Firms given more aid to retain workers amid shutdown

Deputy Prime Minister Heng says these measures are to help companies hold on to their workers

Published Mon, Apr 6, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

COMPANIES will get additional wage support for local employees in April, while their operations are set to slow down or grind to a halt amid a month-long shutdown starting Tuesday.

This is to encourage companies to hold on to their workers amid the "circuit breaker" period. By doing so, businesses can also resume operations quickly when the period is over, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in Parliament on Monday.

As part of the additional support measures for businesses and workers costing S$4 billion, the Jobs Support Scheme introduced in Budget 2020 in February will be enhanced for one month, offsetting 75 per cent of gross monthly wages fo…