Employment & labour — Topics

6 Mar 2019

Employers Prosecuted for Failure to Report Work-related Injuries

Mr. Louis Ng asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of employers prosecuted for failing to report work-related injuries and the penalties imposed over the past five years.
Mrs. Josephine Teo explained that non-reporting often occurs because employers dispute whether an injury is work-related or were not informed of it, with a focus on education before 2018 and increased enforcement from 2018 onward.
Since 2018, more employers have been taken to task for non-reporting, including 40 composition fine cases and one case in 2016 where a site manager was jailed six months for covering up an accident.

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6 Mar 2019

Salary Claims Filed with Employment Claims Tribunal

Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Manpower for data on salary claims filed by local and foreign employees at the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT), including court orders issued and unpaid orders one month later.
Mrs Josephine Teo reported that 85% of claims under the Employment Claims Act were resolved at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, with 15% referred to ECT, 5% withdrawn, and 10% adjudicated.
Two-thirds of adjudicated ECT claims resulted in money orders, with similar proportions for local and foreign employees; half of these orders were fully paid, 16% partially paid, and 36% unpaid.
Unpaid cases often involved employers in financial difficulty or large salary arrears, with 12 cases of wilful non-payment under investigation; 129 low-income claimants received additional financial assistance.
The Minister encouraged workers to approach TADM early to improve salary recovery chances and prevent widespread issues.

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6 Mar 2019

Employment Rate of Differently-abled in Public Service

The Public Service employs more than 300 persons with special needs and partners with SG Enable to provide hiring, training, workplace modifications, and career development opportunities, with over 70% of these employees promoted at least once.
Minister Chan Chun Sing opposed setting a numerical target for hiring persons with disabilities, arguing it could lead to tokenism and instead emphasized the current incentive of hiring them outside standard manpower quotas to focus on job fit and abilities.
Parliament members urged the Public Service to set ambitious targets and recognise leading agencies to model inclusive employment, while the Minister agreed to do more to promote best practices and share success stories.
The discussion highlighted concerns about the low employment rate, the need for job redesign, and assurance that medical history declarations are confidential and meant to support employees rather than hinder career progression.

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6 Mar 2019

Female Representation in Statutory Boards

Ms Anthea Ong questioned the government’s progress on the 20% female representation target in statutory boards and listed companies by 2020, steps to close the 20% gender salary gap, and existing gender imbalances under the #BalanceforBetter theme.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim noted overlapping issues with other members’ questions and sought permission to address them during the upcoming Ministry of Social and Family Development Committee of Supply debate, with Ms Ong’s agreement.
The Speaker approved the arrangement for a combined reply during the Committee of Supply, allowing the debate to proceed with a consolidated response from the ministry.

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5 Mar 2019

Workers in Cleaning Sector on R1 (Higher Skilled) Scheme

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower about the percentage of cleaning sector workers on the R1 scheme and their nationality breakdown over the last three years.
Over the last three years, about 20% of Work Permit Holders in the cleaning sector were higher-skilled (R1) workers.
The Ministry does not provide data on foreign workers broken down by nationality.

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5 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

MP Patrick Tay highlighted concerns for five vulnerable worker groups (PMEs, discriminated, harassed, special needs, and ex-offenders), calling for stronger support, updated job-matching portals, and review of union representation laws.
Ministers Josephine Teo and Zaqy Mohamad outlined government measures, including expanding the Adapt and Grow initiative, enhancing the Work-Life Grant, and extending support for persons with special needs and self-employed persons.
Discussions emphasized raising retirement and re-employment ages, improving workplace safety, and promoting flexible work arrangements to support an ageing workforce and inclusive employment.

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4 Mar 2019

Response to Government Support for Professional Conversion Programme, Career Support Programme and Special Employment Credit

Since 2016, over 2,000 companies have participated in Professional Conversion Programmes, mostly SMEs, with the most in Education, Financial Services, and General Manufacturing, and new programmes planned for emerging roles.
Approximately 2,000 companies have used the Career Support Programme since 2015, mainly SMEs, concentrated in Infocomm and Media, Professional Services, and Wholesale Trade, to hire long-term unemployed or mature retrenched jobseekers.
From 2017 to June 2018, the Special Employment Credit supported about 108,000 employers hiring nearly 423,000 older workers, with the highest uptake in Food Services, Wholesale Trade, and Retail Trade.
The government will continue engaging tripartite partners and companies to raise awareness and encourage wider participation in these Adapt and Grow initiatives.

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1 Mar 2019

Availability of Data on Cleaning Companies Applying Progressive Wage Model to Foreign Cleaners

Louis Ng asked for the percentage of cleaning companies applying the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to foreign cleaners and whether data on this would be collected.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that PWM is mandatory for local cleaners but not for foreign cleaners, who have different employment terms and higher costs for employers.
He noted that about 23% of cleaning companies with foreign cleaners paid wages at or above PWM levels as of January 2019, but data collection focuses on local cleaners.
The Ministry encourages all employers to adopt PWM principles of skill upgrading and productivity-based wage progression for all workers, regardless of citizenship.
The debate highlights a gap in mandatory PWM coverage for foreign cleaners and limited data tracking, with a push for broader voluntary adoption.

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28 Feb 2019

Local Cleaners Directly Hired by F&B Establishments and Outside Progressive Wage Model

Louis Ng asked for the percentage of local cleaners directly hired by F&B establishments who fall outside the Progressive Wage Model.
The government does not track the number of local cleaners directly hired by F&B establishments.
The Progressive Wage Model applies only to local cleaners employed by cleaning businesses, not those hired directly by F&B establishments.
Employers are encouraged to adopt skill upgrades and productivity-based wage progression even without PWM requirements.
The government will continue collaborating with the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners to keep the PWM relevant and aligned with industry goals.

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27 Feb 2019

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate centered on the government's fiscal strategy to address long-term challenges such as ageing, inequality, and economic transformation, with support for the Merdeka Generation Package and measures to uplift low-wage workers through enhanced Workfare Income Supplement.
Members raised concerns about the reduction of the Dependency Ratio Ceiling for the services sector, particularly its impact on the care industry, and called for more support for businesses and workers adapting to economic changes.
Several MPs emphasized the need for stronger social policies, including improved mental health support, better healthcare accessibility, and more equitable distribution of resources, while urging the government to balance fiscal prudence with spending needs.

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26 Feb 2019

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Dennis Tan expressed concerns that the diesel tax increase, while aimed at environmental resilience, could hurt economic resilience by raising transportation and business costs without providing immediate alternatives for switching to electric or hybrid vehicles.
He also questioned the resilience of Singapore’s aerospace and maritime sectors, citing risks from airspace reclaims by Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as ongoing maritime disputes, which could affect Changi Airport’s future and port operations.
Tan emphasized the need for security resiliency by ensuring national service personnel remain confident and motivated, given the conscript nature of the SAF.
In his Mandarin address, he proposed five measures to help seniors age with independence, including auto-enrolment in healthcare subsidies, raising retirement ages, and enhancing CPF flexibility for older workers and women.
Chee Hong Tat defended the tightening of the Dependency Ratio Ceiling and S Pass sub-ceiling for the Services sector as necessary to moderate foreign worker growth and protect local employment, while highlighting government support for productivity improvements and enterprise transformation.

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26 Feb 2019

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The Budget was debated with a focus on transforming Singapore’s economy through enhanced support for enterprises, including new initiatives like Scale-Up SG and the Enterprise Financing Scheme to help businesses scale and access funding, alongside tighter foreign worker quotas to incentivise productivity and workforce restructuring.
Significant emphasis was placed on supporting workers through expanded programmes like the Professional Conversion Programme and Career Support Scheme, with enhanced Workfare Income Supplement for low-wage workers, and a call to make such support permanent to ensure job security amid economic changes.
The Merdeka Generation Package and healthcare enhancements, such as expanded CHAS coverage, were highlighted as key measures to strengthen social safety nets, though some members raised concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability and inter-generational equity.
Debates also covered the need for lifelong learning, workplace safety, and support for freelancers and gig economy workers, with calls for better alignment of training with industry needs and more inclusive policies for older and low-income workers.

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18 Feb 2019

Annual Budget Statement

The Minister for Finance outlined a strategic budget focused on safeguarding Singapore’s security and sovereignty amid global uncertainties, committing about 30% of expenditure to defence, diplomacy, and cyber security, while urging national unity and vigilance against evolving threats.
Economic transformation measures include support for enterprises and workers through industry transformation maps, enhanced financing schemes, and tighter foreign workforce policies in services to drive productivity, with $4.6 billion allocated over three years for capability-building and job initiatives.
Social policies emphasize caring for an ageing population, with a Merdeka Generation Package offering lifelong healthcare benefits and a $6.1 billion fund, alongside enhanced Workfare support and a new $5.1 billion Long-Term Care Support Fund for CareShield Life subsidies.
Climate change and infrastructure resilience are prioritized, with plans for long-term investments in sustainability, zero-waste initiatives, and coastal protection, alongside fiscal measures like diesel tax adjustments to promote greener practices.
The budget maintains fiscal discipline with a projected deficit, funded by past reserves, and sets out a fair, progressive tax system while preparing for a future GST increase, ensuring intergenerational equity and sustainable growth.

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18 Feb 2019

Recruiting More Preschool Teachers by 2020

The Minister outlined multiple measures to recruit 3,000 preschool teachers by 2020, including expanding training through NIEC, offering training awards, and implementing career conversion programmes for mid-career entrants.
To attract more men, who currently make up less than 1% of educators, efforts include showcasing specializations like Outdoor Learning, addressing cultural misconceptions via a national campaign, and improving career progression pathways.
Challenges in recruitment include public perception of the sector as less suitable for men, parental discomfort with male teachers, and efforts to enhance salary growth, professional development, and reduce administrative workload to make the career more attractive.

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18 Feb 2019

Expanding Types of Cases to be Reported for Workplace Accidents

The Ministry of Manpower is considering expanding workplace accident reporting to include all injuries resulting in light duty or medical leave, beyond the current threshold of more than three days, as part of public consultation on amendments to the Work Injury Compensation Act.
This change aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of work injuries to better target prevention efforts, with details expected when the amendments are finalized in April.
The government is also studying whether to adopt a system similar to occupational diseases, where doctors report accidents instead of employers, and will coordinate with the Ministry of Health on this proposal.

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18 Feb 2019

Integrating Unemployed but Employable Persons with Disabilities into Singapore Core

The Minister outlined existing government programmes such as the Open Door Programme and Career Trial, which have placed over 1,600 persons with special needs in jobs over the past three years and provide grants and support to employers for job redesign and training.
Anthea Ong expressed concern that the employment rate for persons with disabilities remains low at about 5%, and asked whether there is a national target or future plans to prevent further marginalization and prepare this group for the changing economy.
The Minister responded that the government is collecting more comprehensive employment data and will release updated figures later in the year, while highlighting wage subsidies and grants available to employers to encourage inclusive hiring.
Both the Minister and Anthea Ong emphasized the need for greater employer engagement and more enlightened practices to create inclusive workplaces and ensure persons with disabilities are adequately supported for future work.
The debate underscored collaboration between government agencies and social sector partners to improve education, training, and job placement for persons with special needs in Singapore.

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18 Feb 2019

Jobs Lost to Technologies and Automation Versus Jobs Created

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked if the Ministry tracks jobs lost to technology and automation versus jobs created.
The Minister replied that there is no standard method to measure such job impacts directly or indirectly.
Singapore monitors overall employment, which grew by about 40,000 in 2018, excluding foreign domestic workers.
The technology-intensive Infocomm and Media sector showed strong growth despite industry transformations.

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18 Feb 2019

Requirements on Overseas Retailers for Supply of Labour on Installation Works

The Ministry of Manpower clarified that all foreign workers, including those installing goods from overseas retailers, must have valid work passes, and illegal workers face fines, imprisonment, or entry bans.
The Minister assured small businesses that enforcement is actively carried out, with hundreds of illegal workers and employers penalized annually, and urged the public to report violations.
When asked about acting against overseas retailers, the Ministry explained it targets illegal work activities rather than the retailers themselves, relying on public reports to initiate investigations.

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18 Feb 2019

Employment Screening Process for Foreigners Applying for Work Permit

The Ministry of Manpower screens work permit applicants for security and adverse records, rejecting about 8,400 applicants per year between 2016 and 2018 due to unsatisfactory records.
The Minister confirmed that maids involved in unlicensed moneylending are automatically blacklisted and barred from returning to work in Singapore without employer intervention.
Employers can appeal to blacklist maids for adverse conduct, but the Ministry will also mark such records independently if the conduct is known.
The screening process aims to prevent undesirable individuals from working in Singapore and applies to all foreign work permit applicants.
The Ministry’s policies ensure that adverse records are maintained to protect employers and the local workforce.

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13 Feb 2019

Ageing with Purpose; Support for Care-givers

The debate called for a whole-of-society effort to enable Singaporeans to age with purpose, dignity, and financial stability, focusing on creating flexible work opportunities for seniors, strengthening retirement adequacy, and enhancing community-based support systems.
It emphasized the critical role of caregivers, proposing stronger support through measures like enhanced financial grants, flexible work arrangements, better access to respite care, and improved information and training resources.
Members highlighted the need for policy adjustments, such as reviewing CPF contribution rates for older workers, broadening family definitions in support schemes, and investing in age-friendly infrastructure and digital literacy to keep seniors connected and engaged.

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