{"id":95502,"date":"2026-10-25T16:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T08:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=95502"},"modified":"2026-10-25T16:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T08:11:58","slug":"pm-wong-govt-to-tackle-living-costs-and-secure-better-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=95502","title":{"rendered":"PM Wong: Govt to tackle living costs and secure better jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary article-summary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 Cost of living, jobs and support for Singaporeans from education to retirement remain key government priorities for the coming years, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Oct 25.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">There is \u201cmuch more to come\u201d and his team has a full agenda for the rest of this term of government, he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe will continue tackling cost-of-living pressures and helping Singapore secure better jobs. We will strengthen support at different life stages \u2013 from education to retirement,\u201d he told about 3,000 party activists at the biennial party conference held at the Singapore Expo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This also includes helping Singaporeans who face setbacks in life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He gave this assurance while acknowledging feedback from Singaporeans who had asked about support for groups beyond families with children, following a major package catered to them that he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/community\/ndr-measures-give-parents-more-money-and-time-workplace-culture-the-next-challenge?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">announced at the National Day Rally in August.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cPeople asked: what about those without children? What about singles? What about seniors?\u201d said PM Wong, who is the PAP\u2019s secretary-general.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cSo I said, don\u2019t worry: we have not forgotten anyone,\u201d he added. \u201cWe are here to serve all Singaporeans. But I cannot announce everything in one speech!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/strong-mandate-from-ge2025-boosts-singapores-standing-at-asean?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">Singaporeans had given his party a strong mandate<\/span><\/a> to govern for another term, he noted. In the 2025 General Election, the PAP won with 65.57% of the vote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cBut we must always remember: a mandate is not an entitlement. It is a responsibility \u2013 to deliver what we promised; tackle the difficult issues facing our country; and prepare our country for what lies ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PM Wong says all S&amp;apos;poreans will be supported, could not address them all during National Day Rally\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qbqVhJAoIkA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">These efforts to deliver come as Singapore continues to face an increasingly dangerous and troubled world, he noted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But the city-state comes from a position of strength, as it remains a trusted partner and an attractive destination for businesses and investors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Over the past month, he said, he had met chief executive officers of major semiconductor firms who are keen to expand their operations here, as well as founders of technology start-ups from around the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Leading artificial intelligence companies such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/tech\/global-giants-that-have-set-up-ai-facilities-labs-in-singapore?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">OpenAI and Anthropic have also established offices in Singapore,<\/span><\/a> he noted.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/80e96cdd912d4068f708e43cd03cf1b111cdc91883b7f48277e56e94a403e436?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/80e96cdd912d4068f708e43cd03cf1b111cdc91883b7f48277e56e94a403e436?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/80e96cdd912d4068f708e43cd03cf1b111cdc91883b7f48277e56e94a403e436?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/80e96cdd912d4068f708e43cd03cf1b111cdc91883b7f48277e56e94a403e436\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/80e96cdd912d4068f708e43cd03cf1b111cdc91883b7f48277e56e94a403e436\" alt=\"Prime Minister Lawrence Wong giving a speech at the biennial party conference held at the Singapore Expo, on Oct 25.\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 pt-08 pb-16\">\n<p class=\"inline text-secondary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">PM Wong spoke to about 3,000 party activists at the Singapore Expo on Oct 25.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inline text-tertiary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\"> <!-- -->ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Singapore is also proactively reaching out to strengthen partnerships across different parts of the world, and office-holders now travel more frequently to build relationships and deepen cooperation, he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The country\u2019s reputation helps to attract investments that support economic growth, create jobs and enable incomes to rise, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But PM Wong cautioned that headline economic figures do not tell the whole story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cSome sectors are doing well. But others are facing pressures. Some workers are benefiting from new opportunities. Others are struggling to keep up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Lower-wage workers are worried about keeping pace with rising costs, while Singaporeans in their 40s and 50s who lost their jobs are concerned <!-- -->about finding employment again<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cOur task is not just to keep the economy growing. It is to make sure that growth translates into better lives for all Singaporeans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/business\/economy\/spore-gdp-grew-by-5-4-in-third-quarter-of-2026?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">Singapore\u2019s economy grew by 5.4%<\/span><\/a> in the third quarter of 2026, beating economists\u2019 forecasts of about 5%. But retrenchments rose to 4,620 in the second quarter, the highest level since the final quarter of 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">PM Wong said the Government understands these concerns and will respond to them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Government will also continue working closely with the National Trades Union Congress to help workers adapt to economic changes and recover from setbacks, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He cited the experience of Fajar Shah Salim, 45, who lost his job in the food and beverage industry in early 2025 after more than two decades of working as a restaurant manager.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">As his family\u2019s sole breadwinner, Fajar was worried about paying the bills and starting over in his mid-40s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He received about $2,800 over two months through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme while he underwent training. Fajar eventually switched industries and is now an <!-- -->information technology<!-- --> operations specialist with ST Engineering.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">PM Wong said Fajar\u2019s experience illustrates how government support and individual effort have to go hand in hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThe Government stepped in with support when he needed it. But Fajar himself made the effort to retrain and switch to a new career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Government will continue creating opportunities and supporting workers through change, but workers must also be prepared to learn and adapt, he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Likewise, while the Government will reduce the emphasis on examinations and broaden education pathways, parents must give their children space to grow at their own pace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">And even as support for families and seniors is strengthened, Singaporeans must also look out for one another.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cGovernment, businesses, unions, workers, families and the community \u2013 everyone has a role to play,\u201d PM Wong said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThe Singapore we want cannot be simply delivered by the Government to Singaporeans. It has to be built with Singaporeans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The partnership that a PAP government strives for is one that listens, acts and delivers, he added. \u201cComrades, that\u2019s how we build a better Singapore together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"(FULL) PM Wong outlines key government priorities for coming years at PAP conference 2026\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IhhAO8t4dzM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/govt-to-tackle-living-costs-secure-better-jobs-as-part-of-full-agenda-this-term-pm-wong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 Cost of living, jobs and support for Singaporeans from education to retirement remain key government priorities for the coming years, Prime Minister Lawrence&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":95505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=95502"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95502\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/95505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=95502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=95502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=95502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}