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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Let's preserve human connection in the workplace
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox S ingapore's SG60 celebrations offered a moment to reflect: In the country's growth from a small port city to a powerhouse economy, our workplaces have been essential to the national story. We've evolved from kampung-era enterprises built on personal trust to high-tech global businesses. Even now, workplaces remain at the heart of our success. Yet the employment landscape continues to change rapidly. Singapore's total employment grew by 44,500 in 2024, a slower pace than the 78,800 surge seen in 2023, reflecting shifts in market cycles and industrial needs. Despite this, unemployment remained low – just 2 per cent overall – demonstrating ongoing economic resilience. While overall layoffs fell in 2024, heightened activity in some sectors shows that contract hiring, redeployment and episodic redundancies are now part of the new normal. In some industries, the push for productivity and cost control is causing human resources practices to become more transactional. Workers – including contract staff and returning 'boomerang' employees – may feel like they are commodities rather than valued team members. But Singapore's history proves that businesses can thrive without losing sight of human connection. FairPrice , for instance, has invested in staff training, growth opportunities, and welfare for over 50 years, including programmes in leadership and innovation, and clear career pathways. BreadTalk Group started from a single outlet and became a global brand by nurturing talent and promoting from within. Sheng Siong is recognised for rewarding staff with profit-sharing and bonuses. Many other organisations echo these values, showing that Singapore's success is built on trust, respect and a sense of shared purpose. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Surveys and studies confirm that Singaporeans value much more than a monthly pay cheque. Work-life balance, career advancement, flexibility and recognition are central to job satisfaction. The new Workplace Fairness Act underscores our commitment to fairness and dignity. This law, effective by 2026 or 2027, legally prohibits workplace discrimination and requires employers to treat employees justly, including protections for age, gender, race and disability. As we look beyond SG60, our biggest challenge may be to balance efficiency with empathy. Technology and artificial intelligence will change how we hire and manage people, but the relationships that build loyalty, creativity and resilience should never be neglected. Let's ensure our workplaces remain vibrant communities, not mere commodities. Singapore's competitive edge will come not just from productivity, but also from the enduring strength and unity of its people. Adren Sim Whee Liang
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
‘I vaped when I woke up until I slept': More youth vaping to cope with stress, say social workers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Social service agencies said they are seeing more young people vaping, with some noting a spike in the first quarter of 2025. SINGAPORE – After he failed his O-level exams, which he took as a private candidate, Malcolm (not his real name) used etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods, to cope with the disappointment. His friend from school had introduced him to them, and Malcolm, 18, was soon diagnosed with depression and anxiety. He would vape from the time he woke up until he slept. Vaping in his friend's home at first, Malcolm subsequently vaped blatantly in malls, public smoking areas and on the streets. A few months later, he would black out every day. He said: 'My friend said (Kpods) would help with the depression, but it made it worse.' His parents contacted an addiction recovery centre, We Care Community Services, for help. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Over two months, he attended daily weekday counselling sessions from 10.30am to 7pm and has been clean of Kpods for three months. Malcolm will start a PSB Academy course in life sciences in September. He is one of over 30 clients who sought help at We Care to quit vaping in 2025. Seven social service agencies said that they are seeing more young people vaping, with some noting a spike in the first quarter of 2025. We Care, along with Allkin Singapore, The Salvation Army, Youth Guidance Outreach Services, the Methodist Welfare Services' (MWS) Girls' Residence, Care Corner Singapore, and Care Singapore, reported an increase in youth vapers or inquiries on quitting vaping, which is banned here. Some started vaping as young as 10 years old. On Aug 17, during the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said vaping is affecting young people in Singapore . He said the authorities will be taking tougher action against those who sell vapes laced with addictive substances like etomidate. Etomidate is meant for use only during medical procedures. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. Ms Lena Teo, director of programmes and services at charity Care Singapore, said a primary school contacted her organisation for help in October 2024, and again in April. Care Singapore is working with a group of about 25 upper primary girls from this school with behavioural challenges such as vaping, bullying, defiance and truancy issues. Mr Alvin Seng, a counsellor at We Care, said referrals were mostly from concerned parents. But We Care has gradually seen individuals in their 20s and 30s coming forward too. Mr Seng said helpline staff have reported up to three to five Kpod-related inquiries daily in the past month. He added: 'Risk-taking behaviour is not new and is something that has been presenting itself differently throughout generations of adolescents. 'It's just that regulation and control measures have not caught up with the proliferation among Singapore's youth, which has now escalated their access to drug-laced vapes.' A group therapy programme, Self-Management And Recovery Training, being conducted at We Care Community Services. PHOTO: WE CARE COMMUNITY SERVICES Allkin has seen more youth using vapes since 2023, prompting it to start vaping-related programmes in 2024. Its senior social worker of youth service, Ms Chua Hui Zhen, said around 60 of the 300 young people it served in the last year reported they had vaped before or were currently vaping. Ms Chua said vaping affects both genders. 'The profiles of these young people vary quite widely, from those who present other at-risk behaviours to youth who are performing well academically,' she said, adding that this makes targeted intervention less effective. Normalised behaviour Social workers said vaping is normalised and perceived as acceptable in peer groups. Ms Flora Tan, senior social worker at Care Corner Youth Services, said almost all the 300-odd young people in its street outreach programme are vaping. Around August 2024, Care Corner noticed about a third of them abusing Kpods. And half of the 20 to 30 residents at MWS Girls' Residence, which cares for vulnerable young women aged 15 to 21, said they vaped or tried to do so in 2025, up from 35 per cent in 2024. Ms Audrey Rajalingam, who heads MWS Girls' Residence, said many view vaping as a safer alternative to smoking. She added: 'They are also drawn to the variety of flavours. Most were introduced to vaping through friends at school or by their boyfriends.' A survey conducted with youth who have attended Allkin's vaping-related programmes found that common reasons for continued vaping included coping with stress and boredom. And over 75 per cent reported having more than five people in their social circles who vape. Helplines Mental well-being National helpline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources (for those aged 13 to 25) (for those aged 12 to 25) Where do young people vape? We Care's Mr Seng said any space that provides momentary privacy or concealment, such as staircases, fire escapes, toilets or multi-storey carparks, is where young people sneak away to for a quick puff. He said: 'Given the normalisation of vape use and the lack of enforcement, it is also not uncommon to see individuals sneaking a puff in public, such as on public transport or on the streets.' In July, enforcement officers conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning , issuing fines and confiscating vapes. Some young people said they vaped in and around shopping malls. A spokesperson for Frasers Property, which owns malls like Nex and Waterway Point, said: 'We take the safety and comfort of our shoppers seriously and are stepping up vigilance across our malls through enhanced security patrols and CCTV surveillance. 'Any possible criminal issues will be referred to the authorities for further action.' CapitaLand Investment, which manages Ion Orchard, Plaza Singapura, Bugis Junction and Bugis+, said security personnel at its malls conduct regular patrols to deter errant smoking and vaping. 'We are working closely with the authorities to monitor the situation. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all our shoppers,' said CapitaLand Investment's spokesperson. *Scape, a youth-centric hub which will officially be relaunched in November with more dedicated spaces for young people, said it does not condone or support the use of illegal substances, including vapes. Its spokesperson said: 'While we have not received reports of vaping within our premises, we remain vigilant and take the matter seriously. 'As *Scape prepares for its full reopening as a dedicated youth hub in November, we remain committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for all youth.' Images of young people vaping on public transport have also flooded social media. A video was posted online of a 19-year-old who allegedly used a vape at Lakeside MRT station and pushed a train staff member. SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said the incident happened on Aug 10, and a commuter informed station staff about the teen allegedly vaping. Mr Lam said staff escorted him off the train, and handed him over to the authorities. He added: 'During the process, the individual acted aggressively towards our staff, pushing them and attempting to retrieve the vaping device. Our staff responded appropriately in self-defence while maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of other commuters.' A notice of offence was issued to the teen for his inappropriate conduct and for breaching network regulations, said Mr Lam. He added that SMRT encourages commuters who spot similar incidents to immediately report them to staff. The police said the teen is assisting with investigations on the use of criminal force. An e-vaporiser found on him was handed to the Health Sciences Authority. On Aug 18, the Land Transport Authority warned that commuters caught vaping will be removed from public transport premises, and the police may be called in for those found to be intoxicated. Allkin's Ms Chua said it is committed to helping young people quit vaping. She said: 'When they are open to change, we work closely with them through our programmes or connect them to appropriate resources for additional support.'
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Seniors urged to prioritise getting hearing checked
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox We agree that the proper fitting of hearing aids and structured post-fitting follow-up care can lower seniors' risk of dementia and enhance their quality of life by giving them a better chance of remaining active, connected and independent ( Sumiko at 61: Hearing loss is linked to dementia risk. Here's why you should not ignore it , Aug 12). Aside from research that links the treating of hearing loss to mitigating the risk of dementia, social isolation, loneliness, depression and anxiety, increased fall risk and cognitive decline are some other health risks associated with hearing loss, which the World Health Organisation says can be 'broad and profound'. It is common for seniors to delay seeking help until their hearing loss significantly impacts their social interactions, relationships, well-being and even safety. Early detection and intervention are important and I encourage everyone, particularly those aged 60 and above, to prioritise getting their hearing checked. Of those fitted with hearing aids, anecdotal evidence from caregivers and hearing health professionals suggests that many hearing aids end up being put away rather than being used. There are over 100,000 seniors estimated to have disabling hearing loss in Singapore and that number is expected to rise with Singapore's ageing population, but 89 per cent of seniors prescribed hearing aids through the national functional screening programme do not take them up. There are several reasons. Some expect instant results, but hearing aids improve hearing; they do not restore normal hearing, and learning to hear more again is a gradual process, and can take up to a few months. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Hearing aids may be uncomfortable at first, with louder or unnatural sounds, or they may not sit comfortably at first. They also have to be tuned and adjusted regularly. And hearing aids are not cheap. The Singapore Association for the Deaf helps to lower the barriers to good hearing health by offering: complimentary hearing tests to aid early detection; personalised fitting services and comprehensive post-fitting care with patience and skill to help seniors maximise the effectiveness of their hearing aids; the care of professionals to educate, explain and journey with seniors to encourage them to persist in wearing their hearing aids; and assistance in securing financial aid through the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund and the Assistive Technology Fund. Some may see hearing loss as an unavoidable part of ageing, but with early detection and proper care, caregivers, the community and hearing health practitioners can encourage seniors to take up and persist in wearing hearing aids so they can better enjoy their golden years. Sunil Kumar Senior Speech and Language Therapist/Audiologist The Singapore Association for the Deaf
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
Forum: Spend time in green spaces to find calm amid life's pressures
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Green spaces have long been present in our lives, from vast nature reserves to manicured gardens to even greenhouses. Their importance is beyond question, offering a host of benefits, some obvious and others less so. Green spaces offer much-needed respite from the relentless pace of daily life. The stresses of work are rarely confined to the workplace. The time spent in nature provides a rare opportunity to step away from those pressures, reflect on our day, and recharge in a setting that stimulates us in different ways. Such moments can lead to marked improvements in mental well-being, leaving us refreshed and rebalanced. Singapore's vision of a garden city ensures that these benefits are accessible to all. Through careful urban planning, green spaces are scattered across the island, maintained to a high standard, and increasingly integrated into new developments through vertical and rooftop gardens. Even as housing demand rises, these efforts help preserve our connection to nature. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Our lives can be hectic, but we should carve out some time to smell the roses and unwind in a healthy way. Shayan Bontha
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israeli controls choke Gaza relief at Egypt border, say aid workers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid bound for Gaza wait on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing on Aug 18. RAFAH - At the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip, hundreds of aid trucks sat unmoving in the Egyptian desert, stuck for days with only a handful allowed through by Israel to relieve the humanitarian disaster across the border. After nearly two years of war, UN-backed experts have said famine is unfolding in the Palestinian territory, while there are also dire shortages of clean water and medicines. Yet aid groups say the flow of essential supplies remains painfully slow, despite the growing crisis. Israel continues to deny entry for life-saving medical equipment, shelters and parts for water infrastructure, four UN officials, several truck drivers and an Egyptian Red Crescent volunteer told AFP. They said the supplies were often rejected for being 'dual-use', meaning they could be put to military use, or for minor packaging flaws. Some materials 'just because they are metallic are not allowed to enter,' said Amande Bazerolle, head of emergency response in Gaza at French medical charity MSF. Sitting on the Egyptian side was a truckload of intensive care gurneys baking in the sun, held back by the Israelis despite the UN reporting a severe shortage in Gaza, because one pallet was made of plastic instead of wood, aid workers said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Other shipments were turned away because 'a single pallet is askew, or the cling film isn't wrapped satisfactorily', said an Egyptian Red Crescent volunteer. Even with everything lined up and approved beforehand, shipments can still be turned back, said Amal Emam, chief of the Egyptian Red Crescent. 'You can have a UN approval number stuck to the side of a pallet, which means it should cross, it's been approved by all sides, including COGAT, but then it gets to the border and it's turned back, just like that.' COGAT is the Israeli ministry of defence agency that oversees civil affairs in the Palestinian territories. Complying with the restrictions was also incredibly costly, Emam said. 'I have never in my life as a humanitarian seen these kinds of obstacles being put to every bit of aid, down to the last inch of gauze,' she added. 'Engineered hunger' Simple medicines such as ibuprofen can take a week to cross into Gaza. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation often has to rush to get insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines through in regular trucks when Israeli officials reject the use of refrigerated containers. In a tent warehouse, dozens of oxygen tanks sat abandoned on Monday, gathering dust months after they were rejected, alongside wheelchairs, portable toilets and generators. 'It's like they're rejecting anything that can give some semblance of humanity,' a UN staffer told AFP, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press. Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA, said the prohibited list 'is pages and pages of things'. Truck drivers have reported spending days stuck watching other vehicles that are often carrying identical supplies either waved through or rejected without explanation. Egyptian driver Mahmoud El-Sheikh said he had been waiting for 13 days in scorching heat with a truck full of flour. 'Yesterday, 300 trucks were sent back. Only 35 were allowed in,' he said. 'It's all at their discretion.' Another driver, Hussein Gomaa, said up to 150 trucks lined up each night on the Egyptian side, but in the morning 'the Israelis only inspect however many they want and send the rest of us back'. AFP could not independently verify the daily aid volume entering Gaza from Egypt. A WHO official said that at most 50 trucks enter Gaza every day while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said only 130-150 trucks cross daily, sometimes 200 – about a third of what is needed. 'This is engineered hunger,' Abdelatty said on Monday, adding that over 5,000 trucks were waiting at the border. 'Losing limbs' Last week, COGAT denied blocking aid. In a post on X, it said Israel facilitates humanitarian aid while accusing Hamas of exploiting aid to 'strengthen its military capabilities' and said 380 trucks entered Gaza last Wednesday. MSF warned aid bottlenecks were costing lives. It cannot bring in vital medical supplies as basic as scalpels or external fixators used to treat broken limbs. 'People are at risk of losing limbs because we don't have basic tools,' Bazerolle said. She added supplies were depleting faster than expected. 'We order for three or five months and then in two months it's gone.' AFP
