Free Movement of Professionals under ASEAN Economic Community Goal

The Second Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr S Iswaran) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mdm Speaker, under the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons, Singapore has committed to allow the entry of intra-corporate transferees at the level of managers, executives and specialists. This means that only such employees of firms that provide services within Singapore through a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate established in Singapore and who have worked in their firms outside Singapore for at least one year can qualify. Entry for these intra-corporate transferees is limited to a two-year period that may be extended for up to three additional years each time for a total term not exceeding eight years. These intra-corporate transferees will still be subject to Singapore's prevailing Employment Pass regime which requires applicants to earn at least $3,300 and possess acceptable qualifications such as good degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills.

Singapore has low unemployment. Therefore, allowing selected skilled labour from ASEAN to work temporarily here enables us to fill our skill gaps without compromising the job opportunities of our PMEs. Measures are in place to foster a level playing field for PMEs in the workplace. For example, the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) introduced by MOM will take effect in August 2014. This framework seeks to send a signal to employers on the importance of considering Singaporeans fairly for job opportunities.

At the same time, the ASEAN agreement also facilitates Singaporean PMEs to work in ASEAN countries and gain regional experience. This enables Singapore to tap the growing opportunities around us. Regional experience is also a critical factor for Singaporean PMEs who strive to advance within multi-national corporations.

The Government will continue to help all Singaporeans including PMEs be job ready through our education system, and Continuing Education and

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Training and employment facilitation programmes.

Thank you, Madam. I thank the Second Minister for the answer – one supplementary question. Last year, the Indian government officials have publicly stated that Singapore's curb on foreign manpower had possibly violated our bilateral CECA Trade Pact. I am concerned whether there will be any agreements in our current negotiations with ASEAN that will be too loosely worded that may lead to misunderstanding in future. So, I would like the Minister's assurance that all these will be factored in and that the definitions will be very clear.

Madam, I assure the Member that our officials are very careful in their wording of these agreements and we are quite clear what our obligations are.