Employment & labour — Topics

3 Feb 2020

Studies on Impact of Unmitigated Workplace Mental Health Issues on Local Workforce

Melvin Yong asked the Ministry for Manpower whether it has studies on the effects of unmitigated workplace mental health issues on the local workforce and when results would be made public.
The Ministry is reviewing findings from local institutions like the Institute of Mental Health and global bodies such as the WHO and ILO to assess these impacts.
The Ministry supports workplace mental well-being through initiatives like the Total Workplace Safety and Health programme, which includes assessments and stress management support.
A pilot of iWorkHealth, a tool to identify workplace stressors and provide recommendations, is planned for launch later this year.

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3 Feb 2020

Placement Quotas for Employment Agencies of Foreign Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower does not set a mandatory quota for employment agencies on the number of foreign domestic workers they must place, but agencies in the Advance Placement Scheme are encouraged to commit to placing at least 20 FDWs monthly.
This encouragement aims to ensure a sufficient pool of FDWs for employers with urgent caregiving needs, and the Ministry monitors placement volumes without penalizing agencies for failing to meet the commitment.
Agencies that consistently fail to place any FDWs under the scheme may be dropped, but no agency has been penalized for not meeting the commitment to date.

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3 Feb 2020

Time Taken For Graduates To Secure Employment In Past Five Years

The Ministry of Education does not track the time taken for graduates to secure employment, but it does monitor employment rates six months after graduation, which remained stable at around 89% for all Institutes of Higher Learning from 2014 to 2018.
University graduates consistently had about 80% in full-time permanent employment, with less than 10% in part-time or temporary roles, largely by choice, and this trend held steady over the past five years.
Polytechnic and ITE graduates were more likely to choose part-time, temporary, or freelance work, often to pursue further studies, causing the proportion of such graduates in non-full-time roles to rise from 24% in 2014 to 31% in 2018.

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3 Feb 2020

More Protection against Discrimination from Employers for Patients who Receive Mental Health Treatment

Ong Teng Koon asked whether the Ministry of Health can offer patients receiving mental health treatment more protection against employer discrimination by allowing them not to disclose treatment details or medication on medical bills used for reimbursement.
Gan Kim Yong explained that current regulations require itemized medical bills for transparency, but patient confidentiality ensures employers only receive medical certification for sick leave without detailed condition or treatment information.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce mental health stigma, including the "Beyond the Label" campaign, partnerships with HPB and MOE, and revised TAFEP guidelines to prevent discriminatory questions on mental health in job applications.
The Ministry continues to support an inclusive society through community mental health initiatives and encourages individuals facing discrimination to seek help from TAFEP.

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3 Feb 2020

Survey on Perceptions of Discriminatory Hiring and Other HR Practices to Include Employee Respondents

Leon Perera inquired whether the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has conducted a survey on perceptions of discriminatory hiring and HR practices that includes employee respondents, and when findings would be published.
The Minister of State for Manpower replied that over 80% of job seekers in a 2018 MOM survey did not perceive discrimination, and highlighted improvements in employment outcomes for older workers and women, as well as a narrowing gender pay gap.
Perera sought clarifications on the survey's scope, including whether it covered both job seekers and employed individuals, the breakdown of perceived discrimination types, sample size, and publication plans.
The Minister of State confirmed the survey was nationally representative with about 3,100 individuals and 3,400 establishments, and stated an occasional paper on fair employment would be published later in the year.

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3 Feb 2020

Effectiveness of Total Workplace Safety and Health Approach

The Minister for Manpower reported that workplace fatalities remained at a historic low in 2019, while non-fatal major injuries saw a slight increase compared to 2018.
Significant long-term improvements in workplace safety were highlighted, with fatal injury rates dropping 75% since 2004 and Singapore's performance now comparable to leading developed nations.
The Total Workplace Safety and Health approach is presented as a comprehensive strategy integrating both safety and health promotion to achieve the ambitious 2028 goal of a fatal injury rate below 1.0 per 100,000 workers.

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3 Feb 2020

Acceptance of Medical Certificates Issued by Ministry-approved TCM Physicians

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed mandating the acceptance of medical certificates from Ministry-approved TCM physicians for all medical leave claims, citing residents’ complaints about the inconvenience and cost of obtaining unrecognized TCM MCs.
The Minister for Manpower clarified that under the Employment Act, employers are only required to recognize MCs issued by practitioners registered under the Medical Registration Act (MRA), which includes TCM practitioners who meet the requirements, noting this policy was expanded in April 2019.
The Minister emphasized that employers are free to voluntarily recognize TCM MCs beyond the legal minimum, and highlighted that over 4,000 MRA-registered practitioners exist, ensuring access to valid MCs, while referencing MRA section 15 which requires certificates to be signed by registered practitioners to be valid.

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3 Feb 2020

Impact on Citizen Unemployment Rate When Persons who are Employed Become New Citizens

The Minister for Manpower stated that the citizen unemployment rate is derived from surveys based on current citizenship, not the timing of citizenship acquisition, making it impossible to precisely isolate the impact of new citizens.
She explained that adding an employed person to the citizen labour force has a mathematically negligible effect on the unemployment rate, using an example where the rate would fall from 3% to 2.97%.
The Minister noted that less than 1% of Singapore's citizen population receives citizenship in a given year, and many are not in the labour force, further minimizing any impact on the unemployment rate.

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6 Jan 2020

Data on Private Sector Bonuses and Their Correlation with Civil Service Bonuses

Leon Perera inquired if the Ministry of Manpower tracks private sector bonuses and whether there is a causal correlation with civil service bonuses.
The Ministry of Manpower conducts annual surveys on wage practices and publishes data on private sector bonuses, including the annual variable component.
The 2018 Report indicated that private sector bonuses are determined by the performance of establishments and individuals, which are not influenced by civil service bonuses.
The Ministry’s data shows that private sector bonus decisions are based on internal factors rather than any external pattern linked to civil service bonuses.

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6 Jan 2020

Complaints of and Action Taken against Employment Discrimination

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira questioned whether employers refusing to interview or hire qualified job applicants due to religious attire violate fair employment guidelines, requested data on TAFEP complaints about religious wear discrimination over five years broken down by industry, and asked about actions taken against such employers.
Mrs Josephine Teo confirmed that the Tripartite Guidelines require hiring based on merit and allow religious wear unless specific uniform or safety requirements exist, which must be clearly communicated, and noted TAFEP received 16 such complaints in five years, less than 1% of total complaints.
Most complaints stemmed from insensitivity in communicating dress codes, all employers complied with TAFEP’s advice to rectify practices, and TAFEP investigates all discrimination complaints and works with the Ministry of Manpower for enforcement on substantiated cases.

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6 Jan 2020

Feedback Exercises with Workers Filing Discrimination or Workplace Harassment Reports and Their Satisfaction with Follow-up Actions Taken

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked whether TAFEP conducts feedback exercises with workers who filed discrimination or harassment reports and about complainant satisfaction with follow-up actions.
Mrs Josephine Teo stated that TAFEP investigates all complaints, refers cases to MOM when warranted, and updates complainants on outcomes, noting many are appreciative.

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6 Jan 2020

Statistics on Adoption of Absentee Payroll under Workfare Training Support Scheme

Over the past five years, an average of about 3,000 companies and 31,000 workers have benefited annually from the absentee payroll funding under the Workfare Training Support Scheme, with an average disbursement of around $6 million per year.
The top industry sectors with the most companies benefiting from the absentee payroll funding are those with a higher proportion of low-wage workers, as detailed in the tables provided.
The Minister for Manpower, Mrs Josephine Teo, responded to Mr Zainal Sapari's query by providing yearly statistics on beneficiaries and disbursements, along with a sectoral breakdown of the companies.

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6 Jan 2020

Statistics on Singaporeans Obtaining First Degree from Local Public Universities and Private Universities in Last Five Years and Their Median Starting Pay

The Minister for Education stated that the number of Singaporeans admitted to private education institutions for full-time degree programmes decreased from 8,200 to 6,100 over the past five years, while admissions to local public universities increased from 14,800 to 17,100.
The median starting salary for graduates from private universities is $2,650, compared to $3,500 for Autonomous Universities and $2,501 for polytechnic graduates who have completed National Service, excluding medical and dental graduates.
Regulations on private education institutions have been tightened, including requiring graduate employment surveys to be made public, to help students make informed choices and protect their interests.

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6 Jan 2020

Number and Profile of Workers in General Waste Collection and Materials Recovery Sub-sectors

The 2016 NEA and WSG study identified about 7,900 workers in general waste collection and 6,500 in materials recovery, with core roles including collectors, sorters, supervisors, and drivers.
For waste and recyclables collection workers, annual basic wages ranged from $11,960 to $16,952, while gross wages were $19,458 to $31,144 across the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles.
Recyclables sorters had lower annual basic wages of $10,400 to $14,400 and gross wages of $13,173 to $23,464 across the same percentiles.
Supervisors and drivers earned higher wages, with collection supervisors’ gross wages reaching up to $64,468 and truck drivers’ up to $52,741 at the 75th percentile.
A follow-up manpower study covering both cleaning and waste management sectors was planned for 2020.

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6 Jan 2020

Countries with Mutual Agreements with Singapore Allowing Residents to Work in Each Other's Country

Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that there is no exact count of Singaporeans working abroad due to the absence of reporting requirements, but they can work overseas under WTO agreements, FTAs, and MRAs/MOUs.
Singaporeans work abroad through three main channels: as intra-corporate transferees under WTO commitments, via specific visa arrangements like the H1B1 under the US-Singapore FTA, and through mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
Examples include the US-Singapore FTA allowing Singaporean professionals to work in the US, and an MRA enabling Singaporean chartered engineers to practice in the Netherlands.

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6 Jan 2020

Plans to Train Singaporeans to Pursue Career in Information Technology

The government has introduced multiple initiatives to help Singaporeans train for and secure ICT careers, including upskilling for existing professionals, reskilling workers from other sectors, and encouraging students to enter the field.
Programmes like the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) offer industry-aligned training and have supported over 93,000 training places, with companies upskilling employees and employing trained individuals.
Mid-career professionals are supported through specialised programmes like CITREP+ and the Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP), which provide targeted training and high job placement rates.
Efforts extend to school-going Singaporeans through initiatives like "Code for Fun" and tertiary talent programmes to build early interest and equip students with relevant ICT skills.
Collaborations with trade associations and industry partners ensure career guidance, mentoring, and job matching to help locals adapt to technological changes and seize digital economy opportunities.

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6 Jan 2020

Plans for Mental Health and Allied Professionals in Social and Health Manpower Development Programme and Community Mental Health Masterplan

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira inquired about manpower plans, target ratios for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors, and timelines for achieving these in the Social and Health Manpower Development Programme and Community Mental Health Masterplan.
Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined existing training initiatives, overseas exchanges, and a Skills Framework for psychologists, noting recent increases in public sector psychiatrists and psychologists over the past three years.
The Minister reported current ratios of 4.4 psychiatrists and 8.33 psychologists per 100,000 population, with no specific counsellor counts due to overlapping roles, and stated MOH will monitor numbers without fixed international targets.

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6 Jan 2020

Regulations Governing Cash Advance Programmes Offered by Employers or Contractors

Leon Perera queried the regulations on employer or contractor cash advance programmes and whether interest rate caps are being considered.
The Minister for Law stated that cash advances between employers and employees are regulated under the Employment Act, allowing salary deductions of up to 25% per month for up to 12 months without interest.
For cash advances between businesses and contractors, these may fall under the Moneylenders Act and require licensing or exemption, with possible interest rate caps imposed by the Ministry.
The Ministry indicated it may grant licences or exemptions for such programmes and set conditions, including interest rate caps, based on the nature and terms of the schemes.

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6 Jan 2020

Statistics on Delivery Riders Affected by PMD Ban and Efforts to Provide Job Search Support

The government, NTUC's e2i, and Workforce Singapore collaborated with delivery companies to create a Transition Assistance Package for riders affected by the PMD ban, offering job search support and career coaching.
Over 180 affected riders have sought job search assistance, with agencies deploying career coaches and organizing job fairs, though tracking exact unemployment numbers is difficult as riders do not always inform companies when they stop working.
Ongoing plans include continued support under the Adapt & Grow initiative, such as the Place-and-Train Programme, to help unemployed riders transition to new jobs if they come forward for assistance.

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6 Jan 2020

Sudden Surge of Workplace Fatalities in November 2019

In November 2019, there were nine workplace fatalities, with four in construction, two each in marine and services, and one in manufacturing; the spike had no single dominant cause.
The Ministry of Manpower and industry partners increased engagement and enforcement, including an Industry Safety Timeout, surprise inspections, and a three-week Stop Work Order at a site with multiple lapses.
MOM announced plans to conduct 400 more inspections until February 2020 targeting high-risk industries and checks on equipment linked to the accidents.
Longer-term measures from 2020 include publishing firms’ safety performance and allowing public sector developers to disqualify unsafe contractors to align commercial interests with safety.
The Ministry emphasized that employers must take greater ownership of risk management and not take workplace safety for granted.

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