2024 Roundup (Jul-Aug): A swift oil spill cleanup, $72,000 skills upgrades for S’pore’s workers and extra paid leave for S’pore’s new parents

20/12/2024

When Singapore suffered its largest oil spill in 20 years, the PAP government sprang into action, fighting to limit the impact of the Vox Maxima accident and protecting our shorelines. Singaporeans banded together and answered the call for volunteers, showing our strength in adversity. 

“The quick response to the oil spill which occurred in our waters on 14 June demonstrated the close coordination and collaboration among our agencies, industry partners and volunteers,” said Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat to Parliament (2 Jul). “They worked well together and responded effectively to mitigate the impact of the oil spill.”  

Indeed, the Ministries of Sustainability and the Environment, Transport and National Development worked together swiftly to clean up the spill. The efforts also included long-term assessments of Singapore’s marine and coastal ecosystems, as Minister for National Development Desmond Lee noted.  

Over 1,500 Singaporeans from all walks of life stepped forward voluntarily to clear up the oil spill alongside these Ministries, Minster Lee also noted. They patrolled to track the oil spill’s impact on biodiversity, reported sightings of distressed wildlife, and generally kept East and West Coast Parks secure — a heartening glimpse of Singapore’s social compact strengthening during a difficult time.  

“We have made good progress in cleaning up the oil spill. As of 30 June, over 1,200 tonnes of oil-soaked sand and debris has been collected, and much of the oil slicks on our beachfronts has been removed,” said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu (2 July).  

“The bulk of oil-soaked sand has been removed and sent to toxic waste treatment facilities for safe treatment and disposal,” she added. “Booms have also been deployed to prevent oil from being washed ashore or into our inland canals.”  

Our MPs closely scrutinised the Government’s actions as well, with 14 of our MPs raising the oil spill issue in Parliament.  

In particular, Government Parliamentary Commitee for National Development members MPs Cheryl Chan (East Coast GRC) and Xie Yeo Quan (Jurong GRC) raised questions about food and water safety.  

MP Rachel Ong (West Coast GRC), whose ward is near the spill, voiced similar concerns. “What measures are being taken to minimise the impact of the oil spill on marine life?” she asked about the Southern Islands close to her ward.  

“To date, our fish farms remain unaffected by the oil spill. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has been taking seafood samples from coastal fish farms in the East Johor Strait for food safety tests,” responded Minister Fu. 

“There has been no impact to our water supply,” added Minister Fu. “In the event that any plant in Singapore’s water supply system is disrupted, PUB will step up production capacity in our remaining plants.”  

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Source: Chee Hong Tat, Grace Fu, Vivian Balakrishnan / Facebook

Humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza 

In July, we also sent a fourth tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This included food aid of over 1,000 tonnes of rice and 300 tonnes of sardines for the civilians suffering from the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan was at the handover ceremony, which was also attended by Mr Hawazi Daipi, Singapore’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority. 

“This latest tranche of aid represents our continued and steadfast commitment to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the aid reaches all those in need swiftly and effectively,” said Minister Balakrishnan. 

“We will continue to find practical ways in which Singapore can continue to help our Palestinian friends in these most difficult times.”  

$72,000 of skills upgrading allowance and 10 more weeks of paid infant care leave  

Closer to home, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his first-ever National Day Rally (18 Aug) speech. 

In the speech, PM Wong announced more measures to keep taking Singapore forward. 

He unveiled a generous training allowance for every Singaporean to upgrade his or her skills. This is through the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme. 

“If you take time off from work to study full-time, you will get an allowance of up to $3,000/month,” said PM Wong about eligibility. “And you have 24 months’ worth of allowance, everyone. If you do the sums, that adds up to $72,000 per person!” 

“Anyone who wants to upgrade their skills — at any point in their lives, no matter how old — will be given the opportunity to do so in Singapore. This is my commitment to each and everyone of you,” said PM Wong.  

Source: Prime Minister’s Office / YouTube 

He also announced more time off for new mums and dads. A new Shared Parental Leave scheme gives parents of newborns 10 additional weeks of government-paid leave.  

Added to existing leave schemes, this gives working parents 30 weeks of paid leave in total to spend with their newborns. 

“We are building a Singapore made for families,” said PM Wong. “We will help you keep a good balance between your working and parenting responsibilities.” 

“So go forth! Embrace your marriage and parenthood journey!” he said. 

This support for workers and families is part of the PAP government’s vision for a better life for Singaporeans, and a Singapore with multiple paths for success.  

“We can be a nation where everyone can flourish, thrive, and be the best possible version of ourselves,” said PM Wong. 

“I ask for your support as we embark on this journey,” he emphasised. “We have much to do, and a full agenda ahead.”