By safeguarding jobs, Covid-19 measures ensure households are supported: Heng Swee Keat

SINGAPORE — Measures that support workers and provide lifelines to businesses who have been severely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak do in turn support households by protecting jobs and livelihoods, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

In his round-up speech for the Fortitude Budget on Friday (June 5), Mr Heng said that there were those who have expressed the view that the Covid-19 support measures in the four Budgets have been inadequate for households and individuals, while there has been a lot of support for jobs.

“Together, the Covid-19 support measures should be seen in the context of the larger suite of measures to protect jobs and livelihoods and support our businesses during this crisis,” said Mr Heng who is also Finance Minister.

To highlight the importance of safeguarding jobs, he cited an example of a household where the sole breadwinner of the family loses his or her job.

“Should (this happen), the effect on the whole family is much more adverse. It is important that we see this in totality,” he said.

Mr Heng added that the Government’s social spending has also nearly doubled over the last 10 years and this reflected its commitment to invest in and support its people.

Members of Parliament (MPs) Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency) and Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC), and Nominated MP Anthea Ong asked if existing Covid-19 schemes for low-income households and workers can be further enhanced, especially for those who have lost their jobs and are unable to find employment during this period.

In response, Mr Heng said that the overall payouts across the four Budgets are tilted towards lower to middle-income groups as these individuals have less to fall back on in difficult times.

He added that 60 per cent of households can receive additional benefits equivalent to 12 per cent of household income on average during the Covid-19 period.

These benefits come from the various measures such as the cash assistance from the Temporary Relief Fund, the Covid-19 Support Grant and the Workfare Special Payment, among others, he said.

Still, there may be families who need help but marginally miss the eligibility criteria.

For those who fall in this group, Mr Heng said the Government will assess their needs on a case-by-case basis and refine the schemes as the outbreak evolves.

Mr Heng also responded to MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua, NMP Yip Pin Xiu and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Melvin Yong, all of whom called for more support for vulnerable groups, such as those with special needs or those who struggle with mental health conditions.

The Government, he said, has put in resources over the years to support the vulnerable and will continue to do so.

This includes building up physical networks to strengthen social delivery like the SG Cares Community Network.

As for the elderly who may feel alienated by the rapid adoption of digital technology by many businesses and individuals to cope during this crisis, Mr Heng said that the Government had laid out a roadmap for Singapore’s digital future with “digital inclusion at the heart of our plans”.

Responding to MPs Cheng Li Hui (Tampines GRC), Jessica Tan (East Coast GRC), Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) and Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) who raised concerns about seniors and their digital needs, Mr Heng said while he takes their concerns seriously, Singaporeans “should not let fear paralyse us into sticking with the status quo”.

“As the world changes, we want to move fast on digital transformation, but more importantly, we are determined to move together, in digital inclusion,” he said.