Retail, F&B firms welcome further job support but face foreign labour, rental challenges

Published Mon, Aug 17, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

FOOD and beverage (F&B) and retail firms welcomed the extension of the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Monday.

Firms in these sectors will get 30 per cent subsidy on the first S$4,600 of wages for local employees until March 2021. Currently, they have been receiving 50 per cent wage subsidy, with August being the last month covered.

James Quan, co-founder of leather goods retailer Bynd Artisan, said the extended support will help stabilise the business as it digitalises and upgrades its online-to-offline capabilities. "We don't know what's going t…