Food vouchers traded at a discount

[Mcf777]

 

I dont frequent there but when I am there, sure to eat the laksa. Ya, got one very persistent tissue selling elderly auntie. Never bought from her before. Must tell her a few times no then she will leave u alone. Her tatic is put the tissue on ur table n ask for money.

 

Oh ya. That should be her. Same tactic.

[Sosaria]

Correct and accurate assessment of the truly needy requires a lot of legwork, going down to the ground, to actually visit the households, or monitor them, to ensure that the aid is correctly given and not wasted.

 

Unfortunately, who can spare the manpower and effort to actually go door-to-door and take a good look??

[Kangadrool]

It brings to another question of whether these are too generously given or given out just for the sake to appease some angry people?

 

Some common sense and street savviness are needed for MPs and grassroots people.

 

IMO, what is given out is considered gifted out. People are free to do whatever they like to do. There's no right or wrong to exhange packets of rice for cash as some may be setting their priorities right by turning it into cash to settle more pressing issues.

 

It's good that MPs have observed the problem and hopefully they tackle it correctly and minimise future abuse of the system.

 

Perhaps MPs should do more leg work 'cos many people who approached MPs for financial assistance may not be that deserving afterall. The real people in need like those homeless, destitutes and penniless people may well unlikely to approach MPs for help. Have they looked into this area?

 

 

Edited April 8, 2014 by Kangadrool

[Carnoob]

It brings to another question of whether these are too generously given or given out just for the sake to appease some angry people?

 

Some common sense and street savviness are needed for MPs and grassroots people.

 

IMO, what is given out is considered gifted out. People are free to do whatever they like to do. There's no right or wrong to exhange packets of rice for cash as some may be setting their priorities right by turning it into cash to settle more pressing issues.

 

It's good that MPs have observed the problem and hopefully they tackle it correctly and minimise future abuse of the system.

 

Perhaps MPs should do more leg work 'cos many people who approached MPs for financial assistance may not be that deserving afterall. The real people in need like those homeless, destitutes and penniless people may well unlikely to approach MPs for help. Have they looked into this area?

Good point... Seriously, we are seeing less "legwork" MPs than before...

[Adrianli]

Reminds me of what the healthcare sector is using to determine the subsidy level one should receive...........................Means Testing

[Qpik]

If they dun have money to buy a stove, cooking utensil, rice cooker & cooking gas the gahment give packets of rice and bee hoon got use anot?

 

Giving food vouchers... the vouchers are just a piece of paper to them. No sense of security.

This is something that govt failed to recognise... only a forummer in MCF can deduce it.

 

Out there, there are still poor folks who can't afford utilities let alone cooker living in our midst.... so what is the purpose of giving these??

Reminds me of what the healthcare sector is using to determine the subsidy level one should receive...........................Means Testing

Means Testing is a Joke Edited April 8, 2014 by Qpik

[Mazda2gal]

I was at the supermarket just now, a middle-aged man approached me while I was queueing at the cashier. He was holding some cash and an ntuc envelope in his hands. He took out a $10 voucher from the envelope and asked me to 'exchange' the voucher with him for cash because he needs cash. I remembered reading this thread and coldly told him No but he continued to pester me and didn't go away. I ignored him for some time and he targeted an aunt queueing at another counter. The aunt didn't quite understand what he wants initially, and after that asked him if the voucher is really usable, he asked the cashier to verify that it's usable. When the cashier said that it is usable, the aunt agreed to help him and he quickly helped her load her stuff onto the counter for check out. After that he walked off happily with the cash in hand.

 

Some people may say that I'm cold-blooded but I find that many of these people on financial assistance scheme do not deserve help, or rather they need more education than help. I've seen so many shoppers use those ntuc rebate vouchers given to the supposedly needy families but what did they put in their shopping cart? Soft drinks, potato chips and other stuff that they shouldn't buy if they are really poor.

 

In my scope of work I do deal with needy families quite a fair bit. When I made home visits, sometimes I wonder why these people dare to apply for financial assistance when they have air-conditioning in living room, super big TVs on the wall together with home entertainment system, xbox, wii, massage chair, cable tv etc I think I need more financial assistance than them, I've none of these items at home. One man requested that we help his wife find a job, the wife doesn't have much work experience nor qualifications, yet he said "if the job only pays $30 a day then I don't see why my wife should go and do it, not worth getting so tired over $30." My colleague and I were speechless.

 

On the other hand, I encountered an odd -job labourer struggling to raise his 2 sons and feed his elderly mother with his low and unstable income. He refused to apply for financial assistance though I encouraged him to do so, he said "I've hands and legs, I can work, I don't want to depend on others." He rather let his son go to school without money for food than ask for help. I can't really say that he's right but at least he doesn't try to live off others.

[Vinceng]

Generally, majority of S'pore residents are not poor. Just that they have poor money management.

 

Spend more than their income and live their means - buy branded goods and flashy cars, dine at expensive restaurants, buy >$1K E-Scooters etc.

[Porche]

I was at the supermarket just now, a middle-aged man approached me while I was queueing at the cashier. He was holding some cash and an ntuc envelope in his hands. He took out a $10 voucher from the envelope and asked me to 'exchange' the voucher with him for cash because he needs cash. I remembered reading this thread and coldly told him No but he continued to pester me and didn't go away. I ignored him for some time and he targeted an aunt queueing at another counter. The aunt didn't quite understand what he wants initially, and after that asked him if the voucher is really usable, he asked the cashier to verify that it's usable. When the cashier said that it is usable, the aunt agreed to help him and he quickly helped her load her stuff onto the counter for check out. After that he walked off happily with the cash in hand.

 

Some people may say that I'm cold-blooded but I find that many of these people on financial assistance scheme do not deserve help, or rather they need more education than help. I've seen so many shoppers use those ntuc rebate vouchers given to the supposedly needy families but what did they put in their shopping cart? Soft drinks, potato chips and other stuff that they shouldn't buy if they are really poor.

 

In my scope of work I do deal with needy families quite a fair bit. When I made home visits, sometimes I wonder why these people dare to apply for financial assistance when they have air-conditioning in living room, super big TVs on the wall together with home entertainment system, xbox, wii, massage chair, cable tv etc I think I need more financial assistance than them, I've none of these items at home. One man requested that we help his wife find a job, the wife doesn't have much work experience nor qualifications, yet he said "if the job only pays $30 a day then I don't see why my wife should go and do it, not worth getting so tired over $30." My colleague and I were speechless.

 

On the other hand, I encountered an odd -job labourer struggling to raise his 2 sons and feed his elderly mother with his low and unstable income. He refused to apply for financial assistance though I encouraged him to do so, he said "I've hands and legs, I can work, I don't want to depend on others." He rather let his son go to school without money for food than ask for help. I can't really say that he's right but at least he doesn't try to live off others.

The odd job labourer values his dignity and pride which is why he refuse help. Some of the low income doesn't move up because they have give up. The cycle continues and we have these people lagging behind, worst there are not much jobs for them