CNA938 Rewind - Singapore firms brace for change as rising costs hit Jobs, wages and workplaces

A recent snap poll by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) has found that 96 per cent of employers surveyed are facing higher operating costs, with energy prices driving up utilities, fuel, materials and freight costs. 19 per cent of them reported significant cost increases exceeding 25 per cent, another 41 per cent reported a moderate hike of 11 to 25 per cent, while the rest reported a small hike of 1 to 10 per cent. How can employers cope with these rising costs and what more can be done to support them? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out from Hao Shuo, CEO, Singapore National Employers Federation