More dating and matchmaking services at a subsidised price
by Siti Nor Farah Bte Edros
IF you are looking for love, look no further because the Social Development Network (SDN) is providing services and activities for singles with its new dating packages at a subsidised price.
SDN is offering a dating package worth over $500 to provide services and activities for singles.
To kick start this new move, the government matchmaker, SDN will partner with nine other accredited agencies like matchmaking companies Exclusive Match and Champagne JSG.
Interested parties will get to sample dating activities from the nine agencies and the government will subsidise part of the cost.
Singles can sign up for any of the 10 dating packages, introduced by the agencies, which includes personalised introductions and dating activities.
Meanwhile, former SDU-SDS members can choose any one of these packages for free. The first 1,000 new members to sign up for any package will also receive the complimentary offer.
Industry partners applauded this move and echoed their support for SDN, saying that this will provide more opportunities for singles and promote growth in the dating industry.
SDN is the new name from the merged Social Development Unit (SDU) and Social Development Services (SDS). The two organisations merged this January and were temporarily named SDU-SDS to widen its pool of singles and to provide extensive network and resources for them to meet one another.
Cynthia Lee, director of Exclusive Match, a matchmaking and image consultant firm, said that this move by SDN offers an incentive to singles to find life partners through events organised by the various dating agencies.
No membership fee is required to join the SDN network. Anyone who is interested can simply visit SDN’s website for events, activities and even request to join them.
The network is open to all Singaporeans, regardless of their educational level. They can now connect with one another without facing the stigma of joining as SDU or SDS members.
One of the founders of Champagne JSG, Gracelyn Lee, said: “Everyone in the nation will be involved in this.”
“The move will encourage people, especially busy professionals, to be more socially responsible for their personal life by meeting more people.”
Dating agencies have already organised events and introduced packages to attract singles into the dating scene. Most of the activities are interactive to allow singles to get to know one another.
Matchmaking often starts with group activities. Individual dates will then follow if they meet someone they like through these activities.
Exclusive Match provides a wide range of activities such as pizza-making while Champagne JSG organises activities using its lifestyle and wine concept.
Abigail Cheong, a 28-year-old single and former NUS graduate who previously participated in a dating event by SDU, said that these activities can attract people, especially busy professionals, who find professional dating services too expensive.
“The government is subsidising for you to date,” added Cheong. “So there is really no excuse for you to say that it’s hard to find a partner.”
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Worksite Safety, Everyone’s Responsibility
By Peggy Toh
Government safety officials are now stepping up vigorously to reduce worksite accidents.
So far, 18 lives have been lost to worksite accidents while half of the death and permanent disablement cases reported in the first half of this year come from the construction and marine sectors.
The Work Safety and Health Council (WSHC) have developed two plans to improve worksite safety and to achieve a long-term sustainable standard.
The Council aims to work more closely with stakeholders in the construction and marine sectors to improve workers’ competence in administering work safety standards such as skills and trades training on managing work hazards.
Ms Qu Weiya, assistant manager for Practices and Research at WSHC, explained that workers need to be properly trained to manage risks that come with their work and abide by proper safety and health procedures.
The Council also plans to put two taskforces in charge of resolving worksite safety concerns that were raised over falls from heights and crane lifting operations.
The taskforces will review training materials to make it more comprehensive which includes identifying new fall hazards and implementing new preventive measures.
Mr KC Tan, manager for Safety at Sato Kogyo, supports the new plans in raising safety standards as he said that the new plans would enhance companies’ image to attract potential employees who are conscious in work safety regulations.
To boost the collaboration efforts and resources of all stakeholders, WSH 2018, was launched in April. The strategy aims to achieve a safe and healthy workplace for everyone.
Safety officials have also urged all companies, from top management to workers, to develop a strong work safety culture, to prevent unnecessary risks and accidents.
Aimed at reducing the death rate to no more than 1.8 per 100,000 workers, the Ministry of Manpower is enforcing its penalty on errant employers and individuals who endanger the lives of workers.
Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of WSH Council, stressed that each stakeholder must take personal ownership and responsibility in managing work safety matters to ensure better work safety outcomes.
“While employers have a duty to provide their employees with adequate training and protection against WSH hazards, workers themselves must take responsibility for their own safety,” added Ms Qu.
Interview with KC Tan, at Sato Kogyo Part 1 & Part 2
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Overwhelming response to CPF Life scheme
by Nadiah Md Shahjohan
THE CPF Life scheme that came four years ahead of the proposed launch now has 12,000 members when it was introduced only a month ago.
Longer life expectancy and ageing population have been concerns for Singaporeans and permanent residents (PR) here. CPF Life thus tackles the financial risks that come with living longer and increasing expenditure at retirement age.
Manpower Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong said that members under the new scheme will receive a monthly pay-out for as long as they live but the amount depends on the cash savings they have in their Retirement Account.
According to Mr Tey Chee Keong, a deputy director at CPF Board, about 30,000 people have inquired about the scheme at its five service centres in addition to the 13,000 calls that CPF Board have received within a month. CPF Board has also sent 200,000 letters to eligible individuals to sign up for the scheme.
Previously, Singaporeans and PR with a CPF account automatically fall under Minimum Sum Scheme which entitles them to a monthly payout for up to 20 years after retirement. Now, CPF Life comes with different plans whereby members can choose between Basic Plan, Balanced Plan, Plus Plan and Income Plan. Each plan entitles members monthly payouts ranging from $172 to $444 depending on the amount in members’ Retirement Account.
Single mother Mdm Zabida Nor Ali, 59, signed up for CPF Life scheme as she believes it would give her financial security at old age. She retired in January this year and is now staying with her 89-year-old mother and 29-year-old son.
Mdm Zabida is not the only one who thinks CPF Life will help to ease their monthly finances. Export operator Mdm Maimunah Mohamad, 56 said, “Even though with the Basic Plan, I will receive low monthly payouts, I believe it is sufficient for me,” she added, “Taking care of my frail 80 year-old mother motivates me to financially prepare myself for old age.”
Singaporeans aged between 55 and 80 years could sign up for the new CPF annuity scheme starting end September this year.
