Trade associations appeal to govt for post-circuit breaker easing, support
Singapore
TRADE associations in Singapore are appealing to the government for more support in resuming some industry activities, albeit with safety measures in place.
An association of real estate agents in Singapore has appealed to Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing to allow potential tenants to physically view vacant property units when the circuit breaker lifts on June 2.
The Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) said landlords and owners - who have mortgage loans to service - as well as property agents will suffer further loss of income if the suspension of physical viewings of properties continues beyond June 2. A normal tenancy deal takes about a month to complete.
Furthermore, the June to July period is a peak period where potential tenants, who are mostly foreigners, start their home search so that they can move into their new homes by August, before the international school semester starts.
Some tenants may choose to move to more affordable properties during the downturn, the 500-member association told Mr Chan.
But with the suspension of physical viewings, IEA has received feedback that tenants are concerned about hidden problems in the properties that will not be visible through video or virtual viewings.
In a letter dated May 21, IEA chief executive Tracey Wong suggested precautionary measures that can be put in place for physical viewings of vacant property units. This includes temperature checks, limiting the number of people in a unit, contact tracing measures, and the filling in of health declaration forms.
"As much as we have to innovatively evolve our property agent duties through Zoom meetings and presentations, using videos to market property and other 'safe' methods, there is still a required degree of human presence (with safe distancing) to effectively execute our work," she said.
Last Friday, an association of motor traders also sent an appeal to the government to allow some resumption of activity when the circuit breaker is lifted. The industry has already suffered millions in losses since the Covid-19 outbreak, it said.
The Singapore Vehicle Traders Association, which comprises 378 members, reasoned that car viewings in showrooms and test drives can be carried out with precautionary measures in place.
It highlighted the trade's significant contribution to the economy, and the urgency of letting businesses resume sales before more losses are incurred.
Separately, the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) wrote to Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on May 23, urging the government to help bear the cost of regular Covid-19 testing of construction workers.
SCAL pointed out that the cost will rack up to S$120 million per month for 300,000 foreign construction workers - an amount too hefty to bear for small and medium-sized enterprises already under financial distress.
It said that for existing contracts, the cost is not priced in the contractors' tenders. "We are concerned that many companies may collapse and it will affect the livelihood of about 100,000 local employees in the construction industry," SCAL said.
