Put on thinking caps and voice out

I was privileged to be given the opportunity to attend a public forum this evening.

As best as I understood, this public forum is intended to get professionals input from the various human service providers so as to provide the Ministerial Committee on Low Wage Workers with insights on the challlenges faced by low wage workers and on how to improve the prospects of children in low income households so as to work towards breaking the cycle of the permanent underclass.

It is encouraging to know how this public forum could lend a platform in informing policy-makers of the needs of the lower income families and individuals. It was stimulating for my mind to think deeper on the issue and to hear people's views on the issue.

Let me attempt to extract and summarise some of the issues and points that were raised during the forum for mere wish to get you thinking and to encourage you (especially Singapore citizens) to participate in the forum if you have something to say:

• A need for affordable childcare services to support parents from low income families to go to work.
• Looking into making social enterprise initiatives that can tap on the skills and enterprising spirits of people (especially who are low-income) viable.
• Looking into speeding up the time required to process and approve genuine applications for childcare financial assistances.
• Making training more available and accessible for low wage workers so that they have opportunities for upgrading. (e.g. scheduling trainings at the times of the day that are more accessible for workers who work extended hours.)
  
• Explore providing more train-as-you-work opportunities.
• Changing mindset of employers and also those of employees.
• Need for sufficient childcare services for children who may present some behavioural or developmental challenges.
• More comprehensive and integrated efforts and services for low-income families so as to support them to work while ensuring quality care is being provided to the children from these families.
  

Below are links which you may visit to learn more about the above-mentioned discussion, and to lend your views and insights. You may wish to read at least briefly yet sufficiently on the topic before posting your views so as to give more value-added contributions.

Discussion Forum: http://app.feedback.gov.sg/asp/dis/dis0003.asp?topicId=2741&catId=821

e-Consultation Paper: http://app.feedback.gov.sg/asp/ocp/ocp01d1.asp?id=2703