Govt responded more positively to S"porean workers" needs in Budget 2013: WP

The opposition Workers’ Party has commended the government for responding more positively to its calls and needs of Singaporean workers in this year’s Budget. 

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Office workers in the Central Business District (CBD) (photo: Francine Lim, channelnewsasia.com)

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SINGAPORE – The opposition Workers’ Party has commended the government for responding more positively to its calls and needs of Singaporean workers in this year’s Budget. 

In its Labour Day message, the WP noted how the government has put forward more measures to improve the standing of Singaporeans in the job market and to raise the incomes of lower-wage workers through further wage subsidies, industry upgrading and training programmes.

Budget 2013 included the $5.3 billion Transition Support Package to help businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), raise productivity and rely less on foreign workers.

But it added that more must be done to ease the burden of the rising cost of living and to increase the wages of workers. 

It urged employers to make full use of the new Budget measures to improve the efficiency of their business processes and upgrade the skills of their workers.

The WP said this will enable businesses to move up the economic value chain, boost productivity and pay their workers more.

It also urged the government, especially the Ministry of Manpower and economic agencies, to help SMEs and workers through this difficult economic transition.

- CNA/de

Govt responded more positively to S"porean workers" needs in Budget 2013: WP