Pic: John Jiayong Low
One of Chee's election proposals is that he will "push very hard" to implement an "Retrenchment Insurance Scheme" if he is elected.
Basically, Chee's Retrenchment Insurance Scheme will pay you a sum of money if you have lost your job.
Sounds good right? Especially if you are one of the unfortunate ones who have been hit badly by the current economic downturn.
But is a "Retrenchment Insurance Scheme" really such a good and hot idea?
Yes, such a scheme could potentially help those solo breadwinners to tide through the rough period where they have no income and meet their living expenses while they search for another job. But there are several countries who have done this and have only limited success with it.
In any case, one critical question must be answered:
Who is going to pay for such a scheme? Employee? Employer? Govt? Taxpayers?
Here's one Singaporean's analysis of Chee's Retrenchment Insurance Scheme.
Chee's Unemployment Insurance (UI)
A DUD PROPOSAL
By John Jiayong Low
https://www.facebook.com/jiayong.low.9/posts/10153657696996247
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Last GE2015, I wrote on how unfeasible Chee's education policies were. I thought that was bad. This year, his UI seems to have trumped it.
Chee's proposals can be found here.
http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/…/may-day-dr-chee-proposes…/
His objective is to want to help the retrenched "tide" through the tough times.
In summary
1. Similar policies in other Asian Countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
2. 1st 6 months of unemployment: 75% last drawn salary. Next 6 months, 50% last drawn. 3rd 6 months: 25% last drawn.
3. Assistance in re-employment. (Cannot reject more than 3 job offers)
4. Capped at median wage (UPDATED: Household median $8,700. Individual median, $4,000.)
5. Funded 80% by the state.
Inserted Pic: SMRT Feedback / The Vigilanteh
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I was curious. If this was a private business, which insurance company would pick this up? Those who are familiar with insurance will know that it is a matter of profitable statistics in order for the company to be sustainable.
Hence it doesn't come as a surprise that in all the countries listed above, they are all state programs. Which means, it is not profitable, nor is it sustainable as a business. Only the government is capable of running such a program which in fact, is a handout safety net for the unemployed.
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Wow! 75% income for 6 months! And at a cap of $8,700 per household. That is freaking a lot. Sure there are conditions such as proof of trying to get a job, but most of them are just maintaining a list of companies you sent resumes to.
Can anyone tell me honestly, that if you are currently earning $4,000 a month, lost your job, and knowing that you will receive a handout of $3,000 for the next 6 months, that you will wake up early tomorrow to start tidying up your resume and search through JobStreet? I would mostly likely be planning my next holiday and don't intend to get a job for the next 6 months. (I mean have you seen the travel deals on Groupon?)
See where this is going? Humans are lazy by nature. With such a comfy safety net, I will be resting there, and not trying to get a job.
I know because I was not earning an income for 2 years and was surviving on my savings, my wife's salary, while providing for two kids. The urgency is just not the same if you know you have ZERO income coming in, versus if you have a 75% payout coming in.
Oh but wait! We cannot reject more than 3 job offers? Whatever happened to the freedom that you preached?
What if the 3 job offers are not suitable and I just need a little more time to land a suitable job? In retrospect, it seems like Chee feels he is not confident in securing 3 suitable job offers for individuals efficiently and hence want to have up to 18 months to "find" job offers for them.
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But the other countries are successful!
I am not quite sure how Chee measures success. Below I am going to list out the unemployment rate of some countries with UI as well as their tenure of payout.
Japan: 3.3% Payout max 80% 1.5 - 6 months.
South Korea: 3.8% Payout max 50% 3 - 8 months
Canada: 7.1% Payout 55% 3 - 10 months
Singapore 1.9% No Payouts.
I am really curious what kind of Math did Chee do, to come up with a plan that lasts 18 months (that is 80% more than Canada!), and starts with 75%?
Are these figures designed to help the individual get back to work ASAP or to let them be unemployed comfortably?
Even without a mustache, Chee looks more like Santa Claus than Mr Murali. At least Mr Murali's figures are more realistic. He didn't say things like I'm going to spend $10 billion dollars to change Bukit Batok into the next Disney land of Singapore.
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All these said, I can see why Chee's proposal is popular. It delves into the reserves which is Ah Kong's money to ensure we go into unemployment comfortably.
But we need to think what kind of culture do we want for ourselves and for our future generations. We are digging into reserves meant for them. Our children is going to see us unemployed, and not be anxious about it because the state will give us handouts. They will grow up to think the same.
For a country where our human resource and reserves are our only resources, do we really want to "Live it up Now" and break this culture of hardworking-ness that our forefathers have fostered over the years?
I know Chee's supporters will argue that this is only at the ideation stage, naturally it won't be worked out. But for a MP Candidate, you have to come up with numbers that are more viable! I barely spent an hour to dig up all these stats. Surely your team can do better.
Source: John Jiayong Low Facebook
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See here for more dubious shit things that Chee Soon Juan and SDP doesn't want voters to know
Channel News Asia - Chee to 'push very hard' for retrenchment insurance scheme if elected
Hey Dr Chee, your UI Proposal got lobang (The Gif edition of John Jiayong Low's post)
The Ultimate Guide to Unemployment Insurance Proposals for Singapore (from the various Parties)
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