lower income bracket whereby the Employer gets a Tax concession to off set the higher salary due to efficiency and longer work hours. The Budget should also top up a percentage of the salary for a improve take home pay. A happy workers or a higher percentage would not want to report sickor get sick easily.

Answer 71

I don't wish to waste my time crapping so much as you know we singaporean have to work like "There's no tomorrow due to expenses" as i have to work tomorrow. So i'll just jump into conclusions.



1. Foreigner Population problem.



2. Don't stress we singaporean on reproducing. If you(Government) can't give a really neat benefit for the pregnant woman, then please save your saliva. I bet he(PM) know we singaporean will complain about the expenses and stuffs. Government will never understand how we singaporean's life used to be. Being poor and study sooooo hard just because of money. Don't forget about something, The Prime minister will never understand how is it feels to be like us because he was born with golden spoon. Even if he does, he still haven taste like how we did. I didn't mean to be negative to anybody but this is the fact we called it in hokkien "LanLan" have to accept.



3. Judging from the previous 5 years up till now, even someone who isn't smart enough could predict the next 10-20 years, our country will be taken over by foreigners. I'm sure it will be a friendly, indirect taken over.





Lastly I wish all the best to all our singapore friends.

Answer 72

Singapore wants to develop as a regional hub whereby it expects its products and services to have a free and fair access to the markets of foreign countries. By the same yardsticks, why Singapore should not open up its job market to foreign workers without any hindrence or levy? What is the need for imposing the levy on firms employing foreign workers? If this is justified then why the foreign countries should open up its makets for singapore products and services?

Answer 73

They should should put plans about having english educations for foreign asian workers. Lately i've seen people from china working in singapore and not having the ability to speak or pronounce proper english. This situation about english-skilled workers should also be brought up. How would other races understand what they are talking if all they know is their own mother tongue and nothing else? Especially working in an working environment where interaction is needed, english should be one of the skills they should carry. I don't understand why lots of foreign people eg; China, comes to Singapore every year and only a bunch of them knows how to speak decient english and how this problem has not being brought up for a long time. Not ment to be racist or anything, Just that if this problem can be fixed sooner, It would definately benifit the other races.

Answer 74

There is an increase every year and this is not something very unnatural.

every developing country have to increase the levy with upcoming demands of foreign workers.



I have one thing to ask and looking for good advice.

Why are the Public vehicles charged with ERP when Singapore Govt insists on use of more Public Transport???

Public transport (Taxis) should be waived from ERP at the soonest, by doing this I am sure that Singaporeans will use more of the facility offered.

Answer 75

According to the budget benefits for the coming this year is a good subsidies for most majorities people, but by increasing the levy it will not benefit the productivity plan so as the foreign talent

are part of the vision that also will nuture the economy of the country.

Answer 76

Sometime I'm thinking, do we have more foreigners that hold employment pass or do we have more foreigners that hold work permit? If we increase levy rate only on those who hold work permit, will productivity truly increase? What is the definition of productivity? Less workers? Is construction work or sweeping floor not a skill? At least to do a good job, some skills do involved.

Answer 77

Good initiative from the gov, but it'll only benefit fellow singaporeans who required skills in their work (blue collared co-workers).

People like me who are neither here or there don't benefit much at all, the tax benefits only benefit the companies... whether they really send their workers for training is another matter.



was also hoping more for things to help the middle tier people like me... more incentives for baby/child caring. If they want people like me (normal diploma holders) to upgrade further, they should give us the grant directly so that we can apply for further studies and not through our companies (dun wan to tie to bond). Most people like me have to pay the expensive part time university fees out of our own pocket...



Foreign workers levy should be kept separate for construction industry... try asking singaporean to work under the big hot sun for 10 hours with only max salary of $25/day. Also, try asking singaporean to clear the smelly & dirty rubbish chute for $20/day also...



overall, this budget is too focus on keeping singapore competitive, a bit neglecting on the welfare of fellow singaporean

Answer 78

Yah lah… I agree with the “devilpig”… if you want this kind of “budget”, you must “earn” it… it not.. guess.. we probably might not even able to “smell” this budget that .. seems “nice and sound”.



I don’t really see how these can help and I also don’t really agree that now foreigners are more efficient or productivity comparing to the locals. Most of the foreigners, they don’t have family commitments, of course they can work until midnight also no problem. But for the locals, they are always in the rush.. send the kids, rush to work, go back.. cook, make sure.. everything is done, have old folks to take care, etc, etc.

How to go for extra training which we also hope we can… ?

No training, how to be efficient?

Not efficient.. how to earn extra and cover back all the family needs????

How to work “hard” and long hours?

Even now.. working overtime… still have to work for free….

Of course, rushing here and there.. locals also tends to fall sick easily or exhausted, but yet.. we may not able to complain because we know that our “hometown” is still here. And worst is… when comes to retrenchment, it still always the locals first? Why??

But for the foreigners, many don’t bother.. because once they earn enough, they simply clean their backside.. and back they go.. and still left all the **** for us local to clear.



I really hope the government would really draw their attention to all these and to really understand.. what is going on, before they could comment…

I am not expecting.. government will give us more.. but also don’t “rob” us too much….



Company has no increment, and also cutting pay.. and yet.. outside.. all the tax is heavy, price is high.

Agree with Mddie L, so afraid of taking incentives from gov, because it shows how they give, and they will take back.. more $$$$$ from you…





BAS

Answer 79

As a professional at the age of 60 years old, I am disappointed with the 2010 budget. First of all let me show you how those tax reliefs do not really mean anything to me:

1. Parents/grandparents reliefs – They died long ago.

2. Spouse relief of S$2,000 – This spouse relief has been there since colonial era, although minor adjustment made during the LKY era but in real money term the relief has shrinks substantially.

3. Dependant relief – My children as grown up long ago

4. Medisave top-up of S$300 – To me, this is more of a political hand-out. I don’t see how it really benefit people in my age group considering the amount is less than 1% of the minimum medisave amount that needs to be maintained with CPF Board. My last medical bill was more than S$16,000 with one minor operation in NUH. The explanation notes said that it benefit about one million Singaporean and cost the government S$310 million – my interpretation is that we have a Singaporean population of about 4 million of which 25% of them are 50 years old or older. Is this a fact or we have mixed up between Singaporean and PR.

5. Medifund of S$200 million/ElderCare Fund of S$200 million – It sounds good to me but I guess I will never benefit from it for either I cannot afford the cost of the medical treatments even after the relief or the attitudes of some of those arrogant staff specially assigned to handle elderly patients, such as those handling cancer patients in TTS as complained by patients. I will prefer to die than to be mistreated.

6. OSEA top-up – I am far beyond the era.

7. Lifelong learning benefits – I don’t see how I could benefit from it unless I wish to downgrade to manual worker. I promise to pray and make donation to church or temple if I get a pay rise or bonus increase. My bosses will fire me if I express my intention to take up courses – it will take away the free overtime hours I have to put in.

8. Donations encouragement – In my opinion this is only for the rich and the corporate world. I donate within my means with or without encouragement from the government.

9. Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) – I am neither a high or low income worker, so I got stuck in between.

10. There was an example of a family living in a 3-room HDB flat having an overall income of S$2,600 per month that could expect a total of S$2,900 benefits this year – First of all I don’t see how a couple could afford that 3-room HDB flat with the market price of such flat gone beyond S$300,000. They could either rent a 2-room flat forever or live at the road side with their parents. The example did not mention about their children and that was exactly what I thought – How dare they have child?

Answer 80

No matter how hard we work also no use, if the govt dont increase productivity.

Productivity means using minimum workforce to run the country for efficiency. The policy will fail if they keep increasing their salaries and maintain high overheads.



Productivity also mean $$; if the companies did not make enough money and force to close, how do send their staffs for training? How to get better income, how to get a job after upgrading of skills? I think the main focus now should be how to keep the company alive thus saving jobs for ppl. Another productivity $$ is how to attract new foreign investment with incentive/goodies if they setup firms here.

Answer 81

Singapore needs to spend, say for eg. S$ 100,000 to train and educate a person to become an engineer. But if it imports a foreign talent who is already an engineer, singapore saves that S$100,000. So lets assume that singapore have imported 200,000 engineers to work here, singapore have saved at least S$ 20 Billion in education budget.



So you see, Singapore is the one which is benefiting by importing the foreign talent. A substantial percentage of the wealth in singapore is by such savings, ie, getting a foreign talent without investing a single cent on his education.

Answer 82

If all my daughters are so committed to training and upgrading themselves, they have no time for marriage or children. How will they benefit the economic future of the nation? They will benefit the business but not the family? There will be no grandchildren and no reversal of this fast aging nation. We need a social indicator as well and not just an economic one. If we can't replace ourselves as a people, we are not really productive, are we? It is just getting more and more costly to just produce one child? How are we more productive really?



We are not placing our money on where the money should be. If only our budget and its surpluses were released for the people to enable more family friendly policy at the work place. If more facilities and child care assistance are given to help the sandwiched generation so that they can work with greater freedom of mind! If we give incentives for families to work overseas - encouraging whole families to travel and work abroad we may be giving our people a better and creative future. More tax incentives for families to work in India, China, may even release the pressure on the demand for better housing and constant upgrading! More schools with accessible/ attendant childcare faciltiies to encourage women teachers to have children. Economic productivity measures matched with supportive family measures will only then serve the nation's long term interest.

Answer 83

I have to say the government is spot on and has foresight in predicting our future challenges which WE as average Singaporeans will face.



1. unlike our neighbours with natural resources and with the amount of undeveloped land under their disposal. We can only grow upwards or spiral downwards for land space and increase our capabilities and capacity to fight for Singapore survival. Training incentives for the company will in turn benefits the us, the average HARDWORKING Singaporean. If not, some of us may never be upgraded or in line with the challenges ahead thus losing out to foreign "talents"



a. Low on productivity? we are working with lesser people with more WORK! how does that equate to low productivity. maybe someone can share with us.



2. Other than looking in the future, some or most of us will want our immediate needs to be met. So maybe i mean MAYBE, we should look into areas where Singaporeans feel the pinch most and help us. One thing for sure, higher stress levels will affect the ability for pro-creation and we have examples from the first world countries which are experiencing grey-ing population. e.g. japan. Although, the gov is emphasizing on work life balance but there must be some form of direction to allow it to happen. Some may argue that work life balance is all about you but i think some jobs simply doesnt allow that to happen.



3. In future Budgets, i will like to hear the plans for the near future, immediate concerns of average Singaporeans to be addressed and sometimes, the wants of average Singaporeans to be given (when possible).



4. Now, can the top brass of the gov hear/see us personally! other than sending their subordinates to be their ears and eyes.



5. to understand reality of life, be there to experience it

Answer 84

Singapore Budget is always a good one.



I love my country called Singapore my home. We are fortunate & compared to other countries...

Tall strong Building, clean country, easy transportation & so much love from most Singaporean we meet around, safety & security. Food everywhere convenience.



Apart of all races we are kind, generous and courteous. True enough what I heard from other comers says, "Singapore people are quiet people but actually they are concern & care of others with donations everywhere." Well, we all know to the answers above as born Singaporean.



The majority from the others opinion in this forum about the PR, Permit Holder, especially foreigner in office work. I am dis-hearted to say it was surprisingly true enough. They don't have the qualities of characters like Singaporean. But it is just a great competition.



Well life with some challenge is good. But life competing for a rice bowl is not good for Singapore. When comes with condemning others, discriminating & racist with 1 language to work in a certain companies. A speaking of Chinese language is most wanted in companies sector?? Surprising why? We Singaporean are english educators? Well, It was the job of foreigners from China doing the HR employment job.



One of my PR friend once ask me.. Is Singapore part of China?? Oops!

Well it was understood they come from different country history. They don't know what is Singapore but these foreigners are earning to get PR as times goes by, they will be back to their country land again.



I hope the companies leaders, the Directors, Managing Directors, Managers of the Companies, or future to be boss one day to educate them and enhance this crucial diplomatic issue in a company to a solve.



They should hear the voices of all workers in the company. With great leaders comes with great team.

Answer 85

Do not think the Budget is helping the majority. Uncertain if the fruits of the Budget would pass to the lower and average incomes groups of people like us. Seem like the Budget is set up just for show. Agree with cskp. There are far too many foreigners in all industries, not only in construction and services. They are taking over jobs in IT, chemical, engineering etc which Singaporeans are competent to work. So, what are left for Singaporeans are low salary jobs or low-skilled jobs.... How could we survive??? We have our whole families rooted in SIngapore. We are not like those foreigners and PR, their families are in their home countries where living standards and pressures are not that stressful as SIngapore. Moreover, the money they bring back home are really attractive when convert to their exchange rates. They could live like kings and queens in their home countries while we slog like cows in our home country, Singapore.



Last time, I worked in a MNC. They rather employ a foreigner as general manager to a local. Are we locals that bad? I do not think so. There's, sure be some good locals around. With a foreigner as a boss, I was doing my job diligently but in the end, I was still forced to resign due to politics. After that, they had a so-called retrenchment. Almost all who were retrenched are locals. Now, there are more foreigners than locals over there. Foreigners are kicking Singaporeans out of our own country. They would become foreigner Singaporeans and claim the land as theirs. We, the locals, would become "unwanted" citizens in our homeland.



Those foreigners become PR. When the expenses for the PR are too high, they convert to citizens just for the sake of high expenses in Singapore, not sincerely wanting to contribute to Singapore economy. When their motives are met, they can give up their Singapore citizenship, and move on. Besides, when they become citizens, they are also having a share in our wealth which are built up by our forefathers who contribute to the growth in Singapore. They do not contribute anything, yet have a share in our wealth. Does anyone remember when Singapore was also once a poor country, we had nothing but hungry people struggling to make end meet? The jobs were done by our forefathers, the locals. Where are the foreigners?



One day, touchwood.... if Singapore really collapses, the foreigners, PR and whosoever, would sweep their backside clean and return to their home country. How about us, the locals who are born and live here all our life? We would be left to fend for ourselves......



We were comfortable with one another and help one another along the way to develop Singapore. This is how we could achieve the productivity level in the past. Now, with the foreigners, we are badly demoralised and low esteem. They are pushing us to the sides and ends of the road. We are treated as if we were nothings.



I had undergone competency training in the oil/petrochemical industry. Before the training started, I was promised to be able to get a job in the oil/petrochemical industry which I hope to go into. But in the end, after the training, no job and I have to go into other areas. What does this imply? Training does not necessarily mean one can get a job and increase productivity. The worst is, one could not even get a proper job.



Besides, PR are also entitled to the same training cost as Singaporeans. This means, for some of the training courses sponsored by govt, they also do not need to pay any fee, just like Singaporeans. So, does it make any difference to be PR or Singaporeans? In that case, maybe some of us may consider to be PR instead since they also enjoy the same privileges as Singaporeans.



Also, really miss the times when everywhere are Singapoeans. We had the same culture, spoke the same slang of language etc. Now, everywhere is filled with all types of English language slangs which cannot be understood. Some do not even know how to speak English - common language in Singapore, yet all these categories are claimed as foreign talent......

Answer 86

excuse me

what nonsense are these? they want more foreigners especially IT workers to come in and work to replace the "2nd class Singaporean" (which we can consider ourselves now) and now they themselves imposed the levy higher to pocket more money and let the Singaporean suffer even more??



and don't u dare to increase the levy on foreign maids - because we are working mothers how are

trying to help out our family in any way we can, and by increasing the levy its actually showing the

government has not sensitiveness towards Singapore mothers.



no point suka suka reduce the levy pretending to help and then comes few yrs / month then increased to make sure company's dont take in foreign workers - aiyo - pls lah we are not small children ok - wake lah Mr Shanmugam - which side is the GOVERNMENT NOW ARE ON?



reduce and then increase - then reduce and then increased even higher - we are always on the same boat…………..!!



GOD SAKE MAN - want to help - help with wholeheartedly otherwise can go to hell with this budget

issues



My husband pay 1480 - he brings home less than this - he is 56 and we thought at least the WIS

can help - BUT WHAT THE **** IT IS - they saying have to take 6 mths pays then divide and

if more by even a dlr - we are not entitled !



hello - if the company asked to do OT.,and happened to earn abit more is it our fault - the basic is

still his pay is 1480/- and what a joke - after 3 -4 mths of OT - now no more OT - and what we loose

out the WIS ???



AND WE HAVE SMALL CHILD WITH AUTISTIC PROBLEM AND WHO IS HELPING???



Budget - for all we now is only a gallows (around our neck!) as we still have to pay and pay and pay right?



STILL WANT SUGGESTIONS - WHAT SUGGESTIONS U ASKING ?? WANT MORE TAX

WANT MORE LEVY WANT MORE PEOPLE SUFFER IS IT?

Answer 87

There is nothing in this Budget for the ' hard working footsoldiers' of local business' here.

In my view,as a Regional Business leader here, Singaporeans are far more productive than their counter parts in other Asian countries.Govt is now further squeezing them with ineffectual production incentives.

What about trying to improve their take home pay as the cost of living rises by increasing minimum income tax threshold and reducing this ever increasing {and irritatingly so} ERP charge now virtually all over the Island!

S'PORE GOVT REPORT CARD --CAN DO BETTER LAH!

Answer 88

Does the government really knows what normal singaporean wants? Does the government knows how normal singaporean live? I think the amount of pay they are getting don't really match what they do.

Increase in foreign worker levies, who's going to bear it? employer? or the public? If for employer, is it fair? if for the public, is it fair when the pay structure now is like what it is 5-8 years back? so what if there's tax benefits, grants and training subsidies. all money still comes from us.

Answer 89

Aren't we Singaporeans the hardest working people in the world? To up the productivity, one will need to work even more over the weekend and without overtime pay. There is a physical limit to what we can do to be productive. Also, with an aging population, we WILL do things slower. You cannot defy the physical limitation. We are not forever young.



I thought upping the population is a major concern, but one cannot see how this budget helps. My suggestion is, to provide pregnancy leave for the women to go for doctor consultation. At the moment, there aren't any incentives for pregnant women.

Answer 90

From my understanding of the budget speech , the problem of foreign workers are not fully dealt with and is too general . In my opinion , it should address the foreign worker situation into two broad categories . One group being the construction and service industries and the second group are the professionals, managerial and executives .



I belong to the second group . I returned to Singapore after 8 years working in China and after one year with the same company , I was retrenched . There are 3 other foreigners in the same team and the company chose to retrench the local , given all of us have the same set of skills to perform the job. There are several factors , one being office politics , too many foreigners within the same team , protecting their own interests . Having a boss who is also a foreigner didn't help .



What I'm trying to relate here is we have too many foreigners across all sectors and there is no level-playing field when your bosses and your other team members are all foreigners , discriminating Singaporeans in their own backyard .



This company made two retrenchment exercise within the same division last year , out of the 10 positions being made redundant , 9 are Singaporeans . The ratio of foreigners to Singaporeans in the division are about even .

Answer 91

Disappointed as always. I believe we, SIngaporeans, are not people who complain and complain. Its never been a boycott or petition for the last 40 years since I was born too. We are looking forward to driving Singapore into an interlinked country whereby generations to come; our country existence on earth is still surviving on well. Our future generations will still be blessed. It looks like the government had a long termed goal. Their long termed goal. I have been a hard cored enterpreneur here in Singapore...my goal is to be totallyindependent....I would wish that the government did not take away 2.5years of my prime years for the national service too. All that fist over the chest oath taking is clearly just for show. USA has their financial disorientations built up over years...whats yours Singapore?? Only generations after will be able to tell..

Answer 92

Our government should put more cash in singaporean pocket, we are lack cash, put aside benefit grants n training subsidies... cut down numbers of foreign workers to 40%. no point increase worker levy. Our government should increase local worker basic salary. Most singaporean spend weekend working just to cover basic need for their daily expenses.Our government should stop increase taxes. Stop building ERP, reduce all taxes. most singaporean not able to cope with daily life end up they have 2 jobs. Stop our elderly people from working. All benefits should mature of 21 years old. i cant understand why must be 35 years old. i strongly disagree with the budget that our government have come out for 2010 and next five years.Our government never singaporean stress but increase singaporean stress.Our casinos should open freely all singaporean.

Answer 93

The PAP Government has lost touch with the ground. They need to come down from their Ivory Towers and get a proper feedback from Singaporeans. The Budget does nothing to address the concern of most Singaporeans - Influx of foreigners / high cost of Living / sky rocketing property prices / joblessness / homeless and poor in Singapore / overcrowded MRT, buses, hospitals / understaffed police force / obscene Ministers' salaries. What I noticed most about the Budget is the 8.8 p/c salary increase they plan to give themselves. A selfish, self-serving Government.

Answer 94

So who benefits from this budget? Tax benefits? Can they help the people cope with rising cost? Grants? Can they really help to ease the difficulties our people are facing like losing their jobs to so called FT? Training subsidies to raise productivity? How about training our investment arms to be more careful on their investment and be more vigilant?



Training people alone cannot help to cover billions of dollars lost in "investments". I guess the Government priority should focus on releasing the difficulty face by most Singaporean. Mainly slow down the intake of FTs. Help Singaporeans get back into employment. Recover from investment mistakes by cost cutting measures for the key investments arm.



Lastly, please not only focus on the "poor" or "lower" income group cause I believe they do not form the majority group of the 4-5M population. Please have more measure to help the middle income group instead as they form the biggest group of population. Like most of the people, I don't feel any benefits from the budget.

Answer 95

One word -- Disappointed. Nothing allocated to PMET for their upgrading. Also as usual, the singles are being left out from any "goodies". Yeah. Serve me right for not copulating and contributing to Singapore's productivity. Yeah right!



In addition, the tightening of WP & S pass holders do not excite me at all. What I was hoping to see was the tightening of EP holders instead. IMHO, this is the group who causes all the frustration faced by Singaporeans. WP & S pass holders were never an issue to me. In fact my personal view is, why restrict the influx of a group who is willing to take up jobs where the locals are not willing to do?



Why not capped the influx of EP holders who convert to PR only to get all the benefits given by government and competes with Singaporean on the better paid jobs but not willing to take up Singapore citizenship at the end of the day?



I am ok with those PRs who eventually convert to Singapore citizenship & stay and help build Singapore and compete with us on equal footing.

But those PRs who just want to take all goodies and then leave later..... Enough said!

Answer 96

I don't see a need to increase the foreign worker levies as the current levies is already enough. If the middle-income families need to have a foreign domestic worker in their home, how would they cope?



There's also not a need to increase the school fees for tertiary education as it is not fair to the foreigners who wants to do their education in Singapore. To distinguished the advantage of school fees for Singaporean and foreigners, why not just decrease the local Singaporeans school fees as this will help alot.

Answer 97

I think the productivity direction is great especially pinpointed by the FM during the CNA 8pm show where he mentioned about the vision of a huge step change in productivity for the next 10 years and beyond.



Singapore needs this paradigm shift in the individuals and workforce ..... I have waited a long time for a breakthrough strategy and at least I feel this is one. However, the devil will be in the details which means implementation and education of the workforce/ future employers/ employees etc.



However, for the man in the streets like me ...... no meat on the table this time round.



The government needs to thinking how to help the PMETs who are still out of jobs and will be out of jobs in the near future. The PMETs are in their 40s and beyond, and even with improved productivity .... they will continue to find it hard to get employed as seen statistically in the recent past.



Just remember .... the devil is in the details ..... in this case over the next 10 years .... who is going to be around or gone by then?????

Answer 98

Real Dissapointment with the Budget. Tax relief does not help alot of families bcoz alot of them already don't need to pay tax as their income in below taxable level, so the relief does not make any difference.

Grants to companies does not always benefit the workers, but benefits the company to increase their profit level for the shareholders and also to use the money to expand their companies.



Despite measures by the govt, alot of company still sees older workers are a thorn in their firm.

Answer 99

Its doesnt benefit the anybody... rite when someone tell me that GST going up till 10 percent is that just a rumour or what if its true its getting hard for us whos pay never go up till now cause of the economy down but now the economy go up the salary still the same ... Now i c every company try to take foreign worker than our own local people... how the aged going to survive rite... the goverment never do enough to help the people ... its so difficult to live in singapore nowadays ...

Answer 100

"Singapore will pump in S$5.5 billion over the next five years to improve productivity among workers and companies. This will be in the form of tax benefits, grants and training subsidies".



The latest budget benefited those who owned a company but does it really benefit the people and workers? Productivity among workers and company? There are flaws in the training subsidies which many companies abuses it for their own benefits instead of for the sake of workers. e.g. Some companies came out with several internal courses which the cost were indeed very low, but they submitted for approval in a much higher cost and ultimately it was approved as the company is the sub-company of a govenment investment firm. You know what happen next? They started generating courses and sending almost all their employees to attend in order to increase the company income by claiming the cost fees (I think about 80% of the total cost fees or more which is claimable - SDF Claim). Ultimately all employees were told that attending the course is mandatory thus only those company who knew about this flaws uses it to include those traning subsidies cash as their company yearly forcast income.............One thing to add, the company even brain storm over what courses they should create in order to get approval but the main objective is not to benefit the employees but the company first, all course trainers were selected internally and some were even made to attend crest course in order to be qualified to conduct internal course.



The govenment put in all effort in ensuring its people benefited from the training subsidies but it was sadly misuse !

Answer 101

Committed does not imply to amount really spent. It can be a hassle to obtain grant. I adopted a child a couple years ago but did not enjoy the entitled child bonus because the citizenship certificate was issued late. I called the relevant authority but they said it has to based on the date of certificate and not date of the child birthcert or when the child enters Singapore and placed under my care. So it was budgeted but not given.



To be pro-baby, there are more can be done. Like no GST on all children products. Encouraging retailers to be pro-family like giving better GENUINE disc on family package purchase. Also why is baby changing room located in the lady washroom in almost all shopping centres when our PM mentioned it's a father's duty too.

Eating in the food centre is a hassle too when we had a hard time looking and waiting for baby chairs except in MacDonalds'. So this seems to encourage unhealthy lifestyle. Existing parents are not encouraged to have more. Many of my friends stopped at 1 cause they couldn't cope and didn't want or couldn't afford domestic helper. My in-laws already warn us they won't be involved in looking after our kids as they have done their parts. I really envy my parents generations. They have 4 and with the help only from my grandma.



I don't think Singaporean are less productive. I can only say that Singaporean requested for higher pay comparable to the amount of work they can do due to the high cost of living.



I don't enjoy going to shopping centre and having a hard time to communicates with non-english speaking sales personnel. They are not less productive but they make us less productive as we couldn't seems to get the stuff we are looking for instantly.



I still miss the time when I was greeted with local speaking customer service than straining my ears to understand all the different accent speaking customer service staff. Of being greeted by automated service system and wasting time listening to all the "IMPROVED" options given.



Yes, we are living in extreme high tech society but going back to the stone age where appearing in front of the customer service seems more effective. Or maybe.



To all housewives, hang on there. There will be time when the Govt realised there is so much they can do for our sacrifices in grooming our next generations.

Answer 102

2010 Gov only mention productivity ... Seriously want to improve productivity.



Private sector in 1980 , already doing productivity ( not to say mention ) .

Current private sector is doing Production innovation , process elimination thru six sigma .



Big joke , Gov want to get private sector pay , but behind private sector in innovation.

Get civil servant private sector pay , but 200% behind private sector .



Termasake lost money , GIC lost money . If in private sector the CEO would have been fired , in singapore it's ok . This is BS .



whenever there are any issue with the economy gov easy way out .

1) Increase tax , Gst , Erp , propertity tax , increase increase increase

2) Tell singaporean work harder , work untill 62 65 70 years

3) Give 1 dollar tax back 2 dollar



This year , coming GE , it's time for change . maintain current system also die , vote opp if

screw up also die . But must try for change

Answer 103

Training subsidies: unless it's made compulsory, i dun think companies short on manpower will send their staff for training as it makes them all the more stressed on manpower. some bosses may think" why bother? when they're trained, they'll jump to a job with better pay. so why bother wasting my time? i'll just wait for a trained one to interview."



Work permits: no matter how much you increase the levies, they are still cheaper than sporeans. unless you raise the levies to the point its the same as employing a sporean. do the maths, who will you choose?



my thought is that even if my salary increases from $1800 to $3000, it doesn't help if a bowl of noodles goes from $2.50 to $5. my salary cannot catch up fast enough with the speed of inflation. i think this is the problem. nothing is said about the rising cost of living here.

Answer 104

When are we going to have our jobs back, instead of having to increase levy rate, and still having foreign workers run the show here, in our land. When?

We have been compromised on the expense of progress.

There should be a "Budget" on jobs for our locals with a descent pay.

We were sailing on a comfortable ship with a good crew and a sound captain, until he decided to expand to a bigger vessel, whereby more men were needed. There is where we lost. Us!

Answer 105

What i am about to say might not be too relevant to the budget. However, would our comments, thoughts, views, cries ever matter to our government? Whatever the outcome of the budget, we taxable and Nation Serving Singaporeans will forever be at the mercy of our goverments policies that require people like me to pay about $50,000 in cash just to own a 4rm flat.



The budget certainly cant and doesnt in any way benefit the masses of people who share my predicament. Caring for an old sick parent is encouraged, over disposing of them to homes......... but i guess thats all just talk. Assistance in being allowed to afford homes is where plenty Singaporeans require the governments intervention, which we arent receiving.

Answer 106

what can i say...disappointed again, BUDGET benefits the Companies and those who going for part-time student only, whats about our salary???



what the point of levy rates going up company still want foreign to work for them cos it cheaper than singaporean, not against to have foreign talent but is really too many foreign talent in spore look at the ratio between singaporean n foreign at some company!!! It cracking our rice bowl, increase levy rate!!! what about those family have maid to take care they're kid or parent, is a big burden to those family, Therefor is benefits for bosses!!! very smart n nice way to say but end up need to pay more.



I don see how this budget help the poor, when GST, Electric, Transport, HDB n cost of living is so high, where is the incentive for these area???? when oil price go up it will come down but all bills go up never come down!!!



Encourage family to have more child, maybe come out incentives or more for pregnant women when going for checkup, more incentive for childcare centre, more incentive for poly n University student then maybe more family will plan to more child.



Hope boss will not everytime call us to work OT due to thisProductivity if not how our body can take it n what about our family!!! is to work less or on time but to gain more result.



Argess with

(Wack0) will be lower than d last election 66%, (Andrew Goh Bee Hock) result of the upcoming Election,

Answer 107

Productivity? I join my current company as a Sales Supervisor, but ended up with multi tasking jobs. Sales is my KPI, but other task involve are not really reimburse on top of my salary. So what is the point to be productivity. Now even worse, I am now Multi Dept. All dept in my company has my role to play. Salary remain no change. My company Ops Supervisors are drawing the same salary as me, but they just need to stick on their task. If they are absent, I have to take over their role. But If I am absent, no 1 will replace my daily task.



So now my question, If a staff really produce, will the Gov knew about and demand the company to pay the particulars staff a higher salary? All boss will just keep all those Gov incentives into their own pocket, they won't share la.



What is the guide line to those company boss in term of Productivity?



Since 3 of my ex staff left the company, there isn't any replacement yet, and I am still handling their jobs. And I really feel stress on it. Becoz not an easy task.



Hope to get a better job and leave.....But will other company be the same too?

Lose...Really lose....

Answer 108

Middle income earner S$1501 - S$2000 hit the hardest. Normally they need not pay income tax

and no point the government keep mentioning about cut on income tax it only benefit the higher

income earner. Those earn below S$1500 also benefited from the budget. This middle income earner

hit the hardest coz they alway never benefit from the budget.

Answer 109

Very disappointed indeed! Times are bad! After the impact last year, some most companies are only starting to break even now.Now as we are struggling, ok another impact! All the increases mean decreases for us in our pocket again! All the levy increase is going to be the burden for especially the local SMEs. The Quota control and all those foreign control is going to pose a big problem for us(SMEs). Either you pay a lot or you don't get workers! and worse some jobs that local don't do at all, you won't have workers! Face the fact that some jobs are really difficult to get locals to even try eg.shipyard welding(not supervisor), construction workers(not supervisor), machining manufacturing jobs. I don't even get a Singaporean to come for interview after two weeks of advertistment in the newspaper. Our company go to MOM for help, they tell us to go to CDC for help. We go to CDC, still no one came for interview after trying for 6 months. Mind you! not say unsuitable, but no one came for interview. so how to survive??? No work force!!!Kill all the SMEs??? We made up of 50% of the market, not everything just MNCs!!!! Every company starts from small company OK!!!! Unrealistic!!!!Well! Looks like it is going to be another bad or worse year!!!

Answer 110

Ok budget.However why raise foreign workers levies,we need these foreign workers in the restaurant business etc. They can withstand longer hours of work, are more productive and take very few sick days off and they stay in the job, not changeable like a lot of singaporeans.Singaporeans not use to multi-tasking in the catering job and staying long.Why are employers burdened with higher levies?

Answer 111

was looking more on the Income TAX issue, Earned income relief was still capped at 1k for those Below 55. Its has been more than 10years without any charge.



No increase on 'NSman relief', was still on 1.5k. MINDEF had already increase all reguler, Full-time NSF and NSman. Why was the 1.5k still stay put.



'Foreign maid levy relief' stil the same. No help for those family having maid for care giving in homes for childs, babies & senior citizens.



Ceilling in Tax rates for individuals Tax resident was still on First $20,000 at 0%, should have increase the ceilling as 80% of SG citizens are above these sum after deducting all relief.



Over all, GOV was still on to gaining TAX Revenue from SME, Foreign and citizens.

These will push Standard of living higher and higher...



Its time for NEW Generation to caste they vote in the coming Election..



Dont be surprises that Resale OR BTO HDB flats are moving towards SGD 1 million

Answer 112

let me predict the future. 100 years down the road, 75% of the population here will be foreign workers who are only here on a contractual basis. the remaining 25% are the wealthy, lower class or elderly singaporeans who can't afford to immigrate.



singapore is a great place to raise kids if you're wealthy, but not when you're working class. when the working class are not producing babies to replace the aging singaporeans, there is no choice but to bring in more foreigners to continue making singapore "productive".



by then, singaporeans are dying out. and if foreigners don't immigrate here like our grandparents and ancestors did, singapore will be an empty shell.

Answer 113

I do agree with CSKP and totobird review...Working in the service hotel industry there is a higher percentage of foreigners compare to singaporeans.

Much to my dissapointment S-pass holder are granted a luxury amount of $1800 starting salary wherby singaporeans are given only a mere sum of $1300 before deducting CPF. Even after allowances and overtime the foreigner will pocket about $2000 plus in salary. Given the same amount of job task and working hours, this is totally not fair.



I do believe there are alot of singaporeans who wldn't mind the shift hours if we are given the higher salary. In addition to this the foreigners were also given housing allowances on top of their $1800 salary. How can we singaporeans provide better productivity working on the same level or rank when the salary difference is so huge?

Answer 114

This 2010 S'pore Budget has validated my nagging suspicion that all along, the Government sees Big Business as the true citizens of Singapore, while not neglecting their PAP cadres and foreign talent. The silent majority of the locals are simply a thorn in their flesh, and are only treated with grudging respect during the election period. All their intelligent justifications for Budget allocations are simply meant to hide their shrewed intentions. Woe to the locals like me and congratulations to Big Business!

Answer 115

I truly agreed w nickywei! My hubby and all his colleagues did not have any bonus last year not that their co was not doing well. They were told to work together to achieve the sales target for 2009, in fact they exceeded it, but is the BAD DEBTS the co have from the previous year that causes why not even the 13th mth bonus given! Which was the least expected! Last year was not a really good year but all of them work hard to achieve the sales target and end up everyone, esp those with middle income suffered as we have to spend on the children's new sch term and the CNY! All of them feel cheated! This year the co set another targets but do you think the staff will work hard to achieve? I think only the "smart ones" will do so! So from this mth, we got to dip on our "savings" which is meant for other Urgent case, like sickness ... and that is only a few k. How to survive for long! Soon, we will be joining the poor but we cannot get the benefits cos our salary is between 2 to 2.2k. Co did send them for courses but after that no pay increment only have added work responsibility. I think co is smart cos they can claim from govt when they send their staff for training!

Answer 116

More Medisave should be allow to use for dental. Reason being is simple. One need a proper set of healthy teeth to face with their normal lives. When dental prices are high, we cant afford to pay for it.End up lots of Singaporean will be having problems with their dental care and that will lead to other health problems. Also when we loose our tooth, it will cost a bomb to get an implant.We are only allow to use a certain percentage of Medisave which the remaining cost of implant will still be high for one to consider.Try using a denture? Its something like having a plate in the middle of the mouth and not able to chew your food properly cause the plate is blocking it.It feels irritating and after eating you will end up in having "heart burn"(an acute pain and discomfort somewhere in the middle of the chest.If you say just need to open the denture before you eat,then how do we do that in public?Its disgusting and embarrassing.So i belief when one Singaporean loose their tooth, they will have low morale and negative attitude. When this happen, it will affect their daily lives and thus will affect Singapore in the long run too. How so? Try putting someone who do not have their front tooth in a service industry.Or will employer engage such employee for their front line? So the next time if we are abroad, its easier to acknowledge another Singaporean.Just smile at them and if you see their missing tooth,they could be another Singaporean.

Answer 117

a lousy budget. when the economy just shows some signs of stability, not even a sustainable growth (unemployment still persist, businesses still struggling, lots of empty taxis - due to jobless people converting to taxi drivers, etc), the govt can't wait to start taxing the economy to make up for deficits suffered only in the last 2- 3 years. increasing foreign wokers levy is one move difficult to understand. all the talk about relying less on foreign workers is not valid. foreign workers are employed in mostly industries where singaporeans don't wannt to work in. they help to keep costs low. imagine now you have to employ singaporeans or pay more to have foreign workers working in the costruction industry, what is going to happen is that constructions cost will go up (leading to higher property prices whether residential, commercial or industrial), business cost will go up....

Answer 118

What ever the budget, What ever the amount - do consider 100-200 dollars for those old helpless people that help to build Singapore (like farm animals, you know ?. Matrix show). It is always so sad to see them struggling at work, sweeping floors, cleaning toilets, collecting plates at public places.



For us as foreign worker, my low pay is ok because my family is in China. My Singapore friend cannot feed his family with the same pay because cost is higher here.



Although this place is a good jumping bridge for me to go the USA, i still made some good friends here. Will be completing my master degree at ntu soon. cheap and good.

Answer 119

Tot it was something to do with extra baby bonus also as the report state that birth rate is still dropping. Government should even be giving tax rebate to parent when the baby is still in the womb coz that when more expenses come into the pic.



Quoting this from news

"At Japanese restaurant Ebisboshi Shotengai in Singapore, you can order your food using a wireless system. Simply tap on the menu, and your orders will be sent to the kitchen and the cashier. This efficient system has reduced customers’ waiting time and enabled the restaurant to hire fewer staff."



Fewer staff to hire, mean more unemployment rate?

Answer 120

All the hype over productivity, but where is the equation? Is every working person going to have a ROI pegged to him/her regardless of whatever industry or profession he/she is in? If yes, then provide us with a formula, please.



I do not and cannot agree that our productivity is low just because someone up there says so. If one would remember, after the 9/11 incident, our economy and workforce took a bad hit. There were headcount freeze everywhere. Many of us would probably remember too that when we had a colleague leaves us, we never got any replacement and had to take on extra work.



It's been so many years, yet the headcount never really got back to pre 9/11 numbers simply because employers realised the fact that work still gets done despite the reduction in headcount.



Does this equate to lower productivity? Think about it...

Answer 121

Nothing much to say with this type of Budget Announcement! Again never address the Situations for middle Class group, more children benefit, spowers increase pricing etc......already tried to project revenue coming in from many sources including the gambling taxes etc. I believe the real dissatisfaction will surface from the result of the upcoming Election. May God Bless the Ruling Party.

Answer 122

It is timely that the Budget commits to improving productivity.

However, I wish the government can address an essential need for our younger generation, ie. extend the education grant to students above 20 years of age.

Boys borned in 1988 who served National Service after completing their JC have been left out of the Budget 2010.

At 21 or 22 years of age, they are in the 2nd semester of their tertiary program but the Budget will not be extending any grant to help defray tuition fees.

It is unfair as they served the country but have been left out, and need to struggle to pay tuition fees, as a result.

I sincerely hope the government will consider extending education grant to them so that this cohort can pursue their tertiary education and their parents will not be extremely stretched financially.

Thank you.

Answer 123

BUDGET ...is a real disappointment...



Singaporeans ( esp low income) are suffering with mainly the "government" backed organisations...



they have problems paying for simple telephone services, Utilities, conservation charges for hdb, HDB flat prices, ERP's, high petrol prices etc...the government is just too obsessed with enriching itself ...which will to its own detriment.



there was nothing in the budget for the old people, less for the middle income and almost nothing for the lower income ....other than help pay off what they owe institutions... and even the help comes in drips and drabs ....



i can now understand why everyone thinks of moving out - crowded mrts, expensive medical covers, super crowded shopping centers etc ...super jammed causeways making it diff to get out even for a weekend from the over crowded and expensive city..super expensive misters and govt bureaucrats...



saw Titanic on the weekend ... sames the same way Singapore in heading ...



the budget has ZERO benefit to me .... other than further increased costs

Answer 124

Why locals like me were being retrenched? Why not the foreigners? And its very hardly for us locals to get a new job where else foreigners especially filipinos were easy to get a job. I have seen at hotels, restaurant, fast food eatery and more places all the job were taken by the the filipinos. Recently tthe newly open Resort World there are too many filipinos working there. What happens to us locals? We are born and breed here and very hardly for us to get a job. Why the filipinos are given the special treatment than us locals. I was shock went i went for a job interview and i were interviewed by a filipinos? Where are the locals gone too? And these filipinos if they were given a higher post their head will swell and they looks down on locals. Why cant the government stop all these filipinos from coming to Singapore and work. We locals should get all the privilage instead all these filipinos? To be honest i hate all filipinos.....

Answer 125

At the end of the day, we Singaporeans knows very well who will win the elections. It's very clear cut. Our views & opinions don't really matter because



1) our living conditions would improve if the government had only taken the effort to LISTEN to common people & not taking general statistics as a whole.

2) freedom of speech- overshadowed by the government's claim of open views



See the people. See the streets and walk with them. Many of us realised that the government is not exactly helping with the increasing cost. Yes, its true that without all these, Singapore would not be where she is now. But HELLO, fast forward to now. Shouldn't the goverment try to understand what the people are going through? On the surface, the people of Singapore looks "rich" but see again. How many of us have to swipe our credit cards to pay for groceries or baby's milk powder? How many of us are way back in settling our monthly bills? How many of us need to borrow money from the people around us just so we could get by till the next payday? TONS of Singaporeans.



But what did the government replied to this? For us to curb our expenditure & less spending. Did it ever occur to them that people turn to credit cards or loans because they do not have cash in their pockets? Did it ever occur to them that even if we're earning $2,500 per month, it is not even enough to settle your monthly bills, much less buying essential baby's food and usage.



Would productivity really increase by giving incentives to companies to send the workers to training? Think again, Mr Government. Do your statistics properly. Not many companies bother sending their staff to training. If companies bothered to do so, there is no need for workers to work till 9pm or 10pm EVERDAY. And they expect us to make babies after that? I'm baffled.



I'm trying for a baby but looking at this year's budget (and the next few years on), i am extremely skeptical. I'm pretty sure that there are tons of women who have the same mindset.



Mr Government, you want us women to increase the birthrate; use your "gifted" brains & intelligence and start by first working with the women. Do you have any idea the fear women have when they return from maternity leave? Fiscal year 2009 saw many companies retrenching women. 2 of my colleagues who just returned from maternity leave were TOLD TO LEAVE THE COMPANY WITHIN 24hrs i.e. THEY WERE RETRENCHED. Did the government thought of a PLAN B for this? You guys increased the leave to 4 months but did you thought of the consequences that would befall women who are working in the private sector? Unfortunately, because of issues like this; women are thinking twice.



The people of Singapore are not your guinea pigs. You do not need to tweak your policies & procedures. If you claim that we can voice out our opinions, why is there a need to have officials standing by when there is a session at speaker's corner?



Walk the talk Mr Government, not just talk the talk. You people are smart, that's why you're there for a purpose. Before your own people turn their backs on you, it's wise to start listening. Remember, the old are ageing and you have Gen Y who are already stepping into the work force. Things will change, most definitely.



- My 2 cents -

Answer 126

I know of companies who claimed jobs credit from the government and yet retrenched employees, cut their pay and, worse still, have already decided to move their operations out of Singapore to other cheaper locations. Reason being it is expensive to do business in Singapore. No matter what the government does, these businesses will still leave Singapore. So don't waste our money in giving them incentives and tax benefits. It doesn't help the people. If you give them $1.1b in training subsidies, they'll find a way out to exploit the scheme and still deceive our nation and our people.

Answer 127

Very Disappointed - All inflationary measures are used (as usual) - this time an increase in levy for foreign workers. Will this really help? Levy vs lower income and high demand for foreign workers will not put an end to hiring of more foreign 'talent'. What about measures to reduce our current high unemployment rate with fresh graduates?



And what productivity boosts are we talking about? Are we not productive enough, having to compete with foreign talents and working from morning till night and still getting a meagre pay? And to graduate as an engineer, only to end up as a croupier in IR? Or a security officer? What's the point of having the various courses in the Universities? I forgot....just for the paper...and you can always go for "skills" upgrading courses.



Singapore is feeling the after-effects of pushing itself to the boundaries of attaining national excellence. In trying to cut in as the most successful nation in the world, we are still lacking in many aspects of what life is really all about - personal, moral and family values, rich cultural heritage, etc. What all Singaporeans want are the luxuries of life without the burden, which, sad to say, include children, and taking care of the elderly. We work day and night so that we can afford a maid, an expensive flat and a car. Do we really spend time with our loved ones? ...Not really. How do we compensate? With nice expensive holidays or 5 hours everyday at home with our kids? Can we afford the time?...No.



I think it's time Singapore think about restructuring its policies if it wants more babies. Not just by giving financial baits which ended up in the hands of the wrong group of people. We need to encourage people to stop being work fanatics as I've seen with many of my colleagues, working from 8 am to 9 pm everyday and even over the weekends...either just to get the job done, to get away from their families or so that they can be promoted quickly???. I think we are really going overboard with work expectation and requirements.



We should really take a step back, and study what is really going on.



I would certainly like to see foreign talent in our political arena to further reinforce what the government has been preaching. No pun intended...:)

Answer 128

Complaints and nothing more but complaints, this is what I called a true blue Singaporean. Do not be misunderstood, I'm a Singaporean myself, middle class and living in a HDB apartment. While I do not agree with every policies implemented by our government, a more positive approach is to take stride and further analyse what are the resulting effects if it is or if it is not carry out. Let us not forget the good things which our government has done for us, no one is perfect and so is a government. Let us hope for a nation of constructive citizen rather than a bunch of back seat naysayers which do nothing but create negativity and chaos.

Answer 129

After listening to this, I seriously think that the opp. party will garner so much more votes and support this year. The majority of Singaporeans will want to listen to a 2nd opinion. A government that not only emphasizes in its pursue of economic stabilty, but to REALLY step down to look into difficulties of the majority clusters of the middle and average income. This whole pursuit of excellence actually encompasses bad traits underlying it, people are forced to extreme measures to survive, families torn apart when the breadwinner loses the passion for their spouse due to immense pressure at work, often causing straying partners, Men and Women ALIKE.



What I am trying to say is very simple - Are all these pursuit of reputation, worldly credence of an economy, rat- race style of living really worth it?

Answer 130

My opinions are as follows on issues raised by CSKP:



"What I'm trying to relate here is we have too many foreigners across all sectors and there is no level-playing field when your bosses and your other team members are all foreigners, discriminating Singaporeans in their own backyard.



This company made two retrenchment exercises within the same division last year, out of the 10 positions being made redundant, 9 are Singaporeans. The ratio of foreigners to Singaporeans in the division is about even."



MOM need to check constantly on all companies of the ratio of foreigners is to Singaporean, cannot allow the foreigner bosses past unfair judgement over Singaporean workers and ill-treat local Singaporeans.



I am not against foreign talent, instead I supported it, but not to the extent that they think they are better than local Singaporeans.



CSKP - It's good that you bring up so that we know what is happening around us.

Answer 131

Our Government must take the lead to improve productivity by simplifying the system, for example the car tax system:



We started by using price to control the numbers of cars, import tax, road tax etc were progressively increased. Next, we control the number and distribute it with COE, if the number is controlled then there no more need for the import tax system. Now, we complicate it more with the ERP. All these systems need additional manpower to manage. At the end of the day, taxes by any name will be cost into the price for goods and services, now who pay for them, the consumers which includes the poor guy who did not benefit from using the car. Apply one single tax system and we can increase productivity, reduce documentation which will reduce cost of government and must result in lighter taxes.

Answer 132

That depends on how far back are you in the que. With the long list of activities and changing hands, the Budget will be consumed before it reaches the end of the que. I who is at end will not benefit, but will suffer the effect of Budget countermeasure. The bigger the Budget the bigger the suffering; no happy ending for us, whom is at the end of the que.

Answer 133

base on all the answer listed above, i can said that 90% singaporean are very disappointed about this Singapore Budget. But will the government really take a look at our views and do something to improve to change?

They present the budget and the benefits so beautifully but we all know that in the end we can only see very minimum ...

they increase the levy of foreign workers but what does that help us? will singaporean work in construction site or service line. Most of them will just complaint too tiring, working hours too long.. Who is going to do this work ? only foreign workers. Take a look at the service line why everyone is serve by foreigner from china , philippines ? Cos Singaporean will not work in this line for long, they will resign after a few months, employer got no choice but to get foreigner at least they will work during the contract to earn singapore money to bring home.

Increasing the levy will put the small and medium company employer to worse situation cos their staff mainly foreigner. If government want to control the number of foreigner working here , they can reduce the percentage of foreigner coming in for job rather put a levy on SINGAPORE employer. So the employer got no choice but to employ local staff. But i can tell you singaporean will not work in service line for long is a fact.

Answer 134

GST Credits should increase to 25% and Government should payout the $250 this march and coming July another $250 just like last year! I thought this year $250 in March & July . What a disappointment!! I would like the Government to revise in this matter again regarding GST Credit to increase to 25% more then most Singaporeans would be happier this way. Please sent this forum to the Government authorities. I believe many people here would want GST Credit to increase to 25% more Right?? People Vote to Increase GST Credit to 25%! Thank you very much everyone here.

Answer 135

I don't see how a couple with no kids with a monthly income of 4K (2 working adults, 2K each before CPF) benefit from this budget? how does the government expect us to have any kids in the first place. Our monthly loan amount is S$700 per month with 20 year loan (using CPF to cover). 3 bedroom flat brought at S$200K (exclude COV).



We cant afford not to work or stop work in between jobs even if we want to. No bonus from companies this year or last. We still need to provide for both our parents with $300 each per set of parents.



how much do we have left to have any kids? Full day childcare @ $900 per kid after subsidy (if any).

Answer 136

Everytime we receive dissapointing packages from the government. We singaporeans don't need these kind of packages to survive. only if the government can lower the CPF % contribution from employee and employer, also reduce uneccessary ERP gantries, and all the taxes incurred are a bit rediculous. Many of us at the lower level of the workforce are affected through all these years. Its is not productive at all. I would suggest government to really think about the increase of wages to all sectors. Many of the companies are unwilling to pay increment handsomely even we work so hard. What we singaporean need is to have enough to spare for our family, children, parents. We do not want to always wait for the government to plan for us about the future, I strongly believe all singaporeans are educated enough to plan for the future for ourselves, not to depend on those packages. By issuing budget packages doesn't take care of your own Singaporeans at all. We still need a lot of space for individual growth, not get tied down so much by endless payments to the goverment. A lot of our things in our way of life can be subsidised but are not done. Please don't subsidised one area and raise tax on the other, this kind of method have been practiced so many times and still want singaporean to buy this kind of idea?

Answer 137

I had forseen this action will be use. Few years back this action was once use to cease the traffic during peak hour on the Expressway, Town and CBD area by implementing ERP. But what was the outcome? still jam at all Expressway, Town & CBD during peak hour. Now again increasing of levies does not control the population growth of foreign worker. Everything is in dollar and cents again. Isn't there always no solution but to increasing on pricing?

Answer 138

Productivity is one thing it may sounds true but i think the government needs to focus and somehow motivate more on the lower income side singaporean people to earn more to kept in the fast pace moving developing country as the standard of living is increasing.



The HDB flat price difference is so big compared to about 10-20 years ago which is from 5 digit figure 6 digit pricing.Another thing is the per sq ft produced now is rather disappointing compared to the old HDB produced.



Are we buying a hotel room with such 6 figured digit amount of money?it is worse den the 3 room resale flats per sq feet.This is the result in people wanting to buy resales flat more while foreigners are coming in to snatch everything away from the locals resulting to the spiking price.



Singaporeans will have no choice but to stay in small flats due to the price.I think the government should do something about their small flats produced and give more aid to lower income Singaporeans who want to start a family and parenthood to create more productivity in all round of aspects.



Come on government! help us~

Answer 139

I'm really saddened by the thought of foreigner taking over my fellow Sporean position be it at work and play..... Probably in time, they'll be involve in politics as well. And it's very easy to earn the PRs' and Citizenship and have no sense of belonging when their citizenship at their home country can be re-bought at a much lesser cost.



And with tis 2010 budget, it doesn't draw the line between the true blooded Sporean and the earned ones. Yes, they contributed to it's growth but it's just a price to pay to earn their living here.

With all tis, we can see a rapid growth in population. Why bother to encourage population growth when u can always bring in more foreign talents?



I don't resent foreigners being here, but pleaseeeee we have enuff already!



I believe that there are people who share my sentiments..... Sob'

Answer 140

Yawn... it's important not to have any hope... so that you will not be disappointed.





I see bosses changing cars - bigger, better ever so often...



are such resources really going where it was intended?



the average man goes through at least one of these...

retrenchment,

longer and longer hrs at work with no OT( any motivation to make babies when you're tired or stressed up?)

, stagnant pay checks for the last 10 yrs...



public buses and trains getting more crowded... rise in charges follows...



more expensive pigeon holes... long waits for couples...

(young couples barely dating, who may not even be certain of their relationships joining in the queue --- planning ahead or doom - (more divorce rates?)

otherwise would it be later marriages and lower birth rates (less fertile maybe?)



couples are struggling to keep the roof over their head...

coupled with increasing utilities bills.. who looks after the kids? what are becoming of them?



When a man's basic needs are not meet.... Do you ever think the gap between the rich and poor can be bridged?



Let's face it... The rich are not concerned/interested with this... because they are not the ones calling ur charity hotlines nor are they interested in equality and being "normal".

Answer 141

How can you increase productivity if the government takes the lead in causing the cost of doing business to go up? Every year there is increment in foreign workers levy. No wqnder business in the private sector finds it difficult to flourish.

Answer 142

Looking at the results of free market capitalism at work especially during and after crisis periods convinced me that the objective to minimise the rich-poor gap is of utmost importance to prevent explosive social/civil unrest in the near future.

As for the worker levies/productivity issue, especially in construction industry, I hope effort can be made to identify the problem on the micro level to formulate targeted solutions rather than broad-based adjustment to levies may be more effective.



1. Target the low initial skill & high turnover rate of our foreign workers, Through my experience Singapore as a whole has been treated as training centre for farmers, school leavers from India, China, etc. The first year contract period or "training period" is always not a productive period but we seemed to miss out on this teething issue

2. Maybe we should re-look at ways to resolve safety issues as current methodology is not producing desired result in relation to the additional labour time required to implement these safety policies. I'm not suggesting to compromise on safety but over zealous actions may affect productivity

3. Is our PR managed companies have true sense of commitment to our country or projects that they are involved? Are we aware that it is easy for them to uproot in times of distress where fellow Singaporean will have to face all eventualities. Sense of commitment will yield long term productivity, technology and economic growth rather than tomorrow's result which are core interest of some of these foreigners.

Answer 143

What we have is t last GST rebates tat's all. Not much given out to mid income families and we still face increasing cost everyday. Even you stay at home you are still paying the utilities... With so many monies worries, pressure mounts, etc... how to increase productivity? Incentives given to companies are not pass on to workers. Low wage worker ( less than 1.7K ) get govt bonus. What @ middle income group? Compare: husband who makes 1.5K, wife 1.3K and has only a child to raise. Both get workforce bounus. How @ a guy who earns 2.6K and has 3 kids and an elderly to support. What does he gets? ( Calculate & u'll know )Nothing! This is what most of the mid income families are facing.Sian.....

Answer 144

Well , I dont think those tax relief will help those with lower incomes. They already earn so little even to be tax. Come on, time for singaporean to wake up. Why do we work so hard but all this hardwork tax back to the gov whereby they earning how many million per yr. If they cut 10% of their pay, this will give 100 people who earn 1000 per mth a job.

Answer 145

Not too sure whether why we need to serve the 2 years of cheap labour for the country and now this is what we get... high cost of Living, Competing with foreigners for rice bowls and increasing gap between the wealthy and poor(which the govt said that it tries to narrow down the gap like a few years ago).



Not too sure whether is anyone proud to be a Singaporean anymore.

Answer 146

Most of the tax benefit, grants, training subsidies will be be wasted if not abused by most of the companies here, these kind of money given out can rarely bring real improvement in productivity.

At the end of the day, it is COST which is one of the key element in running a business besides many other things. The govt should really think of real solution to help companies reduce business running cost in SG, instead of milking everything possible and then give out token incentive and grant like these. Firstly it is not sufficient, secondly it is not effective. Bringing down cost of living is ultimately a most effective way as it will create chain of effect and results in reduce cost of running businesses. Btw, bringing down cost of living does not necessarily means reducing standard of living. To go one step further, SG is actually too small to go for any businesses base on cost competitiveness. We should go after niche industries with high innovation content which requires less manpower. if SG could produce world beater brands, products, services then we could achieve healthy GDP growth with a small population. (that means we don't have to relentlessly bring in so many low skilled FW and convert them to PR!)

Answer 147

I'd once ask my 27 Y-O bro-in-law when he's getting married and start a family of his own. His answer: Not till his 30's. How about childred? His answer: After 35. I asked him the reason why so late and guess what he said.



"My girlfriend and I earned a total of less than 5k a month, total CPF to ordinary account is around 1.2k. Guess how long we need to save in CPF for a new flat. Resales flats is out çause it exp with the COV. Ballot more than two times without success for new flat, our chances will be slimer. Increment is less than $500 for 5 years of working. Job hopping is not really a option due to foreign talents and cheap labour. Start working at 22 after poly and NS. Our total CPF now still less than 60k cause we dont earn total 5K after poly and NS. Pay increment is yearly, not monthly. So how to buy a flat before 30 with new flat almost 250k ~300k!



How True. HDB is getting more exp. 20 year ago cost 60k~100K. An increase almost 400% till now but our pay increase less than 300% in 20 years. How sad for his generation.

Answer 148

The real crux of this whole Foreign Workers Issue that government is trying to curb is "Are Foreign Workers really the problem"?



From what i see from the measures undertaken ,they seem to be targeted at Foreign Workers of the lower income level like the construction, F&B and perhaps cleaning services. Is this missing the whole point of trying to have equal level playing field for Singaporeans and the push to increase productivity so that we are less reliant on the foreign workers?



In fact, by reducing the foreign workers in certain sectors, are we slapping ourselves in the face when these are the jobs that Locals may try to move out of. We often upgrade ourselves to go beyond the blue collar industries. With the increasing property costs and living costs, it is no wonder that Locals have higher expectations of their salaries.



Further, the group of "foreign workers" that have a greater impact on property prices and jobs security are in fact like what some of the respondents have mentioned... the white collar foreign workers. In fact alot of the HDB COVs are paid by the foreign white collar wokers who are tenants turned buyers. It is common sense that the blue collar workers wouldnt be able to afford 40-50K in cash to buy a HDB anyway!



I urge the government not to implement measures for the sake of "appeasing" us and in light of the upcoming General Election. What we need is a goverment that is honest and able to say that they have done wrong when they have.



Further, I really urge Mah Bow Tan to rethink his HDB strategy on pricing HDB based on market prices - subsidy? Even HK who has a more buoyant property market has never adopted this strategy and make sure that their HDB prices remained affordable for the low income groups which is what HDB set out to be. If they want free market forces, government should privatised more HDB or lands instead of building "government" flats and pricing them with prices tagged to the market forces! The thing is our salaries are not increasing in tandem with market forces and in fact eroding due to inflation!



Singaporeans are more educated and savvy with their perspectives. We are no longer only the receiving end of policies but we are a vessel where we will feedback and perhaps one day we may act proactively for fairer government policies.



I am writing this with no self interests as I am a HDB owner myself and sitting on paper profits. But I am thinking about the other groups of people of lower income, young couples and perhaps our future generations. If I as an individual can think that way, I am thinking the government should also have thoughts on this.

Answer 149

1. Let seperate $1.1b to 5years, each year is only $220m so is $220m sufficient for so many areas?

2. I'm a Singaporean levy do not affect me however do levy really a need to increase on these foreign workforce?

2a. If there's a need to increase levy i personally feel that maid levy should not be increase... the reason is maid do not really act as a tools to the work force and will only add on cost to the owner/maid enployees and it may lead to more maid abuse.

Answer 150

I think since we already come to the conclusion that we cannot live without FT/FW and there is no way to right the situations as we are already overwhelmed to a point of no return, we should not encourage Singaporeans to have more babies. We must facilitate the inflow of foreigners.



It is wrong to stress Singaporeans any further. Let those not able to slowly fade away. Let this island be a city and not a country.

Answer 151

From an objective point of view, Singapore is definitely taking the right step in (an attempt to) secure her own future with our budget focus. With the growth of BRIC economies, Singapore's very future is at stake. Manufacturing companies are moving out of Singapore because of high labour and rental costs. Even tertiary financial/HR services are moving over to India. Discussions about closing social inequality and equitable wealth distribution is pointless if we cannot even grow our economy as a country. Growing is first priority. More growth = more jobs, more income = better standards of living. Then, ensuring that the benefits of this growth are felt throughout the different echelons in our society is the next priority (which they have taken steps to tackle as well by imposing seller stamp duties as a means to redistribute wealth i.e. since people who speculate property are more likely to be more well-off). The bottomline remains, no growth = no future. No wealth to redistribute in the first place!

Answer 152

I feel that the levy imposed on Foreign Workers is not ecomomically justified. Singapore requires alot of foreign workers in the construction and service sector cause singaporean do not want to work in this area, as it requires loads of labour. The goverment should look into bringing foreign workers as per the requirement of the specific industry or service and not focus on hiring from one particular country. As per what is happening now. They could give incentives to companies who uses these workers to boost the economy and productivity to reward them.

Answer 153

this year budget is too much on retraining. increase productively... however this is from the govenrment point of view. what singaporean need is to cope with the increase in food. furthermore will increase in productively increase the chance of employee. to increase producitvely, the frst thing govenment need to do is to reduce the number of stat board and the ministry. what is 10 dollars for those employee. to them is still cheaper than hiring local and in this aspect. it is like not doing anything at all. i cannot see what i can get in this year budget in the near future. 5 years later many thing can happen, outsoucing and company moving to cheaper place. etc.. what we need is job stability. a lot of training in office is actually what people had learn in school like soft skills, computer/ My advice is to use this 1.1 billion in a better way. if i am the goverment, i will also reduce the number of PR.

Answer 154

Does not see how it can benefit local born-and-bred PMETs. A lot of PMETs lost their jobs during the recession. What kind of effective measures are implemented to help them? Do we always need a PRC or India Indian engineer to do the job for us when a native Singaporean will more than suffice and willing to do the job? No wonder, youngsters these days are not choosing to study engineering 'cos they know what's in store for them when they graduate. Don't know why PRCs and India Indians like to study engineering so much...



As for the levy to help so-called "less educated" native Singaporeans, I think it will not really help 'cos employers will continue to hire foreign workers and pass on the costs to the consumers.

Answer 155

Birth rate is declining, maybe the government should start helping the father instead of the mother. Family starts with FA which is Father and then Mother and follow with infant and we live and yield finally as a family.... but is the father being help enough with just 3 days of paternity leave and finally the Y in family, hardship is what we yield and not enjoyment... it sounds rubbish but it make sense.. no one in this current singapore society will want to add more hardship to themselves and thus no baby.

Answer 156

This budget does nothing for jobless PMET like myself who face discrimination from employers as well as competition from 'foreign talents'. How about providing incentives for companies to hire locals over foreigners or unemployment benefits? The government does not seem interested to address the problem that there are still many unemployed PMETs who needs help financially and to get jobs.

Answer 157

Dear MinisterS,



Do you know that most singaporean is work longer in the day and getting less paid.



Also no point that after training and yet no job in the market. Moreover, we people still need to pay for the course fee. Even after susidy 90%, the average course fee is range from $200 - $500. To our multi millionair minister, this amount is a peanut but for people like me who do not hv income, then how??? I know u want me to learn how to fish instead of feeding me. However u do want me to buy fishing rod from U before u willing to teach me.



Bottom line is... I do not see future in Singapore. Back in 1990s, our PM said 20yr later we can reach Swiss living standard. So after 20yr how far are we going to meet Swiss standard?

Answer 158

The budget is not beneficial to most middle class singaporeans at all. In fact all of us are paying more tax after the government decide not to extend the personal income tax rebate. Effectively most of us are paying much more tax for FY 2010 despite our pay remain relatively the same or lower than less year. They should gradually remove the tax rebate instead of taking it out. Effectively government is increasing tax for the middleclass.

Answer 159

Singapore is going to loose its identity to the foreigners in the near future. We singaporeans - locals are already competing with the foreigners in terms of living and working conditions. To say the least, I feel like a foreigner in my own land.

The Government has not given any consideration for the welfare of its own people. Yes, they do hold campaigns - increase birth rate , care for the elderly, care for the less fortunate, blah blah blah, but we all know that ultimately we pay for our own welfare -the Government is only interested in increasing the name and status of Singapore. Sadly, by the time the Government has reached its 'goal' (watever that is), the generation who worked hard for the progess may not be around to reap its benefits.

If I have to toil, I will toil for my own land - a land which respects me and gives me the importance of a citizen. Living in singapore is like living in a relative's house - You know the people, you know the place, you belong to the family - but its just NOT your home.

Answer 160

whats the use of this budget, where it looks almost the same as last year.



It serve no help for the mid class where their pay is only a friction of the rich and some "M" of the country. Only the super poor is useful, where the rich & "M" dont even care less.



Was trying to get a HDB this few months, only to realise that the HDB price had jump like 500% for the past 20 yrs and the salary had only increase by 50% for fresh grat.

thought that HDB is meant to help singaporean to have a house they can call their own? now is to work like hell for a house and make more baby so that you can work like a dog and dont think too much. just think every month how to pay your house and the baby you just make.



When people conplain that cars too expensive, car price was lower just to make them happy but ERP comes in. its like reducing the size of a candy but put more suger init.

ERP is say to reduce the traffic. it's almost full of traffic everywhere, so to say they re going to put ERP everywhere, just the price and timing different?



theres too much to say... the gov is not bad just they re not down to the people thats all. they re not like when the gov was just set up, thats when they really take care for singaporean.

Answer 161

Budget address on the surface on many things but there are NO DEPTH.



I would like to see benefits and helping hand extended to those affected by the pass economic restructuring and policies like merging of banks that had affected many singaporean.



Many times I see the sink group sink further and the pain gone through remain unheard or uncared. Leaving them since struggling years after years of sacrifice and trying to stay afloat if possible. Do they care? I dont think so after years of watching PAP and the white knights conduct their business.



If they cant solve the problem created for the minority could they really solve the present?



You think for yourself.

Answer 162

Am disappointed that they didn't keep the up to $2,000 one-off tax rebate for middle-income taxpayers.



Sure, they have introduced the 3 tiers for property tax, but come on - many middle-income (sandwich generation) taxpayers don't own property, and even those who do own property don't own large properties.



So, for these people, the property tax wasn't that much to begin with, based on annual value. In this budget, they cut the property tax by a little bit, but it sure won't come close to $2,000 savings on income tax payable unless you are one of the very rich with properties worth a lot. This is like giving out a bit to the middle income people with one hand, but withholding more with the other hand.



People are still feeling the pinch this year with higher prices (just consider the electricity tariff that keeps going up) so any reduction in the income tax that has to be paid out of this year's disposable income would have been good.



I am not rich, just one of the sandwich generation, and am definitely worse off in terms of amount of tax I have to pay vs what little tax rebate I get in this year's budget ... :(

Answer 163

What else is there to say? Try asking all the ministers to come down to our level to really see the problem everyone is facing. Not by siting in the office, answering emails, enjoying lunch with fellow MPs and then going home in their heavily subsidised cars, fuel, housing, erp etc... The government needs some changes to "rock the boat". So looking forward to the next election.. And i think i'm speaking for majority of the young working adults here.

Answer 164

just read and look at all the sentiments we all have for them, they are really losing the edge and really failing to keep the entire nation people feel confident about them. how are we suppose too? hdb not enough, always heavy subscribed, not enough jobs for the locals- and how do we gonna raise productively level? income has not even increase-and if the local news have said so, it has never been rippled down to the average and the low income! but i totally agree our domestic and essentials have increased, so how do you tweak that, or balance it out?



and, since when do we have the opportunity of foreign workers, like malaysians, china, philippines, burmese, and others neighbouring countries coming here making our dollars and benefited on the exchange rates. every single dollar we made, cost every dollar here! definitely, who wouldn't like to work in spore, being a foreign worker? i wouldn't mind, if i'm a foreign worker from neighbour country, malaysia. just cross the causeway daily and work in spore, and my financial bringing can own me a car, a landed house and live comfortably.



so where could we have theirs same doing of opportunities in spore?



sometimes, i feel we are all made for their " try outs" and now they thought its about time to stop taking so many foreign workers.



we can all go to commonwealth countries, but it is not an easy immigration compare people coming to spore. if you would to read on the internet on the immigration aus, that there are certain skills, trades, professions and to take ielts english test, and they really screen so that the workers can contribute to the economy. i really doubt our manpower have really learn that kind of professional standards yet!



i have never seen that our tradesperson has ever been a demand in spore! then resorting in foreign labour, but if we would given a demand skill pathway in some trades i am sure that there would people working in the occupation.

Answer 165

There is plenty more that is to be said, but in general, I just feel a suffocating sensation and inevitable frustration being a Singaporean and thats kinda sad when I actually do love the place that I call my home and where I grew up in. I strongly feel that not all solutions to our problems lie in imposing taxes, and levies, because if that were the case, then we do not really need the elite to lead us cos the answer to all problems would be just inevitably monetary, and anyone could come up with that.

Answer 166

I think Singaporeans should just wake up their bloody idea and come up with their own solutions. I think it's all pretty simple and straightforward. We can complain all we want but who in the world elected these people to help make decisions for us. I mean how in the world can these people decide for the common people (majority of Sporeans I believe) when they barely can survive our daily lifestyle? Do they take the public transport? Do they stay in HDB flats? Do they worry about their utilities or their children's education fees? Do they queue for 4 hours just to see a doctor at the polyclinic? Do they live on a paycheck to paycheck basis? Do they need to re-finance their mortgage with HDB when they are out of jobs or fell sick and unable to work? I doubt. These people barely know how we feel.



Just because you walk around the kopitiams or the HDB corridors shaking hands and smiling away doesn't mean you're one of us. Just because you join in some useless residential party or dinner albeit seated in a VIP table and served personally makes you almost like any one of us. You are no longer the people's party. If you ask me, the current leaders don't strike a chord with me at all. They never face the challenges I am facing so how in the bloody world are they good enough to help me come up with the solutions. Voila, as we've found out, no solutions were found to our problems.



So fellow Sporeans, it's truly time we wake up our idea. Don't be a moron and crumble just because they dangle some minor carrots come the next GE just to appease your frustrations and make you think twice. No one is claiming that the current leaders are lousy or useless. Just that they no longer share the same ideals as the majority of Sporeans that's all. We need a change and we need it now.



Or better still. Just leave. Don't worry about not being able to survive if you do decide to leave Singapore. Look, thanks to our able leaders, we had the luxury of proper education to arm us with intelligence to survive anywhere in the world. So either we push for a change or simply give up and ship out as change may no be anytime soon.

Answer 167

No benefit in this year Budget.



Just to clarify some people saying "work hard" to meet end needs. For PMETs, working hard does not mean increase in income but merely to stay in job, so we cannot meet end needs if it keep increasing. We do not have OT and taking 2nd job mean you will risk losing your first job. Therefore I do agree in some comment on EP control to help us stay in job.



Life is hard therefore we will talk about birth after we can confirm that living is not an issue.

In private sector, company usually follow government suggestion to reduce or freeze salary but no increase after that. Public transport and utility keep increasing and increased much faster than salary not to mentioned other necessity. Which means middle and low income families have lower buying power now.



I would like to see some cap in cost for public utility and transport. Eg, Bus, MRT, power and water should be charges at cost.

Answer 168

Great point in many of the reply. Agreed

For levy, it would not effect company cos some do "back-charge" to worker themself.

If not such reliance on foreign help it will be like Cig Tax, continue to rise yet company could not help but pay and pay.

Answer 169

With regards to the budget announcement for year 2010, I wish to express my opinion and huge disappointment.

Firstly, reduce in corporate tax and further training grants are more beneficial to the profit making and strong liquidity organisation, it does not serve financial assistance to the small and medium companies.

Training grants and improving workfare bonuses are beneficial to the Blue collar workers, it does not serve any financially assistance to the middle income white collar.

I would suggest, if the government consider by reducing the costs of living expenditure by giving higher rebates for utilities and reduction in public transport.

Answer 170

Singapore government is always on the thought of Singaporeans and any measures which the government makes, it is always good for the people and the country. As a Singaporean, we should feel proud and appreciate everything the government has in mind for us, and the future of Singapore.

Answer 171

I think the Budget on the whole is good

One area which I thought the Budget could reaallly realllly improve on is this:

the property tax

Actually as a resident owner of one property, that is about 90% of residents in Singapore we are held 'ransomed' to the market forces that swings the property prices up and down...when it goes down, we don't benefit or lose BUT when it goes up (because some specuvestors play the property market, we pay the price because URA increases our home value....we pay more property taxes....)

we don't sell because we need a roof over our heads..... ie we cannot sell.....)

valuing and taxing our one and only resident property according to the value as a result of rising market prices resulting from speculative market forces is NOT RIGHT...it penalises people like many of us working hard to own a home in Singapore to make Singapore our home, such taxing is downright SILLY and short term......REMOVE property taxes for owner occupied only property ie the 1st property. It will be a sincere move by the Govt for its call to Singaporeans to make their home Singapore....... I totally support taxing 2nd properties in whatever rates Govt decides...because if you can afford a second home, you can afford it........for 90% of Singaporeans, the only asset they have is their only home/roof over their heads....and the Govt must recognise that these kinds of tax revenues or form of govt income is is blood money from decent, hardworking citizens like us......

I hope our practical govt will seriously fix this matter...I am downright unhappy about this part of the budget....no matter what sliding scale u use....it is not sincerity to me....and I am sure many like minded citizens like us who are one owner occupied property owner will agree...

Answer 172

Hi,



I would like the 2010 Singapore Budget to help singles like myself in housing concerns and also as a caregiver to my elderly parents. Presently I am finding it difficult to buy a 3-room HDB flat as the prices are too competitive and on the high side due to speculation and also in that I cannot purchase new flats but resale ones.



As a caregiver, I hope that the government will assist in our financial welfare and well-being.



Looking forward to a positive reply.





Thanks!

Answer 173

Seriously, this budget will not help Singapore or Singaporean.



I don't agree that Singaporean are not productive. Using EDB own statistics, Singapore has the best SKILLED labour in Asia Pacific and 2nd in the World.

Source: http://www.sedb.com/edb/sg/en_uk/index/why_singapore/singapore_rankings.html#rank_chart



If we are not productive, other than few global recessions, why are we achieving GDP growth every year? Giving companies training subsidies to train the most Skilled labour in Asia Pacific? Are we barking up the wrong tree or are we training those "FT" or PR who don't have the required skill sets? Than, why are we letting them in? Do we have a very clear selection criteria (eg. English language requirements), positions and roles that will contribute to our growth like other countries eg. Australia. Or, did we open the floodgate and than fixing the problem now?



Source:

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf (Positions)

http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/general-skilled-migration.htm (English language requirements)

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/skilled-occupations/occupations-in-demand.htm (Migration Occupations in Demand List)



Why Levy on FW? We need construction and domestic workers to help us build our country infrastructure and take care of our children/elderly. We must differentiate between FT and FW.

Answer 174

Productivity????

What is our core economy lies on ???

Manufacturing???



Tax benefits will it really benefit middle & lower income group families???

Does raising $20 levy rate have an effect on the import of foreign workers??



Look around for a second,is our economy robust already???

The recovery of the US is still fragile.

Budget should concentrate on attracting more investments,giving business more incentives,company tax cut to make it more attractive for business to start here.Investments will create more jobs.

Banking industry has recovered,so is the madness of bankers making for themselves more $$$$$ in their old ways(in the west).



Will trainings guarantee employments??? Two recessions so far have taught us" maybe not".

Answer 175

The budget that satis by singaparean is too help them directly to go forward frm a new advancment. If the budget is given to the conpany i can tell you only 5% to 2% will reach the the target.for training of that can help the rigth people and 80 to 85% will go into the company profit. if that the case it only for show frm the gov to the company that what friendly speaken by people ( singaporeans). i been years budget for this to benefit u. i don't see help frm it, tell the nation, i have been send to 5 or many course like excel,word etc.don't just throw the that money to the company. it like just help the rich and telling the poor it happening. as a nation leader I will help the poor and let the rich to understand human rights.Thks

Answer 176

i can't think of any.... like many mentioned, it is just a "show" to let those naive believe that the government is helping

Just watch the tv program, knowing so many people still struggle to live their day makes me ponder how much the government is doing for them.

Furthermore, there is no significant different between us the true citizens as compared to those PR.

So dun blame us for leaving for better alternatives. For the same reason why PR and foreigners are here, that going to be the same for us to leave.

Leave to country to them and let them populate the nations with their offspring instead....

Answer 177

We didn't have such luxuries long time ago. Especially during the old kampong days, families were having an average of half a dozen children, any problem? Before the millennium, there weren't such concerns and almost every citizen lived their live 'peacefully'. Now most commoners are struggling, I just want to have the old days back. How to turn back the clock? Fat hope.

Answer 178

all this is about the rich and poor ...how about those living in rental hdb flats?why cant the HDB stated that for low income starting net salary should be $1500 and below instead of $800-$801?do you know that most of those whose salary below $1500 sometimes could not afford to pay the rent?those below $800 are ask to pay $61....but if salary $1100 or $1200 they will need to pay $180 or $200++for the rent...and they also have kids schooling...now adays money even $100 are fast to finish..so come on dont think those salary $1300 or $1500 are big....there is so much to pay...bills,tuition fees,ezlink top up, etc...

Answer 179

I do not and cannot agree that our productivity is low, we are working very hard to bid for a job, new safety rule, new safety requirement to qualify for the bid other than the technical specifications.



We are busy in sending worker for training, we are working very hard to get the job, in the end , lower quote will get the job.



Even when we get the job, a lot of money go to the new requirement. To make profit out of it??? some time think of giving it out..

Answer 180

In a nutshell, 2010 Spore Budget surely will benefit all of us. Be it the citizens or companies, investors etc. However, I feel that part of the budget is wasted on those who idle at geyland road, china town so on and so.......I suggest that unless these people are in the employment market or if they are too 'old' to work, get them to involve in community work (There are many community clubs in Spore) they should be excluded from the benefit generated from the budget. Please note that I have no ill feeling for those mentioned but as an encouragement for them to be more productive, to be more pro-active as a matured citizen

Answer 181

The questions on reduction in cost of living, cost of housing,transporation, in comparison with the inflation rate are not attended to.We have not look at the high inflation that had consequently created the high cost of living. The other question is the cost of housing. It will be impossible within the next few years for younger couples to have their own housing. If you allow a family to own a public houseing and also a private unit you already allow speculation on properties.

Answer 182

Productivity means not net-surfing during office hours which many if not all are guilty .



Baby budget , what a joke singaporean ! The govt dont owe anyone a living .



If not satisfied,

try be in another country which I have for 10 over years . Its dog eats dog.



I dont like the govt , but it the best we can have .



50 year old singaporean

Answer 183

Very disappointed. Just wondering if the BUDGET benefits the Companies, will they ever pass the benefits to employees? I doubt. If they do, why should there be so many committees being set up to take care of employees. We really need to relook at the cause of poor productivity? Don't just penalise locals and foreigners. Another Productivity Committee set up? Will it help?

Answer 184

Year by year the budget seem to be very widely covered. In another word the need of every resident is looked into not just focusing on economy and business. As resident ( a common people) I thanked the government for giving such a thought to us



My only expectation is, a better offer for housewife. Maybe a subsidy for them if they would like to take training (after office hour), some kind of incentives to be given to husband for staying back home after work to take care of the children while the wife attended night class. Giving an example of myself, I love to take up courses, but sure not during the day as I have children to take care off. In order to take up part time courses I have to do it part timely (in the evening) but money is always the concern. Government training subsidy is always for people who works.

Answer 185

I'm a SAHM expecting my 2nd kid. Nope, I wasn't motivated by the govt's concern about our low birth rate. Just bad planning on our part. How does the Budget benefit me? Not a single peanut.

Answer 186

Foreign workers levies are also set to increase by few tens dollars.. I am even agreed with this method because singaporeans always complained about cant find stable jobs (full time) due to foreign workers take over singaporeans' rice bowl! What to ask for more? If maid's case, Sorry i don't know.. Because i am not thinking of hire maid but maybe hire local babysitter if can..



For spouses' benefit's not bad too... Nowdays women have own path of career and family to manage in balance even cant depend on spouse at all times. Because we cant predict our future when happen to spouses.



Hmm, what is about disabilities' benefit relate to jobs? Hearing Impaired? For eg: workers ratio more than 20 and up to 100:1(2disable or 1hearing impaired). I am making suggestion.. I noticed no one mention about HEARING IMPAIRED PEOPLE.. Mostly words is VISION IMPAIRED/ DISABLE (Problem with part of body) I know.. At least Hearing impaired people are very small-Known group. I know this matter could not reach to everybody here unlike america.



Thanks. Just say out from my opinion. Just tell me if you find me as wrong.. I am welcome to listen to you.. :)

Answer 187

No matter how rosy the budget is, I personally feel it will not keep up with our high standard of living.Government has been too engrossed in growing our economy and thus has also given our fellow citizen a more stressful life.



Though majority of Singaporean has own HDB properties but does the government know most of them have to work very hard to finance the mortgage and thus leaving very little time for personal comfort for themselves and family and thus have neglected their parents relationship as well.This is one of the reason that our population and birth rate have declined in recent year.With the other casino opening soon I believe the birth rate will decline further in coming year.There will also more single that prefer not to marry. But please do not compromise by bringing in more immigrants and thus eroding our culture.Try taking MRT, shopping and food court and you will know how badly it is now.



I believe everyone like myself likes to have more children but circumstances forbid us to have more.

I have two children both girls, honestly I would like to have one more preferably boy but with my present income I dare not think about it.Everyone know our standard of living is keep rising and will not come down, everything is expensive nowaday. Education is expensive, health care is expensive, transportation is expensive.Even though all these services are being subsidied by government and yet is very very expensive.



We are glad to have our Minister for Health Mr Khaw Boon Wan.He has been working very hard to bring down our health expensive.Since his appointment he has implemented quite a number of bold measures to cut down health expenses. Most people would agree with that.I am very proud and happy to have him being our Minister of Health.



Honestly I just hope the government will slow down the pace and let us have some space and relax life. It's not too late now for the government to put some serious consideration or one day we will end up likes Japan now.Try to understand that majority of Singapore is earning around 1.5 to 2 thousand dollars a month and we have so much expenses to fulfil.I hope our dear prime minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong will sincerely look into certain measures to make our life more fulfilling,enjoyable and relax.

Answer 188

Ok I am dissapointed with the budget, but then again i am disappointed every year.



Levies

The increase is not going to do any good. Look this would increase the cost of labor in areas like coffeeshops, cleaners, construction whom rely on foriegn workers.



But in places where Singaporean want to work, like IT, banks etc the 20$ increase is not going to do anything. A bank clerks singaporean cost $2000 A bank clerks China cost $1500 what a 20$ increase in levy beside three are ways to get around the levies.



So in the end Singaporean still dont get their job and some industires have to incurred heavier cost which would pass to singapreans.



ERPs

Singapore have not even begun to recover and here we have our government rasing the cost.



Training subsidies

I do not doubt that training is important and keep us competitive and productive. But there is a question here if I am jobless and I spend my time and money training would i be employed, the ans is hard to say. And if i am a boss would I spend $3000 a year to train my singaporore workers, or 2000$ a month to hire two more china worker. Or better still I hire 2 china worker for $2000 train them and wala they are cheaper and more productive then singapore workers. Why can they get $2000 because they only need to rent a small room in singapore, their family in china. If they find it not good here, they wipe their backside and go USA, Japan, or back China.



We singaporean call it home here, we are loyal we want to serve our country but the country treat us like 2nd class citizens



baby bonues

The government does not understand, baby bonus has little effect. Why singaporean dont want to have babies because they do not want to see their child suffer. Many singaporean are without a job, cost of living is riasing but our pay is not. The cost is not jsut raising due to inflation but because of governmetn actions like COEs, ERPS. GSTs,



jobs

The governmetn always say if no foregfin talent who build our houses. No singaporean say that they do nto want constrcution workers but we do nto want foreign workers in areas where singaporean can do well like IT, Banking, accounting. But yet these industries are filled with foreign workers, I do understnad that foreign workers can fill shift work but then I use to work in a bank I see foriegn workers filling in normal day jobs and working beside singaporean, some of them are PRs.



According to government there are 500,000 PRs, 1m foriegners in singapore that 1.5 million. And out of the remaining population there is quite a number that is PR convertered to Singaporean or become a singaproe because one of their parents is a singaporean.



I have been jobless for more than a year, I am a degree grad, with pass in lvl 2 CFA exams and FRM exams. My asking pay is $2000 and I still cannot get employed. I apply for a bank clerk but what is my chances of landing a job even with my qualifications and knowledge. The ans is zero because there is alway a China clerk that offer to work for $1200 a month. If I offer to work for $1600 the china can offer to work for $1000.



Conclusion

Next time be honest with your intention if you want to suck money from us just say, no need to beat around the bush. You lose billion in investment due to your stupidity and then you have poor singaporean bear with your fault. All the casion 100$, the foreign levies , erp is going to provide cash flow to governmetn, but do they solve the problem they intended to sovle the answer is no. And I do nto even have to explain why they would not, because every singaporean with a brain bigger than a bird can figure that out.

Answer 189

I disagree that Singaporeans's performance are bad. What I come across in my work place and other daily activities such as services, restaurants, shopping centre, foreign workers are not as efficient as local. There may be minority of bad performance by S'poreans, but that does not call for more foreigners to come and take the place of majority of good S'porean employees. In terms of languages, culture, work dextirity, I prefer S'porean. Of course there are some good efficient workers.

Answer 190

When talked about boosting baby to cover off the old age population in Singapore, does they consider give out incentives to the 2nd generation PR (born in Singapore - by PR parents)... as this will be an asset for future Singapore.

Answer 191

Oh my god , our government budget -.-" mainly is for increasing PRODUCTIVITY.As labor productivity is typically measured as a ratio of output per labor-hour, an input.That means our government want us to work more harder and longer hours.Our life already so hard, barely can survive only...



Another view for increasing Foreign worker levies ,i feel personally that is bad idea, it might affect our cost to hire maid... Sigh..Everything is $.



Rich People is getting more n more rich ,for those poor people like us is getting MORE and More Poorer....

Answer 192

As long as foreigners (and their employers) are not required to contribute to CPF. Even if they are paid the same salary as a S'porean, they will be at lower costs to the employer. This means the Foreigner gets his pay without CPF deduction leading to lower overall costs to employer (by as much as 34.5%), AND at the same time, the Goverment gets more income tax (as the foreigner has a higher assessable income), in addition, property owners get income from these foreigners' rental, leading to more property tax revenue for the Govt. In this scenario - 4 out of 5 parties win - the foreigner, the employer, the Govt (2 times winner) and the property owner. And who is the nett loser? The Singaporean employee!



With this policy in force - Which rational business owner would want to employ a S'porean? This CPF policy needs to be reviewed/changed in order to help S'porean PMET's, not just the often repeated education/training story.



This policy is discriminatory against S'poreans for jobs with pay starting from $1,500 - employee aged below 35 years - cost savings 34.5%, on a reducing scale of person's age to 65years old. (source: http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/9F114FAD-9ED0-479E-BC80-875DEBFA37DB/0/AnnexB.pdf)



As for productivity - the Ministry of Manpower has already increased it's own productivity by increasing levies!



The above CPF policy is unfortunately not given much airing (even the opposition politicians don't seem to highlight it as a concern); therefore, complains generated about foreigners are due to the effects felt, but most people are not familiar about the CAUSE!



Even PR's benefit from the above policy - with the first 3 year waiver on the CPF contribution.



Sad for us - PMET's who are sandwiched between having to fend for ourselves on top of having govt policies and taxations (both direct & indirect) putting in the last nails into the coffin. This will slowly but surely reduce the lower-to-middle tiered income earners to be minions, sigh...

Answer 193

I personally feels that a levy imposed on foreign workers is a way to control foreign workers but on construction industry won't make any difference as this is the industry that we are lacking such local talents who are not willing to take-up such jobs.



As such, we are only adding burden on top of such rowsy economy and intense Competition to those SME sub-contractors and might even force them to the verge of winding-up their business for some in long-run.

Answer 194

I have always wonder why the govt does not allow single divorcees to buy new HDB flat without a family unit. I am a divorcee and my children were with my ex spouse. I had to rent a room for 3 years before I finally purchased a 2-rm flat. I cannot afford to buy a 3-room flat due to my low income. My children are comfortably living with my ex spouse and didnt want to stay with me. I wanted to buy a new 3-room HDB flat so that when I grow old I can rent one room out to support me to pay up for my SP and conservancy fees. I cannot guarantee that when I am old I can still work. I hope the govt will come up with better grants. Sighhh........single divorcees are always left on the shelf.

Answer 195

I think maid levy should be raised too. They are also FW. But maybe increase the rebate for those who really need maids (families with kids and the aged).



People who does not have children or aged, but still have maid, are simply spoilt or vain. How much time does maid need to clean house each day? 2 hrs? 3 hrs? Isn't this unproductivity?



At the end of the day, it is actually more productiive for children to be taken care off in childcare rather than by maids. One maid only care for one child (and sometimes need the gradparent to supervise the maid as well). But one childcare worker can care for many children. Isn't it more productive?



What we need is a more complete and more affordable childcare infrastructure. As Singapore's workforce participation rate increases, wives and grandparents are now working so they are not able to care for child. So having good childcare infrastructure is important.



Having more babies is a concern for govt and for society, so childcare needs a govt/social solution.



Childcare needs to be able to operate 24hrs x 7days, in order to cater to Singaporeans who work shift, who work OT and who fly overseas for business trips. 24x7 childcare would ensure that Singaporeans with children will not be impeded in their careers.



Childcare needs to be further subsidised by govt. More rebates for Singaporean families using childcare. More FW quotas for childcare centres. If 1 childcare FW can replace 10 maid FW, isn't that increasing productivity and reducing our reliance on FWs?

Answer 196

I think more can be done, e.g NS man reservist benefit, which was given $100-200 in the past, and properly some cash incentive for transport as well. Normally travelling to work is the cost, i do really hope the agency can work something out,

Answer 197

Singapore Govt is being very proactive in raising the productivity. However, I just feel that Singaporeans should be given 1st priority when it comes to employment as the foreign talents are hiking our jobs away.



Increasing levy will definitely add addition burden to the employers who are not doing really well.

Answer 198

As usual they have left out the middle income group like me and it is not much of a benefit.Nowadays Budget only favored and is beneficial only to certain groups. GST credit is not much and the inflation is still continuing. To simply put cost of living in Singapore is very very high despite Government stand it is still affordable.

Answer 199

The budget stinks of PAP's indifference to the suffering of Singapore Citizens. Just look at the number of negative comments to Yahoo! Answers and Singapore Citizens will realise that they are not alone when they think that PAP is incompetent.



This coming elections, it's time to VOTE THE PAP OUT.

Answer 200

The criteria to receive the workfare bonus although been up from $1500 to $1700 is still not good enough. It should be increased to $2000. I would like to think that people earning less than $2000 per month are still classified as low income worker.Even the bank's criteria for application of credit loans are for people having income of not less than $2000 per month.

Answer 201

I'm just a normal working guy but when i see 10% service charge, 7% gst, I think to myself.. things are getting absurd. (how does a flat service charge rate encourage productivity and better service? *why should i work harder when im still gonna get paid the same amount as my peers?*)



Paychecks are barely able to cope with accumulation of such taxes. I dread to think about marriage, let alone having kids. There are too many hidden costs and sometimes you just don't know what your paying for anymore.

Answer 202

Before we dwell too much on the Budget, we should consider the primary role of our government. I suggest these:

1. Protection - army, police, law and order, justice

2. Freedom of individual - keep people from infringing liberty of others

Govt is not our "rice bowl" or "god"



A quick look at our taxes, both direct and indirect taxes - ranging from stamp duties, ERP, COE, etc, our effective tax rate is at least 20%. When we add the quasi govt companies inefficiencies, we are looking at 30% or more.



Govt should not be the provider of jobs, big govt departments are waste of resources and do not increase "productivity". Our civil servants are as efficient as they can be. The real issue is whether we need to have dept of this and that...etc.



Govt should consider a flat tax system, abolish all hidden taxes. Changes in tax system means much smaller IRAS, less money to pay for IRAS..etc. The same can be applied to ERP - abolish it, we do not need to waste money on IT infrastructure to maintain and the whole army of vendors... etc.



Conclusion: simplify tax system, smaller govt and eliminate quasi govt.

Answer 203

"You need to check the meaning of productivity. If it includes all kinds of intangible lawful service, then it would be good. However, the raise in foreign worker levies would be a problem. Recently, some report indicated that the performance of Singaporee are much worse than foreigners in general. Singapore can only keep up its position and competition edge by opening its human resource market to bring in more foreigners so that Singaporee can struggle for better performance."

By giginotgigi



I TOTALLY AGREE WITH giginotgigi!

Answer 204

Its the government world.

We voted NOT to have casino ,for their benerfits of welcoming more tourist and more travel investment they make NOT 1 but 2.





No matter how you have given your option or your view ,what they have make up in their mind,they will do it. Its their country (???) . Are you rich to fight them? They will make you a begger and roam

around the streets.



In the meet the people session ,when you go and tell your diffculities,they will say ,we will look into

your stories.



I can say only one think,they ( You guys know who ) just trying their luck too much.If the lion gets angry ,thats the end of their kindom.



We singaporean are just like a paid slave.



Please take 10 seconds before voting .

Answer 205

We have waited with bated breath for this day only to be disappointed as it does not address many other pertinent issues faced by born and bred Singaporeans.



It clearly shows that this government is still adopting a pro-foreigner policy and only paying lip service to Singaporeans' plight.

Answer 206

I know obviously such budget will not benefit me in anyway. But that's ok. What's alarming is that there's a disparity in the ministers' feedbacks and what we see here (the people). The former are cheering and the latter are jeering. What's wrong with this pic? What's the missing link?

Answer 207

Except and be open of what the government had do for us and appreciate the help given by them. Don't be too greedy and expect more. Human satisfaction hard to please and always complain. Just look at other asian country which had no peace in them. We want peace, security, harmony and healthy place to live and not having internal conflict and racism. Think about our children and let the Ministers do their job. Support our own country system. Smile.

Answer 208

no doubt, our gahmen is 'trying' their best to help. however, at this moment, i don't really see how these can help. it could result in longer work hours, same pay. (if no pay cut, considered good liao) when you spend so much more time working, will you still have the energy to take care of children?



have more children? how the heck you get the extra $$$ for it? based on median wages for locals, most likely half the population of working adults can't really afford to marry and have children. we have not even mentioned 'affordable' housing yet. (many working adults 'appear rich', but are actually very cash poor)



now, due to lack of time, quite a number of children are rather pampered and spoilt. when they grow up, how do you think they will contribute to the nation? if the environment is not condusive enough, it will be hard to produce quality future generation.



its really a vicious cycle. to compromise on family time and social values, in the name of boosting economy, increasing production. is it really worth it?

Answer 209

I welcome the increase in the foriegn workers levies.

its not much but it will help a fellow singaporean

in finding a job .

As a singaporean i have heard from friends that

employers who are choosey and only want singaporeans who are

below 40 years of age. what about the rest

who are 50 years of age. Its a good move buy

the goverment. Hope there will be more to protect

older workers and fellow singaporeans.



Roger

Answer 210

The most fundamental issue of a modern city or country is on the gap between poor and rich.



You need to check the meaning of productivity. If it includes all kinds of intangible lawful service, then it would be good. However, the raise in foreign worker levies would be a problem. Recently, some report indicated that the performance of Singaporee are much worse than foreigners in general. Singapore can only keep up its position and competition edge by opening its human resource market to bring in more foreigners so that Singaporee can struggle for better performance.

Answer 211

singapore government metality is always going for cheap cheap cheap labour thats why they imported a lot of their so called Foreign talent which mostly comprises of Bangladesh, indian, chinese, sri lanka workers because they are VERY CHEAP. :)) they like to play with words.. and no matter how singaporeans voice out and complaint, they ACTED like they care, but they always turn a deaf ear because they are the ONLY ruling party in singapore and governed by Lee Kuan Yew and he can do what he likes and what he wants.. remember land of singapore belongs to the people, people contribute revenue to the country and this country does not belong to LEE only. why spend 5 billon to upgrade workers and salary still marked against the Foreign Talents (cheap talents)? my friend worked for a UK which sells specialised information. so he once approached a government sector to sell this information, the government sector personel says : Why we need spend money to buy information? we can find this information by using GOOGLE.. this is how cheap skate singapore government is. and my friend sell a lot of this kind of information to Japan and they pay to get valuable information.

Answer 212

The govt only look after those who contribute economically to the society. As SAHM ( stay at home mum), no benefits're given. We're trying to raise our children to be responsible citizens by educating them the correct morals and values.

The govt only ask us to increase the birth rate and leave them in the care of others. Cant blame our kids for not looking after us when we age. No wonder the birth rate's low.

Answer 213

Personally, there many things in daily life of a Singapore resident can be considered as basic necessities taking note these are well needed to live in a metropolitan city like Singapore. It will ease to some degree for many people living in Singapore if these things can be price reduced in long term. Things like utility bills, transport fare, ERP, medical fee, etc., not calculating the addition of GST. Have to consider a country of fairly small geographical landscape and boundary but highly populated per square km within the country. I wonder if the govt. do this to offset its lacking of natural produce , then it will be a "living hell in disguise" for many people living in S'pore to struggle with " regular taxes" particularly if all these "taxes" continue to surge as time passes by.

Answer 214

It does not benefit me anything due to my income is around $30k and staying with my mother.

I think government must encourage more people staying with parents is the best. Most of them now just making use of their parents name for housing and other benefit. Just like my mother friend, her daughter use her name for housing but don't let her stay with her. Poor old lady have to go round looking for friends help and her daughter can get all the benefit what government gives.I am single but don't get any benefit, I think government also need to look after singles too.

Answer 215

Please lah ..What a good singapore budget 2010...expected .. 1st world country standard..



1stly i believed most of us already mentioned what is the problems already ,high cost of living ,too many FT, etc etc...



But what can we normal or average singaporeans do?u think we can be like other country har? only can LL n obey lor.. u think they will listen to us??FAT HOPE..u think the next GE will affect the pay n pay party? I seriously don't think so .. after they feed us with some "carrots" most of us will still vote them.. after the GE over they increased the GST of what them we complain abit then we forget abt it liao.. if we said something

bad abt them i think sure face lawsite sue until u bankrupt.. who not scare?

Answer 216

Personally, i do have only 1 major concern.



why till date singles are still NOT allowed to buy DIRECT (brand new) HDB flats/ or for that matter



, why is that such a huge disparity in terms on hdb GRANT in dollar value (singles~ $11k vs family grant of either $30-40k) ???



which boils down to- which came 1st? the chicken or the egg?



in several western countries such as Aust / Canada (just to name a few), it only takes about 10 years of annual salary to roughly fully paid up an average decent house. in spore, u be lucky to get it paid up in 20-30 years for a MERE 99 yr lease hold hdb flat ! gosh !



matters are made worst by further "discriminating" the singles/ unmarried in terms of grant dollar value,,,.



one could argue that the "chances" of marrying might be reasonably increased if we were to have a home (brand new hdb flat) of our own to stay 1st,,,as most singaporeans are living with their parents(can sometimes cause inconvinence in terms of personal space n privacy) until they are married.



Boy ! it be a challenging election year,,,,????



lets be fair about the hdb grant and ability of buying direct hdb flats, singles and married people should have equal rights and benefits,,,,, singles can certainly turn married too in due course,,,just that there are perhaps , many who rather own their new hdb flats 1st, before jumping in to grab just "any soul mate" so as just to sastify the nucler family hdb requirement,,,,?



upset and felt short changed single,,,,,

Answer 217

I was looking for reduction of maid levy for those aged senior citizens who are in need of some care. Right now the levy is same for those young couples who has young kids & senior citizens who's needs care. But the thing is young couples has the financial resources to pay for maid, but elders gets much less pay, if they are lucky to get a job and they are really in need of some care,so the levy has to be much less. How do you help the elders ? Please consider the aged people cos we are a greying Society.

Answer 218

The summary of all our answers: Have more opposition in Parliament to seriously look into every single local problem, rather just a general budget tweaking. The confidence in our government is really going downhill.

Answer 219

The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy.

Answer 220

seriously speaking, DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MOST SINGAPOREANS..



Cause many of us as singaporeans did ever hope that the government be addressing a number of issues concerning singaporeans in all walks of life. Things like the GST offset Credits should be increased by 20 percentage of the normal take for this last payout in this year.



secondly, personal income tax would increase!? I would doubt that people would be willing to pay income tax since that there is no rebate or certain percentage of offset in this year budget speech



Thirdly, when they talked about boosting baby to cover off the population, why does they don't give out incentives so that people would inspire to give birth more instead of not having to give birth? This would in turn spelt out that our country is not even pro-family enough to boost population growth, be it through singaporeans or a married wife who is a foreigner to a singaporean man.



And lastly, last 8 years ago the government sparked out that to give sort of rewards or transit rebates inside our farecards in order to encourage singaporeans to take more transport, why not this year?? I have doubt that their words would turn our singaporeans wished true...



bet that many rich man on the streets would say, 'why care so much on this budget, it won't affect me, or so so...' but does they think of the others who is doing much for a country as a whole?



think again... in the end who suffers



I would bet that this would spark another outrage by getting to vote for the opposition for this year GE for the majority of us... Action and words is louder than what you would imagine...

Answer 221

I m disappointed. Nothing much was addressed on the higher and ever increasing costs of living, I m afraid of taking incentives from gov, because in the past it shows how they give you one dollar and take back 10dollars from you. LIke the SP services increasing constantly despite it uses natural gas and transport, ERP and housing keep getting more costly. Plus this increasing productivity to me is like asking you to work hard and longer and we all know that it takes forever for our pay to be increased by bosses.



All gov can do is lower rental rate for bosses so they can channel that cost into productivity.

Answer 222

If levey is increased then working mums will have to quit their jobs what's the point to work and pay so much to govt. We are paying workers accordingly then why levey is being increased.We don't benefit from levies unless it will be refund back after the worker leaves.

Answer 223

Firstly, I felt certain issues were not discussed on. Ie: widening wage gap in Singapore, Low salary as compared to many developed country.



Surge in property prices is not even parallel to with one's salary. There is a need to entail more transparent pricing in for new developed houses. Unbelievably, no one knows how it is priced??



Seriously, 1.1 billion x 5 years, is very questionable..More DETAILED break-downs must be visible for Singaporeans to understand and verify it.

Answer 224

I was impressed with the budget, the government truly is forward thinking and has put plans into place for growth over the next few years.

I particularly liked the spending linked to increasing productivity and the tax reliefs for people taking care of their parents as I see a lot of old age homes with an increasing number of old folk who have been left mercilessly at the time when they should be enjoying their golden years.

However, I thought the budget dint look at the aspect of reducing personal tax rates, we need to do something there to be competent especially against Hong Kong which is still a major draw for expatriates. If we are to lure good talent this is an area which has to be looked at seriously in coming budgets.

In summary, kudos to the finance minister for delivering another strong budget!

Answer 225

Increasing productivity is a good thing but not at the expense of working long hours for low pay. maybe linking salaries to company's performances on core businesses, and signalling worth may unite workers,executive and shareholders' interests.

Answer 226

"I'm just a normal working guy but when i see 10% service charge, 7% gst, I think to myself.. things are getting absurd. (how does a flat service charge rate encourage productivity and better service? *why should i work harder when im still gonna get paid the same amount as my peers?*)



Paychecks are barely able to cope with accumulation of such taxes. I dread to think about marriage, let alone having kids. There are too many hidden costs and sometimes you just don't know what your paying for anymore."



Totally agreed with BoomBoomPow.

Answer 227

Its the same old stories, the budget only serve the government purposes "Its Increase Time" but not the people in general "Its Payback Time". In every budget we will see "Give & Take' policies. They were saying they spent billion but in return they get trillion its business as usual. DOTS.

Answer 228

It clearly shows that this government is still adopting a pro-foreigner policy and only paying lip service to Singaporeans' plight.



This is definitely the last straw.



In just two words :

Answer 229

There are so many comments and mostly are good points. Or at least they are a real concern of singapore citizens. But is the government reading or even considering these points?

Answer 230

I really don’t understand why Singaporeans are still having negative perspective regarding foreigners. I myself am foreigner PR and working professional. I’ve got my both undergrad and master degrees from Top UK universities. What Singapore has got to lose by giving me a permanent resident status . Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be cocky here.



Another thing is those general workers, most of them are taking up jobs that Singaporeans are not keen to do. Besides, many Singaporean’s companies are making huge profits from those underpaid foreign workers.



I have nothing against Singapore as I love Singapore and I have got many Singaporean friends. It is time for Singaporeans to realise that Foreigners are here to contribute to Singapore’s economy not to steal jobs from Singaporeans.

Answer 231

It did not benefit me at all. Entrepreneurship the govt promote is still about profits making, cut and thrust economy, not Quality of Life and Individual Wellbeings ! Come on, this is LEARNER ECONOMY, not arbitrary Top-Down < The Govt DICTATE OUTCOME > by implementing it own policy and what the Govt themselves want it be:The PAP themselves, deemed fit and want the people to live life as they expect etc.THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE WAY, hey !

Answer 232

LAUGH OUT LOUD singapore budget is lame GIVE one CHICKEN pay back for your lifetime example NS SO ON...................



singapore rising the rich people not the poor and singapore already it nation it breaking soon and may fall sooner or later due to support of people getting change of heart and become EVIL due to very harsh working environment



rising in GST 7% sooner or later going to rise up to 10% just a matter of time.



birth rate WILL KEEP drop until singapore is fallen and become dependent on foreigner

WHY our singaporean not giving birth this give MANY REASON



Rice bowl very unstable, rising cost is absurd, SP rising price , SMART keep rising cost of transport, ERP anywhere, STILL GOT MANY MORE!!!!



pm and mentor pm u forgot the VERY people who help to push up singapore now you focusing on rich n medium people poor people just ask them to die LOL Channel 8 monday 8pm the show already say government people don't help the poor give me very bad impression and i do not support PAP or any opposition.



singapore going to fall Island will be flood in 50 year time

Answer 233

1) It don't benefit me in anyway.... already our salary is so slow, we don't even pay tax.

tax reduction make no difference to me, it is only helping the rich to pay less tax



2) increasing foreign worker levy (construction) only increase costs of flats, singaporean will not turn to be construction worker overnight



3) the rebate for utilities is only so minimal



4) The upradging courses is only for lower income group, medium class who need take up degree courses does not have any assistance, degree course are one of the most expensive

Answer 234

So many have voiced out your view. Is the government officer will look at the voices that posted online. Are they productive themselves? Why is Singaporean not productive? They work so hard. Only minority of younger generation are being choosy.

Answer 235

i Think that our taxes are on of the the lowest in world. but the govenment make up for it with everything else.

10 yrs ago starting pay for dip holder was abt 1500....its still very much the same. so what improvement is that? poor middle class have to bear the brunt . ERP has clearly failed....GST is daylight robbery....our financial system is a farce....if you have nothing to back the dollar....its just toilet paper...

Answer 236

Sorry to say but i guess in the future singapore locals will b wiped out and the PR's children will be the SINGAPOREANSSSSSSSS....den they call all their family members here to Singapore and apply for PRs. Im telling u theres no stopping them unless the GOV. really do something abt it.They are pretending to take control of this. Which i think they have to try harder and let us SINGAPOREANS (whom our parents are really born in SINGAPORE) have a better and higher paying pay & positions. & let the PRs get the normal positions instead of trying to save money coz PRs are i dont know to them are much much much more CHEAPER....?????????????

Answer 237

Oooh gosh. Now I am having 2nd thoughts of having another child. With the upcoming standard of living its gonna be hard for everyone. So where does the future lies for us, Singaporeans? Migrate? The foreigners flock to our homeland while we seek for home in a foreign land. I can't imagine the life of our youth in years to come.

Answer 238

The Banking System in Singapore for the year 2009, which is a TAX FREE HAVEN Country, stated Officially a loss of about S9,000,000,000.00 (Nine Billion Singaporean)..This was for such an INTERNATIONAL TAX HAVEN (one of Three (3) major Countries in the World), showed its lack of EXPERTISE, as it has now become a banking system liken to a Securities Company, and not full commercial banking. Take the example: HSBC Private Banking (Suisse) SA....They are connected with BROWN BROTHERS HARISON, a very large USA Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Securities/Broker/Dealer Firm in New York, N.Y., whereby they advise their clientele on what or how much Securities to purchase. Case in Point: MATRIX UK, a.k.a. Bush, Texas, took their advise and sold off very good Bonds; USA State of Wyoming Energy Bonds, to purchase the JP MORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE BONDS at 40%, spending about US$200-MM to purchase US$500-MM with maturity in 2049, back in Nov. 2009. The MORTGAGE MARKET having dropped in the USA to a point today, that these same MORTGAGE BONDS today can be gotten at about 1% or US$100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand USD), can purchase US$1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion USD) worth of these MORTGAGE BONDS with maturity 2049. On Feb. 12, 2010 as per the Wall Street Journal Newspaper, a very large Trust in Portland Oregon USA, filed a law suit against JP Morgan Chase.. and if they win, then class action suits can be expected to be forth coming by thousands of investors all over the World. Meanwhile, JP Morgan Chase, is purchasing part of the ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, which is owned today 70% by the British Government, which we can only surmise is to make itself very hard for the USA Government to declare it insolvent..as the USA Government bailed out A.I.G. to prevent an International disaster. Truly, the MONEY GAMES LIKE THESE SHOULD BE STOPPED BY THE USA GOVERNMENT, BUT not likely, as such JP MORGAN CHASE'S are too big with Washington, D.C., LOBBYIST spending Tens of Millions if not Hundreds of Millions USD to law makers....which is PART OF WHAT CAN BE TERMED AS "THE SPOILS SYSTEM"...There should be a WATCH DOG TYPE OF GROUP OR ORGANIZATION, TO PROTECT AND STOP SUCH HAPPENINGS....AS LOOK WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH GREECE who falsified their BOOKS to be accepted into the EU..and now causing serious International Problems, especially for the Euro Currency...Heaven Help all us peons...amen.

Answer 239

Suggestions :

To boost and encourage more birth, govt could assist by looking into possibilities and avenues of bringing stay-homed mum into workforce. I, myself is facing a dilemma. I would like to have more babies, but who would be best to take care? If I stayed home to take care, how am I able to return to the workforce later? What is my market value say 2-4 years down the road after having stayed home for my young children?

Answer 240

I am puzzled why government continue to tax on property owner on potential rental yield.



Owner of an Owner-Occupied Residential Properties are not generating income from his property,

why tax him?



Does it make sense to collect income tax based on potential income yield and not their actual income?



It does not make sense to collect property tax on Owner-Occupied Residential Properties that are not rented out.



Same goes to TV and Radio licenses, the government can call it fees, licenses, to the man on the street, any money pay to the government is call tax.



Comparing to stoves, washing machine, water heater, mobile phone, telephone to TV and radio are common basic household items in a developed country.



Why are we paying $110 TV and Radio license every year?



$110 is comparable to owning a property of annual value of $8500 based on latest Budget 2010 New Progressive Property Tax Regime?

Answer 241

If gov can afford to lose billions, why isn't there any mention of giving budgets or increase budget to promote families having more babies.

Increase productivity in work place but not increase in bed place to make babies...PM already mention fertility rate is low so why isnt there any budget to address this issue..



Suggestion;

FREE EDUCATION FOR KIDS TILL SECONDARY SCHOOL

FREE BASIC MEDICAL NEEDS FOR ALL KIDS TILL 21YRS OF AGE

FREE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ALL NATIONAL SERVICE GUYS(AMOUNT INSURED VARIES WITH VOCATION)

SUBSIDIES PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES FOR THE HANDICAPS, NEEDIES ETC..

NO GST FOR ALL GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Answer 242

We should cut down on the immigrants rightaway, these PR now are flooding our country like rats. They are so many now in Singapore, making our flat prices sky rocketing, traffic jams everywhere, simple foods/groceries are more expensive now.

If the govt want to intake more PR due lack of babies then you have to cater for it earlier like build more flats first/ build more roads first/ etc. As a ruler, u have to prepare for what is to come; not come first then build.

Now u blame the PR for the high flat prices,but who in the first place ask for so many PR to join come in?



Hmmmmm!

Answer 243

Well as a Singaporean and honestly speaking, it does not benefits me much and I still pity my hubby whom Personal Tax Claim for spouse still at SGD$2,000. This show the government sincerity and have need in their mind really share a "Woman" feeling. They treat us like per annum we are at $2,000. But it's Ok as if this is the case sorry to say their "wives" or their Female MP/Minister too are value at SGD$2,000 per annum.



Ask them to be prepared for the coming lifestyle of the younger generation x who will be voting. You could count me out as most of us will be voting out the party.

Answer 244

I dont think it will benefit us in any way, from the way i see it..the poor will always be poor or if not, getting poorer, while the rich will get richer...truth be told, this country is too fake. Its only a country for the rich and the famous..average to low income families will be sidelined..i believe this country

will not last long if it continues to be like that.

Answer 245

Government has not done enough to encourage my wife to have second child. That's why birth rate is low in Singapore. Government should encourage women to stay home & have baby by given incentive or salary to them. More working woman = lower birth rate.

Answer 246

The world is FLATTENED. Dig a hole UNDERGROUND, if not you are FLATTENED. We must raise productivity, everyone, be it singaporens or foreign workers. We have to raise our knowledge, skill, and creativity. this globalised world changes so very fast. We need to educate our citizen, foreign workers and especially our children, the latest textbooks, so we can go forwards and not backwards. so our economy will prosper. The future of SINGAPORE is our well trained people. thanks.

Answer 247

The increase in levy could result in inflation as the business could pass the cost back to consumer.

Answer 248

I follow the Budget closely each year and this has got to be most DULL Budget in a few years. Long on aspiration, short on inspiration.

Answer 249

Looking forward for more baby bonus benefits and more rebates for the locals.. to help ease the residents. Agree with oneof the writer.. we've got way too much foreign worker here.. ..

Answer 250

The government is not really helping much in this budget..people with more than 3,4.5 children in a family are not given any subsidize at all..but the government wants singaporeans to have more babies..

Answer 251

Hey, dont forget singles leh...

why no benefit for singles



It is a choice of a person to remain single (human right) so dont penalise singles.

Indeed, Singles has equal responsibilities, if not more than married couples..

They have to shoulder the responsibities looking after their aged parents, pay for their medical bills, pay for house bill, and moreover CONTRIBUTE MORE TAXES THAN COUPLES because there is no tax relief at all for Singles...

WHY are the singles always been neglected!!!!!! WHY.....

Is it wrong to be Singles and who said all singles must get married....?????





If Singles are not being taken care of, Singles have no mean to take care of you.... (simple equation).

Answer 252

To be frank I don't understand what the budget is all about. Lame man person like me will have to depend on what other say to understand some of it as I think most of the budget said was out of my world. So...

Answer 253

Many of you here might had overlooked another scenerio here... More and more MNCs are relocating out of Singapore (and many jobs are losing out to cheaper sources & countries forever) ... Examples, especially the Semiconductor or Electronics manufacturing sectors.



Last week one of my friends just told me his Semiconductor company is going to close down its only Singapore plant and will relocate to Penang Malaysia. All of its workers, be it Singaporeans, PRCs, Philippinos, over 400 in total, will be retrenched in phase within 6 months. My friend was asking me to help these majority foreign colleagues to get jobs in my existing MNC Semiconductor company - which was established & built by Singaporeans over 10years ago but now its manufacturing jobs are >90% being held by foreign employees and PRs, only 5% are pure Singaporeans doing mainly admin jobs, & the last 2% are local bosses. I said, what the heck, just pass me the name list and I'm sured these added so-called FT/FW will not make any difference in my company...



My question here is, our government kept asking Singaporeans to be more productive & to continuously upgrade ourselves through trainings so that we Singaporeans can have higher chances of getting employed (I said where else besides manufacturing sector, is hiring the most Singaporeans?) ... But what does it help if they on the other hand, keep on increasing land & rental costs & costs for doing businesses in Singapore, until almost all Singapore Manufacturing Industries are in the brink of relocating to cheaper places to save overheads & costs? Even my friend's MNC company, with over 75% head counts whom are foreigners also cannot TAHAN(withstand) & move out already... This is just a tip of the iceberg for more worst things to happen next...



I do not want to say our government is totally no good, liked what many had tried to express here earlier. But there's always a Chinese saying that goes liked this "Compared with the best, its not enough. Compared with the worst, more than enough." 45 years ago (since 1965), our governments visions and goals, is to make Singapore into a nice & safe country for Singaporeans to live and to call it home. Now, it is still a nice & safe country to call home, but its just came with a higher price tag... A price tag that only the PAP governement themselves & those filthy rich & famous, could call it affordable... The rest of us Average Singaporeans? You knew the answers best...



I can almost see now how poorly Singaporeans will cast their votes for our governing body in the next GE. Just liked a football coach whose being hired with hefty cashs but could only talk big & couldn't perform at all, & yet keep driving up miseries to his players by making them work extra hard under his ineffective trainings that makes no lead at all, see what's will happen to him in the end...

Answer 254

For foreign workers increase levy is not advisable of my point of view since singapore needs their help in compete . over all not satisfactory.

Answer 255

Nothing much as always ....Government forgot about the monority people like me SINGLE DIVORCEE with kids.Yes they have community centres that we can go to but that requires certain criteria which hard to meet .They have a scheme called " HOPE" but the maximum age is 42 !!! So what do OLDER women like me to get help from ???

Answer 256

good, $10 to $30 levy for work permit holders. can maid levy reduce down?

Answer 257

yeah right! S$1.1billion over the next five years after they have made so many screwed ups and even offended and getting too many singaporeans very very angry now. What have you done to deserve all the scoldings and cursing from your own citizens, older citizens who have all these years putting your MIW party in power and got ourselves slapped on the face once too many time, tsk tsk tsk!

Answer 258

Had public hospital/polyclinic increse charges to patients?

Had premium of medishield increased?

If yes, minus on our left pocket and plus again on our right pocket for those who are above 50

years old. This is not a benefit !

Answer 259

The budget should not be deficit badly even in economic crisis, if it manage by a team of dedicated and smart people but they fail to do so. However, in my opinion the budget will not benefit me.

Answer 260

Singapore's budget is a whole load of crap....



come on tax incentives for the people???how much help can that be???



Lets be frank here,how many ppl in sg actually need to pay tax???ppl who earn less than $2500/mth don't even need to pay any tax at all once they take in all the so call deductions (currnet one,not the new one) accounting professionals,students will know this.In lay man's terms,if you earn between 2k to 2.5k/mth,u don't pay tax at all.



increasing levies on those foreigners WILL NOT help at all,in jus increases the coffers of the gov.what i can foresee is the accountant making comparisons on that 14.5% cpf contribution VS the levies to be paid,which means the lower your pay (sgrean) the more preference given to you but we all noe how sg bosses are....pay you peanuts,expect you to build ivory towers.



the pap gov has done nothing but increase everything.increase cost of living (please don compare with msia,a DEVELOPING country),increased indirect taxes(gst),increase price of basic necessities,increase increase increase their bonuses but deafening silence on the pay of ordinary blue collar workers as well as the white.and having to compete with foreigners with menial work like being a cleaner/janitor.....



and the gov still wan ppl to produce more babies.given the current and most probably future conditions(only worse),seriously,putting aside that being a parent and having children can increase the quality of life and the fulfillment to see a child becoming the best that he/she can be,we also need to consider the need to feed and educate the child.you don't feed the child,you expect the child to jus grow up on sunshine and love....in the words of a certain old man :come on,get real.



the problem here is that all these so call budget (tax incentives/grant) to help sgreans are in fact helping the top tier earners,people who need to pay tax and would really need the tax deductions in order to help reduce tax payable.and in this context,it also means the gov want these ppl to have children (being a top tier earner would mean you posses certain genes that a certain old man once said is vital for sg society...remember the promo about getting uni grads to make more babies????)



ordinary man on the street is already having problems feeding himself and his own parents,let alone feeding his wife,children & house.couple with this is the stress of being productive....i think the gov means this in 2 ways.work longer hours,go home make more babies.



sweet isn't it.as if we are jus rabbits,we forage for food till late at night,then go home and reproduce like no one else business.



Welcome to Singapore!

More good years to come!!

Answer 261

I have no idea which moron came out with the idea called "Introduction of Workfare Training Scheme".



So stupid and lame as it sounds, its already 21st century and "Introduction of Workfare Training Scheme" make it sound like we are having a Communist Cultural revolution.



Have they really measure if retraining will actually farking work??? Or they just do it for the sake of doing??? Or they are just too dumb to think???

Answer 262

How can so much achieve so little...



This budget is very much a textbook answer and contains little surprises. Would have expected more creativity and innovation from the govt thats full of talent

Answer 263

It totaly benefit the rich people not most singaporean.

1) pty tax ? now who can buy a house at 80k so wat the pts for 0 tax @6k. now housing is min also need to brought @ 340k( this price is base on Jurong area or sengkeng area)



here i do agree abt the levy for foreign worker this can help local worker to get job easier.

Answer 264

2010 Final Score



($$) 10 VS (People) 0

Answer 265

Dear Minister Sir,



I hope you also take a look at a special category of people...family without parents but with kid, no domestic helper and both husband and wife are working, thank you Sir.



Best Regards

Answer 266

My 7yrs old daughter told me, when she grow up she will not give birth to baby. I was shocked..why? No work = No $. No $ how to buy milk, clothing, pay bills...etc. Everywhere needs to pay. ERP, Electricity, Water, even go to watch movie & air ticket also need to pay adult fare. Is so unfair! She said that all adults need to work long hours. She wrote a letter asked me to pass to my boss. It said that " Can you let my mother off work at 5pm, no work on Saturday & Sunday".

So it quite worry for the next generation, will S$1.1b help?

Answer 267

This Regime don't care of us people and only care of themselves able to pocketing more millions Salaries from our National Coffer and if made mistakes will use "tai ji" techniques ... anyone on the street without need to be scholar's also can do it with a faction of their pay will do liao.... hahahaa... !!!



For these past few years importing in so many FW/FT to compete with us locals for jobs, Transportation, housing, school seats and even Crime (stabbing case in Yishun is a very good example as till now unable to resolve it still).



They will use upgrading lift and block as carrot and will think of all ways to made us as suckers and now even complain us voters as "Draft"... planning to import whole swath of FT/FW to replace us !!!



We must vote them to minority .... stand up "Draft voters" and vote this Regime to minority !!!!

Answer 268

its in the system..not the money! pride is to do something professionally at their pace, not with speed..which eventually affect quality and productivity..japan is a model of ritualistic discipline and "second to none" way of produce..raising levies of course doesnt deter the influx of foreign labourers where their svcs are paramountly needed to keep the output costs low n competitive..aptitude varies and not linked to upgrading skills where you find temporary work..let each individual holistically realise their aptitude n mayb let us use our cpf to buy aircon for our homes!??global cooling!

Answer 269

What budget are thry talking about. They should have not now lost Billion of DOLLARS and yet now talk about budget.



If the right hand knows what the lfet hands is doing, it fine. But what you give out in the right hand and takes back 200% more in thel left hand, so what is budget.??



Just plain silly. isn't.

Answer 270

government has become more buisness minded.They are not doing enough for the people.

They are trying to establish and show singapore to the world.but they are not reaching out singaporeans.In terms of socially and economically.Affected people are lower and middle income group.Everything is going up except for the income.

Answer 271

You can talk and debate until the cows come home, nothing is going to change. The budget is going to be passed in the parliament.



My advice is: Pay whatever you are asked to pay, and take whatever you are given.Life goes on.

Answer 272

No need say anything or comment ... only the G**T have say final n we follow....same as ERP and many other issue. This is the way of life in Singapore.

Answer 273

every thing goes up but not down.in s'pore everyone play 4D becuase of Huat ah & Toto plus foolball



some people go for money leander becuase of money not engouh.every thing when you wake in the



morning need to pay before you do.I hope Government can help middle & low income level.



(@$800/= to 2500/=) range.Singapore is a rich country in south east asia.

Answer 274

Enough on the Budget has been commented here.



Looking at the answers, I can only say one thing:



I'm worried for Singapore. We are a bunch of people who like to whine and complain and hard to please. While we work hard, we also hope for easy money from the government.



The budget is designed to facilitate SINGAPORE's long-term sustainability. Not our individual own.



The budget can't please everybody, can it?

Answer 275

I think we need to define productivity. I look around- i see very busy,hardworking, tired Singaporeans. These include men,women, young and old. I observe tired and stressed out students juggling school work and cca. We need to think about balancing, bread and butter issues and quality of life.

Answer 276

lesser foreign workers (mainly builders), we will have lesser condos / flats; lesser mrt stations near our door steps; lesser new shopping complexes; lesser expressways....etc.



but think again, if there is really a need of hiring these (cheaper) labours, to build all these luxurious facilities for our fellow singaporean, and with the rise of their levis, who will be the gainer after all?

Answer 277

We're new Singapore citizens and also have retired parents to support in our original country. Why can we not get parents tax relief same as other singaporean?

Answer 278

My thoughts are as follow:



1. Raising productivity of Singaporean labor is excellent but how do we measure productivity? Firstly, we know we have world class Universities and education system and I do know that MNCs in Singapore hire foreign Mid Level Executives who had graduated from some foreign Universities which may not have the same ranking as NUS or NTU as customer service officer drawing decent pay comparable to our Singapore graduates. Are we saying our graduates productivity is below par than this foreign labor productivity? Secondly, SMEs like to hire foreign workers as compared to skilled Singaporean workers for a simple reason of reducing operating costs fast to maximize profit and without affecting sales. One Singaporean skilled worker's cost can be equivalent to two or three skilled foreign workers. SMEs would normally hire more foreign workers to reduce business risk because the replacement cost impact to the business is great should the Singaporean skilled worker resigns because there would be no one around to do the job. Does that mean our Singaporean skilled worker is less productive ( a fine line between productivity, cost argument and business operation risk). Thirdly, when global companies or even our big local companies hire senior management or middle management executives, it is a norm that the HRs practioners and Headhunters always look for perfect match. For example, if there is a job opportunity in China, Singaporean Executives need to have a good command of Mandarin, good understanding of Chinese culture etc but we know that China houses many expatriates from the West, India and Middle East who do not speak Mandarin and are less attuned to Chinese culture than Singaporeans even though we may have better understanding of Asia region and have same years of experience. Does this mean we are less productive that we cannot do a good job as compared to these western expatriates working overseas and even in Singapore?



2. The initiative of nurturing home grown global companies is good too and if we can raise the productivity of our Singaporeans by two to three percent annually, can we be certain that hiring practice would change that older skilled workers, Professionals, Managers etc are not being discriminated from younger workers since this would command a higher income for all Singaporeans? By economic argument, you become an expert in your own areas by doing the same work over and over again ( same as formal training) and from productivity argument, older skilled workers, Professionals and Managers should be demanded higher by employer but we are seeing more difficultiies in these group of Singaporeans labor in finding jobs. I know of Professional Engineers who had graduated with Second Class upper Degree and a Master Degree in EEE from NUS (not some non world-class Universities abroad) and had years of working experience with big and good companies having difficulties in finding jobs presently ( employers reluctant to grant interview).



In summary, raising productivity and nurturing home grown global companies are good but hiring practice need to change (not going for perfect match and favour cheaper cost argument in hiring) and we should define how productivity is best measured especially for the Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians group too.

Answer 279

IT WAS A NEW TO INCREASE THE FOREIGN WORKERS LEVY, TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN SINGAPORE IN FUTURE, BUT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE THE FOREIGN PROFESSIONALS AND PR FOREIGNERS IN NEAR FUTURE TOO!

Answer 280

i guess most of singaporean is poor.everything here is expensive n now increasing.every singaporean needs to work n work.not even have d time to spend with family n d wan they love.everything in spore is about $$$ only..but no happiness.even married n pregnant women need to go out to work due to help out family financial.sounds very sad ya.tats is why,most singaporean women scared to have more babies this or next generation.well i guess,the govt is not trying to help out ..instead everything about our expenses is rising up n expensive.really feel sad.but yet we still act like normal people who still can manage this highly expenses cost of living country.really very disappointed.

Answer 281

My answer to 2010 Burget

Come July........

F&B Price increase :Cost of labour increase

HDB: Price Increase :due to construction Cost

ERP Increase:Maintentance Labour Cost Increase

Hospital Fee increase: Cost of labour Increase

Public Transport SBS,MRT...Cost of fual and labours increase

General items in major supermarket:Increse in transport and cost of labour..

and many many more?

Who get the goodies from this badget!you know lah?

Who get to pay many more for this budget!you know lah?

Who get to cast my vote in next election!I know lah........

Answer 282

Unfortunately the world give a situation. The only way to survive is to adapt and see the positivity of the situation. Remember sometimes to get to heaven is walk through hell.

Answer 283

↑ TAX = ↑ Cost of living = ↑ working time/overtime = ↓/no time for love life =↓/no babies = ↓local population = ↓ local workers = ↑ foreign workers = ↑ work competition (singaporean vs the whole world) = ↑ unemployed singaporean = ↑ poverty …↑ starvation …↑ death ..

We are all here to live our lives not only to survive...

Answer 284

I do not expect Garmen to give me money, but only hope that they will take less money from me!

The Latest Word for 2010 = "Levy"

Answer 285

you do whatever it takes. but if you dont start looking at the schools. its staff. the principals. the iron MOE curtain. the next generation of Singaporeans will not save this country. so. seriously. look at our youth first. study what goes on in the educational iron curtain. and see if it will really prepare our youth for tommorrow or not.

Answer 286

i am just speechless....and so dissappoited...!!!

now i have 4 sons and tried few sources for financial assistance n w/o further investigations just asking for both our payslips and the request was disapproved due to our pay!!!

People that they supposed to help they not helping and yet spending all those unnecessarily...

And now increasing the worker levies.....???

Answer 287

All of us know well about this country and the system, which family getting richer and richer with poor family structure and bad health. Please do not ask any suggestions to our citizens,

they do not have enough guts to disclose even their names.

Work hard and run your family, do not think too much, as long as we work we will survive.

Budget all not for us only for political people to show their show.

Answer 288

Dear Minister,



I'm sure there will be one of the Govt Dept out there with their 'elite' going thru the various source of information. Please go thru all the people feedback just in this site...the answer is right there....how many of the posting is positive???



May the force be with you...(not too long, I guess)

Answer 289

I always believe that,the direction given by our leaders are very transparent and fruitfull.I am a very successful business man today the reason because all this Budget and increment is necessary today,We are so much better off compered.Today Singapore so high tech,best in communication,the best inforstructure,very efficient roads and highways,in terms of security i think we are best.when i travel overseas i am greed well i do have fast clearence,because of Singapore passport,our Singapore cerrency so strong we have a better deal of exchange anywhere.As far as i concern i got no objection,i will continue my contribution towards our society with botton of my hearts/i always trust our leaders of the of thier excellent work for the last 40 years

Answer 290

I have moved on to work in overseas, my monthly expenses is only 10% of what I usually spent when in Sin. Pretty concerned with my parent back home in Sin whom are old and earning so little every month. Please take care of your senior citizens!

Answer 291

in Singapore everything goes up but nothing comes down back...

Just look at Sing Power.. Look at the petrol station oil price goes nth, price of petrol goes nth but when oil price goes sth the petrol stay at nth.. where got meaning....but our govt never say anything abt it



Budget??? nothing special this year...benefits for who?? did the govt check whether company does send the staff for training??

Answer 292

The budget doesn't do anything for me man...

maybe $50 savings in tax...

i despair...

I have decided which to vote next year...

Answer 293

What benefit?

who benefit?

only poor singaporean feel the pain.

i want my kanpong back.

Answer 294

They can never understand our plight. We are struggling to support our parents + medical, children + education, paying HDB loan, high SP bills and all other taxes.

Answer 295

I won't even borther to comment as whatever we says won't make a difference anyway....its the fact and life of singapore and it always will be

Answer 296

When we gave feedbacks, LKY said we like to complain.

When we kept quiet, PAP said we didn't speak up.

When we tried to give our view, nothing has been answered.

Who should we blame? Us who voted for PAP or the oppositions who are weak because too few of us supported them?

Answer 297

It will Benefit me, if the Foreign levies increased it will reduce foreign workers coming in and will increase jobs for local and the bosses have to employ locals and increase the pay, in that way the budget for levy rates to go up, will benefit me, thanks

Answer 298

BIG organisations still pay huge bonuses to the BIG bosses even when they made BIG losses during the recession. U think they will have LOTS left for us?

Answer 299

I don't see myself getting any benefits from this year budget. It is better to depend on myself

Answer 300

Utterly disappointed .. the rich nvr understand the poor; the high flyers doesn't understand the heartlanders

Answer 301

What is the point of suggesting??? Put your vote for the in coming Election.

Answer 302

confuse budget

Answer 303

as for me, i am thinking of pursuing further education for my advancement. The budget has never think about us as a working adult, how can government assist us to further our education? like allow us to use our CPF to further our education, and not restricted to "term and condition"

Answer 304

bridge the gap between the rich and the poor? Are you kidding? Why would they want that? Tell me, if you were a rich person with status, would you want more people at your status or less? For if everyone was rich, then it everyone would be normal. There's actually alot more i wish to say but i will hold my tongue, lest it gets me into legal trouble.

Answer 305

it useless it won't work may singaporean are jobless because many foreign taking our job away as singaporean we don't need foreigner worker in singapore send them back where the came from job for singaporean not foreigner

Answer 306

frankly, i did not bother to view or read the budget. why? cos there's nothing i can do about it. and since there's nothing i can do about it, why bother on what's new in the budget?



as usual -

- income tax come - see how much i am taxed, and pay

- property tax come - see how much i am taxed, and pay

- ultility bill come - see how much i am billed, and pay

just keep on pay and pay...

Answer 307

Very Little. I'm in my golden years and there is not much which benefit me in terms

of savings.

Answer 308

I doubt the ministers will read our comments over here. They are busy with their golf sessions and shaking hands with the hawkers.

Answer 309

So much said and promised. But we should all look around and see If we all have been leading a quality life.

Answer 310

Nothing much to say, everybody have their own mind to think.In time to come, singapore will be pack with PR foreigner.

Answer 311

Wait till you see the report from Today that ministers going to incease their pay to other 8.8%, You more dissappointed.



http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100223-0000116/Committed-to-going-green

Answer 312

Any government officials out there reading this thread?

These are the voices of SINGAPOREANS...

Answer 313

the worst budget i guess... middle income worker will suffer and be joining the Poor soon.

Answer 314

Peanuts!!! Where are the handouts? How to go GL if no more free handouts like last time??

Answer 315

10-20 years ago, we were already talking about automation, mechanisation, high-tech, IT, bio-medicine, etc. We went to the extent of importing mechanical road sweepers to improve productivity of our workers and we even relocated low-skill factories to Johor and Batam.

Answer 316

What if the PR and foreigner aim to be CITIZEN??, its same situation of competaion if they became citizen too..

Answer 317

nice to "hear" such a "sound nice" budget plan...personally thinking....it was just a same plan as previous year in different ways of a LPPL plan...what do you think?

Answer 318

the budget is a good one . keep it up , I am taking care of my mother who is about 70 yrs old and

i would get extra tax relief which is very good . It would even much appreciated If the minister could

also consier to reduce maid levy for those who keeping parents & grand parents or disable so as to reduce additional cost for them and encourage others to keep elders with them .



This is only my suggestion only .



tks the government for doing so much in the budget and keeping singapore a very wouderful place

and safe place to stay .

Answer 319

What u do we see at the end action counts.Just alittle advised.

Answer 320

No matter how much government is giving...i will not consider having 2nd child. How to cope? First child if didn't cope well, might end up in divorce....how to deal with 2nd one ??? Working fathers/mothers who didnt get their boss understanding faced pressures leaving workplace on time to fetch their child from school. Most likely will get sacked by boss since cheap labour are easily get in singapore. Somemore some no transport...rush factors and stress unavoidable.



Recommended solutions:

1. Increase childcare, school teachers benefits, welfare, training and pays.

So that childcare centre / schools can afford employs more staffs so that parents are not so rushed. Better trained teachers can help working mummy to relieve certain teachings, counselling, and give more love for the children.



2. Introduce a fixed working hours package:

For example 8am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) and bosses can't stop them from leaving workplace on time and only one parent fixed titled to this package (as some children are taken care by father instead of mother). Only for children below 7 years old.



3. Declare a one day official parent-children day.

Children day only children and teachers are off while parents are working unless parent take leave to accompany them. Parent seldom will take leave as some parents had limited leave as they rather save it for their children exam or their children school holiday.



4. Free Social counselling course to Young parent(for local resident)

Government should FORCE all first time parent for a FREE counselling course (Official off day subsized by governement) in order to entitle to the baby bonus benefits. 2nd time/3rd time parent should have FREE specialized course to help them deal with all problems. First time parent had to undergo certain pressure which dealing with new born baby). 2nd/3rd time parent also faced certain problems like financial issues, time constraint.



5. Chargable income and Tax grants should be reviewed.

Living costs are getting higher and average income people are trying to earn more to meets their basic needs with slight leisure. Those who are fillial to parent might not even have extra for leisure....However the minimum chargable income under IRAS never change before. Chargable income start from minimum 30,000 why can't governement change to chargable income start from 40,000 instead? People sacriface their sleep and time to work alot of OTs just to pay more taxes? Can't people pay slightly less tax to give more money to their loved one or charity organisation which is not declared in the tax relief. I got a child without one ear however she still got one good ear so she is not consider handicap. However she has follow-up appointment every year for doing bone conduction audiometery and in future plastic surgery. And these are costs, who can i get these relief from?



6. HDB flats far too expensive for local residents.

Within 6 years difference, a new 4 room flat cost about $160,000 in year 2004 to current now cheapest $280,000 buy directly from HDB in west area. Is it far too expensive. City area HDB cost average $500K and above. If government can't give a married couple, their basic needs which is a shelter at lower cost. Just image married couple everyday just trying to earn more to pay their monthly housing installment (HPS plan only cover if one party die but not if one party is jobless or sick) the installment is still on-going. Who doesn't want to pay off earlier. How to make time to make babies...PRs usually can afford to pay as they got the initial capital but not local residents who been studying and working slowly to earn more. Average income in s'pore around 2K to 3k per month..according to my surrounding friends and colleagues who got dipolma and degree cert...not sure how government statistic get from....



7. Review polyclinic and hospital policy.

Why local resident with cancer private clinic referral letter and walk-in will be charged 'A' class patient and not be susidised. Only after seen the social worker with support document then will be allow to pay susidized rate? 2 to 3 hours queue at polyclinic just to get referrel letters before can report to hospital. Hospital should have a policy if patient really have illness straight away can be susidized and those false cases then pay the full non-susidized price.

Answer 321

So Dissappointed..

Answer 322

no! no! no!, we are low income earner will not benefit us. Fix wage for all low income singaporean.

minimum $1,800.

Answer 323

I think our (FM) can do better than tis to give sporeans a better place to live in.....

Answer 324

its a 'u want it, u earn it' kind of budget.. but if u have nothing to 'earn', then u have nothing from this budget..

Answer 325

only good is that i no need to pay property tax.

Answer 326

Nothing to do with me

Answer 327

Could be

Answer 328

It,s mean maid levy also increase?????...realy a big burden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Any big increase for salaries.wages?????????????





Alien

Answer 329

your mom

Answer 330

all Singaporean will benefit it....

Answer 331

Let's sum up all. i bet d govt vote% will be lower than d last election 66%.



You get wat it mean??

Answer 332

good go ahead

Answer 333

no

Answer 334

benefit us????????????????

must be joking

Answer 335

fair enough..

Answer 336

NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Answer 337

Please BE SINCERE IN YOUR FUTURE BUDGET.



THANK YOU.