Phrases used by parrots: "...experts..."

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#1
The PAP often get the Straits Times pawns to cite "experts" to soften the ground and justify some impending policies to the citizens

Experts see scope for taking away road space from cars to make way for buses, cyclists or pedestrians downtown

A cycling path being built outside Covenant Evangelical Free Church in Jelapang Road. In heartland areas, the authorities have taken away road space for cycling paths in certain places, for instance, at a 100m stretch along Jelapang Road in Bukit Panjang. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN


They share views on MOT plans to reimagine road infrastructure amid Covid-19 travel shifts
Toh Ting Wei



Singapore's downtown is an area where the authorities could take away road space from cars to make way for public buses, cyclists or pedestrians, said transport experts.

Doing so would bring about multiple benefits, such as revitalising street-level retail and making public transport smoother and more attractive, they added.

They were giving their take on plans by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to make use of the opportunity provided by the Covid-19 pandemic to reimagine road infrastructure here. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said the pandemic has reduced traffic and led to new travel patterns, giving rise to the possibility of converting under-utilised road lanes into cycling or bus lanes.

There could be scope to pedestrianise some roads, he said, without giving specific examples.

Singapore University of Social Sciences transport economist Walter Theseira suggested that the downtown core area would be a plausible location to reclaim road lanes, though he noted the difficulty of identifying which roads could be converted without access to road-use data from the authorities.

He pointed to how the Government has reclaimed road lanes from Bencoolen Street - Singapore's first transit priority corridor that prioritises buses - and said the downtown is a local area to do so as "it has excellent public transport connectivity ".


On roads that could be pedestrianised, he floated smaller roads like Ann Siang Hill near Chinatown as possibilities. "The smaller roads in the downtown core are largely just used for parking now and accessing the retail shops there. With district parking and public transport, people don't need to drive down those roads," he said.

Mr Leow Bok Wee, a smart mobility consultant at Vertix Asia-Pacific, said it will be possible to take away road space at areas like the central business district where public transport is widely accessible.

But he added that the authorities should conduct traffic impact assessments and simulations before making such a move.

Related Story
What others have done about road space during Covid-19
In heartland areas, the authorities have taken away road space for cycling paths in certain places, for instance, at a 100m stretch along Jelapang Road in Bukit Panjang.

But Dr Theseira said it could be harder to do so more widely, given that roads in heartland areas are generally important ones that allow for movement through the town.

Mr Kelvin Foo, managing director of traffic and transport consultancy TTS Group, reckons it would be difficult to find roads that are under-used as these are usually planned on the basis that they will be well used. "Roads that are not well used are in areas like Lim Chu Kang, or (if they are) in areas that are a bit secluded, they are there for essential reasons."

Mr Foo added that any move to take away road space should be done gradually, and in tandem with other policies such as reducing the vehicle population.
He also noted that it would be challenging to plan permanent schemes based on the current Covid-19 situation, as traffic volumes could return to previous levels after the pandemic is over.

Mr Leow said his firm has observed up to a 30 per cent drop in traffic volumes around Singapore compared with before Covid-19, but the gap has been narrowing.

Meanwhile, transport economist Michael Li suggested that the authorities consider having bus lanes on busy roads as well, to improve public bus commutes. "This would benefit both commuters and bus operators who will enjoy quick turnaround timings," said Dr Li.

Dr Theseira said the authorities have been exploring alternative uses for road space that support different forms of mobility for some time, but the lower travel demand due to Covid-19 has provided an opportunity for them to possibly bring some of these plans forward.

Last Thursday, Mr Ong also said the growth in telecommuting and staggered working hours due to the pandemic has created more sustainable travel patterns. MOT will look into making some of these changes permanent, he added.

Transport infrastructure expert Raymond Ong from the National University of Singapore said such changes, if pushed through, will reduce passenger loads on trains. This will in turn lead to less wear and tear of both trains and rails, which will bring down maintenance costs. He added that the changes will also give operators leeway to optimise train frequencies and thus further manage costs.

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said the suggestion was feasible.

He added: "We have to move fast on this to encourage some of these work commuting patterns... and to make it comfortable for commuters... so they can be more productive at the end destinations for work and family."

 

[Leongsam]

My campaign against cars is starting the bear fruit. Singapore will soon go the way of other great cities that have banned cars and pursued alternative forms of transport.

 

[myfoot123]

My campaign against cars is starting the bear fruit. Singapore will soon go the way of other great cities that have banned cars and pursued alternative forms of transport.

Road should only be used for emergency purposes. Like ferrying patient to the hospital, or fire-fighter truck to the fire scene, or police car to catch criminal, or only taxi and buses are allowed. Everyone take bicycle and set PMD limit on the main road. They should not be sharing the passenger path. Otherwise, so much talk also no use.

 

[knnb40]

Singapore is who has many who drive car.....or motobike

Singapore everything is money, from geylang to MBS, gamble, prostitute....short of drug..

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#2
Do you need an "expert" to tell you that business costs will increase for those who hire S Pass and EP holders?

New hiring requirements for S Pass, EP holders will raise costs for some businesses: Experts

The increase in qualifying salaries for Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applicants will raise costs for some businesses, said experts, who also warned that further rises could reduce competitiveness.
PUBLISHED
AUG 28, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

Sue-Ann Tan


Prisca Ang

The increase in qualifying salaries for Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applicants will raise costs for some businesses, said experts, who also warned that further rises could reduce competitiveness.

They added that job seekers will have to change their mindset towards certain industries that must hire foreigners because locals shun those sectors.

OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy Selena Ling noted that the impact of the higher qualifying salaries could be more severe on sectors that hire more S Pass holders such as construction.

She added: "There have been some manpower shortages in specific fields like programmers, cyber security and other digital skills that are required where it may be difficult to plug the gap immediately."

Singapore Business Federation chief executive Ho Meng Kit said: "In the immediate term, this move may raise business costs. We would thus expect more employers to increase their efforts to look for locals and strengthen the Singaporean core, and we do hope for this outcome."

He added that there is a gap between wage and skills expectations that needs to be bridged between employers and mid-career local professionals, so firms should train them while retaining foreigners to complement local manpower.

The attitude of local job seekers will become crucial, noted employers.

Manufacturer Certact Engineering's managing director Ellis Eng said: "The root cause is really the issue of whether Singaporeans want to take up such jobs.

"I advertised recently and interviewed some candidates, but when they saw that we are a manufacturer situated in the west, they didn't take up the job. Singaporeans have to adjust their expectations as well."

Ms Eng, who has one EP holder and several S Pass holders on her staff, said firms have been hard-hit by the pandemic and this move would drive up operating costs.

Singapore Manufacturing Federation president Douglas Foo also noted that locals need to change their attitude and be proactive in training and upskilling for growth sectors. "Other factors must also not be forgotten," he said. "(These include) keeping salary caps in line with the rising pay of graduates from our local universities as well as the fact that with our limited domestic population, Singapore will not be able to progress as quickly without a workforce of foreigners, who in turn contribute to the larger national economy."

Seoul Garden Group general manager Garry Lam said his firm does not hire EP holders as they are too expensive and it has fewer than 10 S Pass holders.

"Perhaps the measures shouldn't apply across all industries, because for food services, not many locals are interested and have the impression it is a tough job with long hours, which is not true," he added.

"They feel if they're graduates, they cannot do service roles."

Financial institutions said they expect the higher qualifying salaries to have minimal impact on their operations. The EP salary criterion will be raised to at least $5,000 for the financial services sector from Dec 1. This will be the first time the Government has set higher qualifying salaries for a specific sector.

A DBS Bank spokesman said the bank supports the Government's efforts to develop a strong pipeline of local talent in the finance sector: "We remain committed to hiring and developing a Singaporean core in our workforce."

Mr Jason Ho, OCBC Bank's head of group human resources, said: "We look at an applicant's skills, experience and values, rather than their age, gender, nationality or race."

He added that the bank has various training and development programmes to reskill staff and groom future leaders.

Mr James Lee, Great Eastern managing director of group human capital, said the insurer is creating corporate job opportunities through the SGUnited Traineeships Programme. He added that all its financial advisory staff are local.

Citizens and permanent residents make up about 90 per cent of all three companies' workforce in Singapore.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#3
Nothing to worry about. Sinkies got no brains, cannot think for themselves, just follow PAP. So no brains mean no mental health issues.

Experts fear long-term effect on mental health

Singapore is now in the disillusionment phase, and more cases of anxiety and depression can be expected in the coming months.PHOTO: ST FILE
PUBLISHED
AUG 20, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT
FACEBOOKTWITTER

Joyce Teo


The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have a long-term effect on mental health, as stress levels rise with the uncertainty of the outbreak as well as the economic downturn it brings, experts have warned.

Dr Cornelia Chee, head of the department of psychological medicine at the National University of Singapore and the National University Hospital, said that when it comes to Singapore's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the "honeymoon" phase is long over.

That was from January to end-March, when the various task forces and healthcare services were activated, and community and imported case transmission appeared to be well contained by robust public health measures, she said.

"In the hospitals, morale was relatively high because we could see that healthcare workers were not getting infected, unlike during the Sars outbreak," said Dr Chee, referring to the severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Singapore is now in the disillusionment phase, and more cases of anxiety and depression can be expected in the coming months, Dr Chee said.

"We certainly entered it in March as the dorm workers' cases increased and it was becoming obvious that our overall economic recovery was dependent not only on our ability to contain our imported and locally transmitted cases, but on how well other countries managed their outbreaks and responses too," said Dr Chee.

Singapore has had more than 56,000 coronavirus cases and 27 deaths from Covid-19 complications.

Dr Chee said Singapore's recovery phase - which comes after the disillusionment phase - will get under way here when there is pandemic control and economic recovery.

At the moment, this phase seems to hinge on the availability of a safe, effective and well-distributed vaccine, she said.

These phases were originally described in a manual by the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration in the United States for health workers helping victims during a disaster, such as a hurricane or terrorist attack.


The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) chief executive Gasper Tan said: "Without a clear indication of when the situation will improve, the prolonged exposure to these stressors and the impact of the pandemic may take a toll on one's mental health."

These may then lead to pronounced feelings of worthlessness and helplessness, he said.



ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA

SOS started a text messaging-based service last month, some three months ahead of its planned launch, to help address some of the mental health needs in the community.

Data on increased mental health cases due to the pandemic may not be available yet, but calls to help hotlines have risen.

During the circuit breaker period, calls to the SOS hotline rose from 3,826 in March to 4,319 in April and 4,265 in May.

The April and May figures are about 30 per cent to 35 per cent higher than a year ago.

June saw fewer calls logged - 3,831 - but this is still higher than the 2,863 calls in the same month a year ago.

The National Care Hotline, which was launched in April to provide emotional and psychological support to those facing difficulties during the pandemic, has received 26,000 calls.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), which operates the hotline that is manned by trained volunteers, said the majority of the callers are above age 21.

Their top concerns include "mental health, marital and family issues, emotional support needed and financial or employment worries".

Dr Goh Kah Hong, head and senior consultant of psychological medicine at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, said his department is seeing higher demand for its services.

"People are seeking help now because what they would have usually put up with has become too overwhelming to just bottle up."
He expects the pandemic to have a "long tail" because of the ramifications of prolonged stress and social isolation.

"With so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it is hard to predict how long people will continue to struggle when it wraps up," he said.

MSF chief psychologist Vivienne Ng said that apart from some people who may experience psychological distress, there are also vulnerable groups such as those with disabilities, people with mental health needs and the elderly, who may be isolated at home and need additional emotional support and access to specialised services.
"Individuals with financial problems and/or who are experiencing unemployment, as well as those with caring responsibilities for young children, the elderly or individuals with special needs may also feel additional stress during this period."

She advises people to talk to friends or family if they feel distressed.

"If you find yourself not able to function daily - having a poor appetite or being unable to sleep properly or concentrate, in low mood, for instance - please seek help early from a mental health practitioner," she said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#4
The same experts who said that Dyson's electric car project in Singapore will be a success, only for Dyson to pull out?

Hyundai's e-car assembly plans here viable: Experts

Hyundai announced this week that it will launch a range of numerically named electric vehicles under the Ioniq brand name - (from left) the Ioniq 6, Ioniq 7 and Ioniq 5. In Singapore, Hyundai will start with an electric compact crossover, which sources say might be called the Ioniq 3.PHOTO: HYUNDAI
PUBLISHED
AUG 18, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT


S'pore has high land and labour costs, but EVs need less space to be built and have long-term growth potential

Christopher Tan Senior Correspondent

Despite the relatively high cost of land and labour here, industry observers are cautiously optimistic that Hyundai's plans to make electric cars in Singapore will be viable.

They also said the venture will add value to the Singapore economy.

Last week, The Straits Times reported that Hyundai Motor will be setting up a plant here to make 30,000 electric cars a year, with most of the volume bound for export. Targeted to be up by 2022, the plant will be the first automotive assembly facility here in nearly 40 years.

Nanyang Business School Adjunct Associate Professor Zafar Momin said that while Singapore does not have a sizeable domestic car market in relation to other South-east Asian countries or an established automotive supply base, it has world-class logistics, a skilled technical and engineering workforce, a more developed infrastructure and a business-friendly government.

But Mr Say Kwee Neng, a 23-year motor trade veteran and now a business transformation leader, said that for any car manufacturing business here to succeed, finding "more creative ways of amortising the cost of investing in plants and facilities" is key.

"Labour costs can be offset by selling higher-margin products, such as electric vehicles, but not revising policies pertaining to how these investments can be treated would make the investments exorbitant, given our high land costs," he added.

Mr Say suggested creating a "Jurong Island for the car industry, and amortising this public cost over a longer period, given that it would bring significant benefits such as employment to Singapore".

Mr Ron Lim, sales and marketing head at motor group Tan Chong, which has an assembly business in Thailand, said Hyundai's assembly venture is feasible, given the long-term growth potential of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide.

"If successful, it could also create a whole new supporting industry, if the Government can attract more like-minded manufacturers to invest here," he added.

Prof Zafar, previously an automotive analyst with Boston Consulting Group, added that the playing field is made more level since Hyundai will be making EVs here.

"EVs have far less components than traditional internal combustion vehicles and are less labour-intensive to assemble," he said.

He added that Hyundai's EV platform would incorporate a fair level of flexible and automated manufacturing and product customisation that require more technology and less labour.

"EV assembly requires relatively less capital and scale to be cost-effective," Prof Zafar noted.

"Investing in such a footprint in Singapore may also give Hyundai an inside track for future smart city contracts.

"This investment will not preclude them from making other such larger EV investments in South-east Asia."

He added that the plant "is clearly beneficial to Singapore as it may attract other manufacturers of EVs or auto components to set up shop here".

Other observers pointed out that EV assembly requires less space, too.

The plant is part of Hyundai's larger multi-function complex of 28,000 sq m - just about one-third the footprint of the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Hillview Avenue which Cycle & Carriage operated in the 1960s and 1970s.

 

[po2wq]

sexperts muz b gud la ... juz rike skolars r big deal ...

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#5
Maybe the "experts" can comment on why firms are delisting from SGX and why SG is losing out to HK

Singapore Exchange Regulation proposals can help reassure investors, say experts

The Singapore Exchange Centre in Shenton Way.PHOTO: REUTERS
PUBLISHED
AUG 7, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT
FACEBOOKTWITTER

Sue-Ann Tan


The proposed changes by the Singapore Exchange's regulatory arm, Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo), to strengthen its enforcement powers and require listed companies to have specific whistle-blowing policies can help to reassure investors, said experts.

But they added that firms must also do their part in ensuring transparency and accountability.

Mr David Gerald, founder, president and chief executive of the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, said: "The proposed new changes to the listing rules will provide SGX RegCo with greater flexibility and provide swifter accountability, and clarity, in the securities market through its governing enforcement actions.

"While SGX RegCo already has myriad other tools to monitor and enforce an orderly market, these new proposed amendments will mean swift and appropriate enforcement... This will only reassure investors."

Associate Professor Lawrence Loh of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School said quick enforcement response is fundamental to the smooth functioning of the stock exchange.

"The new enforcement powers thus benefit investors, who will now have better assurances and confidence in the issuers - this will, in turn, feedback to the issuers (through) better liquidity and turnover."


Associate Professor Mak Yuen Teen, also of NUS Business School, said he had previously expressed concern about an enforcement process with too many layers.

"I believe the aim (of the suggested changes) is to make the enforcement process less bureaucratic and I am fully supportive of that," he said.

SGX RegCo also proposed that listed companies be required to have a whistle-blowing policy.

Mr Gerald said the move will improve corporate governance, but Prof Mak said the effectiveness of such a policy also depends on how the companies choose to implement it.

"Even if they are mandatory, it doesn't mean they will be effective," Prof Mak said, citing firms where corporate culture is poor as an example. "It's very easy in such cases to brush aside whistle-blowing complaints rather than investigate them even if there is enough evidence supporting such complaints."

Mr Gerald said: "Companies themselves must rise to the challenge to ensure transparency and accountability... (They) should make timely and meaningful disclosures, not just materially price-sensitive but trade-sensitive information as well."

Sue-Ann Tan

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#6
But the experts did not say when curbs should be lifted lest they put pressure on the 4G ministers.

Coronavirus: Phase 2 has gone well but curbs must be lifted gradually, say experts

With the number of daily new community cases in the low single digits, further easing is set to happen.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
PUBLISHED
AUG 5, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

They are optimistic about further easing but warn that risk of second wave is still present
Clara Chong

Singapore has made steady progress towards reopening the country, moving smoothly into the next stage of phase two while successfully keeping community transmissions low. But restrictions could return any time, experts stressed, as they have in many nations battling a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

Having zero cases during a full lockdown is to be expected. But the real test of whether a country is coping well is allowing life to return to near normalcy while maintaining a low number of community transmissions for the long term, Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, told The Straits Times.

With the number of daily new community cases in the low single digits, further easing is set to happen - such as allowing some places of worship to hold gatherings of up to 100 people from Friday.

"We have to continue to stress-test the systems that we have put in place," said Prof Teo, pointing to measures aimed at minimising community transmissions and facilitating contact tracing. These include putting a cap on the number of diners per table, safe distancing in public spaces and mask-wearing.

Prof Teo believes that further easing of the rules is set to happen, which would include allowing more people to gather socially.

"But I do hope this will not happen too quickly as Covid-19 remains highly transmissible and is still out there," he said.

Associate Professor Alex Cook, vice-dean of research at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, noted that this cautious approach of relaxing restrictions has allowed Singapore to avoid a second wave of infections for now, which has derailed efforts by other governments to reopen economies and ease restrictions.

For instance, Hong Kong had to implement further restrictions at the end of last month, including a ban on gatherings of more than two people. The Australian authorities also warned that a six-week lockdown in parts of the south-eastern Victoria state may last longer after the country registered its highest daily increase in infections.

Prof Cook is also optimistic about further easing here.

One big change will be the return of cross-border travel, Prof Cook said. Though imported cases from countries with high infection numbers is a real risk, it is something which the Singapore authorities have learnt to contain by putting travellers on quarantine, he added.

"But for lower risk countries, we can probably relax that without raising the risk too much, especially if the travellers are swabbed before entering the country. Might that allow business travel and some degree of personal travel?" Prof Cook mused.

However, Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant in the division of infectious diseases at the National University Hospital, said it is important that these decisions happen slowly, as introducing new measures gradually would give time for the authorities to assess if a particular change is adversely affecting infection numbers.
"The Covid-19 battle is a marathon and countries that rushed back towards pre-Covid life have paid a price," Prof Fisher said, cautioning that Singapore cannot be too quick to count its chickens before they hatch.

"Any slip by individuals could spoil this delicate balance for everyone," he warned.

Prof Teo said that where the Republic has done well is in the strict enforcement of the rules, such as around mask-wearing and safe distancing.

"The relevant authorities diligently monitor the implementation of regulations in workplaces and public spaces, and officers and ambassadors check and remind the public about the different guidelines. I believe this is the main differentiator between Singapore and other countries," Prof Teo said.

Prof Cook added that a comprehensive testing strategy, extensive contact tracing and treating the quarantine of contacts seriously have also helped to stem community cases.

But Prof Teo stressed that this does not mean the nation has the liberty to reopen faster.

"The pace of easing has to be calibrated so we are able to see which activities ought to be dialled back down, or monitored strictly. For example, it was prudent to re-enforce some restrictions, such as crowd control measures, on the number of visitors allowed at popular public spaces such as East Coast Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Treetop Walk. I am heartened that Singapore does not just relax restrictions, but continues to monitor the effects when restrictions are lifted."

What lies ahead for all Singaporeans is to continue helping the country maintain a near perfect score card, Prof Teo stressed.

"The moment a misguided policy is implemented, or a good policy is not adhered to, that is when cracks form and clusters start spreading. We need to look ahead, identify potential weak links and blind spots, and constantly remind everyone of their responsibility to keep this outbreak under control," Prof Teo said.

Prof Cook said other places have shown how fragile a successful response can be - places like Hong Kong and Vietnam won praise for their management of the pandemic but both had to launch drastic measures to arrest outbreaks when a resurgence of cases happened.

"And this is a reminder that it, too, could happen here," he said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#7
Experts brought in to soften the ground and to justify SIA retrenching employees.

Job cuts hard to avoid for SIA amid Covid-19 pandemic, say experts

SIA expects passenger capacity at the end of the second quarter of the 2020/2021 financial year to be at 7 per cent.PHOTO: ST FILE
PUBLISHED
AUG 4, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

With air travel battered by pandemic and no end in sight, they say cost cutting is inevitable
Toh Ting Wei


Job cuts could be in the pipeline for Singapore Airlines (SIA), which is now overstaffed for current demand, experts said yesterday.

SIA could also try to cut costs in other areas, or possibly receive additional government support to tide it over the crisis, they added.

The airline had last week announced a net loss of $1.12 billion in the quarter ending June 30 - its worst quarterly showing. It also said it is reviewing the shape and size of its network over the longer term, given the impact of Covid-19 on air travel.

The International Air Transport Association has said it will take until 2024 for global passenger traffic to return to the level last year.

Mr Nicholas Wyatt, head of research and analysis in travel and tourism at analytics firm GlobalData, said the recovery of international flights depends on how quickly the pandemic can be brought under control, but "there are few signs that this is happening".

But if airlines cut jobs excessively, they will be shorthanded should the market rebound quicker than expected, he added.

Other options to manage costs could include renegotiating deals with suppliers or cutting in-flight amenities, said Mr Wyatt.

Ms Joanna Lu, Asia's head of consultancy at Ascend by Cirium, said that cutting staff costs, including through retrenchments, seems inevitable with continued low demand for air travel.

"If there is no major breakthrough in containing the virus in the next couple of months, it is extremely challenging for SIA to sustain its business scale."

While SIA has registered strong demand for cargo transport and could benefit from green lane arrangements, Ms Lu said these avenues are only small parts of its business compared with before Covid-19.

It is not uncommon to see airlines worldwide cutting staff costs through measures like voluntary retirements, furloughs and leaves of absence, she added.

Associate Professor Walter Theseira, an economist with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, noted that the crew manpower costs for SIA would have come down, given that crew are paid for the time spent in the air.

He said: "For SIA and other international airlines, it is really about whether their contracts allow them to pay crew the bare minimum and whether the crew want to stay on.

"I think what could work is if aircrew find outside jobs that take up a substantial portion of their time and be rostered to fly enough so as to keep their skills up, but that is easier said than done."

SIA expects its passenger capacity at the end of the second quarter of the 2020/2021 financial year to be at just 7 per cent compared with the level before Covid-19.
Separately, its chief executive Goh Choon Phong announced last week pay cuts for all management and rank-and-file staff, as well as early retirement for ground staff and pilots. He also told staff to brace themselves for additional measures.

In the last few months, SIA has also been boosting its balance sheet. It has raised $11 billion since its financial year started in April.

CIMB Private Banking economist Song Seng Wun said the Jobs Support Scheme, which subsidises up to 75 per cent of wages for local workers in the aviation sector, will be key to helping SIA retain workers. The scheme is set to stop after this month.

"I would say that there are compelling reasons for JSS to be extended for some industries which are still finding it extremely difficult to get back on their feet through no fault of theirs," he said.

"I think SIA value-adds to the economy and contributes to Singapore's role as a transport hub... It is a national icon that must be protected and must be helped."

Mr Alan Tan, president of the Singapore Airlines Staff Union, noted that unlike some other carriers that have retrenched cabin crew, SIA has managed to hang on to its crew so far. "We will work with the company to continue to do what we can, but given how badly the global air travel industry is doing, it will honestly take a miracle for us to keep all of them indefinitely," he said.

 

[Leongsam]

All this because of a virus that is milder than the flu.

67,000 cases but only 27 deaths which works out to a case fatality rate of 0.047%. This is less than half that of seasonal influenza which has a CFR of 0.1%

Governments have gone power crazy and the people just blindly follow instructions wearing those stupid face sanitary napkins that do absolutely nothing to stop the spread.

 

[tobelightlight]

Did I read that correctly? 100m of cycling path? 100m?

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#8
Oh yeah, if experts said that covid-19 spread is expected, then do not blame the 4G ministers.


Coronavirus: Bukit Panjang transport hub cluster a cause for concern but to be expected, say experts

T
he risk is likely to be low for commuters as most would probably have had only transient interaction with the drivers and been masked up.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
PUBLISHED
JUL 28, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

Clara Chong


The recent community cluster at the Bukit Panjang integrated transport hub is a cause for concern, although its emergence did not surprise experts.

With the easing of restrictions and more people going about in public, the formation of such clusters is to be expected, Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, told The Straits Times yesterday.

Still, there is reason to worry because the cluster - involving four SMRT bus captains who tested positive for Covid-19 between July 7 and last Friday - posed a relatively higher infection risk to fellow bus drivers than to commuters, said Prof Teo.

The reason is these drivers, who are front-line workers, would likely have had sustained interactions with the infected cases during break or meal times when they may not have been wearing masks, he said.

But for commuters, the risk is likely to be low as most would probably have had only transient interaction with the drivers and been masked up, he added.
The infected bus drivers drove services 976, 184 and 176, and three of them contracted the virus at home.


Since the cluster was confirmed last Friday, SMRT said on Sunday that it has taken steps to curb the spread of the virus.

Its chief communications officer Margaret Teo said employees have been urged not to talk during mealtimes when they are sitting close to one another, and to continue monitoring their health diligently.

"Employees who were in close contact with the (infected drivers) have been placed on leave of absence," she added.

All premises, such as depots and interchanges, are cleaned and disinfected frequently. Buses are also disinfected at least twice daily.

SMRT has advised its bus drivers to strictly follow safe management measures.

"Additional measures to sanitise the affected premises have been implemented too," said Ms Teo. These include closing the two canteens as well as the crew rest rooms, toilets and passenger service office.

"All common premises have undergone deep cleaning and disinfecting by an external vendor," she added.

Prof Teo said that while a cluster is bad news, what is more important is the speed at which the authorities can ring-fence these community infections, and how well contact tracing is done to identify and isolate those exposed as quickly as possible.

Associate Professor Alex Cook, vice-dean of research at NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said that it is better to have four linked cases than four that are unlinked.

Contact tracing will be easier with linked cases, he added. "Therefore, I am not especially worried by this particular cluster."

With the virus set to stay for the long term, Singaporeans will need to learn to live with it, said Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the division of infectious diseases at National University Hospital.

"This requires community behaviour to stay in line with all the guidelines and rules," he said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#9
Experts cited to soften the ground and absolving SG political leaders from the worsening job situation


Experts fear worst may be yet to come in Singapore job market

Business sentiment seems to have perked up after the circuit breaker.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
PUBLISHED
JUL 30, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

Layoffs, unemployment rate expected to rise further this year amid uncertain outlook
Sue-Ann Tan


The worst may be yet to come on the employment front, experts said, following the release of preliminary figures yesterday that showed retrenchments more than doubled in the second quarter of the year.

They agreed that the job market has not bottomed out amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, but that government measures have gone some way in mitigating the impact.

National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said in a Facebook post that he expects retrenchment and unemployment figures to continue climbing in the second half of the year, with an uncertain outlook across many industries.

He noted that besides small and medium-sized enterprises, large local enterprises and multinational companies are also impacted with delayed or reduced investments, curtailed production and freezes in global headcount.

"I am particularly concerned that the figures may not reflect the full impact of the (job losses) as I do see and hear of workers being contractually terminated (though with adequate notice pay), older workers not being re-employed, as well as foreign workers on work permit, S Pass and Employment Pass whose passes are not renewed. These do not count towards overall retrenchment numbers," he said.

OCBC Bank head of treasury research and strategy Selena Ling said the total and resident unemployment rates are also likely to rise further in the second half of the year. "Without the SGUnited Jobs and Skills programme, the local job market conditions would have likely deteriorated faster," she said. "However, the private consumption story is likely to remain muted, and business hiring plans are also tepid in tandem."

United Overseas Bank economist Barnabas Gan said headwinds in the tourism-related sector, the external environment and resurgence in Covid-19 infections in Singapore's key trading partners are among the factors that may impede economic growth.

"Given the slowdown, companies may continue to show reluctance in hiring while the pressure to retrench their existing workforce could also increase."

DBS Bank senior economist Irvin Seah said the labour market will continue to deteriorate, even though economic growth is likely to have hit the bottom in the second quarter. He expects the resident unemployment rate to peak at 4.2 per cent by the year end.

Business sentiment seems to have perked up after the circuit breaker, as about 17 per cent of companies polled by the Ministry of Manpower last month indicated intent to cut their headcount in the next two months, compared with 19 per cent in April and 21 per cent in May.

But Maybank Kim Eng economists Chua Hak Bin and Lee Ju Ye also noted that employment data is a lagging indicator, which means that the negative impact from the circuit breaker measures can show up in job losses in the third quarter.

"Locals could account for a larger proportion of the layoffs in the second half (of the year), as the job support schemes and wage subsidies expire in August," they added.

On retrenchments, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo told reporters yesterday: "We understand that companies are sometimes having to manage on many fronts and there will be occasions when they have not communicated as clearly to their employees.

"There will be occasions when it has caught the employees by surprise... and so our encouragement to companies is to make sure that you alert your employees early."
She added that firms that are in negotiations with the unions should not retrench staff before the talks are complete.

"I think the way in which this dreadful process is handled is critical. There has to be an understanding of the pressure that workers face, there has to be an understanding that we need to accord them dignity and respect."



Labour market in Q2

 

[Leongsam]

#8
Oh yeah, if experts said that covid-19 spread is expected, then do not blame the 4G ministers.

Of course it will spread because that is what viruses are designed to do. They are part of the natural order of things.

However because hardly anyone is actually sick there is nothing to worry about.

 

[Leongsam]

#9
Experts cited to soften the ground and absolving SG political leaders from the worsening job situation


Experts fear worst may be yet to come in Singapore job market

Business sentiment seems to have perked up after the circuit breaker.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
PUBLISHED
JUL 30, 2020, 5:00 AM SGT

Layoffs, unemployment rate expected to rise further this year amid uncertain outlook
Sue-Ann Tan


The worst may be yet to come on the employment front, experts said, following the release of preliminary figures yesterday that showed retrenchments more than doubled in the second quarter of the year.

They agreed that the job market has not bottomed out amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, but that government measures have gone some way in mitigating the impact.

National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said in a Facebook post that he expects retrenchment and unemployment figures to continue climbing in the second half of the year, with an uncertain outlook across many industries.

He noted that besides small and medium-sized enterprises, large local enterprises and multinational companies are also impacted with delayed or reduced investments, curtailed production and freezes in global headcount.

"I am particularly concerned that the figures may not reflect the full impact of the (job losses) as I do see and hear of workers being contractually terminated (though with adequate notice pay), older workers not being re-employed, as well as foreign workers on work permit, S Pass and Employment Pass whose passes are not renewed. These do not count towards overall retrenchment numbers," he said.

OCBC Bank head of treasury research and strategy Selena Ling said the total and resident unemployment rates are also likely to rise further in the second half of the year. "Without the SGUnited Jobs and Skills programme, the local job market conditions would have likely deteriorated faster," she said. "However, the private consumption story is likely to remain muted, and business hiring plans are also tepid in tandem."

United Overseas Bank economist Barnabas Gan said headwinds in the tourism-related sector, the external environment and resurgence in Covid-19 infections in Singapore's key trading partners are among the factors that may impede economic growth.

"Given the slowdown, companies may continue to show reluctance in hiring while the pressure to retrench their existing workforce could also increase."

DBS Bank senior economist Irvin Seah said the labour market will continue to deteriorate, even though economic growth is likely to have hit the bottom in the second quarter. He expects the resident unemployment rate to peak at 4.2 per cent by the year end.

Business sentiment seems to have perked up after the circuit breaker, as about 17 per cent of companies polled by the Ministry of Manpower last month indicated intent to cut their headcount in the next two months, compared with 19 per cent in April and 21 per cent in May.

But Maybank Kim Eng economists Chua Hak Bin and Lee Ju Ye also noted that employment data is a lagging indicator, which means that the negative impact from the circuit breaker measures can show up in job losses in the third quarter.

"Locals could account for a larger proportion of the layoffs in the second half (of the year), as the job support schemes and wage subsidies expire in August," they added.

On retrenchments, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo told reporters yesterday: "We understand that companies are sometimes having to manage on many fronts and there will be occasions when they have not communicated as clearly to their employees.

"There will be occasions when it has caught the employees by surprise... and so our encouragement to companies is to make sure that you alert your employees early."
She added that firms that are in negotiations with the unions should not retrench staff before the talks are complete.

"I think the way in which this dreadful process is handled is critical. There has to be an understanding of the pressure that workers face, there has to be an understanding that we need to accord them dignity and respect."


Labour market in Q2

All this because of a virus that is less harmful than the flu.

 

[po2wq]

Did I read that correctly? 100m of cycling path? 100m?

4 sinkielan, if loonger dan 100m, u wil land in ze c ...

 

[mojito]

I trust experts.

 

[laksaboy]

I trust experts.

https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Appeal-to-Authority