Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 136

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Some may argue that Singapore’s system of social security is too heavily
vested in housing, which means less cash savings are allocated for retirement.
Others have also cautioned that workfare payments may unintentionally
result in reduced productivity by causing businesses to retain more lowerskilled workers (in order to benefit from the government subsidies provided
by Workfare) than might otherwise have been the case. There is also the
concern that Singapore’s social safety net is insufficient for certain vulnerable
groups such as the disabled, the aged destitute and the unemployable. In
my view, the toughest challenge could well be that if inflation is factored in
and government aid is factored out, how can we help vulnerable families
advance to a lower-risk state of functioning that will offer them a realistic
chance of achieving progress?
A widening income disparity, an ageing population and the integration of
foreigners are some of the key social issues which Singapore policymakers
have to deal with. Singapore government’s approach to these challenges,
which is probably unique among governments in the world, is a statesupported social safety net woven out of the principles of personal and
family responsibility. While proven successful in the past, this approach will
need to be constantly reviewed and revised when necessary due to several
emerging issues related to the family institution. For example, can Singapore
continue to hold on to the tenet that ‘family is the first line of support’? In
fact, issues of what constitutes ‘family’ in the domain of human services
continue to challenge those who administer assistance schemes. There is
increasing pressure to expand the definition of family to more accurately
reflect contemporary social and demographic realities. In addition, trends of
low birth rates, later marriages, and the increasing number of divorces raise
questions about whether the family institution can be strengthened so that
it can be relied on as the main provider of material and emotional support
to its members.
Workfare, which was introduced in 2007 as an income supplement scheme,
has soon turned into a permanent social safety net. Other forms of relief
ranging from housing grants to training and education subsidies have
helped some low-wage workers by enabling them to have more cash in
hand and providing them opportunities to upgrade their skills for better
jobs. However, there are some Singaporeans who cannot find work, even
if they are able and willing to. Some economists believe that the volatility
of the new economy would mean more workers could be unemployed for
longer periods due to economic dislocation. That is, Singapore’s current
system would come under further stress if the speed of retraining and
redeployment cannot catch up with the changing global volatility.
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