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Tag: Gilbert Goh

  • About 100 Gather To Protest Against Water Price Hike At Hong Lim Park

    About 100 Gather To Protest Against Water Price Hike At Hong Lim Park

    The upcoming rise in water prices saw about 100 people turn up at Hong Lim Park on Saturday (March 11) to protest the move.

    A heavy downpour dampened the start of the protest, which began half an hour behind schedule as people took refuge from the rain and initial speakers sheltered under an umbrella when on stage.

    Speakers criticised the Government’s explanation that the cost of producing water has risen and investments need to be made in water infrastructure.

    The hike was announced in the Budget last month and will take effect in two phases, starting July.

    The rally was organised by former Reform Party candidate in the 2015 general election Gilbert Goh, a career counsellor.

    Former Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Paul Tambyah, an infectious diseases specialist, criticised the timing of the hike at a time of “economic hardship”.

    He and several others cited comments by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in August 2015, when he led the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR).

    The minister had said labour and equipment costs had risen since the water price was last raised in 2000, but there were also improvements in membrane technology and productivity – and given the state of technology and energy prices, there was no need for a price adjustment at that point.

    On Saturday, Dr Tambyah asked what had changed since then, noting that Singapore’s per capita water consumption had gone down.

    “Is it (the hike) because of the massive population increase?” he said.

    Financial adviser Leong Sze Hian said the Government’s reasons for the hike “did not hold water”.

    The 10 speakers spoke on a small stage decorated with buckets and placards with slogans such as “Pay Until Broke”, a play on the initials of national water agency PUB.

    They sought more transparency and criticised MEWR minister Masagos Zulkifli’s comments in Parliament that he could not disclose details of how the price was computed due to commercial sensitivities.

    Ms Irene Mortensen spoke on the evils of fluoride in tap water.

    Others, who included National Solidarity Party secretary-general Lim Tean and ex-presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, touched on CPF, living costs, and foreigners.

     

    Source: ST

  • New Mom Returned From Maternity Leave Only To Be Forced To Resign, MOM Powerless

    New Mom Returned From Maternity Leave Only To Be Forced To Resign, MOM Powerless

    Dear Gilbert,

    I have just return from my maternity leave and was told by my boss that I will be handling more decision making work. I enquired about my appraisal report and bonus and she mentioned that it was submitted.

    However, on Monday when I went back to work I was informed by my HR manager that company is laying me off. I will be terminated by the Company. This totally came as a shock to me. I asked for the reason of this decision but she was unable to tell me. When I enquired about my bonus due to me she could not give me an answer too.

    I have spoken to MOM regarding my case and there’s nothing much that MOM indeed can do. My horrid Company has turned the scenario around now and instead of terminating me, they force me to sign a Resignation letter stating I request to resign immediately and Company has agreed.

    This also needs me to pay the Company 1 month’s notice! Company has issued me a bonus (which is actually a payment in lieu to me for terminating me immediately).

    Upon reading MOM’s reply to me, I was feeling helpless hence in such situation without aid, I have to just agreed to their terms or risk not getting my notice payment in lieu. I have to stress that no additional compensation was offered to me apart from the notice period payment in lieu.

    My manager stressed to me that I either accept the Termination letter or risk not receiving the 1 month’s notice payment in lieu. She also mentioned going to MOM is useless. As what they did is all in line with the MOM’ legislation, which they have seek their lawyer’s advice.

    I agree to shaming this Company so that other local job seekers will not fall prey to this Company, terminating people at whim especially when they are near to getting their anniversary bonus. However, I am worried that this might involve me in a possible lawsuit.

    Rgds,

    Jasmine

     

    Source: www.transitioning.org

  • Gilbert Goh: Global Charitable Organisations Deserve Support

    Gilbert Goh: Global Charitable Organisations Deserve Support

    Supported the emboidery work of this handicapped Palestinian refugee woman at Musawat Saida.

    The Palestinians are great with their hand-sewn emboidery work and its a pity there is a lack of marketing effort to sell them abroad.

    The refugee emboidery market is a great money-churning goldmine that remains very much untapped and we are trying our best to assist in this area.

    Moreover, for the refugees themselves, its great to earn one’s keep than sitting at home and wait for handout. The emboidery sewing can also be done at home with minimal interruption to their household chores as most refugee women also tend to look after the children themselves.

    The wealthy international charitable bodies these days are stretched to the limits with their funding resources and many local NGOs suffer from this reduction in funds.

    The idea of a social enterprise model whereby NGOs self-fund themselves from selling their own hand-made products takes more eminence now.

    However, its still difficult to change the mindset of NGOs here as they are used to easy access to funds contributed from the European charitable organisations.

    But such days are truly numbered…and my fear is that some noble charitable organisations may need to close down soon due to a lack of funds.

     

    Source: Gilbert Goh

  • Gilbert Goh: Thank You Singaporeans For Contributing To Betterment Of Child Refugees In Lebanon

    Gilbert Goh: Thank You Singaporeans For Contributing To Betterment Of Child Refugees In Lebanon

    Had a very interesting time spending half a day interacting with the refugee children at Shatila camp Beirut yesterday.

    They appear happy and contented when classes resume after a one-week Haji break. The classes are managed by the Palestinian NGO based in Beirut – National Institution of Social Care & Vocational Training.

    You can look through their activities at www.socialcare.org.

    I remember my parents took me out of a kindargarten permanently as we were very poor and couldn’t afford the school fees then. I would walk past the school regularly and peep inside marvelling at those who are so priviledged to attend the classes.

    The kids spend 6 years here in a refugee childcare facility before moving on to the government schools.

    Its the only fun time kids have before they return home to their shoddy apartment. Some are orphans and will return to the orphanage.

    The school hours are from 8am to 1pm and most kids are Palestinian refugees with some coming from Syrians and others.

    Its a priviledge knowing the kids and they appear strong in the face of adversity. Kudos also to the teachers who show dedication and commitment in their line of duty.

    Most of the teachers are refugees themselves.

    Sometimes you find tears rolling down your cheek unknowingly when you move around the centre – its that emotional.

    It only takes USD $150 to sponsor a refugee child per annum to ensure that he has a decent pre school education before he ventures into the government school. We have so far collected close to $3000.

    We are targetting 100 children and it can be a one-off thing.

    Let us try to make a small Singaporean dent in this part of the war-torn world…

    ***

    Visited another kindargarten centre at Bourj AlBarajneh Beirut today.

    childcare-in-lebanon

    Its a 2-storey building full of kids from age 3 to 6 years old.

    Some just enter the nursery yesterday for the new school term and are abit bewildered.

    I am glad to catch them before they leave at 1pm.

    Both the centres I visited yesterday and today will be funded by the many Good Samaritans who donated to the refugee cause.

    The school also requested for gas heater as winter is approaching and it can be quite cold at 15 deg average. We went around sourcing and will try our level best to donate a few sets to the centre soon.

    Each gas heater costs around USD $100 to $120.

    Thanks alot Singaporeans as we have made our little significant mark here in Beirut Lebanon.

    We may be a small country but we have a big heart!

     

     

    Source: Gilbert Goh

     

  • Please Help: Old Wheelchair-Bound Grandma Lives With Deaf-Mute Daughter, Sons In Prison

    Please Help: Old Wheelchair-Bound Grandma Lives With Deaf-Mute Daughter, Sons In Prison

    Hi Gilbert

    My grandma is 70+, no ability to walk and on wheelchair. She is living in a rental flat with her special-needs daughter – my aunt. She is deaf and mute and works PT in a school.

    Her 2 other sons are in prison and her flat rental was $33 but recently increased to $111.

    She needs grocery for the coming Hari Raya period. Thanks.

    Any help is appreciated.

    Naana

     

    Source: Gilbert Goh