Budget 2022 debate: Henry Kwek on transitioning COVID-19 SMM staff back to their jobs
When COVID-19 struck, many displaced Singaporean workers were deployed to implement safe management measures (SMMs). Now that Singapore is learning to live with the virus, the Government needs to plan for how to encourage those workers to return to their industries, said MP Henry Kwek in Parliament on Monday (Feb 28). He said with industries in better shape, some sectors are even experiencing a shortage of staff, which contributes to rising costs and higher domestic inflation. This can be mitigated by getting displaced workers to make the transition back to their original industries "in phases". Mr Kwek called for a "decisive streamlining of SMMs" to reduce the costs and complexity faced by businesses, which will also help fight inflation. Mr Kwek also touched on global climate change negotiations, saying he hopes Singapore will start talks with countries from the region and beyond on any possible cross-border trade of carbon reduction credits.
When COVID-19 struck, many displaced Singaporean workers were deployed to implement safe management measures (SMMs). Now that Singapore is learning to live with the virus, the Government needs to plan for how to encourage those workers to return to their industries, said MP Henry Kwek in Parliament on Monday (Feb 28). He said with industries in better shape, some sectors are even experiencing a shortage of staff, which contributes to rising costs and higher domestic inflation. This can be mitigated by getting displaced workers to make the transition back to their original industries "in phases". Mr Kwek called for a "decisive streamlining of SMMs" to reduce the costs and complexity faced by businesses, which will also help fight inflation. Mr Kwek also touched on global climate change negotiations, saying he hopes Singapore will start talks with countries from the region and beyond on any possible cross-border trade of carbon reduction credits.
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