Govt reconsiders job loss support

Behind the scenes on the scheme's gestation

Safeguards in place for the scheme and why?

Are the eligibility criteria too complex?

Will the scheme help workers at higher risk?

How does the scheme reflect 4G leadership?

The SkillsFuture JobSeeker Support aims to help the retrenched tide over financially, while between jobs, after tough talks with unions, employers and the Government. 

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

As the global economy changes more rapidly and unpredictably, workers may face more risk from job loss despite best efforts. 

Yet, going out of a job can pose a hit to household finances. In an era of rising cost of living, lower- and middle-income workers are more likely to jump on the first job offer without considering their aptitudes. 

To give these workers more time to find the ‘right’ job for them, the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will be launched in April 2025, with financial support structured to spur an active job search without incentivising prolonged unemployment. 

The scheme, estimated to cost the Government $200 million every year, comes as a result of tough talks among employers, unions and the Government. 

In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and journalist Tay Hong Yi host Manpower minister Tan See Leng to learn how the scheme has taken shape behind the scenes.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:38 On the Government relooking its position on financial support for those who have lost jobs

11:11 On the scheme’s gestation: What took place behind the scenes

17:51 What are the safeguards in place for the scheme and why?

21:48 Eligibility criteria: Too complex to understand for job seekers?

25:36 Will the scheme help workers at higher risk?

28:58 How does this scheme reflect the 4G leadership’s approach to policymaking?

Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Read Tay Hong Yi’s articles:https://str.sg/dSAE

Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Studio+65 and Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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#inyouropinion

The SkillsFuture JobSeeker Support aims to help the retrenched tide over financially, while between jobs, after tough talks with unions, employers and the Government. 
Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
As the global economy changes more rapidly and unpredictably, workers may face more risk from job loss despite best efforts. 
Yet, going out of a job can pose a hit to household finances. In an era of rising cost of living, lower- and middle-income workers are more likely to jump on the first job offer without considering their aptitudes. 
To give these workers more time to find the ‘right’ job for them, the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will be launched in April 2025, with financial support structured to spur an active job search without incentivising prolonged unemployment. 
The scheme, estimated to cost the Government $200 million every year, comes as a result of tough talks among employers, unions and the Government. 
In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and journalist Tay Hong Yi host Manpower minister Tan See Leng to learn how the scheme has taken shape behind the scenes.
Highlights (click/tap above):
5:38 On the Government relooking its position on financial support for those who have lost jobs
11:11 On the scheme’s gestation: What took place behind the scenes
17:51 What are the safeguards in place for the scheme and why?
21:48 Eligibility criteria: Too complex to understand for job seekers?
25:36 Will the scheme help workers at higher risk?
28:58 How does this scheme reflect the 4G leadership’s approach to policymaking?
Read ST's Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Read Tay Hong Yi’s articles:<a href="https://str.sg/KpUx"> </a><a href="https://str.sg/dSAE">https://str.sg/dSAE</a>
Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg)
Produced and edited by: Studio+65 and Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Podcaster: Lynda Hong and ST journalists

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Podcaster: Lynda Hong and ST journalists
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

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