On 30 December, The Workers’ Party (WP) shared WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh’s New Year’s message and review of key events from the past year on Facebook.
No, the Nicole Seah and Leon Perera scandal was not included, but rest assured, you can count on our 2023 review for that.
In his message, Pritam Singh highlighted various contributions made by the WP in Singapore, showcasing the party’s significant presence in Parliament.
He even said that the Government has started to look into their proposals.
Workers’ Party Beliefs
Pritam Singh began the review by stressing the importance of “implementing robust checks and balances across all our institutions, including the highest echelons of government, is crucial to prevent potential issues and ensure accountability.”
The party’s commitment to engaging with the government on matters of public interest, rigorously examining its actions, and ensuring accountability for all decisions were highlighted.
However, Mr Singh noted that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong did not share the same sentiments. He referred to PM Lee’s address at the People’s Action Party (PAP) convention in November, where PM Lee mentioned that “having more Opposition MPs does not necessarily make for a better government.”
Nevertheless, Mr Singh reiterated the WP’s belief that a vibrant democracy thrives on the diversity of voices and ideas. This diversity fosters constructive debates and inquiries, promoting transparency and clarity within Parliament and improving policy outcomes.
Workers’ Party Raised Two Full Motions in Parliament
Singh proudly declared the party’s efforts in raising two full motions in Parliament during the year.
The first motion, which took place in July, focused on reimagining sporting success in Singapore in July. The second, addressing structural reforms to mitigate the pace of inflation and cost of living pressures, was presented later in the year.
In February, the WP urged the government to address the demand for affordable and accessible housing—a critical issue for many Singaporeans.
Additionally, in response to the rising number of scam cases in Singapore, Aljunied GRC MP Sylvia Lim called upon the government in September to hold banks accountable for the losses their customers faced.
Pritam Singh went on to highlight four policies in which the Workers’ Party had a notable impact, prompting the government to take action.
Firstly, temporary financial support for retrenched workers was announced, allowing them to focus on improving their skills for better long-term employment prospects.
The WP had been advocating for this since 2016, and it was finally implemented following PM Lee’s announcement during the 2023 National Day Rally Speech.
Secondly, paid paternity leave was doubled to four weeks, effective 1 January 2024. This change was announced during the 2023 Budget Speech.
Notably, this issue was included in the WP’s 2020 Manifesto and reiterated by Sengkang GRC MPs Louis Chua and Associate Professor Jamus Lim in their discussions on the White Paper on Singapore’s Women’s Development in 2022.
Thirdly, the Ministry of National Development will pilot long-stay serviced apartments in 2024. This decision came two years after Sengkang GRC MP Louis Chua highlighted the shortage of available HDB rental flats as a key problem in the housing market.
Lastly, in 2024, amendments will be made to the Stillbirths and Births (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, allowing parents to register the name of their stillborn child, providing a sense of closure for them.
Mr Singh concluded the review by reiterating the WP’s commitment to effecting policy changes for the betterment of Singaporeans.
He expressed gratitude to all residents, volunteers, supporters, donors, and party members for their unwavering support throughout the year.