Employment & labour — Topics

6 Feb 2018

Support for Senior Citizens

Speakers emphasized a holistic approach to supporting seniors, focusing on health promotion, homecare services, assisted living models, and technology integration to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Multiple members highlighted the need for stronger family and community support, including public education on filial piety, improved caregiver leave and tax relief, and better protection against elder abuse and neglect.
The debate called for expanded employment opportunities for seniors, such as raising re-employment ages, eliminating age discrimination, and creating age-friendly workplaces through job redesign and flexible work arrangements.

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6 Feb 2018

Percentage of Full-time ITE Students on Internships

About 68 out of 98 ITE courses now include compulsory internships, with plans to extend this to all full-time courses by 2020, and the ITE Career Services Centre matches students to internships based on course, interests, and location.
The Ministry is expanding internship opportunities through engagement with industry partners, introducing structured mentorships, and defining learning outcomes, while Education and Career Guidance counsellors provide resources and support to students.
Based on the 2016 survey, 55% of ITE graduates work in jobs related to their course of study, and the government collaborates with agencies like SPRING Singapore to enhance internship programmes and resources.

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6 Feb 2018

Employment Trends of Fresh Polytechnic and ITE Graduates

Over the past decade, about 90% of polytechnic and ITE graduates secure employment within six months, but the proportion choosing full-time permanent work has dropped from 77% in 2007 to 58% in 2016, with more opting for further studies, freelance, part-time, or temporary roles.
The decline in full-time permanent employment is largely due to increased enrollment in further education, voluntary choices for flexible work while preparing for further studies, and a slight rise in involuntary part-time work or job searching.
The government attributes these trends to expanded education pathways and student aspirations rather than automation risks, and will conduct further studies to understand underlying factors.
The Earn and Learn Programmes remain effective and well-received despite the shift toward further studies, with no negative impact observed so far.

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5 Feb 2018

Holders of WSQ ACTA Who Secured Jobs as Trainers of WSQ Programmes within a Year of Completion

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) for the proportion of persons who obtained the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) and secured jobs as trainers of WSQ programmes within a year of completion over the last five years.
SkillsFuture Singapore's 2017 survey found that over 60% of respondents who attained the WSQ ACTA between July 2015 and June 2016 were performing full- or part-time training-related roles, such as trainers, adjunct adult educators, training management practitioners, or human capital management practitioners.
A further 25% of respondents were employed in non-training and adult education-related roles.

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5 Feb 2018

Annual Breakdown of Workplace-health Related Claims under Work Injury Compensation Act from 2015 to 2017

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower about the number and total amount of workplace-health related claims under the Work Injury Compensation Act from 2015 to 2017.
In 2015, 2016, and 2017, there were 186, 211, and 202 workplace health-related claims awarded, respectively, constituting less than 1.5% of total claims annually.
The total amount claimed for these workplace health-related cases over the three years was $24.3 million, representing about 7.4% of the total Work Injury Compensation payouts.
The Ministry of Manpower and tripartite partners are collaborating to better address work-related ill-health as part of the Total Workplace Safety and Health Plan.

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5 Feb 2018

Number of Singaporeans on Mid-career Switch Programmes in 2017

Tin Pei Ling asked how many Singaporeans undertook mid-career switch programmes in 2017, including breakdowns of retrenched and long-term unemployed PMETs, successful job placements, and reasons for non-acceptance.
Lim Swee Say reported over 3,300 local PMETs placed under Professional Conversion Programmes, with about 10% being retrenched or long-term unemployed; over 1,800 locals placed under Place-and-Train programmes, with about 5% in that category.
Both programmes require job offers before training, so all participants secured employment; those not accepted are assisted through other initiatives like the Career Support Programme, which has supported over 1,100 PMETs since 2015.

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5 Feb 2018

Annual Wage Supplements for Workers with Monthly Gross Salary below $2,000

Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of workers earning below $2,000 monthly who received Annual Wage Supplements (AWS) in the last three years and efforts to encourage employers to provide AWS.
The proportion of full-time resident employees earning below $2,000 who received bonuses, including AWS, has remained stable at about 50% over the last decade.
Employers and unions have flexibility under Flexible and Performance-Based wage systems, with rank-and-file employees receiving more fixed monthly salaries and variable payments being larger for senior positions.
The Ministry of Manpower monitors total annual wages, which have grown by 4.1% per annum over the past five years for workers at the 20th percentile, comparable to median wage growth.
The government emphasizes total wage growth over specific components like AWS, focusing on overall remuneration increases for low-income workers.

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5 Feb 2018

Formation of Home Team Career Transition Office in Helping Retired Officers Find New Employment

The Home Team Career Transition Office, established in April 2016, assists retiring officers by offering early engagement, re-employment within the Home Team where possible, and support in finding new employment through a structured framework.
Initiatives include providing time off and subsidies for skill-enhancing courses, workshops to identify suitable occupations and guide reskilling, and a secondment or job attachment programme allowing officers to trial post-retirement roles for up to three months while receiving their salaries.
The office also organises networking sessions with employers and publicises job openings in sectors like engineering and security; officers are encouraged to use the Public Service Division’s internal job portal to explore opportunities within the broader Civil Service.

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5 Feb 2018

Implementation Costs of Workplace Safety Requirements

Yee Chia Hsing asked whether the Ministry for Manpower considers implementation costs and sets a threshold beyond which safety practices become too costly or impracticable.
Lim Swee Say responded that the Workplace Safety and Health Act generally uses a non-prescriptive approach, allowing companies flexibility, but stipulates specific measures for high-risk sectors after consulting industry for reasonable cost and practicality.
He emphasized that while costs are unavoidable, safety measures should be viewed as investments, as accidents cause greater losses and human suffering, and the Ministry will continue working with partners to help companies improve standards.

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5 Feb 2018

Reports of Workplace Abuse and Harassment

K Thanaletchimi asked for data on workplace abuse and harassment reports over the past five years and whether reporting should be mandatory for employers under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
Lim Swee Say stated that TAFEP received about 1,500 workplace complaints in five years, with six harassment cases investigated and resolved through advice or employee guidance.
The government introduced the Protection from Harassment Act in 2014 and offers multiple avenues for reporting, so mandatory employer reporting is deemed unnecessary.
Tripartite partners conduct workshops and issue advisories to raise awareness and guide employers in managing workplace harassment, with ongoing monitoring.
No legislative change is planned, as existing measures and support systems are considered sufficient to address workplace harassment.

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5 Feb 2018

Employers Covering Employees' Medication Costs for Outpatient Treatment

Zainal Sapari questioned why the Employment Act does not require employers to cover medication costs for outpatient treatment.
Lim Swee Say explained that the Act only mandates employers to pay for consultation fees to obtain a medical certificate for sick leave, not additional medical benefits, to avoid disadvantaging job seekers with health issues.
He noted that 86% of employers voluntarily provide outpatient benefits, and that lower-income Singaporeans can access subsidised care at polyclinics, specialist clinics, and through the CHAS scheme.

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5 Feb 2018

Effectiveness of SkillsFuture in Helping Recent and Past University Graduates Gain Employment

Minister Ong Ye Kung highlighted that nine in 10 university graduates find employment within six months, supported by relevant and quality university courses and a diverse economy.
The SkillsFuture initiative has enhanced career guidance, educational pathways, internships, and introduced work-study programmes and the SkillsFuture Series to help graduates upskill and engage in lifelong learning.
The Ministry works with Manpower and Workforce Singapore to assist mature graduates through programmes like Professional Conversion and Career Support to help them re-enter the workforce.
The government commits to continuously enhancing learning and reskilling opportunities through SkillsFuture to address economic changes and support all graduates.

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5 Feb 2018

Locate Training Centres within Industrial Estates for Convenience of Workers

K Thanaletchimi proposed establishing joint industry-driven cluster training centres near industrial estates to方便 workers and employers and encourage bite-sized training.
Ong Ye Kung responded that SkillsFuture Singapore already collaborates with industry-led centres and trade associations to offer relevant training, often located near workplaces.
He noted that broader training options are available at CET campuses like Lifelong Learning Institute and Devan Nair Institute, as well as at institutes of higher learning and other SSG-appointed centres.
Ong Ye Kung committed to enhancing collaboration with industries and expanding training opportunities to make them more accessible across Singapore.

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5 Feb 2018

Determination of Retirement Adequacy and Implication for Workfare Income Supplement Payouts

The CPF Retirement Sums, particularly the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS), are used to determine retirement adequacy, with the BRS for this year's cohort set at $85,500 to provide a monthly payout of $720–$770 from age 65.
In 2016, 58% of active CPF members at age 55 met the BRS, with 10% being Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) recipients; among those who did not meet the BRS, 55% were WIS recipients, and they received an average of $5,500 in WIS top-ups by age 55.
The government addresses retirement adequacy through multiple schemes, including higher CPF interest rates, family support via CPF transfers, Silver Support for low-income elderly, and the CPF LIFE Escalating Plan to counter inflation.
Freelancers and self-employed persons can voluntarily contribute to their CPF Special Account for higher interest rates, with recommendations on further measures expected from a tripartite workgroup.
WIS is part of a broader approach combining individual effort, family support, and government supplements to build retirement adequacy for low-wage workers, with options for continued work or CPF transfers to meet BRS shortfalls.

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5 Feb 2018

Competency-based Remuneration at Public Healthcare Institutions

Public healthcare institutions are progressively shifting from academic qualifications to skills and competencies in recruitment, remuneration, and promotion, with academic qualifications mainly used as a reference for new recruits lacking work experience.
For mid-career recruits, relevant experience is considered in salary determination, and beyond entry grades, salary and career progression are largely performance- and competency-based, as seen in nurses' remuneration and promotion.
The Ministry of Health is partnering with SkillsFuture Singapore to develop Skills Frameworks for Healthcare to define roles, skills, and training for various healthcare job roles, with implementation expected by the end of the year in collaboration with unions.

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10 Jan 2018

PMETs Assisted Under Career Support Programme

Since its inception in October 2015, the Career Support Programme has assisted over 1,100 PMETs, with more than 90% aged 40 and above and over 80% long-term unemployed, and placements have increased from about 200 in the first three quarters of 2016 to more than 800 in the same period in 2017.
About 70% of PMETs placed under the CSP remained in employment within 12 months, with most staying with the same employer, while others moved to new jobs; those still seeking work can get help from Workforce Singapore or NTUC-e2i.
The government uses other Adapt and Grow programmes like Professional Conversion Programmes to address skills gaps and the P-Max programme for SME adjustments, alongside various career support services to help PMETs with emotional, career direction, and job-search challenges.
Suggestions to improve the CSP include strengthening outreach to SMEs and considering automatic wage support for eligible hires, but the government notes the need to verify wage gaps and maintain assessment rigour while streamlining application processes.

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9 Jan 2018

Eldercare Leave for Employees

Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health about the prevalence, usage trends, and ways to encourage more companies to provide eldercare leave.
Gan Kim Yong responded that there is no mandatory reporting on eldercare leave take-up in the private sector, noting that 19% of employers offered paid parental care leave in 2016, up from 6% in 2008.
The government encourages family-friendly practices through initiatives like two days of parent care leave for civil servants, the Work-Life Grant funding flexible work arrangements, and the Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements.
As of 2016, 67% of employees worked in companies offering at least one formal flexible work arrangement, up from 56% in 2011.
The Ministry of Health will continue collaborating with other ministries and tripartite partners to promote family-friendly practices and support working caregivers.

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9 Jan 2018

Employers Failing to Issue Proper Employment Contracts to Workers

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about employers failing to issue proper employment contracts and asked for statistics, age groups of affected workers, actions taken, and redress options.
Lim Swee Say explained that the Employment Act mandates written key employment terms and noted that 105 employers received advisory notices since April 2016, with no fines imposed due to cooperation and no repeat offenders.
The Ministry of Manpower does not track the age group of affected workers, and employees without written terms can seek assistance from the Ministry.

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9 Jan 2018

Valid Claims Submitted under Work Injury Compensation Act

Mr Zainal Sapari inquired about WICA claims statistics, compensation receipt, reasons for non-payment, and available recourse since 2016.
From 2016 to 2017, 33,743 WIC claims were processed, with 91% valid and over 99.9% of valid claims compensated by employers.
Only seven valid claims were not compensated by deadline due to employer issues like lack of insurance or financial difficulties; three have since been paid.
For remaining cases, MOM is taking enforcement actions like prosecution or fines, and will provide Workers' Fund assistance if compensation is unpaid.
Claimants unable to receive compensation may seek help from MOM, which debars non-compliant companies from hiring foreign workers until compensation is provided.

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9 Jan 2018

Social Security Protection Requirements for Crew on Singapore-based and Foreign-based Maritime Vessels

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport about government assistance for Singapore-based and foreign-based shipping companies to comply with social security protection requirements under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 for all crew members.
The Minister for Transport affirmed Singapore's commitment to seafarers' well-being, noting Singapore ratified the MLC in 2011 as the first Asian country, and legislation provides medical care, employment injury, and invalidity benefits for seafarers on Singapore-flagged vessels.
Singaporean seafarers are entitled to CPF contributions for retirement and compensation for work injuries regardless of vessel flag, and the Maritime and Port Authority has not encountered cases of denied social security benefits.
The government will continue working with tripartite partners to ensure Singaporean seafarers receive the social security protection stipulated by the MLC.

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