Plan B

10 years ago, 6 Singaporeans supported one elderly person. By 2024, that number has dropped to just 3.2 - and if foreign workers are kept out of the workforce, it could fall to 2 by 2030. That’s the stark warning from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng as he addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing Singapore’s workforce. From fears of AI replacing jobs to frustrations over low pay, no topic is off-limits in this heated episode.(01:25) Say hello to Manpower Minister Tan See Leng(07:30) Policies that were important yet unpopular(14:20) Dr Tan’s solutions to job security(20:40) The Ministry of Manpower’s response to common workforce problems in Singapore(32:45) Why can’t Singapore be self-reliant?(45:00) The case of levies and foreign workers in Singapore(54:30) Is UAE’s employment approach an answer to our problems?

With more people turning to gig work and freelancing, are unions truly stepping up for them? And with CPF contributions now in play, are they feeling the squeeze? We also dive into how NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng's military background influences his approach to union work - strategizing beyond traditional boundaries to protect workers' interests.(02:20) Platform workers’ discontent with CPF contributions(09:50) How NTUC handles cases of workplace bullying(12:00) Mr Ng’s journey from military leader to Labour Chief of NTUC(19:35) How do platform workers and freelancers respond to unions?(25:25) Why Mr Ng is optimistic about the future of unions in Singapore

Think NTUC is just a supermarket? Think again. It’s also a trade union - and we got the Secretary-General himself, Ng Chee Meng, to answer some tough questions. Like how he nearly ‘bang table’ by calling for a strike. Plus, are young workers really just fragile “strawberries,” or are they setting the bar for fair workplaces?(01:05) Background of unions in Singapore(04:55) Is NTUC’s ties to PAP a conflict of interest?(09:00) The impact of rising foreign workforce on job security(11:15) Are young workers too quick to complain about work?(17:50) How SkillsFuture can help shape careers(23:20) Does the pressure to upskill trap us in a never-ending rat race?(28:20) NTUC almost calling for a strike?(32:30) Why winning without war is the best strategy

fter local YouTube channel Wah!Banana's Lev Panfilov was convicted of rape, another controversy quickly followed when the ex-VP of Law Society Chia Boon Teck was publicly called out by the Law Minister for his commentary on the case. He asked if she was "awake throughout the marathon" and described her as "not exactly a babe in the woods", widely seen as victim-blaming. We speak with Rebecca, someone who was subject to that kind of thinking herself, and find out how she reacted when she read those comments plastered across national news.(02:25) Background of the controversy by Chia Boon Teck, former Vice-President of the Law Society of Singapore(06:45) Rebecca’s personal experiences and thoughts on Chia’s comments(13:35) The normalization of victim-blaming sentiments(18:30) Parents’ responses if this happened to their child(20:10) Should more resources be put to help sexual assault victims?(30:20) Share with us your thoughts!

Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng likes to comment about Singaporean affairs online, but this week his controversial post offering to buy airplane tickets to send pro-Palestine activists to Gaza crossed the line for many people. But that's not all - the post was liked by the accounts of Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. Both have tried explaining it away, but the mess keeps getting worse with police reports and defamation lawsuits filed left right and centre. The power of a Facebook post.(0:35) Who exactly is Calvin Cheng?!(05:00) Controversy erupts as 2 PAP ministers caught “liking” the post(09:45) How Cheng’s post became Islamophobic(12:15) Is a boycott coming for an event allegedly hosted by Cheng?(15:45) Jufrie Mahmood’s police report

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has a new philosophy: the "best" school depends on the individual child. But is this practical or just wishful thinking when Singapore is such a competitive place? We also talk about social media vigilantism and viral videos spotlighting high- profile bully cases - are we part of the problem?(01:10) Welcome Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing!(03:55) Why expelling students won't solve the school bullying problem(21:00) Should children be caught in the stress and hustle of the rat race?(35:20) 'Elite' vs 'everyday' students(45:25) The importance of upskilling and having experiences beyond classrooms(1:00:15) How Singapore can navigate a more fragmented world

2 sisters got the entire community talking when they were caught on video confronting Minister Shanmugam at his Meet-the-People session (MPS). They wanted to talk about POFMA, but ended up showing the middle finger after being told to wait. The viral image turned the entire saga into a discussion about their manners, but the question remains: where can someone go to address concerns like theirs?(01:00) Background of the 2 sisters who took on Shanmugam in a heated debate(04:25) Split opinions from civil society(08:00) Was the incident staged?(11:35) Finding the right space for activism(15:30) Critiquing the sisters’ clarification letter

It's common knowledge that lawyers work in high-pressure environments, but has it come to a breaking point? We sit down with Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) to talk about toxic work cultures, ever more stringent industry standards, and what may be a mental health crisis in the industry. But it's not all doom and gloom, as Shafiq explains - there are increasing efforts to make a change, but will it be enough?(01:43) Say hello to Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law!(04:05) The harsh realities of starting a career in law(08:33) In-house vs private practice(11:00) Are Singaporeans increasingly mentally exhausted?(18:30) Will bosses step up to create healthier work environments?(24:35) The state of law schools and the legal industry today(32:00) Why the legal industry’s future looks bright

We know nutritionists but what about functional nutritionists? Jieun Wrigley joins us to reveal what sets them apart, debunk diet myths, and tackle hot topics like supplements, inflammation, and the age-old question: Is MSG really bad for you?(02:25) Say hello to Jieun, a Functional Nutritionist!(06:20) How would Jieun respond to those nutritional theories?(10:00) Dzar’s diet is revealed(18:45) Jieun’s view on supplements(21:30) Is Singapore’s food unhealthy?(28:40) More about inflammation in our bodies(34:45) Jieun’s view on MSG(37:30) Follow Jieun on socials!

Era FM is one of Malaysia's biggest radio stations, so what happens when their DJs come under fire for mocking Hinduism? Back home in Singapore, electoral boundaries are up - and many have raised eyebrows. What's going on?(00:30) GE2025’s Electoral map is out!(08:15) Is Roti John from Malaysia?(14:45) Era FM’s DJs’ mocking the Hindu religion(27:20) More on Singapore’s religious harmony laws (37:30) Case of Sarah Yasmine and her alleged relationship with Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz(49:40) Remember Singapore’s tabloid scene?