Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung said that nurses in Singapore will be getting additional payments this year and next year, to keep them in the industry as a form of “retention payment”.
Ong was speaking at the Healthcare Scholarships Awards that was live-streamed on YouTube, and he said that remuneration was one of two “key determinants of the attractiveness of the nursing profession.”
He mentioned the 1-month bonus that was previously paid to nurses in 2020, as well as the $4,000 cash award that was given out last year.
He highlighted how the major burden of managing the ongoing pandemic falls on the nurses, and that “they are deserving of another payment, perhaps structures as a retention payment.”
Ong further added that MOH is planning “an enhanced package” for the nurses for this year and next year, which will be announced on 1 August, or Nurses Day.