Budget 2023 debate: Melvin Yong on social compact to better protect consumers and workers

As the Government does its best to help Singapore and Singaporeans navigate an increasingly complex global environment, more emphasis can be placed on strengthening the social compact to better protect consumers and workers, said MP Melvin Yong. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 23), he highlighted the work of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Its Price Kaki mobile application has been downloaded more than 130,000 times. The app will be expanded this year, with community and gamification features. To combat and mitigate the issue of shrinkflation, Price Kaki has unit pricing displayed on over 1,200 items, including groceries and beauty products. CASE will expand unit pricing to 6,000 items on Price Kaki by the third quarter of this year. Mr Yong urged the Government to mandate the display of unit pricing. Mr Yong said besides refreshing the social compact to help consumers adjust to a longer inflationary environment, Singapore urgently needs to review and strengthen its compact on what a safe workplace means. He urged the Government to consider making permanent some of the requirements under the Heightened Safety Period, such as higher penalties for workplace safety breaches. This would send a strong message that every worker deserves to return home safely, he said.