In Parliament: NTUC Labour MPs propose ways to enhance protections for caregivers, working families and transport workers

During the Parliament sitting from 14-15 October 2025, Labour Members of Parliament spoke on two key bills to strengthen protection and support for our workers.

Four Labour MPs rose in support of the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care (Amendment) Bill, including NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Assistant Secretaries-General Melvin Yong and Yeo Wan Ling, and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) Stakeholder Management Director Wan Rizal. The MPs put forth a range of suggestions to strengthen protections for caregivers and working families.

Ms Yeo also supported the Transport Sector (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, advocating for our dedicated public transport workers.

Supporting caregivers and working families

Parliament passed the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care (Amendment) Bill on 15 October 2025. In his second reading speech, Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon highlighted a slew of changes to refresh the national long-term insurance scheme in line with changing needs:

•            Increasing payout growth rate from 2 per cent to 4 per cent annually.

•            Adjusting premiums to sustain higher payouts, with the Government providing $570 million in support over five years. This move will moderate annual premium increases to about $38 on average, and not more than $75 per year.

•            Allowing new Singapore citizens and permanent residents to enrol in the scheme from January 2026, regardless of their ability to perform all six activities of daily living independently.

•            Raising subsidies for long-term care services to up to 80 per cent for nursing homes, up to 95 per cent for home and community care services and expanding the scheme’s eligibility to cover seven in 10 households.

Affordability

Mr Ng, MP for Jalan Kayu SMC, proposed that premiums be capped at a fixed percentage of the median per-capita household income to support individuals who do not qualify for the means-tested support yet cannot afford the premiums. He also asked the Government to reveal the upper limits of the premiums beyond 2030 to enable Singaporeans to plan their finances with certainty.

In response, Dr Koh said that the Government will continue to provide subsidies of up to 30 per cent for lower- and middle-income policyholders. He added that premiums can continue to be paid through MediSave, with additional support for those with lower balances.

Pointing out that female caregivers earn less while having to pay higher premiums, Ms Yeo, MP for Punggol GRC, urged the Government to continue monitoring the affordability of premiums for women, so they do not lose coverage due to unaffordable premiums and care costs. Echoing the call for women’s affordability, Mr Rizal, MP for Jalan Besar GRC, suggested that incentives for participation should be studied for those with prolonged caregiving durations, thereby ensuring that premiums remain affordable without compromising retirement adequacy.

Replying to the NTUC Labour MPs, Dr Koh explained that women pay more premiums because they live longer and are likely to develop disabilities that last longer. He added that existing support is available for women in lower-income households via existing schemes, including premium subsidies.

Accessibility

Highlighting the plight of younger individuals who do not qualify for CareShield Life, but need financial support, Mr Yong, MP of Radin Mas SMC, urged the Government to extend the scheme’s coverage to adults from the age of 21, with an option for those aged 16 and above, similar to the Dependents’ Protection Scheme.

Responding, Dr Koh said that the proposal must be considered very carefully as it may raise premiums for those in the younger cohort. He assured the MP that young Singaporeans with disabilities can turn to other existing Government schemes, such as long-term care subsidies and MediFund.

The NTUC Labour MPs also spoke about making CareShield Life more straightforward.

Pointing out that caregivers often face administratively demanding tasks, Ms Yeo urged the Government to continue streamlining caregiving-related schemes, for example, simplifying claims processes, reducing duplication and easing coordination.

Making a similar call for streamlining claims processes, Mr Rizal proposed that the assessment guidance recognise supervision needs arising from cognitive impairment or severe mental health conditions, so that the criterion can be consistently applied.

Replying to the House, Dr Koh said that individuals can now be automatically assessed across various disability schemes after undergoing an assessment. He added that the Government will continue identifying areas for improvement to ensure that the claims process remains efficient and responsive.

Mr Rizal further suggested aligning eligibility criteria, such as the Annual Value of Property (AVP), across various schemes to prevent families from qualifying for one scheme while missing out on another due to technicalities.

Replying to Mr Rizal, Dr Koh shared that the AVP criterion may not be relevant to CareShield Life, as premium payments cease at age 67, a time when most individuals would have stopped paying altogether. He added that there are subsidies to support those who have opted into CareShield Life beyond the age of 30 and must continue paying premiums. Additionally, individuals who joined before 31 December 2024 would also have been receiving extra participation incentives of up to $4,000 to offset premium costs.

The NTUC Labour MPs also called for adequate coverage and payouts, the development of an annual Long-Term Cost and Workforce Report, improved insurance literacy, enhanced retirement adequacy for caregivers, and a review of the Caregiver Support Action Plan.

Throughout his speeches and clarifications on CareShield Life, Dr Koh constantly reassured the MPs that the Government will ensure no one would be left behind, and that everyone would continue to have coverage even if they are unable to pay the premiums.

Empowering and enabling public transport workers

Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai outlined a suite of changes at the second reading of the Transport Sector (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, including amendments to tackle illegal passenger behaviours and handle passenger screening. The Bill was passed in Parliament on 14 October 2025.

Under the Bus Services Industry Act (BSIA), it is now an offence to endanger the safety of anyone on public buses, in depots, or at interchanges, as well as cause damage to these areas. These changes are aligned with existing provisions under the Rapid Transit Systems Act for railway premises.

The BSIA will assume the responsibility for screening public bus passengers and those entering interchanges, as well as prohibiting the carrying of dangerous items onto buses and into bus interchanges.

Worker abuse

Rising in support of the Bill, Punggol GRC MP Ms Yeo asked if the amended law covers abuse or harassment of public transport workers. She called to increase protections against worker abuse and harassment, explaining that the new penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and/or imprisonment for up to five years could serve as a stronger deterrent than those currently outlined in the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act.

Replying, Mr Murali said that there will be new regulations under the amended BSIA to allow Land Transport Authority enforcement officers to take stern action against passengers who abuse workers. More serious cases will also be prosecuted under the Penal Code with immediate effect.

Workers with additional duties

Ms Yeo emphasised that public transport workers entrusted with passenger screening duties must be given the necessary support.

She called for clear, practical and straightforward operating procedures that do not interfere with their core responsibilities of handling the public transport system. The National Transport Workers’ Union executive secretary also urged the Government to provide workers with adequate training, clear protocols, sufficient equipment and manpower support to perform the passenger screening duties and other future national assignments.

Responding to Ms Yeo, Mr Murali said that the authorised workers carrying out passenger screening will be given the necessary training to perform their duties professionally and sensitively toward more vulnerable groups. Transit security officers will also be deployed to MRT stations and bus interchanges to conduct patrols, respond to security incidents, and conduct security screening.

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