Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who delivered his first national day rally speech at the ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio on Aug 18, outlined several new initiatives across the four key areas of economy, family, education, and housing as part of the government's outlook for the nation’s development in decades to come.

In his remarks, Wong, who took over as Singapore’s fourth head of government in May, announced a financial aid scheme for retrenched workers, increased shared parental leave, housing enhancements for couples, singles and aged, the revamp of the country’s Gifted Education Programme, and the development of the Kallang area as a new sports and lifestyle destination, among others.

Accordingly, as reported by the Singaporean daily English-language newspaper The Straits Times, parents in the nation will get an additional 10 weeks of shared parental leave, to be shared by both spouses. This will replace the current arrangement where husbands can share up to four weeks of their wives’ 16 weeks of maternity leave. Meanwhile, a new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will give temporary financial support to those who have lost their job. These workers will get up to 6,000 USD over up to six months while they go for training, career coaching, and job matching.

PM Wong said Singapore needs a renewed social compact where every Singaporean feels there is hope. It is also where all citizens, even the mo𒀰st disadvantaged, know that they can get a fair shot in life and can get ahead if they make effort and work hard./.