Measures to Build Up Pipeline of Singaporeans to Take Up Jobs on Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

Debated in Parliament on 19 Sep 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry explained that not every occupation can have a local pipeline due to ageing demographics and education levels, and selected nine NTS occupations after consulting sector agencies on S Pass holder impacts, manpower shortages, low local take-up, and low automatability.
To protect existing Singaporean workers in these jobs, a strict quota with an 8% sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a $2,000 minimum monthly salary was implemented to prevent over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.
The NTS Occupation List will be reviewed every three years and amended if employers can hire sufficient locals or if automation and job redesign reduce manpower needs, with ongoing monitoring through tripartite partners and sector agencies.
Fair employment practices require employers to consider all candidates and pay fairly, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices available to assist workers facing unfair treatment.
The Minister noted that some Singaporeans already work in these occupations, but their prospects will be safeguarded through the measures above, and the list will be rolled back when local supply is sufficient.

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Yip Hon Weng

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower given the recent addition of jobs in the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List (a) what are the measures being taken to build up the pipeline of Singaporeans to take up jobs on the NTS; (b) how will the Ministry ensure that locals in these jobs will not be deprived of job opportunities or attractive salaries; and (c) whether the Ministry will review and roll back on any NTS adjustments when there are sufficient locals taking up these jobs.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry explained that not every occupation can have a local pipeline due to ageing demographics and education levels, and selected nine NTS occupations after consulting sector agencies on S Pass holder impacts, manpower shortages, low local take-up, and low automatability.
To protect existing Singaporean workers in these jobs, a strict quota with an 8% sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a $2,000 minimum monthly salary was implemented to prevent over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.
The NTS Occupation List will be reviewed every three years and amended if employers can hire sufficient locals or if automation and job redesign reduce manpower needs, with ongoing monitoring through tripartite partners and sector agencies.
Fair employment practices require employers to consider all candidates and pay fairly, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices available to assist workers facing unfair treatment.
The Minister noted that some Singaporeans already work in these occupations, but their prospects will be safeguarded through the measures above, and the list will be rolled back when local supply is sufficient.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Measures to Build Up Pipeline of Singaporeans to Take Up Jobs on Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

Debated in Parliament on 19 Sep 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry explained that not every occupation can have a local pipeline due to ageing demographics and education levels, and selected nine NTS occupations after consulting sector agencies on S Pass holder impacts, manpower shortages, low local take-up, and low automatability.
To protect existing Singaporean workers in these jobs, a strict quota with an 8% sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a $2,000 minimum monthly salary was implemented to prevent over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.
The NTS Occupation List will be reviewed every three years and amended if employers can hire sufficient locals or if automation and job redesign reduce manpower needs, with ongoing monitoring through tripartite partners and sector agencies.
Fair employment practices require employers to consider all candidates and pay fairly, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices available to assist workers facing unfair treatment.
The Minister noted that some Singaporeans already work in these occupations, but their prospects will be safeguarded through the measures above, and the list will be rolled back when local supply is sufficient.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry explained that not every occupation can have a local pipeline due to ageing demographics and education levels, and selected nine NTS occupations after consulting sector agencies on S Pass holder impacts, manpower shortages, low local take-up, and low automatability.
To protect existing Singaporean workers in these jobs, a strict quota with an 8% sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a $2,000 minimum monthly salary was implemented to prevent over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.
The NTS Occupation List will be reviewed every three years and amended if employers can hire sufficient locals or if automation and job redesign reduce manpower needs, with ongoing monitoring through tripartite partners and sector agencies.
Fair employment practices require employers to consider all candidates and pay fairly, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices available to assist workers facing unfair treatment.
The Minister noted that some Singaporeans already work in these occupations, but their prospects will be safeguarded through the measures above, and the list will be rolled back when local supply is sufficient.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Tan See Leng

With our ageing population and more highly educated workforce, the reality is that it is not possible to build up a pipeline of Singaporeans for every occupation. The nine occupations on the Non-Traditional Source (NTS) Occupation List (OL) were selected carefully in consultation with sector agencies, taking into account the number of S Pass holders in these occupations who are affected by the increases in S Pass qualifying salary and the degree of manpower shortages. In addition, these occupations see low take-up by locals and are harder to automate.

Nonetheless, low take-up does not mean that there are no Singaporeans in these occupations. I share the Member's concern that the employment prospects of these Singaporean workers should not be compromised by the introduction of NTS OL. We have, therefore, put in place a strict quota with a sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling of 8% and a fixed monthly salary criterion of at least $2,000 to safeguard against over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.

The list of occupations will be reviewed every three years. We are prepared to amend the list where necessary, if employers are able to hire sufficient locals or manpower demands are less intense due to automation or job redesign. We are working closely with the tripartite partners and sector agencies to monitor the impact of NTS OL.

Finally, the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices requires all employers to fairly consider all candidates for a job and adopt fair remuneration policies. Workers who have not been treated fairly can approach the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices for assistance.

Measures to Build Up Pipeline of Singaporeans to Take Up Jobs on Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

Summary

Questions Identified

Measures to Build Up Pipeline of Singaporeans to Take Up Jobs on Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

Summary

Questions Identified

Tan See Leng