You’d have heard of how Singaporeans returned the $500 one-time Temporary Relief Fund to Ah Gong because they, erm, filled up the wrong details during the application lah, suddenly realised they didn’t need it lah or they wanted the money to be given to others who need it more.
But of course, for a start, they applied for it, got it and returned only after the authorities said that they would clamp down on people who abuse the system.
As for companies, there were a few financial help schemes, and one of which is the Jobs Support Scheme. For this, Ah Gong is giving money based on how many Singapore employees you have, and hope that you’d keep them in the company’s payroll.
Depending on your sector, the authorities would be giving 25% to 75% of a Singaporean’s salary to the company—and it’s a full 75% regardless of what sector the company is in for the months of April and May.
Companies do not need to apply for it: the money would be automatically transferred to the company’s bank account based on CPF contributions.
It’s free money, so you bet no one would reject it, right?
You’re wrong.
There are actually kind bosses in this world.
Boss: Am I not kind?
You’re the kindest, in fact.
32 Companies in S’pore Actually Returned the Money The Government Gave Them to Tide Over COVID-19 Outbreak
Without the need to do anything, companies can just think of those cash as a bonus if their businesses aren’t affected by COVID-19. Or the boss can just use the money to buy a new Mercedes.
But no—some don’t believe in free lunches.
So far, a total of 32 companies have returned those funds back to Ah Gong, totalling to a whopping $35 million.
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The first payout actually came in somewhere around April 2020, which is for the months of October 2019, November 2019 and December 2019.
The second payout will come in in July 2020, which is for the months of February 2020, March 2020 and April 2020.
The last payout will come in in October 2020 (if companies still exist lah), which is for the months of May 2020, June 2020 and July 2020.
So as you can probably tell, it’s a lot of money, and the second payout in July 2020 will be much higher than the first payment last month.
And guess what? These 32 companies didn’t just return the first payout; they didn’t want the other two payouts, too.
According to Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, this includes MNCs, financial institutions as well as other local enterprises across different sectors.
Come on, we need to “online shame” these companies now. They deserved to be called out.
In a Facebook post, Mr Heng also suggests companies to donate the funds:
Here’s what he’s written:
Our companies here — big and small, and across all sectors — are observing circuit breaker measures in our fight against COVID-19, and keeping their workers, while other firms and workers are continuing their key activities to supply us with essential services and keep Singapore going.
When the crisis started, we launched the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) to provide wage support for our companies and help them retain local employees. Some companies have coped better than others. I am heartened that a number of them have come forward to return the first payment of JSS they received and to decline future payments. They include MNCs, financial institutions as well as other local enterprises across different sectors. I am very encouraged by their sense of responsibility and shared community. I hope their exemplary action will inspire other companies that are doing well to consider doing the same.
Besides returning the disbursement from the JSS, you may also consider contributing to charitable causes, such as the Invictus Fund (www.comchest.sg/TheInvictusFund) and other worthy causes at Giving.sg (www.giving.sg). Some companies and many individuals are doing so. I hope that you will also show recognition and appreciation for your workers who have stepped up during the circuit breaker period.
To all our companies — a big thank you for your commitment, your contributions and your confidence in Singapore as we fight COVID-19. By standing together and helping one another, we can overcome this crisis and emerge stronger. This is the spirit of our #SingaporeTogether movement.
Or maybe they can do what Sheng Siong is doing: provide a bonus to the employees. After all, they’re the ones who made it happen, no?
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