PM Lee's LNY message emphasizes productivity goals,
replacing population
SINGAPORE : Singapore's total fertility rate fell to a
record low last year.
In his traditional Lunar New Year message, Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong addressed the challenges facing the country which
include upgrading productivity and the declining birth rate in
Singapore.
PM Lee said the Year of the Ox began on a challenging note, with
Singapore facing its worst economic crisis since its
independence.
"In the first quarter of 2009, our GDP plunged 10 per cent. But our
economy pulled back up so that for the whole year GDP only declined
2.1 per cent. We kept unemployment low, bringing it down to just
2.1 per cent in December. In a recession year, we managed to
increase employment by 39,000. Thankfully, our efforts produced a
much better outcome than we had feared," said PM Lee.
But Singaporeans made a collective effort to find practical
solutions to tackle the crisis.
Mr Lee said it's because Singaporeans responded as one people that
the country prevailed from the economic crisis. But he warned that
the people must remain vigilant in the Year of the Tiger. That is
because though economies have stabilised there may still be
surprises and close calls.
So, Singaporeans should be psychologically prepared and not let
down their guard too soon.
The PM noted that the Economic Strategies Committee has recommended
moderating the inflow of foreign workers and raising productivity
growth.
But Singapore cannot continue importing foreign workers as
liberally as before, because it will run up against space
constraints.
So to make up for this, productivity levels have to go up much
faster, and Mr Lee said upgrading productivity is therefore a vital
task.
PM Lee said: "Importing fewer foreign workers does not mean less
competition for Singa¬poreans, because our real competitors are out
there in the world, and not here among us. Instead it means that
our workers have to work harder to upgrade ourselves.
"Only when every citizen is well-trained, and is continually
improving his skills and know-how, will Singa¬pore do well, and
every citizen better his life. Upgrading productivity is therefore
a vital task.
"We must not fail, otherwise our economy will stagnate, our city
will become less vibrant and our children will enjoy fewer
opportunities. By working smart and bringing about this economic
transform¬ation, we can exploit the abundant opportunities in Asia,
and create more chances for ourselves."
Maintaining and rejuvenating the population is another challenge
Singapore faces.
Despite all efforts, the PM said Singapore's producing far too few
babies.
Last year the resident total fertility rate (TFR) slid further to
1.23 from 1.28 the year before. This is the lowest Singapore has
ever experienced.
For the Chinese, Mr Lee said the TFR was even lower, going down
from 1.14 to 1.09.
The prime minister is worried about this year too, because some
Chinese couples prefer not to have children during the Year of the
Tiger due to superstitions against children born under this animal
sign.
He said: "In each of the last three Tiger years (1998, 1986 and
1974), the number of births dipped by 7 per cent. It is one thing
to encourage ourselves with the traditional attributes of the
zodiac animals. But it is another to cling on to superstitions
against children born in the Year of the Tiger, who are really no
different from children born under other animal signs."
Mr Lee feels regardless of the zodiac sign, Singapore must remain a
good place to have and bring up children.
He added that the government will continue to support and encourage
Singaporeans to have children.
Concluding, he hopes that Singaporeans will recall how important
families are to them, rejoice that the people have united to
overcome a very major challenge, and resolve to make the best of
the year ahead.
The prime minister wishes all Singaporeans a very happy Year of the
Tiger.
Click here
for full text of PM Lee's Lunar New Year message.
- CNA /ls
