Employment & labour — Topics

1 Mar 2017

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate highlighted concerns about the rising cost of living, job insecurity due to economic and technological disruptions, and the need to support vulnerable groups, with speakers urging the government to ensure policies translate into tangible relief for everyday struggles.
Several MPs discussed the importance of inclusive growth, better support for SMEs, and addressing challenges in the gig economy, while also emphasizing the need for stronger community networks, lifelong learning, and workforce transformation to prepare for future jobs.
The 30% water price hike sparked significant debate, with the government defending it as necessary for water security and sustainability, while some MPs questioned the transparency and impact on households, leading to discussions on conservation and fair pricing.

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28 Feb 2017

Plans to Deepen Singaporeans' ICT Capabilities

The Ministry has launched programmes like TechSkills Accelerator to train and upskill professionals for ICT roles, with strong placement outcomes such as 100% job success for participants in the Company-Led Training programme.
To prepare younger Singaporeans, initiatives like Code@SG and Hour of Code are extended to all primary and secondary students to develop coding skills, alongside the Industry Preparation for Pre-Graduates programme for career readiness.
Efforts are made to ensure accessibility for less privileged groups through digital inclusion programmes like NEU PC Plus and Home Access, which provide computers and broadband to low-income households, the elderly, and persons with special needs.

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28 Feb 2017

Medical Chits from Doctors not in Company-assigned Panel

Ms K Thanaletchimi asked whether all companies recognize medical chits from Singapore-registered doctors outside their approved panel, the number of salary deduction cases reported in the last three years, and how the Ministry of Manpower handles such cases.
Under the law, employers must provide paid sick leave and cover medical costs for MCs issued by Government or company-approved doctors, but many employers extend this to any registered doctor.
No cases of salary deductions due to unrecognised MCs have been filed in the Labour Court in the last three years, though MOM receives about 15 queries annually on this issue.
MOM urges employers to ensure accessible approved doctors and exercise flexibility in emergencies; employees can seek help from MOM or the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management.

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28 Feb 2017

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Leon Perera asked whether the government tracks the effectiveness of SME support schemes and if more intervention is needed to help companies grow into global firms, while noting concerns about funding gaps and long-term entrepreneurial confidence.
Minister S Iswaran responded that while the government tracks scheme outcomes and provides various support mechanisms, entrepreneurship must come from individuals, and the focus should be on building partnerships and adapting to changing market needs.
Heng Chee How emphasized the need for agility and partnership in economic transformation, highlighted support for mature workers through wage subsidies and job-matching programs, and called for stronger leadership in tripartite collaborations.
Desmond Choo proposed mutual-help career mentoring networks, a national talent bank, and a gig economy framework to support youth and returning workers, while suggesting a "returnship" program to help women re-enter the workforce.
Henry Kwek called for a strong national coordinating body to implement the Committee on the Future Economy’s strategies, urged bold and quick rollout of Industry Transformation Maps, and proposed creating a gig economy for seniors through micro-jobs and digital platforms.

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28 Feb 2017

Feedback Received from Earn and Learn Programmes

The Parliamentary Secretary reported that over 500 Polytechnic and ITE graduates were placed in Earn and Learn Programmes (ELPs) in 2016, exceeding the 400 target, with positive feedback from employers and trainees across 40 ELPs in 23 sectors.
Ms Sun Xueling asked about the feedback process and how ELPs ensure they add to prior learning, with the Ministry explaining that feedback is collected from trainees and companies and that programmes are designed to integrate workplace learning with school-taught basics.
Desmond Choo raised union feedback that entry pay in some ELP sectors is unattractive, and the Ministry committed to reviewing pay parity and improving ELP attractiveness as part of ongoing refinements.

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28 Feb 2017

Features for Merged SkillsFuture and Jobs Bank Portals

The merged SkillsFuture and Jobs Bank portal, known as the Individual Learning Portfolio (ILP), will feature a review function for training providers and publish training outcome information to ensure outcome-based training.
Internship opportunities are currently not included as they are managed by Institutes of Higher Learning, but may be considered for future phases of the ILP.
The ILP will include tools for career interest and skills gap assessments, allowing users to explore suitable jobs and training programs based on their profiles.
Jobs listed in the integrated Jobs Bank are regularly updated, with postings valid for a maximum of 30 days and automatically removed when expired to maintain relevance.
The ILP will be rolled out in stages starting from 2017, with more details to be shared later.

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20 Feb 2017

Automation and Robotics in Hospitals

Miss Cheng Li Hui inquired about the progress, prevalence, and productivity gains of automation and robotics in Singapore’s hospitals over the last three years.
Minister Gan Kim Yong highlighted that automation and robotics serve as a workforce multiplier to address labour constraints and rising healthcare demand, with over 200 projects funded since 2012, including pneumatic tube systems, automated guided vehicles, and pharmacy automation that has reduced waiting times by up to 50% and increased capacity by nearly 30% in some hospitals.
The government is expanding tele-health platforms and remote monitoring tools to deliver care beyond hospitals, while also focusing on workflow redesign, job role adjustments, and staff upskilling to sustain productivity improvements.

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20 Feb 2017

Annual Budget Statement

The government introduced targeted economic support measures for sectors facing cyclical or structural challenges, including deferred foreign worker levies for marine and process sectors, the "Attach and Train" programme to help workers reskill, and enhanced corporate income tax rebates for businesses.
It announced a carbon tax of $10 to $20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions to be implemented from 2019, alongside a restructuring of diesel taxes and new water pricing to reflect rising costs, while offering rebates and support to cushion the impact on households.
Social measures included increased housing grants for first-time resale flat buyers, higher bursaries for post-secondary students, expanded support for persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, and permanent increases in GST vouchers to help lower- and middle-income households manage cost-of-living pressures.

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20 Feb 2017

Mandatory Reporting of Workers' Injuries by Doctors

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Ministry of Manpower would mandate doctors to report work injuries requiring 24+ hours of hospitalisation or 3+ days of medical leave, citing potential under-reporting by employers.
The Minister of State clarified that employers are already legally required to report such injuries under existing laws, with enforcement actions taken against non-compliant employers, and that doctors, employees, and dependents can also submit reports directly to MOM.
Louis Ng raised concerns about under-reporting of work injuries similar to past under-reporting of occupational diseases, and asked if doctors could use the existing "iReport" system for work injuries.
The Minister of State explained that while doctors are mandated to report occupational diseases due to their often gradual onset, employer reporting for injuries is high (over 95%), and doctors can use "iReport" for work injuries while monitoring continues before imposing further requirements.

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20 Feb 2017

Extension of SkillsFuture to Cover Degree Courses for Career Switchers

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong raised a query about extending the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme to university education and workers pursuing a first or second degree to address skills mismatch and facilitate career switching.
The Parliamentary Secretary responded that the programme is primarily targeted at fresh polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education graduates, noting less immediate need for university graduates who typically do not seek further undergraduate qualifications.
The government highlighted existing work-learn models in universities, such as the integrated work-study programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology, where undergraduates are attached to industries for up to a year to develop industry-ready skills.
Various universities are collaborating with industries to design work-learn undergraduate programmes tailored to specific sector needs, aiming to equip students with relevant skills before graduation.
For lifelong learning and career switchers, adult learners can access programmes under the Adapt and Grow initiative, such as Professional Conversion Programmes across multiple industries, which incorporate work-learn elements.

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7 Feb 2017

Impact of Private Car Hire Growth on Taxi Drivers' Incomes

Mr Zaqy Mohamad raised concerns about how the rise of private car hire services affects taxi drivers’ incomes, including income differences between day and night shifts and the impact of regulatory changes.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan noted a 6.2% drop in average net earnings for taxi drivers in 2016 compared to 2015, though earnings have increased by about 4% since 2013, partly due to lower energy costs and stable gross fare revenue.
The Ministry does not have data on income differences by shift type and considers the effect of removing the 250-kilometre requirement too soon to assess, but expects it to bring positive outcomes for drivers.
The Minister emphasised that competition from private hire services can benefit taxi drivers and mentioned that taxi companies are introducing measures like rental reductions and performance-based rebates to support drivers.
Taxi companies have the flexibility to adjust fares and surcharges to stay competitive, and the government will continue reviewing regulations to ensure they remain relevant for commuters, drivers, and companies.

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7 Feb 2017

Effectiveness of Matching and Retraining under Professional Conversion Programme

The Minister reported that the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) saw over 1,300 successful conversions in 2016, a 20% increase from 2015, with a roughly 60% success rate across all programmes, though a specific breakdown of applicants versus successful conversions is not available.
Challenges in matching and retraining include mature PMETs potentially being discouraged by having to start at the entry level in a new profession, and an uneven supply-demand mismatch across the 50 different PCP programmes, which the Ministry plans to address with further enhancements.
While race-specific take-up data is not collected, ground observations indicate a fairly balanced response across racial groups, and overall placements are inclusive across age groups, with nearly 40% of successful jobseekers being over 50 years old.

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7 Feb 2017

Impact of Growing Practice of Hiring Freelancers on Wages and Retirement Adequacy

The Ministry of Manpower noted that freelancers currently make up about 8% of the workforce, and while their numbers are stable overall, growth is sector-specific, prompting a new annual survey to better understand their profiles and trends.
Minister Lim Swee Say reported that median real wages have risen broadly across sectors from 2014 to 2016, with no significant deflationary impact observed yet, but the government remains concerned about future effects on wages and retirement adequacy.
In response to concerns, the Ministry plans to work with tripartite partners to develop best practices and outreach measures to help freelancers with financial planning, CPF contributions, and retirement savings, though concrete policies will depend on survey findings.

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7 Feb 2017

Allowance for ITE and Polytechnic Student Interns

The Ministry reported that 93.5% of ITE and Polytechnic interns receive an allowance, up from 90.9% in 2014, but some do not due to company policies, and the Ministry encourages more companies to provide allowances.
Financial assistance schemes are available at institutions for students in need, and the Ministry is working with companies to increase allowance coverage to ensure equitable access for disadvantaged students.
The Ministry acknowledged challenges for students with special needs in finding internships and will consider suggestions to provide more resources to help them secure placements.

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7 Feb 2017

Salary Payment for Workers Engaged by Private Vendors in Government Contracts

The Government pre-qualifies contractors based on financial standing and monitors performance to mitigate payment risks during contracts.
In liquidation, unpaid worker salaries are prioritized under the Companies Act, with workers able to claim through the appointed liquidator.
The Minister clarified that establishing escrow accounts for worker payments is impractical, as it would interfere with contractors' internal financial arrangements and complicate creditor priorities.

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7 Feb 2017

Impact of Merged Career Tracks for Graduate and Non-graduate Civil Servants on Starting Salary, Career Progression and Exposure

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that merging career tracks aims to equalize opportunities, with starting pay based on job responsibilities and demonstrated qualities, using educational performance as a proxy for new entrants without experience.
He emphasized that career progression and development, including access to programs like the Public Service Leadership Programme, depend on performance and leadership potential, not educational background or scholarship status.
The Currently Estimated Potential (CEP) model assesses officers based on Analytical and Intellectual Capacity, Influence and Collaboration, and Motivation for Excellence, without considering starting educational qualifications.

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7 Feb 2017

Fair Process for Termination Due to Poor Performance and Recourse for Employees

The Minister for Manpower outlined that employers must substantiate poor performance claims with documented evidence, follow objective criteria under tripartite guidelines, and consult unions where applicable, with MOM mediating or investigating unfair dismissal claims and ordering reinstatement or compensation if substantiation fails.
In the Surbana Jurong case, the company acknowledged process lapses, reached an ex-gratia agreement with unions, and MOM emphasized responsible HR practices, planning to launch a Human Capital Partnership Programme to engage major employers and prevent similar issues.
Employees do not need employer cooperation to access performance evidence; MOM can require employers to produce documentation during inquiries, and mass termination investigations occur only if unions or employees report issues, not automatically.
MOM supports developing tripartite guidelines for mass terminations similar to those for retrenchments and criticized Surbana Jurong for publicly labeling employees as poor performers, stressing joint responsibility in performance management and the need for sensitive handling.

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6 Feb 2017

Statistics on Time Taken by Institutes of Higher Learning Graduates to Secure Full-time Employment

The Ministry of Education does not track average or median time taken for higher education graduates to secure full-time employment, but relies on the Graduate Employment Survey which measures employment outcomes six months after graduation.
For 2016, overall employment rates six months after graduation were 90.6% for fresh polytechnic graduates and 89.5% for autonomous university graduates, with full-time permanent employment rates at 55.8% and 83.1% respectively.
The time taken to find employment is not directly assessed against economic slowdowns, but employment rates remain comparable to the previous year.
Institutes of Higher Learning provide career guidance, organize career fairs, and offer resources to assist graduates, while Workforce Singapore programmes are also extended to support job seekers.

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6 Feb 2017

Nationwide Study on Employment for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong requested a nationwide study on the employment rates, conditions, salary comparisons, and difficulties faced by persons with disabilities and special needs.
Tan Chuan-Jin highlighted that SG Enable has placed over 1,000 persons with disabilities into employment in two years and supports internships and job integration.
Persons with disabilities comprise 0.55% of the resident labour force, with 60% using employment support schemes and median wages ranging from $1,000 to $2,800.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to gather more comprehensive data to better understand and support the employment of persons with disabilities.

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6 Feb 2017

Minimum Compassionate Leave for Children and Grandchildren

Joan Pereira proposed mandating compassionate leave for children and grandchildren to support employees, especially those in junior or lower-paying roles, given limited annual leave and an ageing population.
The Ministry of Manpower highlighted that over 90% of companies already provide compassionate leave and will continue encouraging voluntary adoption through tripartite partners.
The government has introduced family leave enhancements recently and prefers allowing time for businesses to adapt, with no current plans to mandate such leave specifically.

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