Workplace discrimination and new racial harmony act among topics of interest for Malay community
SINGAPORE - There is great interest in how fair workplace guidelines will soon become law, as announced in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally (NDR) speech on August 29. This is evident from the questions being asked about how seriously the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (Tafep) will take complaints on discrimination at the workplace. The concerns were raised, among other issues, during a post-NDR dialogue session with grassroots volunteers and Malay-Muslim community leaders on Wednesday (Sept 08) night. About 200 participants attended the event organised by The People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council. The panellists for the dialogue included Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman. Questions from the floor probed the panellists regarding discrimination in the workplace and how Tafep will address the issue. A participant who joined the dialogue through Zoom asked for clear guidelines to be put up regarding language requirements for job postings. Issues facing Singapore's ageing population were also brought up during the dialogue. Someone from the floor described his experience facing age-relate...
Racial discrimination, wage issues raised by Indian grassroots leaders at post-NDR dialogue
SINGAPORE - Discrimination and racism in Singapore were the main concerns that Indian community leaders raised during a dialogue session on Tuesday night (Sept 7) to discuss views on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech. About 200 participants from various Indian organisations and grassroots volunteers attended the two-hour virtual session, which was organised by the People's Association Indian Activity Executive Committees Council (Narpani Pearavai). Other issues raised included the impact of the progressive wage model implementation and mental health concerns among isolated elderly residents. One of the dialogue participants, undergraduate student Loshini Sivakumar, 21, said the session helped her gain fresh perspective on some of the topics mentioned during PM Lee's speech. Ms Loshini, a grassroots volunteer since last year, said: "The session gave me a chance to share my views on how our civic curriculum in school can be restructured to dismantle racial stereotypes and promote a better understanding. "My takeaway was that beyond the school curriculum, lived experience outside the classroom can be equally important in fostering a good relationship between t...
UOB Q2 profit up 43% to $1.01 billion; dividend raised to 60 cents per share
SINGAPORE (THE BUSINESS TIMES) - UOB's net profit for its second quarter rose 42 per cent, as more economies reopened and as it posted lower credit allowance, it said on Wednesday (Aug 4). Net profit for the three months ended June 30 this year stood at $1.01 billion, compared with $703 million from the year-ago period. The earnings beat the $968 million consensus forecast in a Bloomberg survey of five analysts. Following the lifting of a dividend cap, UOB declared an interim dividend of 60 cents per ordinary share, compared with 39 cents a year ago. This translates to a dividend payout ratio of 50 per cent. The Monetary Authority of Singapore last month lifted its dividend curbs on locally incorporated banks and finance companies based in Singapore. It joins other central banks that have recently eased dividend restrictions imposed on banks last year, as the global economy rebounds amid gradual reopenings and rapid vaccine roll-outs. UOB's dividend will be paid in cash on Aug 27, with the bank suspending its scrip dividend scheme. More on this topic Related Story UOB to push for sustainability initiatives, renewable energy in S-E Asia, says bank's first CSO Related Story Singapore...
Digital asset management agency Blofin raises US$10 million in A+ round investment, led by Susquehanna International Group (SIG)
BEIJING, Mar 31, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Blofin has raised US$10 million in its series A+ round of financing, led by SIG, followed by Matrix, Lingfeng Capital, Superchain Capital, Jackdaw Capital and others.Digital asset manager Blofin has raised US$10 mil A+ round investment led by SIG.At present, Blofin's current global assets under management (AUM) has reached US$120 million, and averages an aggregated monthly trading volume throughout all crypto of over US$14 billion. As a Cayman Island registered digital asset management agency, its proprietary quantitative database covers over 40+ exchanges worldwide through real-time data and is connected with over 200 global quantitative trading teams.With this new round of financing, Blofin will work to cover more trading platforms, service additional trading institutions around the world, enhance data mining efforts, and optimize investment models. Blofin is close to securing additional digital asset management licenses for Hong Kong, Singapore and other global financial centers around the world.As Blofin continues to expand its business, please feel free to reach out at any time!Media Contact:https://www.linkedin.com/co...
Health for life: New initiatives to keep S’poreans healthier longer, help them cope with illness better
SINGAPORE - A slew of new programmes and changes was announced by the Ministry of Health on Friday (March 5) to keep people healthier longer, and help them cope with illness better. Rei Kurohi summarises the key initiatives and when you can expect them. Striving for better health for all What An inter-agency task force has been set up to develop a five-year Child and Maternal Health and Well-being action plan, aimed at helping women prepare for motherhood, and helping children attain good health and well-being from their early years. When The task force will implement the plan in phases, with the first phase expected to be ready by early next year. What An updated Action Plan for Successful Ageing will be launched to improve seniors’ quality of life, empower them to continue contributing to society, and support them in staying connected to the community. When The Government will launch the plan next year. What A work group has been set up to improve the health of ethnic minority groups in Singapore. It will design programmes to rally the respective communities against poor health habits. When The group was formed last month and will start by focusing its efforts on the Malay commun...