Workers’ Party MP argues that a poverty line should reflect more than basic needs, pushing for a deeper understanding of poverty in a rich nation.
SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) has emphasized the urgent need for an official poverty line in Singapore, advocating that it should encompass more than just the basic needs of housing, food, and clothing. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (April 17), Lim highlighted the growing disconnect between the government’s definition of basic needs and the reality faced by many Singaporeans, especially in the context of a wealthier society.
“As a country becomes richer, the perception of what constitutes a basic need evolves,” said Assoc Prof Lim, citing the example of smartphones, which have become essential tools to access various government services. He argued that life in Singapore should be about thriving, not just surviving. “Part of the problem is a disconnect between what the government has claimed to be basic, versus what Singaporeans themselves perceive as necessary for human flourishing,” he added.
While acknowledging that Singapore is one of the wealthiest nations globally, Lim pointed out that many citizens, particularly the poor, continue to face significant challenges, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The poverty line should be based on more than just the basic needs of housing, food, and clothing,” he said. He called for the establishment of a committee with representatives from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), civil society leaders, and academic experts to define this line and use it to adjust government assistance programs like ComCare.
Lim also proposed that the Local Qualifying Salary 25—the minimum wage for Singaporeans—be linked to the poverty line, ensuring that it reflects the true cost of living.
He urged fellow Members of Parliament to put themselves in the shoes of those struggling financially, asking them to recall times when they worried about making ends meet. “Think back on the last time you had a tight budget before your next paycheck came in, and how you had to worry about whether you could make the rent, pay for meals, or clear bills. Play out that exercise every single day and week, and you will sense how it’s like to be poor,” he said.
In closing, Lim emphasized that Singapore has the capacity to do much more for its poor if it is truly committed to being recognized as a First-World nation.
