I refer to the article “Singapore’s unemployment rate drops to 2% in Q1” (Channel NewsAsia, Apr 27). It states that “Singapore’s unemployment rate in the first quarter was 2 per cent, down from 2.1 per cent in December last year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Friday (Apr 27). The unemployment rate for residents fell from 3 per cent to 2.8 per …

The Manpower Ministry (MOM) released the advance report today (27 Apr) on the Singapore’s labour market for the first quarter of 2018. “Unemployment rates in March 2018 were mostly lower than December 2017 and a year ago,” MOM announced. “Retrenchments were also lower in 1Q 2018 than the preceding quarter and a year ago.” Total employment, however, continued to decline …

At a NUS public forum in 2011 just before the GE that year, a student asked Prime Minisgter Lee Hsien Loong about HDB upgrading in opposition wards. He asked why residents living in Hougang SMC are penalised for picking “a ‘Teochew nang’ (Teochew person) who doesn’t wear a white uniform.” He was referring to then Workers’ Party Hougang MP Low …

A member of public wrote to TOC, highlighting something that he noticed on page 30 of “Army News” issue 250/2018. The short article on Singapore’s SAR21 infantry rifle writes, “The SAR 21 is a bullpup designed weapon (i.e., the butt stock of the weapon is removed), making it about 20% shorter than the M16” But a bullpup is defined as a firearm …

The ILO and The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) have signed an agreement to promote decent work in the preparations for, and operation of the international sporting event. “Through this partnership we are committing together to uphold respect for international labour standards for all the women and men who will work hard to make …

I refer to the articles “Private home prices up 3.9% in first quarter” and “HDB resale prices down 0.8% in Q1; 3,900 new flats to be launched next month” (Channel NewsAsia, Apr 27). The former states that “Private home prices rose 3.9 per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on …

by M Ravi Almost every day we are barraged with the promise that globalisation brings communities together, reduces geographical distances and connects disparate people through what appears to be a shared lifestyle, held together by common values. We are led to believe the colourful diversity and sanctity of life is promoted and safeguarded. Yet sadly, we witness the inescapable dissonance …