Singapore extends Jobs Scheme Support until November

Sectors affected by the extension of Stabilisation Phase will receive 25% wage support.

Singapore has extended its Jobs Scheme Support (JSS) for sectors significantly affected by the continuing implementation of heightened measures in the country.

The wage support was stretched, following the extension of the Stabilisation Phase from ​​25 October 2021 through 21 November.

Affected sectors such as food and beverage, retail, cinemas, museums, art galleries, historical sites, family entertainment, tourism, gyms and fitness studios, and performing arts and arts education will receive 25% wage support under the JSS.

Also entitled to JSS payouts are qualifying licensed hotels, licensed travel agents, gated tourist attractions, cruise operators, regional ferry operators, and meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions or MICE organisers.

“If no further changes are made, the JSS support levels will return to the original schedule from 22 November 2021 onwards,” the government said.

All active employers are eligible for the JSS, except those from Government organisations, local and foreign, and representative offices.

Finance Minister Lawerence Ong said the government has allocated $640m for its support package for affected businesses which includes the JSS. Also included in the package are rental relief payouts, and assistance to taxi and private hire car drivers.

“We will fund this package through upside in our revenue, like what we had done previously,” Ong said.

The finance minister also said the government will look into possible calibrated easing “where risks are acceptable,” after the two-week Stabilisation Phase.

Ong said the government has received a proposal from ​​the Restaurant Association of Singapore “to allow members from the same household to sit together in a restaurant at a table of five.”

However, Ong said it’s still “too risky” to implement such measures given the situation of Singapore's healthcare system, but said it is "indeed something" the government is looking into.