The Workers Party Labour Day Message 2007

[poisonivy]

On Labour Day, we celebrate the contributions of working men and women. It is fitting that we should pay them tribute for it is by the sweat of their brow that workers have raised families, built enterprises and contributed to society. They have overcome great difficulties these past few years and done well. They had tried recommendations such as retraining and changing mindsets, to improve their relevance in the work place. On this day, we also want to remember the estimated 69,600 residents unemployed as of Dec 06. Their fates and those of their families must not be forgotten.

In Singapore this year, Labour Day falls about a year after the conduct of GE2006. As such, it is also fitting that we should take a moment to consider the government policies of the past year and their impact on the Singapore worker.

The year since GE2006 the workers have seen an increase in GST, an increase in public transport cost, and increases in hospital and polyclinic charges. The government appears to be considering means testing as a guide for payment at government hospitals, even though they indicated otherwise during GE2006.

The one comfort offered to workers was the Workfare scheme, which the Workers' Party applauds. Unfortunately the government introduced an increase in GST to justify funding Workfare. The Workers' Party is against this increase in GST because the government should have sufficient increase in revenue as projected in the Budget to fund Workfare.

Against this backdrop, the economy has registered good GDP growth, unemployment has fallen and the property market appears buoyant. However there are large segments of workers whose incomes are not keeping pace with the economic growth. The Workers' Party is concerned with the growing income and value divide between the ruling elite and Singaporeans. The Workers' Party has spoken against the Ministers' proposed large pay increases in Parliament. While we constantly see glowing economic charts and indicators, the question is whether this economic growth trickles down to Singaporeans. Are Singaporeans indeed better off in their daily lives? How secure are our jobs and how secure are our children's futures. Does Singapore still belong to Singaporeans, or have we all become guest workers whose only ties to the state are material?

During GE2006, the Workers' Party urged the government to consider policies to improve the ability of workers to adapt to the vagaries of the world economy. These included revisions to the conduct of Trade Unions, the Employment Act and the management of CPF for better returns. We are happy to note that the government is reviewing the CPF investment schemes to achieve better returns. The Workers' Party strongly believes that CPF should not be used as a tool to respond to economic downturns. The CPF should remain true to its original concept - as the retirement nest egg for workers. Workers have suffered reductions in CPF in contribution to the restructuring of our economy. The Workers' Party noted that the CPF rates have not been restored to pre 2003 recession levels.

Despite all the challenges and constraints, Singaporean workers have not lost their work ethic and fighting spirit. The Workers' Party will continue to be vigilant about workers' rights and reflect their aspirations and concerns.

The Workers' Party wishes all workers a Happy May Day.

ERIC TAN
TREASURER

[justin]

On Labour Day, ... we also want to remember the estimated 69,600 residents unemployed as of Dec 06. Their fates and those of their families must not be forgotten.

Unemployment has always been an issue, it has been the frequent reminders by the Worker's Party and other opposition that the Govt has been focussing on this issue as priority.

The year since GE2006 the workers have seen an increase in GST, an increase in public transport cost, and increases in hospital and polyclinic charges. The government appears to be considering means testing as a guide for payment at government hospitals, even though they indicated otherwise during GE2006.

Everything increasem now even they want to do means testing to see if u qualify for which hospitals.. question is why they indicate that they wont do means testing and now they going back on their word? false promise? false hopes?

The one comfort offered to workers was the Workfare scheme, which the Workers' Party applauds. Unfortunately the government introduced an increase in GST to justify funding Workfare. The Workers' Party is against this increase in GST because the government should have sufficient increase in revenue as projected in the Budget to fund Workfare.

They should have their own funds to help lower paid workers.. not through GST.. lower wage workers even if the Govt were to help them.. they might end up spending more through GST than what amount that goes to help them.. so whats the point of having Workfare then?? Big question mark man!

The Workers' Party is concerned with the growing income and value divide between the ruling elite and Singaporeans. The Workers' Party has spoken against the Ministers' proposed large pay increases in Parliament.

Income divide will and always get wider... that is something we need to live with it!

The Workers' Party will continue to be vigilant about workers' rights and reflect their aspirations and concerns.

Clap to workers party! Way to go... what has the SDP got to say... I say they got themselves into enough troubles already...

[greatknowledge]

Great message .. thanks for the post

On Labour Day, we celebrate the contributions of working men and women. It is fitting that we should pay them tribute for it is by the sweat of their brow that workers have raised families, built enterprises and contributed to society. They have overcome great difficulties these past few years and done well. They had tried recommendations such as retraining and changing mindsets, to improve their relevance in the work place. On this day, we also want to remember the estimated 69,600 residents unemployed as of Dec 06. Their fates and those of their families must not be forgotten.

In Singapore this year, Labour Day falls about a year after the conduct of GE2006. As such, it is also fitting that we should take a moment to consider the government policies of the past year and their impact on the Singapore worker.

The year since GE2006 the workers have seen an increase in GST, an increase in public transport cost, and increases in hospital and polyclinic charges. The government appears to be considering means testing as a guide for payment at government hospitals, even though they indicated otherwise during GE2006.

The one comfort offered to workers was the Workfare scheme, which the Workers' Party applauds. Unfortunately the government introduced an increase in GST to justify funding Workfare. The Workers' Party is against this increase in GST because the government should have sufficient increase in revenue as projected in the Budget to fund Workfare.

Against this backdrop, the economy has registered good GDP growth, unemployment has fallen and the property market appears buoyant. However there are large segments of workers whose incomes are not keeping pace with the economic growth. The Workers' Party is concerned with the growing income and value divide between the ruling elite and Singaporeans. The Workers' Party has spoken against the Ministers' proposed large pay increases in Parliament. While we constantly see glowing economic charts and indicators, the question is whether this economic growth trickles down to Singaporeans. Are Singaporeans indeed better off in their daily lives? How secure are our jobs and how secure are our children's futures. Does Singapore still belong to Singaporeans, or have we all become guest workers whose only ties to the state are material?

During GE2006, the Workers' Party urged the government to consider policies to improve the ability of workers to adapt to the vagaries of the world economy. These included revisions to the conduct of Trade Unions, the Employment Act and the management of CPF for better returns. We are happy to note that the government is reviewing the CPF investment schemes to achieve better returns. The Workers' Party strongly believes that CPF should not be used as a tool to respond to economic downturns. The CPF should remain true to its original concept - as the retirement nest egg for workers. Workers have suffered reductions in CPF in contribution to the restructuring of our economy. The Workers' Party noted that the CPF rates have not been restored to pre 2003 recession levels.

Despite all the challenges and constraints, Singaporean workers have not lost their work ethic and fighting spirit. The Workers' Party will continue to be vigilant about workers' rights and reflect their aspirations and concerns.

The Workers' Party wishes all workers a Happy May Day.

ERIC TAN
TREASURER

[greatknowledge]

Does any one know if the workers party has done significantly for us Singaporeans? Please share ya views..

[Exploited Worker]

Why there is no National Day Message from the Workers, the Workers Party and NTUC?

[greatknowledge]

Why there is no National Day Message from the Workers, the Workers Party and NTUC?

Then u should also ask how come no opposition marching contigent on national day.. haha

[Exploited Worker]

On Labour Day, we celebrate the contributions of working men and women. It is fitting that we should pay them tribute for it is by the sweat of their brow that workers have raised families, built enterprises and contributed to society. They have overcome great difficulties these past few years and done well. They had tried recommendations such as retraining and changing mindsets, to improve their relevance in the work place. On this day, we also want to remember the estimated 69,600 residents unemployed as of Dec 06. Their fates and those of their families must not be forgotten.

In Singapore this year, Labour Day falls about a year after the conduct of GE2006. As such, it is also fitting that we should take a moment to consider the government policies of the past year and their impact on the Singapore worker.

The year since GE2006 the workers have seen an increase in GST, an increase in public transport cost, and increases in hospital and polyclinic charges. The government appears to be considering means testing as a guide for payment at government hospitals, even though they indicated otherwise during GE2006.

The one comfort offered to workers was the Workfare scheme, which the Workers' Party applauds. Unfortunately the government introduced an increase in GST to justify funding Workfare. The Workers' Party is against this increase in GST because the government should have sufficient increase in revenue as projected in the Budget to fund Workfare.

Against this backdrop, the economy has registered good GDP growth, unemployment has fallen and the property market appears buoyant. However there are large segments of workers whose incomes are not keeping pace with the economic growth. The Workers' Party is concerned with the growing income and value divide between the ruling elite and Singaporeans. The Workers' Party has spoken against the Ministers' proposed large pay increases in Parliament. While we constantly see glowing economic charts and indicators, the question is whether this economic growth trickles down to Singaporeans. Are Singaporeans indeed better off in their daily lives? How secure are our jobs and how secure are our children's futures. Does Singapore still belong to Singaporeans, or have we all become guest workers whose only ties to the state are material?

During GE2006, the Workers' Party urged the government to consider policies to improve the ability of workers to adapt to the vagaries of the world economy. These included revisions to the conduct of Trade Unions, the Employment Act and the management of CPF for better returns. We are happy to note that the government is reviewing the CPF investment schemes to achieve better returns. The Workers' Party strongly believes that CPF should not be used as a tool to respond to economic downturns. The CPF should remain true to its original concept - as the retirement nest egg for workers. Workers have suffered reductions in CPF in contribution to the restructuring of our economy. The Workers' Party noted that the CPF rates have not been restored to pre 2003 recession levels.

Despite all the challenges and constraints, Singaporean workers have not lost their work ethic and fighting spirit. The Workers' Party will continue to be vigilant about workers' rights and reflect their aspirations and concerns.

The Workers' Party wishes all workers a Happy May Day.

ERIC TAN
TREASURER

Well done Workers Party. Very good message. Better than the one
given by PM Lee on the eve of National Day. May be his speech writer
needs to be replaced.

[moi]

Well done Workers Party. Very good message. Better than the one
given by PM Lee on the eve of National Day. May be his speech writer
needs to be replaced.

noe noe
hiz speechwriter iz world best
even zee itialians r laughin
mee siam where gok hums?
marko polo onced order mee pork in shanghai
by zee great walls
zee hawker asked him
aye tua kuas mai?
marko polo replied
speghetti suse pls
mee pok seller
replied
i gif u 25 satays lark...
zee great walls almost tumbled
luckee
jetli
was dair
with david kopperfield 2 hold zee great walls intacted
zee rest iz
historee

[Exploited Worker]

Good leaders always praise the workers and common citizens.
But leaders always try to paint a very good picture of everything
and then directly or indirectly make it as though it is through them
that the country has come to become the 1st World status.

Greedy self-serving people simply do not know what is shame.
Shameless people always openly claim credit for themselves
and reward themselves first of all before anything else.

Moral of the story: If a country has leaders who are too smart, the
people will suffer without even knowing who are responsible for
their sufferings.