Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2025.
Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Government will consider using a portion of revenue collected from the foreign worker levies to seed a fund dedicated to improving the safety and well-being of migrant workers.
To ensure optimal use of public resources, the revenue collected by a Ministry is consolidated across the Government. The pooled funds are then allocated to projects based on merit and needs.
The Government already directs part of its overall revenue towards initiatives that improve the safety and well-being of migrant workers. For example, resources have been put into the set up and management of recreation centres that aim to meet the social and recreational needs of migrant workers. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has also established a permanent division, the Assurance, Care and Engagement Group, to develop the ecosystem of measures that support migrant workers well-being.
Additionally, MOM works closely with the Workplace Safety and Health Council and partners, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to improve the safety, health and well-being of migrant workers. This includes, providing funding to NGOs to run programmes aimed at promoting their mental wellbeing and establishing channels for them to seek help, amongst others. The Government also provides grants to companies, especially for the higher-risk sectors where migrant workers are employed, for the adoption of technologies that improve workplace safety and health.
Improving the safety and wellbeing of migrant workers requires a whole-of-society effort and we urge employers to also fulfil their responsibilities by providing safe and healthy workplaces for their migrant workers.
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