SINGAPORE — The qualifying criteria for the Government’s recently-announced support measures for the self-employed are too narrow, say some freelancers whose incomes have been reduced by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Among other things, they suggested that the criteria take into account the number of dependants. They also noted that the income earned from part-time jobs which they had to take on for sustenance during this period left them ineligible.
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has said that her ministry will look into appeals from those who do not make the cut, but added that "a number of people have cautioned me not to go overboard using taxpayers’ monies because the criteria and payouts are already generous".
Last Thursday, the Government unveiled the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (Sirs), to help the self-employed including freelancers in the gig economy such as artistic performers, taxi drivers and real estate agents tide themselves over the financial fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.
Advertisement
Under the scheme, eligible self-employed workers will receive three quarterly cash payouts of S$3,000 each in May, July and October this year. About 88,000 self-employed people are expected to automatically qualify for Sirs.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ancers-say-narrow-criteria-mean-they-miss-out
Among other things, they suggested that the criteria take into account the number of dependants. They also noted that the income earned from part-time jobs which they had to take on for sustenance during this period left them ineligible.
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has said that her ministry will look into appeals from those who do not make the cut, but added that "a number of people have cautioned me not to go overboard using taxpayers’ monies because the criteria and payouts are already generous".
Last Thursday, the Government unveiled the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (Sirs), to help the self-employed including freelancers in the gig economy such as artistic performers, taxi drivers and real estate agents tide themselves over the financial fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.
Advertisement
Under the scheme, eligible self-employed workers will receive three quarterly cash payouts of S$3,000 each in May, July and October this year. About 88,000 self-employed people are expected to automatically qualify for Sirs.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ancers-say-narrow-criteria-mean-they-miss-out
