While my daughters were growing up, we needed to have two helpers at home. We paid them above average salaries and covered their needs from food to toiletries. After 6 months with us, I asked them if they were able to build some savings. They both said no. One of them would send her entire pay to her mother who would start calling her days before her pay was due to remind her to do so. The other would start out by sending only half, intending to keep the other half for herself. But then she would receive urgent pleas for help from her sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts that in the end, her entire pay would also go to her relatives. I sat them down and told them that after 6 months of honest work, we will offer them a modest increase. I advised them not to tell their relatives about their new and higher salary, so that they can keep that at least and begin saving. Much as I would like to keep them forever, I hate the idea that their life will revolve around washing dishes, doing our … [Read more...] about House helpers need money lessons too
Disability at work policy
In full: DPM Heng Swee Keat’s speech at the REACH-CNA dialogue
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat spoke on Saturday (Jun 15) at a REACH-CNA dialogue session on how the country's fourth generation of leaders intends to have a new social compact with its citizens. In the dialogue session, Mr Heng also said the Government wanted to draw on the diversity of passions and expertise among Singaporeans to improve policies and programmes to better meet needs.Here is the full text of his speech: Thank you for joining me today.We are here to discuss how we can build our future together. At the heart of this topic lies the biggest challenge we will face in the coming decades, which is how our politics will evolve. Singapore has enjoyed more than fifty years of constructive politics. This has helped keep us cohesive and united, grow our economy, and build our nation. But how do we remain united despite our diversities; one though we are many? As in previous leadership transitions, three sets of questions uppermost in … [Read more...] about In full: DPM Heng Swee Keat’s speech at the REACH-CNA dialogue
Meet Alberta’s new United Conservative ministers
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By Kevin Maimann Star Edmonton Brennan Doherty Star Calgary Tues., April 30, 2019 EDMONTON—Premier Jason Kenney named 22 cabinet ministers Tuesday, which is almost twice the number the NDP named at its inauguration in 2015 and five more than the NDP had at the end of its tenure. New ministries include one dedicated to eliminating “red tape” for businesses, one dedicated to natural gas, and one to mental health and addictions. Kenney also took one portfolio for himself. The new crop of United Conservative Party ministers includes some fresh political faces working in high-profile portfolios, such as health and energy, and some who have served with previous Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties. Name: Jason Kenney Ministry: Intergovernmental affairs Article Continued Below Riding: Calgary-Lougheed Philosophy: “Alberta is an idea,” Kenney said Tuesday. “The idea that strong families, communities … [Read more...] about Meet Alberta’s new United Conservative ministers
‘Ensure corruption-free building inspection’
‘Ensure corruption-free building inspection’ MANILA, Philippines — Experts have urged local government officials to address corruption issues, especially those relating to the inspection of the structural integrity of buildings, to ensure that the structures are inspected and declared safe from major earthquakes. Urban planner Felino Palafox said some of those who grant permits are bribed to stop further inspections on buildings. “The contractors, developers and building owners know that some of those giving permits, if you bribe them, they don’t have to review anymore your structural computations. Maybe we should be stricter now in giving building permits,” Palafox said in an interview with The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News on Monday night. The architect said ideally, buildings which are at least 25 years old should undergo structural audit and must be retrofitted if needed. Erick Sison, … [Read more...] about ‘Ensure corruption-free building inspection’
National Social Council raises need for ministries involvement in fulfilling agreements
PUTRAJAYA: The National Social Council in its meeting today raised the need for all ministries to be involved in fulfilling government agreements at the international level. The agreements signed by the Government of Malaysia and which required coordination of policy implementation are the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), said the council. The National Social Council which met for the first time this year was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister. The National Social Council in a statement on the meeting said the council had also agreed to consider four proposals among them, the issue of Child Dropouts Not Having Access to Education to curb negative impacts on the country’s economy and society. Another proposal was on a … [Read more...] about National Social Council raises need for ministries involvement in fulfilling agreements