SINGAPORE: Netizens have advised a “burnt-out and lost” employee to “quiet quit” after she shared online that she had been “crying every day” and felt “super miserable” amid growing responsibilities at work, asking others, “How do you all bite through such days, and is this really the economy to be prioritising mental health?” as she considers quitting.

The post author, who had been in her current role for two years, shared on r/askSingapore that her work had been filled with “compressed timelines and bloated responsibilities,” with no hope of promotion.

According to her, her responsibilities continued to balloon even after she said she had clearly expressed that she was “happy” in her current role and “not looking to get promoted,” yet was still given new responsibilities for “growth.” Her co-workers, she said, are “suffering” just the same.

Netizens online appeared to feel the same way, with one sharing that she too has been crying “before work, during work, while on meal breaks, then back to the grind”.

She added, “Every day, there are so many posts of people struggling with their jobs, and I don’t know what it would take to have a reform of the workplace globally because it sure isn’t only just in SG that we are feeling it. I’m seeking therapy to deal with the burnout.”

Another commenter advised to “quiet quit”, adding that she should start looking for a new job or a side hustle—something that can tide her through.

“Just go home every day on the dot and delay deadlines, saying that it can’t be done on time without proper help. Getting it done is only going to show them it’s possible to keep pushing you and provide less support. Or maybe save more to be able to semi- or fully retire by a certain age? Gotta start thinking about your future. Everything’s changing fast with AI, and it’s crazy,” she added.

Others who are also in similar situations, however, advised quitting altogether.

One wrote: “I’m struggling and overloaded, and sometimes my tears just flowed while working. I’ve been sending resumes and praying I can leave this job asap. I plan for holidays, short weekend trips and things to do after work so that I can have something to look forward to. If not, I’ll go crazy thinking about the never-ending workload. I know it can be difficult, but cheer up, and I hope that we can escape this soon!”

In March, a survey found that Singapore workers reported being stressed at work due to heavy workloads, poor management or leadership, and tight deadlines, but were receiving little meaningful support.

In fact, a recent poll by global recruitment consultancy and talent solutions firm Robert Walters also found that three in 10 workers in the little red dot have been “frequently” quiet cracking, while about seven in 10 occasionally feel the same, as they continue to show up at work despite burning out.

Still, according to global executive search and leadership consulting firm Pearson Partners International, quiet quitting, the rejection of the idea that employees should go above and beyond their job scope, is not the answer.

It may provide temporary relief, but just that: temporary. /TISG

Read also: Resilient but disengaged? Report says ‘functional disengagement’ rises among Singapore workers

This article (‘Burnt-out and lost’ employee wants to quit amid growing responsibilities ‘for growth’ with no hope of promotion, advised to ‘quiet quit’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

CANADA: BYD and Tesla may soon face limits on how many Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) they can bring into Canada as government officials discuss whether they should give various automakers their own specific allocation within a newly agreed 49,000-vehicle annual import quota at a reduced 6.1% tariff rate.

Discussions also include whether they should limit how much space each company can use. This is to ensure that a single automaker does not dominate the quota as they enter the Canadian market, Bloomberg reported.

Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to the quota in January, opening the door for Chinese automakers such as BYD, Chery, and Geely to enter Canada’s EV market for the first time, while also allowing Tesla and other automakers producing vehicles in China to enter the country.

In a government notice, it said an initial 24,500 import permits would be made available on a “first-come, first-served” basis until Aug 31, although it remains unclear how the quota system will work after that as discussions continue, officials who wanted to remain anonymous told Bloomberg.

They added that companies that establish operations in Canada, especially those involving vehicle assembly, would receive “favourable access” to the market.

The government has also promised that within five years, half of the quota will be reserved for cars which cost under C$35,000 (S$32,526).

Tesla and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group-affiliated Polestar, whose vehicles have already been sold in Canada for years, are expected to be among the first brands to take advantage of the lower-tariff quota. 

According to Electrek, Chinese automakers BYD, Chery, and Geely are already hiring staff while scouting dealership locations and registering trademarks in Canada. /TISG

Read also: China’s BYD reports weakest sales growth but will likely edge out Tesla as top EV seller

This article (BYD, Tesla may face import caps as Canada considers per-brand quota on Chinese-made EVs) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Party businesses in Singapore have recently reported that their overall operating expenses have risen amid higher helium costs linked to the Middle East conflict. However, it seems concerns over helium supply may spill over and disrupt Singapore’s manufacturing sector, especially the semiconductor industry, which is the backbone of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, risking Singapore’s chip output and driving up manufacturing costs in the coming months.

Barnabas Gan, group chief economist and head of market research at RHB Bank, told Singapore Business Review that business sentiment is expected to remain positive through September 2026 despite geopolitical uncertainty, thanks to “firms supporting the global semiconductor industry, particularly those in the semiconductor equipment industry, amidst strong AI-related investment globally.”

However, he warned that potential disruptions to helium supplies from the Gulf region could constrain semiconductor and high-value manufacturing output, pushing up costs and limiting Singapore’s capacity in the coming months.

This comes as Singapore’s manufacturing sector is showing signs of recovery, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 50.7 in April 2026, marking the ninth straight month it has expanded and the highest reading since February last year, thanks to an AI-fuelled electronics boom that has lifted new orders, exports, factory output, input purchases, and employment.

While often overlooked, helium, supplied mostly by the United States and Qatar, is essential in semiconductor manufacturing, especially in chip fabrication, where it helps maintain optimal conditions in various stages of production.

As American economist and Johns Hopkins’ applied economics professor Steve Hanke told Fortune, “Helium doesn’t get much attention in the AI supply chain, but it should. Not only is it essential for cooling wafers during chip etching, there is no viable substitute at scale.”

According to a recent Moody’s Ratings report, helium supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict could pose a US$650 billion (S$827 billion) risk to hyperscalers, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, which are investing in AI infrastructure, assuming the supply chain holds.

Concerns over helium supply remain as tensions between the US and Iran continue, compounded by the fact that helium isn’t manufactured. In fact, liquid helium can only be stored in containers for about 45 days before it begins to degrade. /TISG

Read also: Global energy crisis could push countries towards renewables ‘within months,’ says IEA head

This article (Helium supply concerns amid the Middle East conflict may limit Singapore’s chip output and drive up manufacturing costs in coming months: RHB economist) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A report on artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among firms in Singapore by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released on Thursday (April 30) found that there is no indication of significant job displacement due to AI “at this point,” adding that it is “augmenting but not replacing” jobs.

MOM said only 6.2% of firms in the city-state reported reduced headcount after adopting AI, while more are redesigning roles (18.9%) and creating new AI-related jobs (13.9%), suggesting the technology is “primarily transforming tasks rather than replacing roles”.

In fact, AI adoption remains limited in the little red dot. About seven in 10 firms have yet to adopt AI, while among those that have (28.5%), only a small share (3.8%) have started integrating it into their core processes, while the rest are still at the planning (7.4%) or piloting (6.0%) stages.

In smaller firms, where there are fewer than 25 employees, adoption is still at 23.9%, compared with 76.4% among larger firms. Those with more than 500 employees also show deeper integration, pointing to stronger digital capabilities and resources.

Still, 70.7% of firms using the technology have already reported productivity gains, alongside improved decision-making (13.3%) and innovation (11.9%).

AI adoption remains challenging due to high implementation costs (44.9%) and lack of in-house expertise (42.4%) according to firms. Smaller firms also cited lack of strategy (32.4%) and low trust in AI (30.8%), while larger firms pointed to integration complexity (56.1%) and data security concerns (55.4%).

Currently, smaller firms are focused on training their teams (46.6%) and providing AI tools such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek and IBM Cognos Analytics (41.1%), while larger firms are moving towards governance frameworks (37.5%) and workflow redesign (22.5%). /TISG

Read also: AI is taking the blame for layoffs — but analysts say it’s really tariffs, overhiring, and cost-cutting

This article (MOM: AI is ‘augmenting but not replacing’ jobs; no indication of significant job displacement due to AI ‘at this point’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have raised concerns online that scammers may still be able to target them, even after PayNow removes its nickname feature, which has been exploited by scammers posing as established entities or trusted individuals using customised aliases.

On Wednesday (April 29), the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) announced that PayNow users will no longer be able to set or personalise their display names starting June 6, as part of measures to reduce impersonation scams. Instead, payment transactions will show the name linked to the user’s bank account, with only selected letters shown to protect privacy.

“With this enhanced security measure, scammers will no longer be able to masquerade as legitimate entities or persons, significantly reducing their ability to deceive unsuspecting users through PayNow. Given the current scam landscape, the upcoming change is essential to safeguard the interests of PayNow users against scammers,” ABS added.

However, netizens worry that even though certain letters in their names will be masked, the display format may still make their real identities “guessable”, leaving their names exposed to scammers.

One said, “Certain letters are removed but still very guessable”, while another pointed out just “how easily guessable names can be.” A third added that the change may have just “made it easier to impersonate real people.”

PayNow’s nickname feature, which has been available since the electronic fund transfer service was launched in 2017, was meant to address customers’ privacy concerns who preferred not to display their registered account names when receiving payments through their mobile number or NRIC numbers. /TISG

Read also: Scammers kick off Fire Horse year, with Millennials and Gen Z most at risk

This article (‘Certain letters are removed but still very guessable’: Singaporeans worried of scammers knowing their real names after PayNow discontinues nickname feature) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

UAE: Concerns have grown among netizens over hotel workers in the United Arab Emirates facing extended leave or termination amid the Middle East war.

One netizen, raising awareness of the situation, wrote on r/UAE: “It’s no secret anymore that the current hotel occupancy levels are at record low. As low as 10% but ranging from 10% to 30%. Hotels and resorts, especially the top-tier ones, cannot sustain this level of occupancy levels for longer. Many top tiers have already announced closures.”

Mentioning hotels such as Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Armani Hotel Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, Park Hyatt Dubai and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, he added, “Most employees will be sent out on long leave or termination. Each of these hotels easily employs 500+”

Besides hotel workers, he pointed out that hotel closures lasting several months, whether temporary or for refurbishment, will affect not only the hotels themselves but also hundreds of other companies, including food suppliers, laundry services, transport companies, event planners, cleaning contractors, and tourism businesses.

“This will send a literal shockwave. Hundreds of companies are tied to the hotel industry. Multiple banks carry huge amounts of loan load by these hotels, on the other hand. That’s another domino on its own when the defaulters are in the tens or hundreds of millions AED. Every industry will start feeling the heat, and most already have, obviously. Just 10x worse in a month.”

Commenters shared the same sentiment. 

One said, “Wars always hurt civilians first. Hotel workers don’t start wars. They just lose jobs. That’s the tragedy. Not the buildings. The people.”

Another commenter claimed, “Last week, 700 staff were laid off at Atlantis. This isn’t me guessing or speculating. My close friend works there, and one of the big names in my industry was laid off, who had been there 18 years.”

However, one Dubai traveller, who often goes there for leisure, shared a more optimistic note, saying, “I wouldn’t fly to Dubai right now because there is so much uncertainty, but once this is all over, I wouldn’t be afraid of going back. I’m sure Dubai will bounce back. It’ll just take a little bit of time, as hotels will need to rehire and retrain.”

The Economic Times reported that at least seven premium hotels in Dubai, including Armani Hotel Dubai and Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, have announced temporary closures or scaled-back operations for renovations, as tourist arrivals slow amid the US–Israel–Iran conflict.

Others, such as Park Hyatt Dubai, St. Regis The Palm, and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, will also undergo refurbishments, while Atlantis Dubai has paused operations at several restaurants across The Palm and The Royal.

Industry executives expect more luxury properties to follow, with weaker demand likely to persist through summer, alongside hotel upgrades to improve resilience and security.

The region is also seeing fewer flights, Airbnb cancellations and more cautious household spending, CNBC reported.

In March, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimated the conflict had already cut at least US$600 million a day from international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, traveller confidence and regional connectivity weigh on demand in the region. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (Concerns grow over UAE hotel workers facing extended leave or termination amid rising hotel vacancies) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for about 58%, or 7,679 of the 13,322 new cars registered in Singapore in the first quarter, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), marking the first time EV registrations outnumbered combustion engine and hybrid models. This was a sharp increase from last year’s record-high 45% share of EV registrations.

In terms of EV brands, Chinese automaker BYD led the market with 3,239 units, or nearly one in four new car registrations. Of these, 3,073 were fully electric, while 166 were petrol-electric (plug-in hybrid) models.

While an EY survey in January found charging concerns had dampened buyer interest in purchasing EVs, some industry players said rising fuel prices amid the Middle East war are now pushing buyers already considering EVs to act sooner, Channel News Asia reported.

EV players in Singapore have seen sales surge, with Chinese automaker Dongfeng reporting a jump of up to 80% in March.

However, some industry players noted that the recent revision of the Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate, which affects new car registrations this year, is a key driver of the rising interest in EVs.

In February, the LTA announced that the PARF rebate has been lowered by 45 percentage points.

The PARF rebate is the amount car owners receive when they deregister their vehicle, and it is calculated as a percentage of the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) paid. The ARF itself is based on a car’s Open Market Value (OMV), which is its estimated price before taxes. The rebate is tiered depending on the age of the vehicle when it is deregistered, with newer cars receiving a higher percentage.

With the revision, the gap in PARF rebates between EVs and non-EVs has narrowed.

Dongfeng Singapore founder and CEO Soh Ming told Channel News Asia that this helps level the playing field between EVs and non-EVs. Meanwhile, automotive industry consultant Say Kwee Neng told The Straits Times that with the reduced gap in PARF rebates between EVs and non-EVs, consumers have fewer reasons to stick with petrol engine models. /TISG

Read also: Singaporeans may have to pay more for celebrations as helium costs rise up to 40% amid Middle East conflict

This article (Singapore sees higher EV registrations in first quarter as rising petrol prices drive urgency among buyers already considering EVs, experts say) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MEXICO: A man working at a Fortune 100 company shared his financial worries online after being laid off for the first time. With only three months’ notice, a baby, and having recently paid in cash for a car, he said, “I’m scared about what comes next.”

The layoffs came as the company plans to consolidate operations into a single hub, instead of several offices in Mexico, and hire employees in lower-cost countries, mostly in parts of Africa where wages are significantly lower, he said.

Explaining his situation further on r/Layoffs, he wrote: “I can’t go into detail about my role due to contractual restrictions, but I’ve held a senior position for over two years and been here for eight years. During that time, I worked hard and genuinely loved what I did. The job came with great benefits: two months of vacation, a hybrid work model, insurance, and a level of flexibility that allowed me to leave early or take time off when needed.”

Before the layoffs were confirmed, rumours about the job cuts had already been circulating across the company. Then came slowed hiring across several departments, and new recruits who were struggling to perform were eventually let go. On Wednesday, after being called into the office, it finally became official.

Although there’s a good severance package waiting, and some have been offered to relocate to the bigger city, the cost of living there is so high that it would require double the salary, which is not being offered.

Sharing his worries further, he added, “I’m still relatively young, and this is the first time I’ve ever been laid off. I feel a mix of fear and uncertainty. Part of me wants to invest in a business and become my own boss, but living in this country, concerns about corruption and violence make that decision difficult.”

While he felt constant pressure over the past year, there was also a sense of relief, “that maybe this is a turning point”, yet he said, “I feel lost and uncertain.”

Amid his feelings of uncertainty, commenters who have been laid off once encouraged him.

One said, “I’ve been at it for just about 30 years now. I’ve been laid off twice… It happens to most people at least once,” adding that it was “the best thing that could’ve happened” to him.

Another shared, “All I can say my friend is you are not alone. Life has been a struggle for me,” explaining that just as things seemed to ease — after getting a good job, paying a large sum toward his mortgage, and getting a tattoo and buying the guitar he wanted — he “got laid off and [was] back to the grind.”

A third advised, “Look forward. You’ll find another job; things will work out. Leverage your professional network, don’t be afraid to contact people that you haven’t spoken to in a few years if that’s what it takes.” 

However, one commenter shared a more pessimistic note, saying, “The race to the bottom is real. Sorry to hear about you losing your job. Seems like no one and no country is safe.” /TISG

Read also: ‘So this is what AI will drive’: Workers react as PwC partner pay rises amid AI push and fewer staff

This article (‘I’m scared about what comes next’: Fortune 100 worker shares financial worries after being laid off as company shifts hiring to ‘lower-cost countries’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance has named the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) as Singapore’s most valuable brand for the 14th consecutive year in its Singapore 100 2026 report. Changi Airport, meanwhile, was named the strongest brand for the year.

Changi Airport achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.2 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, the highest accolade for brand strength awarded by Brand Finance, while DBS, which was also ranked the fourth strongest Singaporean brand, achieved a BSI score of 88.5. The bank also ranked the seventh most valuable bank in the Asia Pacific (APAC).

Both companies recorded higher brand values. DBS’ brand value rose 8% to US$18.6 billion (S$23.74 billion), driven by its regional expansion and diversification, while Changi Airport’s increased 16% to US$889 million, supported by record passenger traffic, expanded connectivity, and continued service excellence.

Meanwhile, Telechoice International, a regional diversified provider and enabler of innovative info-communications products and services, ranked as the city-state’s fastest-growing brand after its brand value surged 288% to US$52.7 million, thanks to strong demand in semiconductor-related segments, higher sales volumes, and targeted investments in high-growth product lines.

Overall, Singapore’s top 100 brands grew 7% year-on-year (YoY) to US$84.1 billion, the report added. /TISG

Read also: SIA Group’s March passenger traffic rises amid Middle East disruptions

This article (DBS remains Singapore’s most valuable brand; Changi Airport strongest in 2026) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore is seeing higher demand for solar panels, according to solar firms, as homeowners explore alternative energy options amid rising electricity costs triggered by the Middle East war.

Earlier this month, International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol told the French conservative Le Figaro newspaper that the global energy crisis would push countries towards renewable energy such as solar and wind, “within a few months,” as these are quicker to install.

According to Channel News Asia, local providers such as GetSolar and FOMO Energy reported a surge in solar panel installations and enquiries from landed homeowners, as well as condominium residents and commercial clients.

In fact, GetSolar’s installations jumped fourfold this month compared to previous months, while its enquiries in March alone doubled compared to February. FOMO Energy enquiries from residential homeowners also rose by over 60% since early March.

However, at a time when interest in solar panels has never been stronger, especially among condominium residents, adoption is still catching up.

Condos have limited and shared rooftop space, which restricts solar panel installation size. Solar projects may also be less financially attractive because condos usually run on a single main meter, so excess solar power cannot be easily exported to the national grid and must be used within the building.

On top of that, approval for installation takes time, as solar projects typically require consent from Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) councils and, in some cases, residents, unlike landed homes. Although other property types also come with limits.

Shophouses may face space or structural constraints due to the age of the building, while those in conservation areas must meet additional regulatory requirements.

Still, despite these constraints, industry players expect more property owners in Singapore to turn to solar power in the years ahead. /TISG

Read also: About 8 in 10 Singapore firms hold off workplace changes amid high energy prices

This article (Singapore starts seeing higher demand for solar panels, solar firms say) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

UNITED STATES: Meta will reportedly begin its planned first wave of layoffs on May 20, cutting 10%, or about 8,000, of its global workforce, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the plans.

The sources also said there are further layoffs in the second half of the year, although details such as timing and size have not been finalised. Plans may also change depending on developments in artificial intelligence capabilities, they added.

Amid reports of the upcoming layoffs, Business Insider reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that Meta “quietly” hired two founding members of artificial intelligence research and product company Thinking Machines Lab, Mark Jen and Yinghai Lu, along with AI researcher Tianyi Zhang, who all previously worked at Meta.

The three, who are recent departures from the US$12 billion AI startup founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati, have not yet disclosed their move on LinkedIn.

Other companies that have had massive layoffs include Amazon, Block, and Oracle.

So far this year, 73,212 tech employees have lost their jobs, according to data from Layoffs.fyi. While many companies have been citing AI-driven efficiency as a reason for job cuts, analysts argued that companies have been “AI-washing” layoffs instead of citing other reasons for the cuts. /TISG

Read also: ‘So this is what AI will drive’: Workers react as PwC partner pay rises amid AI push and fewer staff

This article (Meta to begin first wave of layoffs on May 20, cutting about 8,000 jobs, with more layoffs expected later: Reports) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A snap poll by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) found that about eight in 10 firms have held off workforce or workplace changes in direct response to higher energy prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, as firms look to manage costs without affecting staff.

Meanwhile, among the 17% that did make changes, most froze hiring or delayed expansion plans (67%). Others redeployed or cross-trained staff (33%), or reduced headcount through natural attrition (33%). Some firms also cut bonuses, allowances or benefits (25%), or reduced work hours, overtime or shifts (19%).

Nearly all firms (96%) reported higher operating costs due to rising energy prices, while 53% said they are concerned about manpower cost pressures.

Should energy prices remain elevated over the next 12 months amid ongoing Middle East tensions, 83% of businesses said cost support, such as tax relief or financing assistance, would be most helpful, followed by energy cost relief and subsidies (77%) and delays to manpower policy changes (55%).

SNEF conducted the snap poll between April 10 and 16, 2026, drawing responses from 210 companies across the manufacturing, services and construction sectors, of which 73% were small and medium-sized enterprises and the rest large firms.

Inflation driven by the Middle East conflict has already started to affect businesses. Celebrations in the little red dot, which often include helium balloons as decorations, are expected to become more expensive as helium costs have risen by as much as 40%.

Even hawker food, often seen as an affordable everyday meal option for many Singaporeans, is already seeing higher prices amid rising ingredient costs, energy prices and fuel-related surcharges. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (About 8 in 10 Singapore firms hold off workplace changes amid high energy prices) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.