Financial help for retrenched workers and more parental leave among measures in Wong’s first National Day Rally as prime minister
In his inaugural National Day Rally on Sunday, Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a policy overhaul aimed at expanding the government's social safety net.
The proposed changes include implementing an unemployment benefit scheme and extending state-sponsored parental leave by 10 weeks, bringing the total to 7½ months for parents.
Nevertheless, analysts interviewed by This Week in Asia suggested that Wong’s announcements merely refine existing policies and principles rather than representing a complete overhaul.
They also noted that the speech hinted at further details to be revealed throughout the year, countering the notion that it was an election pitch. Singapore's next general election is due before November 2025.
Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore, compared the speech to the first installment of a blockbuster film ending with “to be continued,” and commented: “The real challenge now is sustaining the momentum leading up to the election.”
Delivered in Malay, Mandarin, and English, Wong’s address is considered one of the city-state's pivotal political speeches and his first significant one since his swearing-in in May.
Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong—the son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew—stated that Singapore had reached a point where there was a desire for a “refreshed Singapore Dream.”
“Achieving our new goals will necessitate a significant reset—not only in our policies but also in our attitudes,” stated Wong, 51.
Analysts observed that Wong extensively discussed his personal experiences, such as his challenges adapting to kindergarten as a child and his time at local schools.
Felix Tan, an independent political analyst, commented, “The speech was more heartfelt, personal, and relatable. It was grounded and resonated with the everyday person.”
Wong adopted a broad approach to the policy reset, announcing new measures across nearly all aspects of Singaporean life, including the economy, family support, housing, and education.
Support for retrenched and unemployed workers has been a topic of extensive examination by the Singaporean government, especially in response to opposition calls for unemployment insurance.
According to official data, Singapore’s unemployment rate dropped to 1.9 percent in 2023, down from a peak of 3 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Wong explained that the government was exploring alternatives to unemployment insurance, having found that the experiences of other countries were often negative, with some workers finding unemployment benefits an incentive to remain jobless.
“However, we also understand that losing a job is a major setback that can seriously destabilize workers and their families. Therefore, we need to take action to ease the strain on those affected,” Wong said.
The government will introduce a new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme to provide temporary financial assistance to lower- and middle-income workers who have lost their jobs. Wong announced that up to S$6,000 (US$4,560) would be disbursed over a period of up to six months to these workers, encouraging them to pursue training, career coaching, and job-matching services.
“This represents the essence of our renewed social compact. We will have your back and support you, but you must also take responsibility for your actions and make an effort to improve your situation,” Wong said.
Felix Tan, an independent political analyst, was surprised by the unemployment payout, noting: “Singapore has never been a welfare state and has never claimed it would become one. Yet this government is making efforts to assist Singaporeans.” He pointed out that the payouts would likely come with numerous conditions attached.
Starting next year, the government will also introduce a new training allowance under the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme. This will provide a stipend of up to S$3,000 a month for workers who take time off from work to study full-time. This benefit will be available to Singaporeans aged 40 and above.
The city-state is also focusing on creating a “Singapore made for families.” To support this goal, Wong announced that starting April 1 next year, employers will be required to provide a full four weeks of paternity leave.
Government-paid paternity leave was first introduced in Singapore in 2013, and last year the leave was increased from two weeks to four for fathers of children born after January 1, 2024. Currently, employers can choose whether to grant the additional two weeks.
Fathers now have four weeks of paternity leave but can also share up to four weeks of their partner’s 16 weeks of maternity leave.
Wong revealed that this arrangement will be replaced with an additional 10 weeks of shared leave. “The extra leave will be shared between parents—either fathers or mothers can use it,” he explained.
The new policy will be implemented in two phases. From April 1 next year, six weeks of shared parental leave will be available, with the provision increasing to 10 weeks one year later.
This means that in addition to the current four weeks for fathers and 16 weeks for mothers, both parents will have an additional 10 weeks of government-paid leave to share.
“That totals 30 weeks, or about 7.5 months, of paid leave that parents can use to spend time with their children,” Wong said.
He also introduced a new scheme to support families considering a third child and those with three or more young children. More details will be provided in next year’s Budget speech, typically held in February.
“I hope this initiative will reassure young couples—we are committed to building a family-friendly Singapore and helping you balance your work and parenting responsibilities,” Wong concluded.
Regarding education reforms, Wong announced that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP), a longstanding cornerstone of Singapore’s educational system designed to identify and nurture students with exceptional abilities, will undergo a transformation to promote inclusivity.
Introduced in 1984, the GEP will be replaced with a new approach that will be implemented across all primary schools, rather than the current model where "gifted" students must transfer to one of the nine primary schools that offer the program if their current school does not.
“Each primary school will develop its own programs to enhance students’ strengths and interests,” Wong said.
Additionally, for students who require further enrichment in specific subjects, there will be opportunities for after-school modules at nearby schools, allowing them to learn and interact with peers from other schools. Wong noted that Education Minister Chan Chun Sing would provide further details on this initiative in the future.
While acknowledging that this represents a significant shift, Wong emphasized that it aligns with the government’s educational philosophy of supporting and developing every child, regardless of their starting point.
Earlier in his Mandarin address, Wong recognized the concerns within the Chinese community in Singapore about the standard of Mandarin, noting that many, including himself, primarily use English at home.
“While English is our working language, we are fundamentally an Asian society, not a Western one. We aim to preserve our Asian heritage and uphold our traditional values,” Wong stated.
“Our bilingual and bicultural strengths have allowed us to integrate the best elements from both the East and the West, facilitating connections with other countries. This blend has been crucial to maintaining our unique competitive edge over the years.”
Wong announced educational reforms that will enable more students to pursue advanced Chinese language courses regardless of their overall academic performance.
Currently, students wishing to enroll in the Higher Chinese Language subject must meet specific overall grade requirements on the Primary School Leaving Examination, which is taken at the age of 12.
Students interested in Higher Malay and Tamil will also benefit from these changes, with further details to be provided by the education ministry at a later date.
Additionally, Wong affirmed the government's commitment to supporting the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, clan and trade associations, Chinese media, and cultural groups to actively promote Chinese culture in Singapore.
Looking ahead, Tan remarked that Wong’s call for a significant shift in attitudes, alongside the policy changes, represents a “very tall order.”
“While these policies are well-intentioned, transforming mindsets and aligning them with the spirit of these changes will be a considerable challenge,” he said.
