Daily briefing: Singaporeans to get rental support payouts starting 6 August; HK media firm moves to SG

And MoM said employers cannot join maid in medical exams.

From CNA

Payouts for the rental support scheme, worth a total of $216m, will be disbursed starting 6 August.

The Ministry of Finance and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore said eligible tenants will be notified by post. They may also get an electronic copy through their myTax portal.

Over 38,400 tenants and owner-occupiers will receive payouts. The scheme was first announced in May as part of the government’s assistance to those hit by Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Read more here.

From Mothership

Hong Kong media firm Initium will be moving its operations to Singapore, in light of concerns on press freedom in Hong Kong.

Initium is the first media outlet to report plans to leave Hong Kong, according to a report by Hong Kong Free Press. Initium had cited the lack of press freedom due to the implementation of the National Security Law.

“We will move our headquarters to Singapore, produce content through an online and decentralised medium, and continue to present the pulse of the times in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in our in-depth content,” Initium’s Executive Editor Susie Wu was quoted as saying.

Read more here.

From CNA

The Ministry of Manpower announced employers will not be able to join their maids in their medical examination as part of a new measure to help detect abuse.

This will take effect starting 29 August. On the same date, home-based examinations will also be prohibited.

The MoM said this is to “provide a safe environment for migrant domestic workers to speak up.”

Read more here.