I say what's with the gahmen, man? First it was the public transport fare hike, now is the ultimate GST rise. We had taxi fare hike and University fee rise not so long ago. Then there was the increase in price of movie tickets too. And wasn't the 5% GST started like January last year?
I wonder, must the policy be changed everytime someone new is introduced to the job? Do they think the public will feel that they are not working hard if there wasn't anything new (like new rules, new policy, etc) to show every now and then? It seems to me that they can't bear to see us being a little bit more well-off. It was 3 % for more than 5 years then, cause the economy was picking up very slowly. When things look a little brighter, they raised it up by 2% over half a year. After much complaint and fuss here and there, we lived on. But when things look alright even after that, it is going to be another 2% rise again .
2% is not very small. My new HP printer that costs $249 now would cost $4.70 more. That amount can help me settle a meal at my school Mac, and two at canteens, and yes with drinks and change. That amount is also more than what I would get from my relatives during Chinese New Year.
Well, I'm far from being qualified to give advice myself. But if they want to stop their residents from leaving the country, I think they should start listening to their people. But then again, I think they are probably prepared for that since they have come up with that new policy which allow foreigners to take up residency more conveniently.
I think I can understand why once residents work and live overseas, they don't come back. It's not that those people are fussy or can't take the pressure. It's a matter of whether it is worth to handle the pressure or not. I mean, all the fee hike, and do I see a salary increase? Do I see any improvement in employers' rights? They have to know there is a difference between what's in the book and what's practised in real life.
And now with the 2% GST rise, no wonder the working adults are too busy earning money to be making babies. So who're making them? Well, go figure.
romanced at 21:08hr