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Government Support for Inclusive Hiring in Neighbourhood Shops

Type: Parliamentary Questions

Topic(s): Disability Services,  

Published on 18 February 2025

Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Minister will consider developing and co-creating transformation and funding schemes for neighbourhood shops such as minimarts to provide employment and workplace incubation opportunities to vulnerable segments of society such as persons with special needs or persons with disabilities.

Answer

1          The Government supports businesses of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises, in inclusive hiring.

2          Under the Open Door Programme, administered by SG Enable, persons with disabilities and employers receive up to one year of job matching and customised employment support from trained job coaches. Employers can tap on the Job Redesign Grant to redesign jobs, purchase new equipment, or modify the workplace to be more conducive for their employees with disabilities. These schemes are open to employers in neighbourhood shops.

3          In addition, under the Inclusive Business Programme run by the Housing & Development Board and SG Enable, businesses that commit to having at least 20% of their hired workforce made up of persons with disabilities can be directly allocated HDB shop spaces. Small & Medium Enterprises enjoy a 30% rental discount for their first three years of tenancy, with an option to renew for another three years.

4          SG Enable reaches out to such neighbourhood shops to promote these schemes. For example, its Enabling Business Hub at Jurong has engaged the Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore and Taman Jurong Hawkers’ Association, to promote inclusive hiring of persons with disabilities in the region.