DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam on social mobility and inequality in Singapore

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said it is critical for Singapore to sustain a system where everyone is “moving up”. He spoke about managing inequality and the challenge of sustaining social mobility, at the Institute of Policy Studies' 30th anniversary dinner on Thursday (Oct 25).
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[@LooNciFeRx]

3 minutes in and I am glad that I am in singapore.

[@alexvillagarcia7634]

One of the most brilliant officials of Singapore. In my own views Singaporeans must be very proud of him.🙏

[@JT-xg1nq]

Efforts to translate a multitude of personal aspirations into a shared vision is not an insurmountable task. It is an on-going task of intellectuals in fields of economic and social disciplines. That means, economists have to to learn about the social implications of economic plans. And social scientists have to learn economic principles. Not for becoming experts in a second discipline but for communication required of a co-development effort based on social-economic considerations. Staying in one discipline is a luxury when stable environments are disrupted - a lazy mindset unbecoming of brainy people.

[@Alyssa-sc1tq]

watching this because my gp teacher said so

[@yunospaceling]

me too...its 4 days to A levels GP... you are 4 months ahead of me omg

[@peterlan5049]

I believe that a very important point has been overlooked in that for example a cleaner 10 years ago was paid $850,00 a month and today he is still having the same salary. Now 10 years ago he could afford to pay a bag of rice or other essentials and have quite a fair balance left for other things. Whereas 10 years later he would not have that much balance left simply because cost of living have gone up. The thing to note is that the purchasing power of the same dollar he gets has dropped. In another words, $850.00 is just a digital value and does not not reflect its value in relation to its purchasing power over time. Since that is the case why there is no equitable way of adjusting that pay to reflect its true worth 10 years later like other factors of production?

[@JT-xg1nq]

The cleaner who can speak good English can do a similar job in a hawker centre or a hotel. Some prefer to clean in a nearby shopping centre within walking or cycling distance rather than travelling to a hotel that takes 30 minutes in daily commute.

[@jdg7327]

You provided a very bad anecdote. You assume that this "cleaner" will be stucked in the same job for 10 years. Again like what has been said. People need to keep moving forward and up. In a meritocracy society, those who don't get strive to do better will fall off. Of course we should help and mitigate these issues, but that's part and parcel of working in merit-based society. Unless you want to degenerate in to a socialist communist utopia.

[@bongky18]

Hong Kong is living on borrowed time. I can't stress how accurate this gentleman was.

[@robertjleter]

Civilization used to come from the west in the last 2 centuries. These days civilization comes more and more from the East. Acemoglu, Lee Kuan Yew, Deng Xiaoping, Tharman..

[@fireplace2330]

glad to see JC (high school) students in the audience listening attentively!

[@aaronhteikk4487]

If we can bend the analogy which the DPM used, it is not just the need to keep the escalator moving, it is important to make sure that the lower end of the escalator is not moving slower than the top end of the escalator. The DPM point about cultural values in tackling poverty is relevant, but it is surprising that he said little about the direct role of government in this area. Not just in acknowledging, encouraging and inspiring but in actual direct government actions in tackling poverty - minimum wage, school fees assistance, medical supports, social welfare assistance, etc.

[@blubeedoobee]

28:28 Paul Tambyah! Pleasantly surprised to see him here!

[@JT-xg1nq]

Escalator theory - people who make the effort to climb an escalator whether it is moving or not continue to move up the social-economic mobility stairs. When the escalator slows down or stops, those who do not climb also slow down or stop moving. Those who climb are still moving up even when the escalator stops. Those who have not been climbing see the ones who climb coming up closer from behind them and those in front of them moving away up the stairs. The issue is, those who are not used to climbing have not been developing their leg muscles so they find it so difficult to start climbing. Then some attempt to block those behind them from overtaking them.

[@thegoonist]

2:30. if the progress is very slow for those who are at the bottom, yet very fast for those at the top, then it is still a big problem. ensuring that everyone 'grows' is not in and of itself a near enough solution.

[@LooNciFeRx]

It still comes down very much to personal effort. People at the top are reading and investing in themselves while people at the bottom are spending their time on tiktok, social media and games.

[@simontay1187]

The nature of a job matters most. Here is an example. A taxi driver carries passengers, a bus driver and train driver also carry passengers too. An airline pilot carries passengers but why is his salary much higher than the three of them. The pilot can do the three jobs but can these three ever fly a plane? i leave my case for your judgement and verdict.

[@JP-tr3kp]

The market decides. Not just governments

[@MegaShaun99]

Gong kia, you got car license? Easy to pass? Do you have pilot license? No why? Not easy? Why the difference in salaries? Use your backside to think. Can any Ah cat or ah dog fly an aeroplane? Is that even a question? Drink too much gong Cha, sugar overload, gong kia

[@franciscody9622]

That man should explain why the World Bank does not have the GINI coefficient for Singapore.

[@arrowstheorem1881]

To demonise the 377a guy is it the directive of the garment or is it the interpretation of the regulations by the civil servant responsible? Is the top aware of the behavior of the civil servants at the bottom?

[@MegaShaun99]

Stop the blame game. If government just push though polices for 377, many religion groups will protest. Have you considered the Muslim, even forward thinking muslin can understand and respect these freedom, but their religion don’t allowed. Don’t be too simplistic. It’s shows you are not mature, thoughtful, PAP is darned smart at election. If it’s doable they will proceed. You wants change, go convince the religious leaders. If they can issue “directives “ . Take the recent “head scarf “ issues for examples. Mind you it was never an issue before in Indonesia, malaysia for this rule. Your comments makes me feel either you not Singaporean or just out to discredit. As a Singaporean we are always sensitive to all religions issues.

[@jrukawa11]

So, who broke the escalator? And who maintains the escalator? Are they the same people?

[@mastersonogashira1796]

That is a far stretch

[@sbpang1600]

DPM narrated a good story ... employer sending toilet attendant for upgrading. Suggest the government enforce employers to send Singaporeans low wage workers for upgrading.

[@JP-tr3kp]

Keep workers busy too

[@lmblau]

I guess most of the commentators haven't lived in HK, most people here want to move out

[@simonsimon2888]

'Follow Thy Father's Footsteps' is a 'double-edged' sword. If, it is a good foot-step why not? But, what is the father is an odd job labourer? Will the children grow up to be a labourer too. Hence, "your life, your choice".

[@mapleyeo]

Mr Tony Tan points out a very realistic social problem. Today not just the elite is not respecting the low income. Individual's respect to another individual and retail service level is based on how well one dress, education level etc. Living what others expects one to instead of being treated with respect AND treating others with respect of whom one is. Global Dignity vs What does having dignity mean?

[@seabreeze667]

He dares to ask hard ball questions

[@leekelvin00]

Failed parenting

[@magnaviator]

In the US, everyone is falling through the floor in the past half decade. The escalator is working fine, but only for the 1%, everyone else grabbing for dear life to broken concrete and rebar of a crumbling foundation.

[@thegoonist]

3:30 there is an inherent assumption here that is worrying. this means that everyone is inherently unsatisfied whereever they are (middle class or upper class). is this inherent discontentment sustainable? if it is true that noone likes everyone to be the same as them, ie if there were no lower class but everyone were the same in the middle, is that good or bad? this assumption presumes that it is a bad thing. if this is the case, then there will always be a difference in class, and the question would shift to: what is the right *gap* between the different classes. too big, you get the problems we have now. and too narrow, and people will still complain because apparently noone likes to be 'at the same level' as everyone else. i think it is worth exploring why it is that we cannot all be content. or is that detrimental to capitalism? this raises many more fundamental questions which are important to resolve. inequality is merely a symptom of the problems we have as a result of the systems we live in, including natural 'systems' such as 'human nature' (if it is a fixed constant)

[@seabreeze667]

10:56 - the host is so brave to ask such a question. 11:26 - once again, a lot of lies, just like the "many months of bonus is sesame seeds'

[@teyhoonboon5853]

The caring government put more efforts to raise the standard of living from vulnerable group.

[@johnlim1678]

Standard of living or Cost of Living?

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Like a salesman, a storyteller. That's good but few can deliver as well as they sing

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Are the leaders aware how civil servants are operating on the ground? Eg. How they are enforcing or dealing with citizens eg. The guy who supported 377a repeal. Should there be a review on how they have been carrying out their work? Their interpretation of the rules and regulations which are usually very old and traditional

[@JP-tr3kp]

Tharman & George Yeo. Legenda

[@ona2779]

Why do I feel that Prof Tommy Koh is using this forum to scold the elites from a particular dynasty...*ahem ahem*

[@MegaShaun99]

Think too much, if yes happy? What does it benefit you? You learn anything? Fool

[@naifongkoh6953]

Yes indeed...shared aspirations and social mobility...toilet attendant to toilet supervisor to minister for environmental affairs...in another 50 years he may reach even keel and status when A.I. finally takes over alongside universal basic income in a parallel SIngapore universe...in the meantime lets keep the escalator moving....and did II forget to justify why egalitarian societies like the Scandinavian bloc countries are such poor examples of social mobility...yes its harder for people in equal societies to climb the ladder....so does it mean high pre-tax Gini coefficient countries like Singapore with workfare would fare better...alas I am confused

[@Crane-yp7lq]

...ditto ditto....I’m confused too 😤😴

[@Kimmi7581]

He should be our next PM. No one else in the cabinet now come close.

[@keetvhdlimited962]

Thurman , inequality is not about relativity’s, it’s a result of capitalism

[@MegaShaun99]

And communism will not? Good griefs. In any societies there will be the underprivileged and poor, it’s only how much and wide it is. So what is your solution? Do something practical, do you volunteer? Ask yourself did you do anything for them? Or just be an angry turd, angry at everything, everyone?

[@brendanmarktoh3314]

Hope that you are doing well Ex DPM My prayers to you and your family

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Are the audience and guests a representation of the so-called mahinery?

[@antonfernando8409]

how about affordable housing, tuition free education, universal basic income for all?

[@siewhockhuang2563]

Affordable housing is one huge problem in a small place like Singapore and like Hong Kong. Houses can only go up and up and up, with land scarcity. And since most building materials have to be brought in from overseas, prices of houses will go up. Of course, one solution to land scarcity is to reclaim land, extend the boundary of Singapore. That is how Jurong came about, I think. The Government has to go out to sea literally! Get more land; and build higher and higher condominiums. Another solution is to go downward: dig deep into the earth; build houses under ground; build shops down under, so to speak! So, it is mobility in both directions, upward and downward.; and of course, outward. It means moving in 3 directions to get space for buildings. HDB by the Governmnet is the best way to make housing affordable as it has donw very well over the decades. Leave out private develoeprs; they are building for profit!

[@JP-tr3kp]

Think it is on the way

[@franciscody9622]

"Mobility" requires money. The Government has all of it. Singaporeans cannot be "mobile" when all their savings are tied up in their over-valued, poor quality HDB flat.

[@mahandranparamasivam73]

Yes while everyone are poor and inequality pap is protected, they are so ever ever equal to the people,are like they have 109009 and with equal to them we have 0.01$ enjoy rich Singaporean.

[@bogartlayton5179]

The drab chef similarly tour because crocus biophysically blush at a burly sex. supreme, polite battle

[@BobTheSlayer333]

CPF is as good as a tax la Tharman

[@MegaShaun99]

A tax that they give back with interest when you retired . Provided you are long life enough, 笨死

[@Kelberi]

Educate yourself guys, use youtube to check on poverty in developed cities such as LA or Tokyo. Be thankful.

[@mapleyeo]

Say this in another 5 to 10 years if Singapore economy remains the same as now.35% relatively poverty is alarming. Groceries are increasing on 20% pa. If you are less than age 30s, do you maths carefully for your retirement.

[@Crane-yp7lq]

Z.....it’s 明修栈道，暗渡陈仓……now go educate yourself !!!

[@leekelvin00]

May Li u mentioned 20% pa 😂 😂 😂

[@JP-tr3kp]

Tokyo is writing on the wall. LA different system…

[@gonzalodfroelich3248]

The muddled september intringuingly snow because lyre additionaly provide amid a stale pyramid. scattered, humorous garlic

[@kenzong8427]

Isn"t Sg a developed nation????He is living in a different planet..

[@MegaShaun99]

Yes, they’re high income, you’re not.

[@djtan3313]

Singapore is v v easy to administer...

[@edmundkhor]

talk is cheap

[@peterchew4018]

Agree....time to act come 2019 ....but l must say he ls a much better speaker than others

[@Crane-yp7lq]

PAP talk is even cheaper....

[@johnlim1678]

Talk is Free, not cheap. LoL

[@akidv3]

Which cleaning company pays the cleaner 2k? Pure bs......

[@elijahnoah]

there is alot of cleaning job pays 2k-2.4k/mth in Singapore.

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Sg is so small and still can have poverty issue? Is this an achievement?

[@peterchew4018]

Very good Q but don't expect any answers from the men ln white

[@dawn7491]

Define poverty. do we have homeless people on the streets?

[@keetvhdlimited962]

Good qn...the failure of pap govt is this single observation