Unemployed Singaporeans to receive $4,500 in government support

By Dat Nguyen August 19, 2024 | 07:44 pm PT

Pedestrians cross a street at the Orchard Road shopping district in Singapore on March 12, 2015. Photo by AFP

The Singapore government has announced a new policy to provide financial support of up to SGD6,000 (US$4,500) for unemployed workers over a six-month period.

The scheme, named the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support, requires participants to undergo training, career coaching, and job matching services, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Sunday, as reported by The Straits Times.

The purpose of the scheme is to help unemployed people go through challenges and find a new job quickly.

"These are essential investments that you need to make in yourself to find better jobs," the PM said.

"This is the essence of our renewed social compact. We will have your back, we will stand by you, but you too must take responsibility for your actions, and make an effort to pull yourself up."

Lower- and middle-income workers who previously earned below SGD5,000 a month will be the main beneficiaries of the scheme.

PM Wong said that in some countries where generous unemployment insurances are available, many people prefer staying unemployed than looking for a new job, CNBC reported.

The Singaporean government’s scheme, therefore, seeks to prevent unemployed people’s dependency on the state’s coffers.

Singapore currently offers no unemployment benefits.