http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_371181.html
New help measures coming
By Sue-Ann Chia, Senior Political Correspondent
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday announced new help measures for white collar workers and companies as part of efforts to save jobs during this severe recession. --PHOTO: ST
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday announced new help measures for white collar workers and companies as part of efforts to save jobs during this severe recession.
'We will do more for middle-income earners. Many are PMETs who are also affected,' he said, referring to the category of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians, who are bearing the brunt of job losses.
To minimise layoffs, employers will receive more money to retrain rather than retrench workers, under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) which covers worker training.
The amount that employers can claim to cover the salaries of employees attending courses will go up from $6 to $10 an hour.
A new traineeship scheme to encourage companies to recruit fresh graduates and PMETs, will also be introduced.
This 'apprenticeship' scheme will ease the fears of students who are graduating soon, said PM Lee, adding: 'I know they are anxious about getting jobs.'
There will also be updates to Spur to encourage employers to recruit and retain local workers.
Called Spur-Jobs, it defrays costs for companies which do on-the-job training, job redesign and productivity improvements.
The good news comes amid the economic downturn that now includes an additional challenge that countries have to face - fighting off the outbreak of swine flu, which provides fresh challenges to those hoping for a global economic recovery.
'Overall, the world situation has somewhat stabilised, but outlook is still troubled,' said PM Lee at the May Day Rally at the Downtown East entertainment complex.
Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
New help measures coming
By Sue-Ann Chia, Senior Political Correspondent
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday announced new help measures for white collar workers and companies as part of efforts to save jobs during this severe recession. --PHOTO: ST
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday announced new help measures for white collar workers and companies as part of efforts to save jobs during this severe recession.
'We will do more for middle-income earners. Many are PMETs who are also affected,' he said, referring to the category of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians, who are bearing the brunt of job losses.
To minimise layoffs, employers will receive more money to retrain rather than retrench workers, under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) which covers worker training.
The amount that employers can claim to cover the salaries of employees attending courses will go up from $6 to $10 an hour.
A new traineeship scheme to encourage companies to recruit fresh graduates and PMETs, will also be introduced.
This 'apprenticeship' scheme will ease the fears of students who are graduating soon, said PM Lee, adding: 'I know they are anxious about getting jobs.'
There will also be updates to Spur to encourage employers to recruit and retain local workers.
Called Spur-Jobs, it defrays costs for companies which do on-the-job training, job redesign and productivity improvements.
The good news comes amid the economic downturn that now includes an additional challenge that countries have to face - fighting off the outbreak of swine flu, which provides fresh challenges to those hoping for a global economic recovery.
'Overall, the world situation has somewhat stabilised, but outlook is still troubled,' said PM Lee at the May Day Rally at the Downtown East entertainment complex.
Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
