Spotlight on poverty in Singapore

[Confuseous]

The 'cliff effect'

Calls for Singapore to follow Hong Kong's lead prompted a debate in parliament in late October, where Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development, expressed the government's opposition to the idea. He said he worries a single measure would allow some needy people to fall through the cracks.

"In Singapore, we use broad definitions for the groups we seek to help, have clear criteria to identify and assess those in need, and tailored schemes to assist them," he said in a written reply. "A poverty line does not fully reflect the severity and complexity of the issues faced by poor families, which could include ill health, lack of housing or weak family relationships."

Chan added: "If we use a single poverty line to assess the family, we also risk a 'cliff effect', where those below the poverty line receive all forms of assistance, while other genuinely needy citizens outside the poverty line are excluded. Our assessment process is rigorous but also flexible to cater to the genuinely needy. Singaporeans who do not meet scheme criteria but who still deserve help, can receive assistance."

Singaporean bloggers were quick to criticise Chan's comments. "Chan's answer reinforces a general view about this government. They really do not want to provide social assistance," wrote Alex Au Waipang on his popular blog Yawning Bread.

"At heart they really do believe in trickle-down and little else. They only get into social assistance when they can't avoid it and a problem is staring them in the face."

- http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/11/singapore-poverty-spotlight-20131178362669442.html

 

[PrinceCharming]

The poverty line in Sinkieland is S$900.

 

[Leepotism]

Goh Choke Tongue: I worry if there's no poverty in Singapore.

 

[Logisex]

The problem is that I don't think any ministers has been able to articulate clearly how each and everyone of the schemes are designed to help which level of people with their needs and how these people are being assessed. I remember there was a minister who admit that the schemes have not reached the masses and he don't even know some of them existed. A lot of these people are old folks, lowly educated, handicap, ill etc. who do not have access to the information and the social workers are not doing enough in this aspect. There have been a few cases where Sinkies were questioning why the docs and the hospital did not take the initiative to help the patients and their families who were clearly in need of financial help.
Are there any stats to say how effective are these schemes, how easy/difficult it is to qualify and how many people fall through the gaps?
It clearly shows that the garment are not interested in providing social assistance. They simply make motherhood statements that such 'schemes' existed every time they were questioned.

 

[Leongsam]

The poverty line in Sinkieland is S$900.

There is no poverty in Singapore. There are those who can't afford the comforts of life but that does not mean they live in poverty.

Poverty is when you're starving, your kids are dying and you don't have a roof over your head.

 

[PrinceCharming]

.....Poverty is when you're starving, your kids are dying and you don't have a roof over your head.

I hope Pinky's cabinet of ministars will approve and accept your definition of poverty.

 

[Leongsam]

I hope Pinky's cabinet of ministars will approve and accept your definition of poverty.

The definition of poverty nowadays is ridiculous. 33% of the world population live on less than USD 2 a day so how anyone who earns SGD900 per month can be considered poor is beyond me.

 

[tonychat]

The definition of poverty nowadays is ridiculous. 33% of the world population live on less than USD 2 a day so how anyone who earns SGD900 per month can be considered poor is beyond me.

Too poor to get the latest Samsung Note 3