The government will extend the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) by one month to cover all firms.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the enhancement to the scheme in Parliament on May 26 as part of the Fortitude Budget measures.

The Budget is Singapore's fourth this year and totals S$33 billion.

The additional month of support will be computed based on wages paid in August 2020 and will be paid out when firms receive their October 2020 JSS payout.

Firms that cannot resume operations immediately after end of Circuit Breaker

Although the Circuit Breaker period will end on June 1, not all firms and businesses will be allowed to re-open from June 2 onwards.

To help such firms, Heng will continue providing wage support at 75 per cent until August 2020 or when they are allowed to re-open, whichever comes first.

This includes retail outlets, gym and fitness studios, and cinemas.

Re-classification of firms

Some firms will be re-classified in the different JSS tiers, after feedback from industry associations and businesses.

Firms in the aerospace sector, including those in Maintenance, Repair and Operations, will receive 75 per cent wage support.

Firms in the built environment sector, which includes construction, will receive 75 per cent wage support, applicable only to wages paid between June and August.

Firms in the retail, marine and offshore sectors will now receive 50 per cent support.

Heng said:

"Eligible firms will receive a back-payment to top up their previous JSS payouts to the higher level of support. This retrospective payment will be made by July."

The enhanced JSS measures will cost the government S$2.9 billion.

The JSS will payout S$23.5 billion in total to firms.

Foreign Worker Levy

Heng also announced that the Foreign Worker Levy waiver and rebate will be extended for up to two months.

This includes all businesses in the construction, marine and offshore and process sectors.

The waiver will be 100 per cent in June, and 50 per cent in July.

The rebate will be S$750 in June, and S$375 in July.

Top image from CNA.