The Government today said that the 2022 Employment Support Scheme received applications from over 42,000 employers and about 27,000 self-employed people as at 6pm on the first day of the application period.

The online application portal was launched at 8am today and has been operating smoothly, it added.

The scheme will provide wage subsidies to eligible employers for three months, covering May to July this year.

There are two tiers of subsidy rates - a flat rate of $8,000 per month for each eligible employee with a monthly income of $8,000 or more; and a flat rate of $4,000 per month for each employee with a monthly income of $3,000 or more but less than $8,000, or each employee aged 65 or above earning less than $3,000 per month.

The scheme will also provide a one-off subsidy of $8,000 to eligible self-employed people.

Employers and the self-employed should submit their applications through the scheme's website by May 12.

Enquiries can be made via the live chat function on the website, by email or the hotline at 183 6122.

Applicants who need assistance may visit one of the five service centres by making an appointment through the hotline.