SINGAPORE — Every disabled person who can participate productively in the workforce should be given the opportunity, said Senior Minister of State (Finance and Law) Indranee Rajah on Tuesday (Feb 7) as she revealed that this year’s Budget will focus on persons with disabilities, the elderly and young families.
Without going into specifics ahead of the Feb 20 Budget Statement, Ms Indranee said the Government wants to support disabled persons so they can lead happy and productive lives, and integrate fully into society.
To do so requires a combination of the Government, training centres like the Enabling Village, as well as employers and society at large being welcoming and accepting, she told reporters after a visit to the Enabling Village at Lengkok Bahru.
“Training may be one part, helping them to integrate is another … but getting people to participate – employers, people who can take them on (and) give employment … that’s important as well,” she said.
Ms Indranee said the Budget enables a society where everyone has a part to play, but each participant’s willingness to be involved was key. “If you’re disabled, it doesn’t mean that you’re not able to contribute and be a fully functioning part of society.”
Asked if the small proportion of persons with disabilities in the resident labour force was a cause for concern, Ms Indranee believed there could be “a large number who may not be (in the workforce) but could potentially be”. But she also said employers cannot be expected to take on someone for no reason.
“The person has also got to contribute in a productive way … to make it win-win,” she said. “That’s the kind of model that we’re working towards.”
Besides persons with disabilities, Ms Indranee said the elderly and young families are the other two groups that will receive a helping hand in this year’s Budget.
As they age, elderly persons worry about “a whole host of things”, while young families, especially working parents, have needs too, and the Government wants to ensure both groups receive support, she said.
This year’s Budget will be announced on Feb 20 by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.
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