Singaporean youths react to the Fortitude Budget

The fourth supplementary budget was read in parliament on Tuesday (May 26), announcing another $33 billion worth of support measures being rolled out to combat the challenges of COVID-19, particularly in the area of jobs.

Here is what five youths felt about the Fortitude Budget:

A better chance of finding work 

“It’s definitely reassuring that the government is pumping more money into the job market, especially for me and my fellow batch mates who have just graduated from polytechnic.

“I’m taking a gap year before university. I planned to work straight after I graduated, but I haven’t been able to find a job due to the circuit breaker.

“Now, I have a better chance of finding work before I go back to studying next year!” – Hazirah Alam, 20, Poly graduate

Traineeships help build employability 

“During this period in the COVID-19 crisis there’s not a lot of employers seeking employees. Students in my batch are having their internships cancelled, what more the fresh graduates looking for opportunities?

“So for people who are seeking jobs and being stressed out over not being able to find jobs in this current climate, I think the traineeships help to offer experiences that can build up their employability.

“I think the $100 utilities scheme to ‘thank Singaporeans’ is interesting, but I rather they just say that it’s to offset the costs rather than talk about ‘thanking’. It’s meant to be a social responsibility and I don’t think people need to be thanked for staying at home.” – Melanie Chng, 21, Undergraduate

Learning and working on digital devices 

“The budget does not affect me much because I am working in the IT field. I’ve been using digital learning devices since my polytechnic days, and currently am able to work at home with minimal adapting.

“I think MOE accelerating the timeline for secondary school students to own their own digital learning device is a good move. It is a good time for the nation to advance to learning smart on digital devices.” – Lim Wei Jie, 20, Network security administrator

Businesses are given the financial help to sustain 

“I feel like the fourth budget announcement was well thought by the ministerial team. It involves drawing upon the Singapore reserves again, which is an imperative factor in our country’s progress and battle against COVID-19.

“I was already assisted in the previous budget because I lost my job. This fourth budget predominantly helps my family members who have their own business and are receiving aid from the government.

“This is very assuring that business are given the financial help to be sustainable.” – Erwin Shah, 19, Student

Encouraged to volunteer help 

“I was watching the budget announcement and looking at the comments. Many people were complaining that they were not given enough subsidies, however I think the government is doing its best to maintain society. In fact, many people donated the solidarity funds that were given out the last round.

“What Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat mentioned about how youths should extend their help to the elderly with their digital devices got me thinking about how I can help during this season as well. I think more youths should volunteer their time during this period if they have the chance!” – Melissa Low, 19, Student

Additional Reporting by: Anis Nabilah, Esther Lam, Low Jia Ying and Winny Wint Htae