Nurturing social mobility in the face of entrenchment

It is becoming harder for the less well-off to close the gap on the privileged, but some heartening signs are emerging.

- Tham Yuen-C

A poster featuring the Progressive Wage Model. Over the years, many policies have been put in place to help those on the bottom rung level up their pay. The Progressive Wage Model sets out a wage ladder for various professions. It covers eight job types from cleaning to food services to retail.

(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Yan and Faz make do with their household income of about $1,500 a month. In a good month, perhaps $1,800.

This is supplemented by help from government schemes and community groups.

But when the going gets tough, they sometimes have to find ways to get more money. At one point, they sold their most prized possession, an iPhone 6, and it gave them an extra $100 or so.

This money goes towards maintaining their household of five. Together with their three children aged between six and 14, they live in a two-room rental flat.

This is an upgrade from their old rental flat, which had only one room.

In their social milieu, many of their family members live in such accommodation, and it was where they both grew up with their own parents and siblings.

They are the kind of family for which many MPs called for more support last week, as the House debated the President’s Address delivered at the opening of Parliament.

At the heart of the debate is what more can be done to ensure that they have an opportunity to do better for themselves.

In his speech setting out the Government's agenda, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke about the need to keep social mobility alive with each new generation.

"Everyone must have the chance to move up the escalator of skills, confidence, and a better life. Every Singaporean must be given the opportunity to develop themselves to their fullest potential," he had said.

Many MPs took the lead, sharing anecdotes of their residents and sometimes even of their own childhood overcoming odds.