SINGAPORE: Between April and August, over 7,200 Singaporeans applied for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, which provides up to S$6,000 over six months to people who have lost their jobs.
Almost 2,900 applications – or 40 per cent – were approved, but the remaining 60 per cent were rejected for failing to meet the eligibility criteria, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday (Sept 23).
The top three reasons for unsuccessful applications were: applicants were not involuntarily unemployed; their past average monthly income exceeded $5,000; and they had not worked at least six months in the past 12 months, he added.
Dr Tan was responding to several questions regarding the scheme raised by MPs Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah (Jalan Besar GRC) and Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC).
“We have held the line in these cases, as the (scheme) is meant to support those made unemployed involuntarily due to reasons such as retrenchment, cessation of business, dismissal or termination due to illness, injury or accident, rather than those who have chosen to leave,” he said.
He added that the majority of both successful and unsuccessful applicants fell within the same age range of 26 to 40 years old.
Launched in April, the scheme provides temporary financial help of up to $6,000 over six months to lower- and middle-income adult Singaporeans who become jobless owing to reasons beyond their control. The money can help them manage expenses while they take time to land a job.
Workforce Singapore (WSG), the agency which administers the scheme, will contact the applicants’ former employers to verify unemployment claims where needed.
Successful applicants must also take part in job search activities such as attending career coaching and networking sessions to earn points to remain in the scheme.
Dr Tan said the income threshold of $5,000 exists to focus support on those who are more likely to face financial pressure.
Meanwhile, the requirement to have worked at least six months in the past 12 is to target those who have faced recent unemployment shocks and help them bounce back well.
On the other hand, those who have been out of the workforce for a longer period may be better served by other forms of support, he said.
Previously, Dr Tan had told Parliament that those who do not meet the criteria for the scheme can still submit appeals to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Chia had asked whether the Ministry of Manpower would consider extending the scheme to self-employed or freelance workers whose services are engaged through contracts with no renewal guarantees.
In response, Dr Tan said it is up to the freelancers to decide whether to accept a contract or not, bearing in mind that no new renewals were guaranteed.
“Therefore, we do not cover them under the (scheme), which is meant for involuntarily unemployed job seekers.”
Dr Tan also said the Government will work with employers and the labour movement to raise awareness of the scheme.
He encouraged employers conducting retrenchments to assist affected employees with applications for the scheme.
The Government is monitoring the job situation closely and will review the scheme regularly, he added.
The scheme also should not be viewed in isolation as it builds on the Government’s existing suite of programmes to help all job seekers, such as the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme and WSG’s Career Conversion Programmes.
“We are committed to support all job seekers to bounce back to better jobs,” said Dr Tan. - The Straits Times/ANN
