Since the end of October, almost 30 soundproof work booths have been placed across nine malls in Singapore as Covid-19 fuels new demand for flexible workspaces.

Customers can pay $3.60 per hour (with a minimum charge of $1) to work in these booths through an app called Switch, which was developed by Singapore-based co-working firm JustCo.

The changing nature of work and workplaces has created a new market where Singapore business can innovate, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Dec 16).

He was speaking at JustCo's outlet at The Centrepoint, where the company launched its "Digital Future of Work Platform" to showcase its new digital technologies.

Mr Chan elaborated on what he saw as the "three disruptions" brought on by Covid-19 to the traditional idea of work.

First, he expressed his belief that the nature of work has changed, particularly with regard to the need for a fixed office space.

Additionally, the advent of remote working and the "fast technological cycle" means that many companies are "increasingly less willing to commit to long leases for office space".

"In fact, many of the companies may also want... to scale up very quickly, (for) which the traditional business model of taking long leases for huge office spaces may not be the most appropriate," said Mr Chan.

(Original article)