Employment & labour — Topics

4 Jan 2021

Breakdown of Active Licensed Crane Operators by Singapore Citizens and PRs, Number of Locals Trained Every Year and Challenges Preventing Singaporeans from Taking Up Vocation

There are 4,703 active licensed crane operators in Singapore, with 90% being locals (Singapore citizens and permanent residents).
The number of locals trained annually has risen, from 103 in 2018 to 204 in 2020.
Key challenges include ensuring wages reflect skill demands and providing clear career progression pathways to make the vocation attractive.
Employers are encouraged to highlight advancement opportunities, such as upgrading to higher-capacity cranes, supported by industry transformation plans.
Training is available through BCA Academy and other approved centres, with subsidies and SkillsFuture credits to encourage local participation.

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4 Jan 2021

Studies into Whether Migrant Workers Unable to Go for Meal Breaks Offsite During Working Hours Are Receiving Adequate and Proper Food and Enforcement Actions Taken against Employers for Non-provision

The Ministry of Manpower acknowledges the importance of ensuring migrant workers receive adequate and proper food, noting various practices such as workers cooking their own meals, using on-site canteens, or receiving catered lunches from employers.
MOM has not received many complaints about food adequacy and addresses occasional feedback on dietary or cultural needs by engaging employers, while also using teams, NGOs, and a mobile app to monitor worker welfare.
MOM states that it will continue gathering feedback and will take enforcement action against employers in serious cases where migrant workers face issues with food access or other well-being concerns.

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4 Jan 2021

Expected Number of PMET Jobs Created for Singaporeans from Recent Alibaba, Tencent and ByteDance Investments and Benefits Accorded to These Companies

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the expected number of PMET jobs for Singaporeans from recent investments by Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance, and the benefits granted to these companies.
Chan Chun Sing stated that these investments are projected to create at least 1,000 new PMET jobs over the next five years, focusing on roles like data science, data analysis, and business development.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that the recent investments by Tencent, Alibaba, and ByteDance were not awarded any incentives such as tax concessions, subsidies, grants, or residency and citizenship rights.

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4 Jan 2021

Number of PMET-level Job Vacancies in Public Sector Filled by Mid-career Hires

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked for the number of PMET-level job vacancies filled in the public sector over the past three years, specifically how many were mid-career hires from the private sector and what proportion of those had no prior public sector experience.
The Prime Minister's Office responded that 2,500, 2,600, and 3,200 PMET vacancies were filled in 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively, with mid-career hires from the private sector increasing from 27% to 39% over this period.
Among these mid-career private sector hires, the proportion without prior public sector experience rose from 48% in 2018 to 68% in 2020.
The data indicates a growing trend in hiring mid-career professionals from the private sector into public sector PMET roles, with an increasing share being new to public sector work.

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4 Jan 2021

Recognition of Qualifications Issued by Private Educational Institutions for Purposes of Employment

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned why qualifications issued by established private educational institutions like MDIS and SIM are not recognized by government agencies for employment purposes.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that the Civil Service does recognize qualifications from registered private educational institutions, including MDIS and SIM, for employment.
He emphasized that educational qualifications are just one factor among many used to assess job applicants, with a focus on competencies tailored to specific roles.
The Civil Service works with professional bodies to develop competency assessment tools for positions such as HR and finance.

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4 Jan 2021

Workplace Fatalities Among Sub-contractors

Melvin Yong inquired about trends in workplace fatalities among sub-contractors and asked for additional measures beyond voluntary safety time-outs to enhance workplace safety.
Josephine Teo confirmed that smaller firms, often sub-contractors, have higher fatal injury rates, though overall construction fatality rates have declined, partly due to COVID-19 impacts.
Efforts include outreach sessions by the WSH Council and industry associations, regular safety time-outs, and plans to publish detailed safety records of construction firms, including sub-contractors, to inform contracting decisions and encourage better safety practices.

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4 Jan 2021

Companies that Do Not Offer Employee Assistance Programmes to Staff

Melvin Yong asked about the percentage of companies not offering Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) and plans to increase adoption under the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces.
Josephine Teo noted no recent data, citing a 2017 study where less than 5% of employers offered EAP, and emphasized the Tripartite Advisory's goal to promote EAP adoption for employee support.
The Ministry collaborates with partners like the Health Promotion Board and unions to educate employers on EAP services and integrate mental well-being into workplace programmes.

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4 Jan 2021

How Grades are Determined in Performance Management and Stack Ranking for Teachers

The Ministry of Education uses a relative ranking system where teachers are assessed and cross-ranked by a panel of supervisors to standardize performance evaluation across schools.
Teachers receiving C-, D, or E grades are provided with development support and counseling to improve, and those who fail to improve may face termination.
Performance grades affect remuneration and career progression, with C- or higher grades eligible for bonuses and higher performance required for promotions.

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4 Jan 2021

Review Medical Insurance Coverage for Work Permit Holders

Murali Pillai questioned if employers of work permit holders are increasingly paying medical bills beyond the current $15,000 annual insurance coverage and whether the Ministry plans to increase this coverage.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that about 95% of hospitalization bills for work permit and S Pass holders have been below $15,000 over the past three years, indicating the current coverage is generally sufficient.
The Ministry of Manpower is developing an insurance programme to help employers manage large, unexpected medical expenses, which may involve higher premiums but aims to keep cost impacts manageable.
An update on the new insurance programme will be provided in due course, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance employer peace of mind with affordability.

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4 Jan 2021

Conditions on Foreign Companies to Develop Singapore Employees

The Minister explained that tax incentives for foreign companies come with strict conditions such as job creation, business expenditure, and commitments to develop capabilities in Singapore, with both quantitative and qualitative criteria assessed.
The Government tracks overall employment and wage outcomes for Singaporeans rather than focusing on the Singaporean Core within specific companies, as the dynamic labour market sees Singaporeans moving to better opportunities.
Examples like Mr Samson Tan and Mr James Lim illustrate how economic schemes and partnerships with companies have led to skills development, leadership growth, and better jobs for Singaporeans.
The Minister emphasised that various economic and manpower schemes work together to support companies and workers, making it impractical to attribute specific outcomes to any single scheme.

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4 Jan 2021

Initiatives for Landscape Maintenance Subsector

NParks has advanced the Landscape Sector Transformation Plan since 2019 through digitalisation, mechanisation, and professionalisation, including equipment grants, curriculum updates with ITE, and a student-run park initiative.
Approximately 3,000 resident landscape maintenance employees are distributed across Progressive Wage Model levels: over 80% as workers, 10% as technicians, 3% as assistant supervisors, and 5% as supervisors, with stable numbers in recent years.
Median monthly wages for these employees rose between 2016 and 2019, with basic pay increasing from $1,300 to $1,460 and gross pay from $1,300 to $1,500.

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4 Jan 2021

Regulations Preventing Employment of Stateless Person in Singapore

Christopher de Souza asked if there are regulations preventing the employment of stateless persons in Singapore and whether such rules could be removed.
Josephine Teo stated that no regulations prohibit the employment of stateless persons, as those who are Permanent Residents can work freely like other PRs.
Stateless persons who are not Permanent Residents can obtain a Special Pass from ICA and apply to MOM for a Letter of Consent to work, with the LOC validity tied to the Special Pass.

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4 Nov 2020

Mandated Rest Days for Cleaners without Reducing Take-Home Salary

Louis Ng asked whether cleaning companies under the Enhanced Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme must provide mandated monthly rest days for cleaners without reducing take-home pay, and about the timeline and reasons if not implemented.
Grace Fu explained that the Enhanced Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme is voluntary and aims to improve industry standards through better employment practices and productivity.
She noted that the Employment Act already requires cleaning companies, including those under the scheme, to provide statutory benefits such as weekly rest days, overtime pay, and compensation for work on rest days and public holidays.

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4 Nov 2020

Number of Workplace Accidents and Injuries as Workforce Returns to Work Given Easing of COVID-19 Measures

Mr Melvin Yong asked whether workplace accidents and injuries increased as workers returned after COVID-19 measures eased.
The non-fatal injury rate in Q3 2020 was 85 per 100,000 workers, down from 106 in Q3 2019 but up from 55 in Q2 2020, with the rise attributed to reduced activity during the circuit breaker.
Fatal injury rates in Q3 2020 were 0.18 per 100,000 workers, a slight increase from 0.17 in Q3 2019 and 0.14 in Q2 2020.
The Ministry of Manpower emphasized vigilance against both COVID-19 and workplace hazards, aiming for 2020 injury rates to be comparable to or below 2019 levels.
Additional engagement and enforcement efforts were launched, including outreach to over 8,000 companies and 70,000 subscribers with safety reminders and training materials.

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4 Nov 2020

Jobs Created by Upcoming Electric Car-making Factory in Singapore

Desmond Choo asked about the number of jobs created by Singapore’s upcoming electric car-making factory and the Ministry’s long-term plans to grow the electric and autonomous driving industries.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that the Hyundai plant is not Singapore’s first car-making facility, but it will produce 30,000 electric vehicles annually by 2025 and create roles such as IoT engineers, data scientists, and cobot technicians, though the exact number of jobs is still being finalized.
The Ministry plans to grow the electric and autonomous mobility sector by attracting investments across the value chain, including firms like Motional and ST Engineering, and building an ecosystem with global players like BMW and Continental.
Future job opportunities will span R&D in battery tech, design of new vehicle forms, advanced manufacturing, IoT-focused maintenance, and new roles in autonomous systems and sensor development.
Singapore’s focus on electric and autonomous mobility aims to address land and carbon constraints while creating innovative career paths in a evolving urban mobility ecosystem.

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4 Nov 2020

Ensuring Emotional and Mental Health Wellness at Workplaces

The Ministry of Manpower is collaborating with agencies and tripartite partners to enhance mental wellness support at workplaces, including releasing advisories and a forthcoming Tripartite Advisory to guide employers on good practices.
Existing resources like HPB's workshops, the iWorkHealth assessment tool, and community programs provide practical support, with about 37,000 workers benefiting from mental wellness initiatives to date.
The ministry maintains a promotional rather than mandatory approach, citing varying workplace stressors, but notes that the Workplace Safety and Health Act already requires employers to protect employees' overall health, including mental well-being.
Programs are evaluated for efficacy through established KPIs, though tracking every mental health issue is challenging due to external factors; the ministry will continue monitoring and adapting measures as the situation evolves.

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3 Nov 2020

Helping Trade Associations, Chambers of Commerce and Professional Bodies to Run Career Events to Provide Career Advice and Online Resources for Jobseekers

Workforce Singapore (WSG) collaborates with trade associations, chambers of commerce, and professional bodies to deliver employment facilitation services, leveraging their industry networks and sector-specific knowledge to support job seekers.
WSG provides funding and program support for initiatives like the Singapore Computer Society’s Career Compass and the Institute of Banking and Finance’s Careers Connect, offering career mentoring, workshops, and personalized job matching.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, WSG intensified partnerships with these bodies to curate job opportunities and organize virtual career fairs, while also ramping up career conversion programs for in-demand roles.
WSG recently launched a volunteer Career Advisors initiative, appointing industry veterans nominated by trade and professional bodies to provide peer support and guidance to job seekers in sectors like ICT and Retail.

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3 Nov 2020

More Flexibility in Employment of Foreigners as Chefs for Specific and Unique Cuisines

Christopher de Souza asked for more flexibility in employing foreign chefs for specific and unique cuisines.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained there are no country source restrictions on S Pass or Employment Pass workers, allowing such chefs to be brought in.
She encouraged food service companies to seek sustainable manpower solutions, train locals, and explore job redesign.
Businesses can tap on the Lean Enterprise Development Scheme for transitional support, and MOM considers requests for manpower flexibility on a case-by-case basis.

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3 Nov 2020

Training Service Providers' Selection of Eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents for SGUnited Skills Programme

The Minister for Education explained that SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provides broad guidance to training providers on selecting applicants for the SGUnited Skills Programme, focusing on fit with the course and ability to cope with requirements.
If a programme is oversubscribed, providers are directed to refer applicants to similar courses with available capacity at other SGUS training providers, with SSG facilitating cross-referrals.
SSG actively monitors enrolment profiles across age, qualifications, and industry backgrounds, and reviews the list of courses and training places to match the needs of potential jobseekers.

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3 Nov 2020

Employment of Persons With Disabilities

Seah Kian Peng inquired about the employment status of persons with disabilities (PWDs), the number of employers hiring them, and the support available for both employers and families.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M provided data showing that about 28.2% of working-age PWDs are employed, with the government offering wage offsets like the Enabling Employment Credit and enhanced training grants to encourage hiring.
The government also announced additional support through the Jobs Growth Incentive and the Open Door Programme, which includes job placement, training, and job redesign grants for employers.
For families, financial assistance schemes such as the Home Caregiving Grant and CareShield Life are available, along with caregiver support networks and resources through SG Enable.
A collaborative workgroup is working on future initiatives to improve PWD employability, with a full report expected in the first half of 2021.

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