A record-high number of 31 pork retailers have been caught passing off thawed frozen meat as chilled fresh meat this year, says the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case). Case president Mr Yeo Guat Kwang explains the situation and the authorities' plan of action.

Why is there a sudden spike in the number of retailers caught flouting the rules? Mr Yeo says that's still up in the air, but the practice is definitely 'cheating'.

Mr Yeo says the existing penalty for passing off thawed frozen meat as chilled fresh meat may be too light - just a $300 fine for first-time offenders, $600 for second-time ones, and a heftier $1,000 for third-timers. So checks on meat retailers will be intensified islandwide within these six months, he explains.

In his keynote address at the annual Singapore Tripartism Forum, former Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen - now Education Minister - reflects on the importance of not 'protecting' workers here through a clampdown on the foreign worker quota and a high wage policy. He also elaborates on the way forward for Singapore's workforce.