Reviewing Temporary Permit (Exhibition) Scheme to Ensure Level Playing Field between Established Firms and Newly-registered Firms

Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will review the Temporary Permit (Exhibition) Scheme (TPES) to ensure that it does not create an uneven playing field between established Singapore firms that maintain a resident workforce and newly-registered companies that may rely solely on TPES exemptions.

The Temporary Permit (Exhibition) Scheme (or TPES) is highly scoped to address the seasonal manpower needs of the Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions and Conventions industry.

First, workers hired through TPES can only carry out installation and teardown of stalls and booths. Second, this can only be done at six whitelisted exhibition venues. Third, these workers can only be hired for a maximum of three weeks. Fourth, these workers must be Malaysians. This does not create an uneven playing field as all firms, regardless of whether they are established Singapore firms or newly registered companies, can tap on this scheme for their seasonal manpower needs.

We will continue to monitor and review the implementation of the TPES to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.