Waste Dumping

Waste Dumping By Trafigura

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17152560/

http://www.trafigura.com/trafigura_news/news/13022007.aspx

These two articles are on toxic waste dumping but are from different view points.

Trafigura has paid a hefty $197 million to the Ivory Coast government to secure the release of the three of its executives that were detained since September 2006. The money will be funded for building a disposal plant, a hospital and an independent investigation on the case.

It is ironic, however, that they are funding an independent environmental investigation on themselves which seems to defeat any attempts at impartiality. In addition, the second article by the company itself, conveniently ‘fails’ to mention the money that has been spent to release the 3 ‘innocent men’. This may be to portray itself as an honest and respectful company by not stating the figure. Trafigura would seem that it had not ‘bought’ its executives out.

The second article written from the point of view of Trafigura, is obviously more biased towards themselves. The first article is more impartial but has a tinge of sarcasm.

While an U.N. report states that the waste dumped contained chemicals lethal in high concentrations, Trafigura emphasizes that it did not unload toxic waste. It said that they the waste it offloaded was routine material derived from washing oil tanks, including caustic soda and petrochemical residues. Yet Tommy, the company that Trafigura had hired to dispose its waste, was seen dumping 528 tons of waste in the public that caused 10 people to have died and others developing allergies. Despite so, Trafigura insists that it had not carried the deadly hydrogen sulfide that caused the deaths.

While the first article paints the view that Trafigura was most likely the culprit and is blatantly denying it, I think we should understand that we have assumed that the waste Tommy was seen dumping into public was the waste that was carried by Trafigura. Besides, the repeated denial by Trafigura could be because it was wronged. Being wronged and accused of something major like this incident would be a bad feeling to anyone and thus they have repeatedly declared their innocence and implored the authorities to help prove their innocence. Furthermore, the alleged killing substance—hydrogen sulfide was claimed to be not in the waste that they carried. It is highly likely that Trafigura did not carry toxic waste dumping and we could have jumped to conclusions.

I feel that the evidence that have against Trafigura is still not compelling enough. Perhaps because I have been wronged before and understand the feeling of being wrongly accused. In some ways, I may be allowing my personal experiences and biases ‘colour’ my understanding of the Trafigura incident.

New Scheme--Workfare!

Please click on the Images to see extremely clear.


























Workfare

This article discusses the workfare bonus scheme that was introduced last year. It touches on the many benefits the scheme has brought and will continue to bring to lower income families.

The Government is depicted in this article to be highly sensitive to the needs of the needy and the scheme is a response to the widening income divide occurring in Singapore. This scheme provides extra bonus to the poor once every few months. This Workfare scheme is extremely important for workers who are tight on cash. As we all know, the GST hike will be implemented soon and this workfare will help to cushion the financial burden stemming from the GST increase. As we all know, an increase in tax on goods and services always leaves the lower income groups hardest hit.

Although this scheme does not occur on a monthly basis, it does help to relieve the financial stress for these lower income families. One very special point to note is that this scheme comes with a criterion that one must be employed in order to benefit from the Workfare scheme. This is an incentive for people to stay employed, no matter what the jobs are or how old they are. Once again, it is indicative of the Government’s policy to promote some level of self-reliance and prevent citizens from looking for financial and social crutches from the state. Besides, older citizens are encouraged to remain in the workforce while the young are encouraged not to be too picky with jobs.

Madam Tan Ah Cheung, who is a 76-year-old coffee shop assistant, gets the Workfare bonus as well. Despite her age, she still works and helps out in the family finances. As such, the family is definitely more closely bonded too.

However, some might become over-reliant on this Workfare bonus. As this scheme comes under the scrutiny of this year’s Budget day, I am sure that answers as to the cut off for eligibility of the Workfare will become a point of contention.

Yet, there are people who are unable to enjoy Workfare just because they do not have a job. Some of these jobless people are unable to find a job not because they are lazy but may have too low qualifications or may be disabled. As such, they will not get to enjoy these benefits.

The Government may help to seek out these people and assign them simple jobs. However, I understand that it may require a large amount of human resource to do so, especially when some will not want to approach for help themselves.

I may not understand how the Government works, but I do empathise with those that cannot meet these criteria for the Workfare bonus.

Furthermore, I find it somewhat uncanny that this article on helping the lower income earners has been released just before the Government’s budget announcements including details of the GST increase. The article clearly has public relations motives.

Chinese New Year Unhappiness

Despite the exciting Chinese New Year celebrations in school and the fact that our school has declared it half-day although it is the eve of the eve of CNY, looking at the stack of homework and tests that have to be completed over the "holidays", maybe CNY isn't so fun after all especially when relatives treat you as transparent when you visit them. They scrimp on angbao money and give you the " I don't like your face" look. >.< Sigh...

Total Newbie

This is my first blog ever created and I have never ever thought that I would have a blog one day. Well it seems like I have to create one now and maybe I will grow to have a liking to have a blog after a while. This new blog to me is like a little kid with a new complicated toy. I have yet to discover the amazing features of a blog that entices so many.