BUDGET 2015 A leg up on wages

Wednesday, Feb 25, 2015

THE STRAITS TIMES

TOP NEWS

A leg up on wages

Published on Feb 24, 2015 2:45 AM

First Kick Academy director Jimmy Beh is happy that the Wage Credit Scheme, which has helped the company to retain its staff and keep costs down, is being extended. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN 

First Kick Academy

How it benefits

Wage Credit Scheme extension

How other firms benefit

• Corporate income tax rebate of 30 per cent of tax payable, with a cap of $20,000 for each year of assessment
• Enhancement and extension of Temporary Employment Credit and Special Employment Credit

---

THE Wage Credit Scheme has helped First Kick Academy pay its staff more and retain them longer.

The company, which was founded seven years ago to teach children football, has 10 full-time Singaporean workers earning between $2,000 and $5,000 as coaches, administrative staff or managers.

The Wage Credit Scheme has been co-funding 40 per cent of pay rises for Singaporean workers earning less than $4,000 a month.

The Government said yesterday it will co-fund 20 per cent of wage increases given to Singaporean workers earning below $4,000 monthly for the next two years.

"The scheme helped us a fair bit in retaining our staff and keeping costs down," said First Kick Academy's director, Mr Jimmy Beh.

"It's good that they are keeping it; 20 per cent is better than nothing, and we are happy as long as there's some form of help."

Mr Beh said the company is competing in the same space as other enrichment programmes for children, like art or music classes. "In order to do that, we have to make sure our coaches are able to deliver, and we need coaches who can deal with kids."

First Kick Academy has seven centres and hopes to expand.

CHIA YAN MIN