Ministerial Statement on Continued Support for Workers and Jobs

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18 Aug 2020

Ref No.: 180820 (1)

UEN: S97SS0046G

Dear Valued ASPRI Members,

Ministerial Statement on Continued Support for Workers and Jobs

Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, delivered a Ministerial Statement on 17th August 2020 (Monday). He presented on the Government’s further plans in Singapore’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while also highlighting the need to adapt to a rapidly changing situation.  

Deputy Prime Minister Heng outlined how Singapore is advancing our strategies in three key areas:  

  1. Continue to support for jobs and create new ones,
  2. Provide further support for sectors which are hit the hardest; and
  3. Position ourselves to seize growth opportunities in a post-COVID-19 world.  

The Government has dedicated close to $100 billion over four Budgets to support our people and businesses in this crisis. The key measures this round include:  

  • Protecting Jobs
    • Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) extended up to March 2021
      • Up to 50% support, based on projected recovery of the different sectors  
  • Creating Job Opportunities Jobs
    • Growth Incentive – a $1 billion programme to support firms to increase their headcount of local workers over the next six months
  • Supporting Workers  
    • Application period for COVID-19 Support Grant extended up to Dec 2020
    • Eligibility for Workfare Special Payment widened to those who received Workfare Income Supplement for work done in 2020, and who are not already receiving the Special Payment  
  • Preserving Core Capabilities  
    • Further support for hardest-hit sectors, such as aerospace, aviation and tourism, to retain core capabilities
    • $187 million to extend support measures in the Enhanced Aviation Support Package up to March 2021
    • Temporary redeployment programme scaled up for workers in the aviation sector
    • $320 million to boost domestic tourism through tourism credits  
  • Transforming Our Economy for a Post-COVID-19 World
    • Up to $150 million to enhance the Startup SG Founder programme in phases  

Please refer to the appended infographics from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for an overview of the various measures. You may click here or refer to the appended Ministerial Statement to read Deputy Prime Minister’s speech in full.

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