SINGAPORE, June 2 — The incomes of close to half of all Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) have been affected negatively as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic while only three in 10 have enough savings to last them beyond six months if they were to lose their jobs.

These were the findings of a OCBC Bank survey released yesterday which polled 1,000 Singaporeans and PRs aged between 21 and 65. 

The survey found that for those whose incomes were affected, they had experienced at least one of the four scenarios: A wage cut, being forced to take no-pay leave, having their commission earnings reduced or being forced to convert into a part-time role. 

Around 30 per cent of all respondents said that their jobs were not affected, while the rest said they had their salaries or allowance frozen, were working longer hours, had been forced to convert from a permanent to a contractual role, had a change in duties or had been redeployed.

The survey, which was conducted about one-and-a-half months into the circuit breaker period, also found that close to five in 10 people polled were worried about losing their jobs despite government support announced during the four Budgets this year. 

The circuit breaker, imposed on April 7, shut schools and most non-essential workplaces as authorities attempted to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

From today onwards, circuit breaker measures will be eased including the phased reopening of schools. 

Here are the other findings from the survey: 

Financial and job security