Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Pension fears prompt rare protest in tightly regimented Singapore...

Singapore witnessed one of its biggest protests at the weekend, over the fate of hard-earned pension savings, throwing a spotlight on one of the most sensitive political issues facing the tightly regimented city-state.

Having enough to live on in old age is a big source of concern in Singapore, one of the world's most expensive countries, with the number of people over 65 projected to triple to as many as 900,000 by 2030.

A falling birth rate means there will be a proportionately smaller pool of working age people to support them.

Singapore is seeing growing anger over issues ranging from immigration and rising living costs to gay rights - all in a country where most media are state-linked, dissent is actively discouraged and political gatherings require a permit regardless of how many people are involved.

A record 21,000 people attended "Pink Dot" rally a year ago in favour of gay rights, only months after the High Court rejected a petition to repeal a law which criminalises sex between men.

Critics of the Central Provident Fund, a mandatory saving system which people and their employers must contribute to while working, say they do not know enough about what happens to money they place in the scheme and that it should be bringing them higher returns. Full story...

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  3. Singapore: Blogger removes posts under threat from prime minister...
  4. Singapore: Blogger targeted by prime minister...
  5. World's highest paid prime minister demands that blogger pays his legal fees...

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