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SINGAPORE: Several opposition parties have responded to the Budget report, with the general sentiment that the Government was right to aim for a higher value-added economy.
But they felt that the measures could be more effective and more targeted.
In a statement to the media, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) said it "appreciates the PAP Government efforts to invest in the productivity growth of Singapore", but felt that the higher tax rebates announced will ultimately benefit larger firms instead of small and medium enterprises.
NSP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said: "Most SMEs do not have the financial means to embark on sizeable investments in human resources and technology to improve their productivity."
Likewise, Singapore Democratic Alliance secretary-general Desmond Lim said the Government is "on the right track of bringing up productivity through innovation".
But Singaporeans could benefit more from this, he said, if a portion of the increase in foreign worker levies is used to subsidise the wages of local workers.
Reform Party secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who is currently in London, said that more could be done to "wean off" the economy's dependence on foreign labour.
"The increase in foreign worker levy is too gradual and small. Employers will either cut the pay of their workers or find cheaper sources," said Mr Jeyaretnam, who repeated his call for a minimum wage.
Meanwhile, Singapore Democratic Party secretary-general Chee Soon Juan said that "Budget 2010 is no different from past budgets" in tackling the perennial problem of productivity. He asked how a new National Productivity and Continuing Education Council would help when productivity growth already falls under the ambit of Spring Singapore.
While these parties seized the chance to comment on Tuesday, the Workers' Party will give its views when Parliament debates the Budget next week.
Singapore People's Party (SPP) secretary-general Chiam See Tong will also have a chance to respond.
Productivity was not the only issue the opposition parties touched on Tuesday. They felt that more could be done to tackle the issue of a greying population.
NSP's Mr Goh called for more conducive facilities for the elderly.
"The Government ought to develop specific infrastructure such as 'elderly' villages, specific trades and recreational facilities to accommodate and provide for the enlarged senior communities," he said.
Mr Jeyaretnam said the Government support, in terms of Medisave top-ups, was "meagre" compared to how other advanced countries provide for the less well-off.
The Reform Party suggested a universal health insurance scheme, while the SDA suggested that the extra revenue from the tax levy on casinos can be converted into funds for a social safety net for the elderly.
Parliament will debate the Budget as well as the expenditures and programmes of all the ministries from March 2 to 12.
- TODAY/sc
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