The Big Story: Hiring freezes, benefit cuts, how far will Singapore firms go as energy costs bite?

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong · Apr 21, 2026 · 18m

Rising energy costs linked to the Iran conflict are no longer just a distant headline, they’re hitting businesses in Singapore where it hurts most: the bottom line. A new poll by the Singapore National Employers Federation reveals the scale of the strain: 96% of employers report higher operating costs, with nearly one in five facing increases of more than 25%. So, is this just a temporary squeeze or the start of a deeper, long-term shift in Singapore’s business landscape? And as costs climb, how are companies balancing competitiveness with the need to protect jobs and workforce…