The Manpower Directive for 5-day week has been passed down. Main higlights:

Work reduction of 45-hour-week to 42-hour-week in line with Public Service Department. This will benefit NSFs as well. Working hours should preferably not be extended on weekdays to make up for loss of training on Saturdays but more efficient ways of trainings are recommended.

Basic qualification courses like PTP, BMT, OCC, BSLC and ASLC will continue to have 5½ day week, but i know it does not affect BTT (OETI).

This should take effect from work week starting Monday, 6th Sept.
As for allowance increases for those with specialist ranks and below, we'll have to wait for the annoucement.