Business costs up and manpower down as they cope with flu guidelines
By
Kate Lim & Joanna Seow
ST PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
SOME smaller firms are struggling to deal with the cost and disruptions that arise when they follow government guidelines for workers quarantined because of the H1N1 flu.
SHAKY SITUATION
'If firms have to pay salaries without being able to produce in this economic state, we may as well be prepared for our businesses to fail.'
Mr Lee Ghee Ann, owner of Lee Yong Printing and Lee Fu Office Stationery
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recommended last week that bosses grant paid hospital leave to employees who are under home quarantine orders (HQOs).
It also recommended that firms continue paying salaries to employees required by employers to self-quarantine for reasons attributable to work.
But the rising number of quarantined workers may disrupt operations and add to business costs at some smaller companies.
Mr Sim Wee Chuan, managing director of Norton Precision Engineering, is concerned about the impact of losing manpower. His firm has 35 workers. 'If (one employee contracts) H1N1, then most of them have to be quarantined, so this will affect our production... Customers may also ban us from going to their companies,' he said.
Despite the difficulties, some small companies will grant paid leave to quarantined employees.
Some businesses hope the Government will extend help to smaller enterprises. Mr Kelvin Toh, director of graphic design company Eleven Print, told The Straits Times that the ideal scenario would be where the Government and the employer split the bill for paid leave.
The MOM is aware of the difficulties smaller businesses face in adhering to its advisory guidelines but it is urging all firms to comply, regardless of size. 'For smaller firms, the consequences of failing to adopt the advisory may be even greater, if all other employees in the small firm end up infected, resulting in complete and total disruption to their business.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - which had a hand in preparing the advisory alongside the MOM, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Singapore National Employers Federation - said it is committed to helping affected members.
SBF chief executive Teng Theng Dar reiterated the importance of employees taking precautionary measures like observing good hygiene practices and for employers to install suitable business continuity plans. The SBF and Spring Singapore can help firms compile such plans.
