Employment & labour — Topics

9 May 2016

EDB's Performance in Attracting Foreign Investments

From 2011 to 2015, the Economic Development Board secured S$65 billion in fixed asset investments, expected to generate S$34 billion in annual business expenditure, S$77 billion in annual value-added, and create 107,000 jobs when fully implemented.
The EDB uses a targeted approach to attract investments aligned with Singapore’s competitive strengths and constraints like manpower, land, and carbon emissions commitments.
The EDB collaborates with other agencies to support existing companies, helping them improve competitiveness, productivity, and job creation for locals through skills training and job redesign schemes like WorkPro.

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9 May 2016

Profile of Active Female Taxi Drivers

Ang Hin Kee asked about the percentage of female taxi drivers, their demographics, work challenges, and any specific support measures.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that 2.5% of active taxi drivers are female, with an age profile provided, and noted their primary concern is personal safety.
Taxi companies have installed panic buttons to alert the company, police, and nearby drivers when drivers are in distress, addressing safety concerns for both female and male drivers.

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9 May 2016

Enforcement Powers for Fair Employment Breaches

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) enforces existing laws like the Retirement and Re-employment Act, Employment Act, and Child Development Co-Savings Act to address discrimination based on age and gender, with TAFEP referring cases for enforcement.
MOM also handles complaints on other attributes like race, language, and religion, investigating and resolving most cases through employer rectification, while monitoring complaint trends.
The government is not currently considering new anti-discrimination laws, focusing instead on education and awareness to promote fair employment practices.

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9 May 2016

Placement of Post-retirement Officers in New Jobs

The Singapore Police Force established a Career Transition Office in April 2016 to assist retiring officers with job placement, though no specific statistics on placements are yet available.
Over the past three years, about 300 police officers received training for post-retirement job searches, and around 60% of retiring Home Team officers are re-employed within the Home Team annually.
The Career Transition Office will proactively source job opportunities, provide career counseling, and collaborate with agencies like the Workforce Development Agency to support retiring officers in transitioning to civilian roles.

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13 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply – Head U (Prime Minister's Office)

The Public Service will hire an additional 1,000 engineers this year, raise their starting salaries by about 20%, and develop competency frameworks and career paths to strengthen engineering capabilities in the public sector.
The government will legislate a second week of paternity leave and increase shared parental leave from one to four weeks to better support working parents, while studying ideas like an online directory to match parents with informal caregivers.
The government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against corruption, with robust anti-money laundering measures and investigations into illicit financial flows, while stressing the need for continued vigilance and a culture of mutual respect between public officers and citizens.

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8 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply − Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Minister Lim Swee Say agreed that retrenched workers should be supported in exploring entrepreneurship, noting a proposal to extend the Professional Conversion Programme to include entrepreneurship training and business support.
He emphasized that the Ministry’s current priority remains helping workers return to employment quickly, while exploring entrepreneurship as a future alternative.
MP Patrick Tay thanked colleagues and officials for their contributions to the debate on manpower challenges and withdrew his amendment, with the allocated sums for Head S being approved.

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8 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Multiple MPs raised concerns about protecting Singaporean professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs), strengthening the "Singaporean Core," and ensuring foreign employment passes (EPs) complement rather than compete with locals, citing issues like discriminatory hiring practices and ineffective job advertising rules.
The Minister outlined a three-pronged strategy: supporting industry transformation into manpower-lean and productive models; building a strong Singaporean Core through sector-specific manpower plans and enhanced job-matching schemes like the Career Support Programme; and maintaining global competitiveness by balancing pro-business and pro-worker policies, including stricter scrutiny of companies with weak local hiring commitments.
Other key topics included support for displaced and older workers, workplace safety improvements, flexible work arrangements, and the need for better job matching and training programs, with the Minister emphasizing tripartite collaboration and a balanced approach to economic and social goals.

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6 Apr 2016

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate centered on Budget 2016, emphasizing economic transformation through enterprise, innovation, and targeted support for SMEs, while also highlighting social elements like caring for seniors and vulnerable groups.
Members raised concerns about job security, especially for mature PMEs, urging enhanced programs like Career Support and Adapt and Grow, with the Minister committing to studies on redundancy insurance and improved job-matching.
Discussions addressed healthcare and senior support, including Silver Scheme criteria, middle-income retiree challenges, and calls for better primary care and technology use, with the Minister defending targeted approaches and fiscal sustainability.

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5 Apr 2016

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Members supported the Budget's focus on economic transformation and caring society, praising initiatives like SkillsFuture, Industry Transformation Programme, and Silver Support Scheme, while urging more targeted help for vulnerable SMEs, PMETs, and low-wage workers.
Debates highlighted concerns over job security amid automation and economic slowdown, with calls for enhanced flexible work arrangements, redundancy insurance, and better support for middle-income and sandwich-class families.
Suggestions included refining the triple "A" approach (Ability, Attitude, Altitude) for SMEs, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring policies like Silver Support are reviewed to avoid excluding deserving seniors based on housing type.

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5 Apr 2016

Nationalities of Engineers Working in Singapore

As of June 2015, there were 122,500 engineers in Singapore, with 60% being Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, and the government aims to attract more locals to the profession through Sectoral Manpower Plans and tripartite initiatives.
The Minister of State emphasized that public sector engineering positions are primarily filled by locals based on merit and skill sets, with efforts to ensure fair opportunities for Singaporeans, though specialized roles may require foreign expertise.
In response to a query about bringing back engineers who left the profession, the Minister highlighted existing programs and support to encourage returnees, especially mature engineers, to address sectoral shortages.

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5 Apr 2016

Recognition of Experience of Ex-teachers who Rejoin Teaching Service

The Ministry of Education reported that 49 former teachers rejoined the service in 2015, with seven coming from independent schools, and the Ministry recognizes their post-service work experience and skills in determining remuneration.
The Minister stated that the current approach to re-appointment is effective for attrition management and addressing specific subject needs, and that applications from ex-teachers are welcomed, with their skills and experience valued in the re-appointment process.
In response to a query about a formal policy or framework, the Minister indicated that there is no separate policy to welcome ex-teachers but that their skills and experience are considered through existing processes, and he welcomed suggestions for improvement.

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4 Apr 2016

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Patrick Tay highlighted the severe impact of economic restructuring on PMEs, citing record retrenchments and the threat of technology, and called for enhanced support measures such as expanding the Career Support Programme and strengthening the Singaporean Core.
Chong Kee Hiong emphasized the need for prudent fiscal management amid global uncertainties, supported increased R&D investment to drive innovation, and advocated for cultural shifts to encourage risk-taking and entrepreneurship.
Chan Chun Sing from the Labour Movement underscored that the economic slowdown is both cyclical and structural, urging tripartite collaboration to tackle structural unemployment, ensure retirement adequacy, and boost productivity through sector-specific efforts.
Lee Yi Shyan commended new economic initiatives like the Automation Support Package and National Robotics Programme, and called for better integration of R&D funding with industry transformation roadmaps to foster innovation and global competitiveness.
Ong Teng Koon stressed the importance of supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs, suggesting enhancements to business development, launch support, and failure mitigation measures to encourage risk-taking and innovation.

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4 Apr 2016

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate focused on the Government's $4.5 billion Industry Transformation Programme to drive economic restructuring, with emphasis on innovation, automation, and supporting SMEs through grants, financing schemes, and a new one-stop Business Grants Portal.
Speakers stressed the urgency of adapting to global economic headwinds and structural changes, advocating for stronger tripartite partnerships, better job matching for displaced workers, and expanded use of SkillsFuture and Adapt and Grow initiatives.
While many supported the Budget’s prudence and long-term vision, concerns were raised about fiscal sustainability, the effectiveness of productivity schemes, and the need for targeted support for mature workers, local enterprises, and underemployment measurement.
Several members called for improved implementation, such as clearer accountability for public spending, streamlined inter-agency coordination, and ensuring that innovation policies benefit Singaporeans and local firms rather than becoming isolated enclaves.
The Budget was generally supported as forward-looking and balanced, but with recommendations to enhance support for vulnerable groups, improve SME competitiveness, and foster a more inclusive and resilient society amid economic transformation.

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24 Mar 2016

Breakdown of Account Balances by Gender of CPF Members

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower to provide the average CPF balances by gender and a breakdown by age groups.
In 2015, males had an average net CPF balance of $86,000 and females $76,000, with the gender gap narrowing from 21% in 2005 to 14% in 2015.
The male-to-female ratio of average CPF balances is lower for younger age groups and increases for older age groups.

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24 Mar 2016

Labour Crunch in Maritime Industry

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about the labor shortage status, its impact on the maritime industry, and potential adjustments to the foreign worker quota.
Lim Swee Say acknowledged manpower tightness, particularly in physically demanding roles, and noted most companies are within their foreign worker dependency ratio limits.
The Maritime and Port Authority is collaborating with industry partners and unions to train more Singaporeans for maritime careers and promote automation like Automated Guided Vehicles to reduce manual labor reliance.
The Ministry for Manpower sees no need to adjust the foreign worker quota at this time, focusing instead on productivity improvements and shifting to more manpower-lean port operations.

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24 Mar 2016

Annual Budget Statement

The Finance Minister outlined a budget focused on economic transformation and social care, launching a $4.5 billion Industry Transformation Programme to support businesses and workers through enterprise innovation, sector-specific strategies, and partnerships, amid global economic headwinds.
The budget included immediate support for businesses, such as a higher Corporate Income Tax rebate, extended Special Employment Credit for older workers, and new SME working capital loans, while tapering broad-based measures like the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) to target resources more effectively.
It enhanced social safety nets, notably introducing the Silver Support Scheme for low-income seniors, expanding Workfare Income Supplement for low-wage workers, and creating a new Child Development Account First Step grant, all aimed at building a caring and resilient society.

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24 Mar 2016

Quality of Upcoming New Jobs in Tech and IT Sector

Patrick Tay asked about the 15,000 tech and IT vacancies, seeking details on job types, companies, hierarchy levels, and required skills.
The Minister clarified the vacancies come from a 2014 survey, include both tech and non-tech sectors like banking, and are mostly PMET roles in areas like development, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Job requirements vary, with development needing programming skills, cybersecurity requiring certifications, and data analytics needing statistics and machine learning expertise.
Demand for technical specialists has grown 6.3% annually since 2011 and is expected to continue due to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative.

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24 Mar 2016

Singaporeans Offered Lower Grade Jobs to Free Up Quota for Foreign Workers for Higher Level Jobs

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about companies offering lower grade jobs to locals to free up quotas for foreign workers in supervisory roles, seeking data and actions taken.
Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say emphasized that companies must treat locals fairly and warned that violations could lead to stricter scrutiny or suspension of work pass privileges.
TAFEP received around 1,400 complaints in three years, mostly nationality-related, and takes action like warnings or restricting foreign worker quotas if discrimination is proven.
The Minister clarified that not all cases of foreign workers reporting to locals indicate discrimination, as workforce composition varies by industry, but firm action is taken against unfair practices.
Desmond Choo suggested enhancing TAFEP’s capabilities beyond promotion, with the Minister agreeing to address this further at the Committee of Supply.

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24 Mar 2016

Foreign Worker Representation in Tech and IT Sector

Desmond Choo inquired about the current breakdown of foreign and local workers in the tech and IT sector and the efforts to prevent over-representation of foreign manpower and promote local participation.
The Minister for Manpower provided 2015 data showing a two-thirds resident to one-third work pass holder ratio in the ICT sector, highlighted a manpower shortage, and outlined a Sectoral Manpower Plan to support growth while developing a Singaporean core.
Multiple MPs raised concerns about "double weak" companies with weak Singaporean cores and asked for rigorous action, with the Minister confirming ongoing efforts and more details to be shared at the Committee of Supply.
A suggestion was made to balance punitive measures against "double weak" companies with incentives for "double strong" companies, to which the Minister agreed and promised announcements at the Committee of Supply.

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14 Mar 2016

Extending Wage Credit Scheme

Louis Ng Kok Kwang proposed extending the Wage Credit Scheme beyond 2017 and increasing the government’s 20% co-funding due to the global economic slowdown.
The Wage Credit Scheme was originally introduced in 2013 to help businesses manage rising wage costs and share productivity gains with employees, with a 40% co-funding from 2013 to 2015.
The scheme was extended in 2015 to 2017 with a reduced 20% co-funding to encourage restructuring without creating dependency on government support.
The government has enhanced other schemes to support business restructuring and will continue to monitor conditions to balance short-term costs and long-term productivity goals.

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