The PSP seems to want to run a racist campaign against Ceca: Ong Ye Kung, Politics News & Top Stories

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SINGAPORE – Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday August 31 that he was “intrigued” by the tabling of a motion in Parliament by the Progress Party of Singapore (PSP) to debate issues relating to the foreign labor policy and the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) free trade pact.

“Unfortunately, the PSP appears determined to continue its campaign against Ceca,” Mr. Ong wrote on Facebook.

He highlighted how Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned during his National Day rally on Sunday (August 29) that the campaign had a strong racist overtone – and had an impact not only on Indian nationals in Singapore, but also on locally born Indians.

PSP non-electoral constituency MP Leong Mun Wai earlier announced on Facebook that he expected the private member’s motion and debate to take place either in the September 13 sitting or the September 14.

The motion states, “That this Parliament call on the government to take urgent and concrete action to address the widespread concern among Singaporeans about jobs and livelihoods caused by the foreign talent policy and the provisions on” movement of natural persons “in certain free trade agreements such as Céca.”

Mr. Leong also insisted that the debate would focus on how to improve Singaporeans’ jobs and livelihoods, adding: “Ceca is not our main concern and has been imposed on us by the government.” .

But Mr Ong said Mr Leong had persisted in falsely linking the issue of worries about jobs and livelihoods caused by competition from foreign workers, to free trade agreements (FTAs) and the Ceca, although that the two sides had an in-depth discussion in July.

Next, Mr. Ong and Minister of Manpower Tan See Leng made ministerial statements to parliament on the importance of free trade pacts, while debunking the lies about Ceca.

“Dr Tan and I had explained how Singapore has to be open to the world in order to survive and make a living. I went to great lengths to explain how FTAs, Ceca and the chapter on the movement of natural persons work. I explained how they were not the source of the anxieties felt by the workers. I asked the PSP to withdraw its false allegations about Ceca, “said Ong.

“Mr. Leong himself seemed to recognize these points. He said the PSP was not against FTAs. Regarding the provisions of FTAs, including the movement of natural persons, he acknowledged that Singaporeans’ interests are taken into account when FTAs ​​are negotiated, but said the PSP needs more time to assess whether the CECA is overall beneficial for workers in Singapore. “

Mr Ong said the government has received feedback on these issues and continually strives to address concerns about employment and livelihoods.

“Therefore, last Sunday at the National Day rally, the Prime Minister spoke about this issue and announced various concrete policies to address the challenges facing our workers, building on the measures we have put in place. up over the years, ”he noted.

Prime Minister Lee had announced that the government would continue to tighten the criteria for holders of employment passes and S passes over time by increasing salary thresholds.

He also said he would introduce anti-discrimination laws, including creating a tribunal to deal with discrimination in the workplace.

Mr Ong said the government would consider how to deal with the PSP motion at the next sitting of parliament.

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