Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, delivered a Ministerial Statement earlier today, Monday, 17 Aug 2020, presenting 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.
DPM Heng outlined how we are advancing our strategies in three key areas:
- Continue to support for jobs and create new ones,
- Provide further support for sectors which are hit the hardest; and
- 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 extended up to March 2021
- Up to 50% support, based on projected recovery of the different sectors
- Jobs Support Scheme extended up to March 2021
- 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
- Application period for COVID-19 Support Grant extended up to Dec 2020
- 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 (SingapoRediscovers Vouchers)
- Transforming Our Economy for a Post-COVID-19 World
- Up to $150 million to enhance the Startup SG Founder programme in phases
Read the full statement here.
Infographics about the Scheme:
