Source : The Workers’ Party Facebook page.

Workers’ Party’s Labour Day Message on 1 May 2020
Today is a Labour Day like no other. Singapore continues to battle a disease pandemic and what might
be our nation’s worst economic contraction since independence.
On this Labour Day, our thoughts, prayers and support go first and foremost to our healthcare and
frontline workers. The country owes all of you a debt we can never repay.
Today, we must also remember our non-essential workers and self-employed workers. Many of you
would be struggling with earning a steady income and getting your work done in spite of the Circuit
Breaker measures. Not everyone can easily work from home.
The Workers’ Party believes that all Singaporeans should work together as one united people to beat
COVID-19.
But one united people should also mean a people who, even in crisis, speak up for what is best for the
country and offer constructive suggestions and rational debate so that we can become better. In this
spirit, we recently organised a COVID-19 video-conference panel discussion with Singaporeans who
are experts and specialists in their respective fields. Workers’ Party MPs will continue to speak up
rationally in Parliament to offer suggestions on our nation’s COVID-19 response, as well as our policies
in a post-COVID world.
The challenges we face are not limited to beating COVID-19. Even before the virus hit us, last year’s
GDP growth was a weak 0.7%. We will face headwinds from Industry 4.0 disruptions and geopolitical
tensions, including disruptions to global supply chains. As we fight this disease, let us at the same time
prepare for a better post-COVID future by ensuring that the environment for our workers is:

  • FLEXIBLE enough for workers to thrive as industries get disrupted at record speeds. To this
    end, we had called for a Redundancy Insurance scheme to help workers bounce back, and
    rules that earn better returns for CPF balances, while allowing a portion of the CPF above the
    Minimum Sum to be withdrawn as emergency funds;
  • FAIR enough, so that workers know they will not face disadvantages due to gender, race or for
    being Singaporean; where the resale values of HDB flats will be reasonably supported to
    protect those who depend on their flats for retirement; and
  • FUTURE-READY enough, providing support to entrepreneurs who create jobs at home while
    investing in our people and our home-grown companies through training and incentives, so that
    they are not overly burdened by the cost of living but feel confident enough to seize
    opportunities, take risks and innovate.

Last but not least, we should remember the responsibility we all owe to our foreign worker community,
to provide them with decent, dignified conditions. Not only today but every day.
On this Labour Day, the Workers’ Party wishes that all in Singapore stay safe and keep well.
Majulah Singapura.

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