Tackling Social Inequality
A Singapore where only the rich prosper -
Is this the Singapore we want?
The reality is shameful
The PAP-led government tells us it is committed to fighting social inequality.
We say reality speaks louder than words.
And the reality is shameful.
For a country that tops global academic scores, we rank in the bottom 10 in the global inequality index.
The reasons Singapore is doing so badly on a global scale when it comes to tackling social inequality?
Harmful tax practices and our relatively low level of public spending.
The gap is widening
Incomes of middle-class Singaporeans have remained stagnant, even as Singapore climbs the ranks of the world’s wealthiest nations.
Working class Singaporeans have seen their wages getting pushed down because of irresponsible opening of the floodgates to low-cost foreign workers.
A lot of wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, according to Credit Suisse's 2018 Global Wealth Report.
And as for the rich millionaire-ministers in Singapore? They sit in their ivory towers and craft policies that deepen inequality!
More disturbing details
The PAP-led government either refuses to, or is clueless as to how it should address the problem of social inequality.
That can be seen in their policy decisions, starting with budget expenditure.
Singaporeans deserve better
Singaporeans don’t want to rely on the government.
We are creative and hardworking, and we’re not afraid to fight. And we have our pride.
Even a cardboard collector uncle or aunty will never say their life is hard – and maybe that’s why some ministers believe they are slogging so hard just to “exercise”.
What Singaporeans want is equal opportunities, for ourselves and for our children.
When the SDA gets into parliament, we will challenge policies that worsen social inequality.
Because all Singaporeans deserve better, not just the privileged and selfish few.
Support us, let us be your voice, and let us serve you.
Read about the SDA's stance on these issues
References
Marissa Lee. 2019. Young and not so upwardly mobile, why it’s increasingly challenging to sustain inter-generational mobility in Singapore. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/brunch/young-and-not-so-upwardly-mobile
Oxfam. 2018. The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2018. https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/commitment-reducing-inequality-index-2018
Aarthi Raghavan, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 2018. Income inequality in Singapore can be solved with multi-pronged social policies that are prudent and on time. https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/income-inequality-can-be-solved-with-multi-thronged-social-policies-that-are-prudent-and-on-time
William Hofmann, ValueChampion. 2018. How big of a problem is income
inequality in Singapore?.
https://www.valuechampion.sg/2018/07/how-big-problem-income-inequality-singapore
Credit Suisse. 2018. Global Wealth Databook.
https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us/en/reports-research/global-wealth-report.html
Joanna Seow, The Straits Times. 2018. Spotlight on calculation of
income inequality.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spotlight-on-calculation-of-income-inequality
Reuters/CNA. 2018. Singapore in bottom 10 of Oxfam index on efforts to tackle inequality.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-inequality-oxfam-index-10806026
Be part of the change. For good.
Tackling Social Inequality
The elderly are losing their dignity and struggling to live
fulfilling lives. The youth of today will soon follow.
The reality is shameful
The PAP-led government tells us it is committed to fighting social inequality.
We say reality speaks louder than words.
And the reality is shameful.
For a country that tops global academic scores, we rank in the bottom 10 in the global inequality index.
The reasons Singapore is doing so badly on a global scale when it comes to tackling social inequality?
Harmful tax practices and our relatively low level of public spending.
The Gap is Widening
Incomes of middle-class Singaporeans have remained stagnant, even as Singapore climbs the ranks of the world’s wealthiest nations.
Working class Singaporeans have seen their wages getting pushed down because of irresponsible opening of the floodgates to low-cost foreign workers.
A lot of wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, according to Credit Suisse’s 2018 Global Wealth Report.
And as for the rich millionaire-ministers in Singapore? They sit in their ivory towers and craft policies that deepen inequality!
More disturbing details
The PAP-led government either refuses to, or is clueless as to how it should address the problem of social inequality.
That can be seen in their policy decisions, starting with budget expenditure
Our Proposal
Our people are our greatest resources.
At present, Singaporean youth from disadvantaged families struggle to even reach the starting line of the “level” playing field.
The odds are stacked against them, and a vast majority are trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty and struggle.
The SDA proposes that an extra 1 to 5 percent of the government’s annual net returns on investments are channelled towards helping youth from disadvantaged families.
To put things in a broader perspective, the government’s returns on investments totalled S$17bn last year, and are projected to hit S$18.6bn this year.
A fraction of this would go a long way to helping over 100,000 disadvantaged Singaporean families break the poverty cycle.
The youth, especially, have a chance to achieve success when given the right tools and environment:
• Modern technological equipment
• Conducive after-school care in dedicated centres near their homes
• Caregiver-tutors to motivate and coach them
References
Marissa Lee. 2019. Young and not so upwardly mobile, why it’s increasingly challenging to sustain inter-generational mobility in Singapore. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/brunch/young-and-not-so-upwardly-mobile
Oxfam. 2018. The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2018. https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/commitment-reducing-inequality-index-2018
Aarthi Raghavan, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 2018. Income inequality in Singapore can be solved with multi-pronged social policies that are prudent and on time. https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/income-inequality-can-be-solved-with-multi-thronged-social-policies-that-are-prudent-and-on-time
William Hofmann, ValueChampion. 2018. How big of a problem is income
inequality in Singapore?.
https://www.valuechampion.sg/2018/07/how-big-problem-income-inequality-singapore
Credit Suisse. 2018. Global Wealth Databook.
https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us/en/reports-research/global-wealth-report.html
Joanna Seow, The Straits Times. 2018. Spotlight on calculation of
income inequality.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spotlight-on-calculation-of-income-inequality
Reuters/CNA. 2018. Singapore in bottom 10 of Oxfam index on efforts to tackle inequality.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-inequality-oxfam-index-10806026
Our Stance
Be part of the change. For good.
Copyright 2020