The Singapore Cocktail Bar Association has raised S$120,000 for its SCBA-SBF Foundation Compassion Fund to support professionals in the bar industry directly impacted the coronavirus pandemic.

The Singapore Cocktail Bar Association (SCBA), a non-profit industry body that champions Singapore’s cocktail bar scene, was founded in the midst of the COVID-19 global health catastrophe. Started in May this year, among its first tasks was to find ways to provide relief to many bar professionals in the F&B industry who have suffered job loss. With circuit breaker measures instituted by the government from April that shut down most bars – many of which remain shut today – Singapore’s nightlife industry has been decimated. Many jobs have been lost, and some of those retained have seen significant pay reductions as well.

A total of S$60,000 of the funds for the SCBA-SBF Foundation Compassion Fund were raised from corporate sponsors, with the Singapore Business Federation Foundation matching the amount in full. The fund will provide direct financial relief to bar staff who are in need, especially those who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during this time.

The SCBA-SBF Foundation Compassion Fund is now open for application to Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Work Pass Holders who have suffered job loss and are in the midst of transiting between employers within the cocktail industry with SCBA’s support, or who have suffered salary reductions of 30% or more between 1 April to 30 June 2020. The relief amount is capped at S$500 per individual whose salary is no more than S$3,400 a month, and applicants must be currently or previously employed by SCBA’s member bars.

“We are incredibly grateful to our corporate sponsors as well as the Singapore Business Federation Foundation for contributing to our first round of relief. The SCBA-SBF Foundation Compassion Fund will render direct financial support to up to 240 bar staff in our cocktail community,” says Gan Guoyi, President and Founding Board Member of the Singapore Cocktail Bar Association.

“This is our inaugural effort to rally SBF members and industry leaders to care for our employees, workers and the community at large. We aim to have the SBF Foundation Compassion Fund form the framework for our members to pool resources and collectively support employees in need,” says Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the SBF Foundation.

“I am grateful to SCBA for leading the cocktail bar community to support the employees in times of need,” Hsieh adds.

SCBA is currently raising funds for a second and third round of relief, which will directly support member bars themselves. The Association aims to finalise sponsorship for these initiatives, the New Bar Support Fund and the Industry Recovery Fund, before the end of August 2020.

To apply for The SCBA-SBF Foundation Compassion Fund, go to www.sgcocktailbarassociation.org. All applications are kept confidential.


Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.