Key Issues Addressed Include Workforce Challenges, Pandemic Regulations, and Integrity Concerns in Legal Training.
SINGAPORE: The ongoing labor shortage as Singapore eases COVID-19 measures will be among the main topics addressed in Parliament when it convenes on Monday (May 9). Several Members of Parliament have submitted questions regarding what actions the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has taken to assist businesses, particularly in sectors like food and beverage, facing recruitment challenges.
MP Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang) asked about MOM’s efforts to promote local employment and whether foreign labor policies will be relaxed if the manpower situation persists. Additionally, MPs Yeo Wan Ling (PAP-Pasir Ris-Punggol) and Liang Eng Hwa (PAP-Bukit Panjang) questioned if personnel working COVID-19-related jobs would be reassigned to other sectors.
They sought clarification on how these workers might be supported in finding new, longer-term employment, while also inquiring whether MOM would work on measures to redirect resources to industries experiencing labor shortages.
Other questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic included requests to relax rules for unvaccinated residents and inquiries into the impact of the pandemic on non-COVID-19 patients facing treatment delays. MP Lim Biow Chuan (PAP-Mountbatten) asked if the Ministry of Health (MOH) would ease restrictions to allow unvaccinated residents to dine at food and beverage outlets.
MP Leon Perera (WP-Aljunied) questioned whether MOH would conduct a study on the repercussions of the pandemic on non-COVID-19 patients experiencing treatment delays, especially elderly patients with chronic conditions, as well as its effects on the public healthcare system amid the backlog caused by the periodic suspension of non-essential services.
LAW EXAM CHEATING
Additionally, several MPs raised concerns regarding the recent case involving trainee lawyers who cheated on their Bar exams. MP Seah Kian Peng (PAP-Marine Parade) inquired if there have been other cheating instances and what actions were taken in response. MP He Ting Ru (WP-Sengkang) asked whether measures are needed to address public concerns regarding this issue and if the penalties imposed were sufficient.
MP Hany Soh (PAP-Marsiling-Yew Tee) also queried if the Ministry of Law plans to introduce regulations to ensure trainee lawyers are considered “ethically ready” to be called to the Bar.
Among other issues on the agenda, Ms. He questioned the assessed impact on supply chains and rising prices in Singapore in light of various lockdowns in China due to the COVID-19 outbreak. She sought to know which industries or goods and services have been or are anticipated to be most affected and whether any further measures are being taken to alleviate these impacts.
Two bills will be introduced — the Endangered Species (Import and Export) (Amendment) Bill and the Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill. Among those slated for second reading are the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill and the Adoption of Children Bill.
