Singaporeans welcome key recommendations of Economic Strategies Committee

Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia 18 Feb 10;

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans polled by the government feedback channel, REACH, have given high marks to the key recommendations by the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC).

The telephone poll of some 8,000 Singaporeans found 70 per cent agreeing with the recommendations.

REACH said the sentiments also largely reflected the feedback received through other online channels.

Respondents to the telephone survey were most supportive of the ESC recommendations to upskill workers at all levels through an enhanced Continuing Education and Training (CET) system (94%), strengthen support for low-wage workers through enhanced Workfare Income Supplement scheme (93%), and provide multiple skills-based progression pathways to complement academic routes (89%).

Three recommendations received less support and relatively more disagreement.

Sixty-five per cent of respondents agreed to raising the quality of the foreign workforce and encouraging employers to retain skilled foreign workers by increasing the skilled levy differential, while 22 per cent disagreed.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents agreed to diversifying energy sources by exploring the feasibility of nuclear energy for the long term, while 25 per cent disagreed.

Fifty-two per cent of respondents agreed to raising foreign worker levies in a gradual and phased manner in order to manage Singapore's dependence on the foreign workforce, while 31 per cent disagreed.

A few contributors argued that this change should not be applied across the board as some jobs were shunned by locals, and businesses in those sectors depended heavily on foreign workers to remain viable.

While a handful of contributors who gave their feedback online welcomed the move to explore the feasibility of studying nuclear energy as a possible source of energy, others argued over the risks and costs involved in developing a nuclear plant.

They hoped that the government would consider this decision very carefully, and explore other means to generate alternative sources of energy.

On anchoring Singapore as a Global-Asia hub, contributors felt that there was an ongoing need to identify, develop and retain talents across all sectors, including developing world class companies such as Singapore Airlines and Creative Technologies.

Commenting on the feedback, REACH Chairman Dr Amy Khor said it shows Singaporeans broadly agree with and are supportive of the ESC's strategies to grow the economy to achieve sustained and inclusive growth.

She said the results should help to give the government a better idea of ground sentiments on these issues.

- CNA/yb