New volunteering scheme for companies allows for greater flexibility
There is a new volunteering scheme for companies big or small looking to kickstart their giving journey, by allowing for greater flexibility in volunteering hours. It is part of a wider effort to build a greater sense of community, as Singapore marks 60 years of nation-building. Chloe Teo reports.
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CNA
18 minutes ago
- CNA
Certis asks officers on medical leave to share location if they are not at home
SINGAPORE: Security firm Certis said on Saturday (Jun 28) that it does not terminate staff solely because they are not at home when on medical leave, after WhatsApp messages about changes to its medical leave policy were published online. The messages, first reported by Mothership on Friday, stated that a letter of warning would be issued to employees on medical leave if they are not at home without a valid reason. If they are not at home, they should share their live location or conduct a video call with their manager to "ensure their safety and well-being", one message read. Staff are also required to update their residential addresses, or they may receive a letter of warning as well. "Please be aware that any non-compliance identified may result in disciplinary action, which could include termination," read one of the messages. In another message, officers are encouraged to "share their pinned location" when they are not at their residence. In response to CNA's queries, Certis said: "Disciplinary action is only considered in clear and substantiated cases of abuse of medical leave, after a fair and thorough process. "We do not terminate employees solely because employees are not at home when on medical leave." When employees are on medical leave, managers may check in on them, particularly those on extended medical leave, said Certis, adding that this includes visiting the employee's home with "small care gestures". Certis said that while most of its employees use medical leave responsibly, it has safeguards in place to ensure this system is used "appropriately and fairly". "Certis holds our officers to high standards of professionalism and integrity," said the company.
Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business Times
Hong Kong-listed China Medical System seeks secondary listing on SGX
[SINGAPORE] Hong Kong-listed China Medical System (CMS) is seeking a secondary listing on the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in July this year. CMS is a specialty pharma with a focus on sales and marketing in China, with capabilities across the full lifecycle of drug development, from identifying clinical needs to research and development (R&D) regulatory approval, and commercialisation. It has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2010. The pharmaceutical company expects the secondary listing will help it deepen its presence in South-east Asia and 'tap into a new and sophisticated investor base in Singapore'. CMS said it is looking to replicate its success in South-east Asia – building on the proven track record attained in China's pharmaceutical industry. 'This region, with a population of nearly 700 million, is experiencing surging pharmaceutical demand due to rapid economic growth, the rise of the middle class, ageing population, and the increasing burden of non-infectious diseases,' it said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Its financial performance in 2023 and 2024 were hit by China's volume-based procurement (VBP) policy – three of its products were included in the VBP list. This policy aims to lower the prices of drugs with generic competition, by guaranteeing certain procurement volumes from public hospitals at significantly reduced prices through a bidding process. But CMS had a top-line rebound in H2 2024, driven by progress in commercialising innovative drugs and the continued growth of non-VBP exclusive products. The company moved towards innovative drugs, given that they typically enjoy a pricing advantage due to their exclusiveness, novelty and quality, and are supported by favourable government policies. It expects growth momentum will accelerate on the back of the replenishment of its pipeline of innovative drugs to about 40 products as at Dec 31, 2024. It noted four key platforms to scale its pharmaceutical ecosystem across Asia-Pacific. CMS R&D is involved in drug discovery and development targeting global markets, while PharmaGend is a development and manufacturing platform for regional manufacturing and supply. It also has Rxilient Health, a Singapore-headquartered entity focused on registration and commercialisation in South-east Asia and a Singapore venture arm, which makes strategic investments to support regional pharma innovation. In a statement on Jun 24, CMS said the proposed listing will not involve issuance of new shares, and the shares will continue to be primarily listed and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange thereafter. Singapore is its regional headquarters for its South-east Asia and Middle East business, the company said. The announcement follows the news of several new listings on SGX – software services provider Info-Tech Systems, a data centre real estate investment trust (Reit) by Japanese telco Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), and a spin-off of mainboard-listed construction company Lum Chang Holdings' interior fit-out business. Info-Tech Systems, whose shares are expected to begin trading on Jul 4, is the first SGX mainboard listing in two years. NTT DC Reit, which will have a portfolio of six of NTT's data centre assets, will likely be the largest Singapore Reit listing in a decade. Meanwhile, interior fit-out business Lum Chang Creations is looking to list on the Catalist board.
CNA
19 hours ago
- CNA
Unemployment in Singapore inches up in Q1 as labour market grows at slower pace
Singapore's labour market growth slowed in Q1 2025, according to the Manpower Ministry's latest report. Total employment rose by 2,400, down from 7,700 in the previous quarter. Unemployment inched up to 2% overall. Meanwhile, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said a task force set up to support businesses and workers affected by US tariffs is reviewing further measures to help them navigate the uncertainty. Caitlin Ng reports.
