Affected firms such as F&B suppliers can appeal for JSS support: Lawrence Wong

BUSINESSES that do not strictly qualify for the enhanced Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) payouts but are affected by pandemic measures - such as suppliers to food and beverage outlets - may appeal to receive it, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Tuesday.

Close to 6,000 firms have already received support via such appeals, he noted. These are companies that do not fall under the relevant Singapore Standard Industrial Classification codes used to determine JSS eligibility.

Similarly, individuals applying for the Covid-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary) may appeal if flexibility is needed - for instance, in terms of the income loss criteria - and each appeal will be considered on a case-by-case basis, he added.

Mr Wong was rounding up the debate on the supplementary budget, which reallocates funds for the latest Covid-19 support measures.

Addressing other concerns about Covid-19 support, he said the government is monitoring labour conditions to ensure that those in temporary jobs related to Covid-19 "will be placed into permanent positions".

One route for this is the Jobs Growth Incentive, which supports employers to expand local hiring. The scheme is due to expire this September, but the government is reviewing its extension, said Mr Wong.

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Another matter also being studied is providing more help for those who lose their jobs, with a continued focus on employment facilitation, he added.

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