There were 4,500 retrenchments in Singapore in the second quarter of this year, the highest number since the last quarter of 2020. This comes even as the labour market continued to expand, according to data from MOM.   https://str.sg/3D4St   Singapore Q2 2026 Labour Market: Full Details   Released by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) – 31 July 2026        📉 Retrenchments   - Total: 4,500 in April–June 2026, up 17.5% from 3,830 in Q1 2026 - Highest quarterly figure since Q4 2020, but still well below pandemic levels (5,640–9,120) - Retrenchment incidence: 1.9 per 1,000 employees (up from 1.6 in Q1) - Drivers: Concentrated in outward‑oriented sectors – mainly information & communications and manufacturing, due to business restructuring amid geopolitical tensions, trade shifts and global demand volatility       📈 Employment Growth   - Total employment rose by 10,700 – the 19th consecutive quarter of growth, up from 9,400 in Q1 and matching Q2 2025’s 10,400  - Non‑resident workers led gains, mostly in construction and manufacturing - Resident employment (citizens + PRs) grew at a slower pace, concentrated in essential and public services  - Job postings on Jobstreet by SEEK rose 49% QoQ in government & defence sectors       📊 Unemployment (June 2026)   - Overall rate: 2.0% – unchanged from March 2026 - Resident unemployment: 2.9% (stable) - Citizen unemployment: 3.0% (down slightly from 3.1%)       🔭 Forward‑Looking Indicators   Metric June 2026 May 2026  Firms expecting to hire 43.9% 40.6%  Firms expecting wage hikes 29.3% 23.7%  Firms expecting retrenchments 2.7% 3.2%    - EDB survey: 74% of manufacturers expect staffing levels to stay steady; most clusters (electronics, chemicals, precision engineering) plan to expand, except transport engineering - MOM assessment: Labour demand remains resilient, though sentiment is still below pre‑February levels (before the Iran‑conflict energy shock) – firms remain cautious near‑term       💡 Key Takeaways   - Contrast: Higher layoffs in restructuring‑heavy export‑facing sectors vs steady jobs growth driven by infrastructure and public services - Outlook: Hiring and wage optimism is rising while expected layoffs ease; economists expect future cuts to stay limited as businesses adapt to global risks   Full report: https://str.sg/3D4St          

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Caterer Gourmetz has been handed 6 food safety charges over the River Valley Primary gastroenteritis incident in January.   The company is still supplying food to schools.   https://str.sg/uN53   Full Details: Gourmetz Food Safety Charges & River Valley Primary Gastroenteritis Incident   1. The Incident   - Date: 14 January 2026 – 60 pupils from River Valley Primary School (RVPS) developed gastroenteritis symptoms after eating lunch provided by Gourmetz, the school’s appointed central kitchen meal operator . - Outcome: Most students returned to class by 16 January; 4 recovered at home – no hospitalisations . - Context: RVPS was among 13 schools that adopted the central kitchen model in January 2026; Gourmetz also supplies meals to CHIJ (Kellock), Radin Mas Primary, Blangah Rise Primary, and Outram Secondary (York Hill campus) .   2. Charges Laid   - On 29 July 2026, Gourmetz was served six charges under the Sale of Food Act over offences on 16 & 28 January 2026 . - Allegations from court documents: - Stored sauce in a stained, dirty blue thermal tub; raw marinated chicken on stained trolleys and dirty plastic pallets in chillers; frozen pastries left uncovered in freezers . - Failed to maintain clean premises – damaged chiller door gaskets, dirty ceilings with black spots. - Steamed chicken rice and garlic fried rice made 16 Jan contained Bacillus cereus at levels exceeding legal limits . - Falsely labelled bento sets on 28 Jan as “ready by 8.30am” when packed at 6.48am .   3. Official Responses   - SFA: Declined comment as the case is before the courts . - MOE: Confirmed awareness of proceedings; strengthened oversight and enforcement of food safety rules while keeping meal services running. Stated student safety is top priority, and will monitor compliance closely . - RVPS: Notified parents that Gourmetz moved to a larger Neo Group facility from 15 June to improve hygiene and operations; will continue joint monitoring with MOE .   4. Legal Provisions   - Penalties under the Sale of Food Act: - Up to $50,000 fine for first offences causing illness/harm . - Up to $5,000 for improper food storage; $100 daily fine for continuing violations post-conviction . - Licence revocation may bar renewal for up to three years .   5. Next Steps   - Case next mentioned in court on 19 August 2026 . - Gourmetz continues catering to schools for now, under enhanced supervision .   Source: https://str.sg/uN53 (The Straits Times, 30/7/2026)