KUCHING: The business community hopes the state government will come up with a wage subsidy programme under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) package.
Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Jonathan Chai Voon Tok said wage subsidies would ease the financial burden of local employers during this challenging time and keep the employment of existing employees intact without any retrenchment.
He pointed out that the B40 group, tourism sector and micro traders such as hawkers and petty traders were the key beneficiaries of the BKSS 6.0 package announced last Friday.
“Honestly, certain other small and medium enterprises like the restaurants and coffee shops which are also affected by the movement control order (MCO) and the ongoing pandemic would understandably be disappointed,” he said when asked to comment on the BKSS 6.0.
“Having said that, there are still some good tidings for the business operators and the general public as the discounts of varying percentages will still be provided for the electricity and water bills and the assessment rates,” added Chai, who is also Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI) secretary-general.
On the nationwide lockdown from June 1 to 14 which was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday, Chai hoped the federal government would come up with additional aid measures to help businesses overcome the hardships and challenges posed by the pandemic.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, on Friday unveiled the BKSS 6.0 package worth RM1.4 billion to benefit Sarawakians from various sectors during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
