Debated in Parliament on 12 Sep 2022.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the starting salaries of qualified registered nurses in Singapore are lower than those offered in other developed countries and territories, including Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong; and (b) what is the Ministry doing to ensure that nurses' remunerations are competitive, both locally and internationally.
The attractiveness of work as a nurse in Singapore vis-à-vis a foreign country is not determined by the basic remuneration alone, but also taxes, cost of living, working conditions, training opportunities and living environment.
MOH regularly review our competitiveness holistically. In general, we remain competitive, but COVID-19 has exacerbated international competition for nurses, and almost every country is encountering challenges in retaining their nurses.
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