While Covid-19 has screwed up a lot of things, there’s one undeniable fact about this pandemic.
It has brought people together.
And it’s not just individuals; even companies are doing their part for Singapore.
Not every company is doing badly during the pandemic. Just look at Sheng Siong:
However, when DPM Heng Swee Keat announced that the government are giving out wage subsidies to companies in a bid to save jobs, they did not discriminate against companies’ performances.
Whether they’re doing well or not, the companies will be given the promised subsidies.
However, it seems like not all companies are profit-maximising giants and some decided to do the decent thing.
More Than 130 Companies in S’pore Return Gov Payout, Including Banks Like Citibank
According to CNA, more than 130 companies have returned JSS support from the government for the month of April and May.
In total, the amount returned comes up to S$97 million.
These companies are also among the 250 companies which have pledged to decline all further JSS support payments from the government.
You can probably hear the underlying message here:
Give it to people who need it more.
Among these companies is the Bank of America and Citibank.
However, not every company which doesn’t need the money is giving it back to the government.
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Some Gave The Money To Charity Instead
Syngenta, a Swiss multinational company, has its regional headquarters in Singapore.
Instead of returning the money, they donated it to charitable causes such as the Courage Fund and the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund.
All future funding it receives will go to charity as well, a spokesperson for the company said.
Despite Covid-19, Syngenta’s local operations are not adversely affected, he says, and the company felt the money could be put to better use by channelling it “to the vulnerable in these difficult times”.
If that’s not enough, the company is also allocating more money to support its employees in volunteer activities with projects like ItsRainingRaincoats.
Previously, when DPM Heng lauded 32 companies for returning the subsidies, he had mentioned that companies can consider donating the money instead of returning them.
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