12 Oct 2020
Ref No.: 121020 (1)
UEN: S97SS0046G
Dear Valued ASPRI Members,
[Important] Summary of Government Support from June to December 2020
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government has put together several support for the Process Sector. As such, the Association has put together a summary of the government support that is available for members from June 2020 to December 2020. This downloadable PDF includes the action required from members (if any) and expected payment dates.
FOR FOREIGN WORKERS
1. Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) Levy
Currently, as part of the Fortitude Budget, all firms in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process sectors received a 100% FWL waiver for levies due in June and a 50% FWL waiver for levies due in July 2020. MOM provided a further FWL waiver for levies due in July 2020, to bring it to 100%. Employers who have paid the 50% levies originally due in July had the amount refunded to them. A full FWL waiver for levies due in August and September 2020 was also provided.
As the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process sectors restart, MOM expects them to take some time to raise the tempo of activities and operate at higher efficiency. We will therefore taper down the FWL waiver support from October to December 2020. The FWL waiver will be stepped down to 75% for levies due in October, followed by 50% FWL waiver for levies due in November, and 25% FWL waiver for levies due in December 2020. The gradual reduction of the FWL waiver will give firms more time to adjust.
For more information, visit: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2020/0801-fwl-waiver-and-rebates-extended-for-the-cmp-sectors
2. Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) Rebate
In addition to the FWL waiver, firms in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process sectors also received a $750 FWL rebate per S Pass and Work Permit holder for June and a $375 FWL rebate per S Pass and Work Permit holder for July as part of the Fortitude Budget. The $375 FWL rebate was extended for another two months, to August and September 2020.
The $375 FWL rebate replaced the existing $90 FWL rebate for each Work Permit holder, announced by the government on 27 June 2020 to help firms adjust to more stringent Safe Management Measures for the months of August and September 2020. Firms in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process sectors will continue to receive a $90 FWL rebate monthly for October 2020 until December 2021.
For more information, visit: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2020/0801-fwl-waiver-and-rebates-extended-for-the-cmp-sectors
3. Sectoral Support Package
A new sectoral support package will be rolled out to firms in the Marine and Process sector to help them adapt to new work practices in order to operate in a COVID19 safe manner. This sectoral support package comprises two components — the Marine and Process Safe Restart Package targeted at the workforce and worksite measures in the immediate term to ensure safe operations and the Productive Safe Restart Scheme (PSRS) aimed at accelerating technology adoption and business model transformation for longer-term sector competitiveness.
COVID-Safe Firm-level Support
The COVID-Safe Firm-level Support helps to offset the additional costs incurred by firms in implementing measures that protect workforce wellbeings, such as the provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and masks, and individually packed meals. This will be through the provision of a one-off $400 support per Marine and Process Work Permit Holder (WPH) and S-Pass Holder worker employed. All firms that have employed Marine and Process WPH and S-Pass Holders as at 1 Sep 2020 and paid up to February 2020 foreign worker levy in full will receive this one-off support.
Productive Safe Restart Scheme (PSRS)
COVID-19 has accentuated key vulnerabilities in the Marine and Process sector such as reliance on foreign workers and manual work processes. The PSRS seeks to encourage firms to accelerate technology adoption and/or embark on business process/model transformation efforts that will bolster their competitiveness as we emerge from COVID-19.
Firms can undertake transformation projects independently, or jointly (i.e. as a collaboration between E&C Plant Owners and its contractors, or Marine Shipyard and its contractors). These projects should result in tangible productivity improvements and reduce reliance on foreign labour in their workforce. Firms can apply to ESG for the PSRS grant, which will provide up to 80% support for qualifying project costs.
More information on the support components under the Marine and Process Support Package can be found in Annex A and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in Annex B.
For more information, visit: https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/news-and-events/news/sectoral-support-package-to-help-marine-and-process-sector-adapt-and-operate-in-covid-safe-manner-and-transform-for-longer-term-competitiveness.html
FOR LOCALS
1. Jobs Support Scheme (JSS)
The JSS provides wage support to employers to help them retain their local employees (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) during this period of economic uncertainty.
Under the JSS, the Government co-funds between 25% to 75% of the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages paid to each local employee in a 10-month period (up to Aug 2020) and 10% to 50% of the same in the subsequent 7-month period (Sep 2020 to Mar 2021)
Employers will receive five main JSS payouts in Apr 2020, Jul 2020, Oct 2020, Mar 2021, and Jun 2021, with an additional special payout in May 2020. The level and duration of support each employer receives depend on the sector in which the employer operates.
For more information, visit: https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/Schemes/Businesses/Jobs-Support-Scheme–JSS-/