THE government's strategy to improve Singapore workers' lives
has worked and it will continue to use this successful formula to
create growth, good jobs and steady increase in real wages for them
over the long-term, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
Sunday.
Addressing the annual May Day rally before 8,500 unionists,
employers and government leaders at the Singapore Indoor Stadium,
PM Lee said the first responsibility of any government is to ensure
good jobs - for both present and future workers.
This is what the People's Action Party had delivered, and will
continue to deliver, he said.
'This is what voters must ask any political party seeking their
support - how will they create growth and jobs for Singaporeans?'
he added.
On short-term issues, like the higher cost of living, which is
caused by external events such as the upheavals in Middle East and
poor harvests in farming countries which pushed up prices, Mr Lee
highlighted several key measures to address them.
These include keeping the Singapore dollar strong, targeting
help in specific areas and groups who need it and making special
efforts to help low income workers like topping up wages with
Workfare and special bonus payout.
The government will also continue to help workers upgrade their
skills and raise productivity and take measures to help older
workers get and stay in jobs, Mr Lee pledged.
-- ST
