The Social Security System in Singapore: Comment

Abstract

The social security system in a country may be viewed as being directly related to its level of industrialization (Rimlinger 1971). The process of industrialization and resulting urbanization leads to a gradual breakdown in traditional extended family relationships. This implies that an increasing proportion of the labour force becomes entirely dependent on wages. Workers thus become exposed to the risk of cessation of earnings because of sickness, unemployment, or old age and face the need for social security protection.1 Social security measures are aimed at reduc ing insecurity among workers and their families and provide for the less fortunate, thus contri buting to harmonious social development in a country. Though the objective of social secu rity remains the same in all countries, whether developed or developing, the approach to so cial security differs among nations. In many countries, the state or the government takes full responsibility for providing benefits to the distressed against insecurity. In certain coun tries, the state plays a limited role in directly providing social security benefits, but formu lates various measures which allow the labour