Employment & labour — Topics

7 Oct 2014

Slowing Down Curbs on Foreign Manpower for Services Sector

Yeo Guat Kwang asked whether the government would slow curbs on foreign manpower in the services sector and if targets for managing foreign workforce growth across sectors (except construction) had been met.
Tan Chuan-Jin noted that foreign workforce growth in services has moderated significantly since 2011, with no new tightening measures in 2014, and highlighted early positive outcomes like rising Singaporean wages and business adjustments toward automation and flexible job packages.
The Ministry of Manpower stated that overall foreign workforce growth is approaching sustainable levels, with the slowest growth since 2009 in the first half of 2014, but cautioned that demand remains firm due to new infrastructure projects and low productivity in domestic-oriented services.
The government plans to maintain its current foreign workforce policy stance—neither liberalizing nor further tightening—to encourage manpower-lean models and better job outcomes for Singaporeans while monitoring the situation closely.

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7 Oct 2014

Number of Persons Working as Insurance Agents

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of insurance agents from 2004 to 2014, with a breakdown by employment type, education, age, gender, and nationality.
The Minister for Manpower, Tan Chuan-Jin, responded that insurance representatives made up less than 1% of employed residents from 2003 to 2013, with similar proportions in 2003 and 2013.
In 2013, nine in 10 resident insurance representatives were in full-time employment, about four in five had a diploma or above qualification, and half were aged 40 and above.
From 2003 to 2013, the gender distribution was even, and more than nine in 10 insurance representatives were residents in both years.

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7 Oct 2014

Number of Persons Working as Real Estate Agents or Salespersons

Mr. Patrick Tay asked for data on the number and demographic breakdown of real estate agents and salespersons from 2004 to 2014.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin stated that from 2003 to 2013, less than 1% of employed residents were real estate agents, with 0.5% in 2003 and 0.9% in 2013.
In 2013, about 80% of resident real estate agents were full-time, a decrease from 90% in 2003, while nearly half were females, two-thirds were aged 40 and above, and two-thirds had diplomas or higher.
Non-residents accounted for less than 1% of all real estate agents in both 2003 and 2013.

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7 Oct 2014

Review of Industrial Relations Act

K Karthikeyan questioned whether the Ministry of Manpower would review the Industrial Relations Act to reverse management prerogatives.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that the Act has provided a balanced framework since 1968, giving management control over hiring, firing, promotion, and transfers while allowing unions to negotiate on other matters.
The Act also includes safeguards to protect employee rights, which together with management prerogatives promote industrial harmony and reduce disputes.
The Ministry of Manpower will continue monitoring the situation to ensure the framework supports stable employer-union relationships.

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7 Oct 2014

Number of Ministries and Statutory Boards Exercising Option to Extend their Cleaning Contracts

Mr Zainal Sapari asked how many Ministries and Statutory Boards have extended cleaning contracts signed before 1 April 2014.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam stated that 32 contracts under 18 public agencies have been extended, with 13 already PWM-compliant since July 2013 and 15 expiring this year.
Only 4 extended contracts will end after 1 September 2015, after which all ongoing contracts must comply with the Progressive Wage Model.
The Government is working with contractors to transition to PWM requirements and may allow contract terminations for new tenders to reflect higher wages.
Over 6,200 resident cleaners on Government contracts are already paid under PWM, representing over 80% of such cleaners.

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7 Oct 2014

Measures to Prevent Increase in Workplace Injuries

The Ministry of Manpower has intensified enforcement in high-risk sectors, issuing thousands of inspections, Stop Work Orders, Composition Fines, and Notices of Non-Compliance, while applying for stronger penalties for serious breaches.
An enhanced Demerit Points System is being developed to identify and debar contractors with poor safety records, with simplified and recalibrated penalties for violations.
The Ministry is increasing assistance to businesses through Safety Compliance Assistance Visits and promoting behavioural change via mandatory Design for Safety requirements for future building projects.

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7 Oct 2014

Unemployment among Degree Holders

Mr Yee Jenn Jong raised concerns about higher unemployment among degree holders, a large number of economically inactive young degree holders, and a rise in inactivity over the past decade.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin stated that resident degree holders have consistently had low and stable unemployment rates, with any fluctuations due to seasonal factors like new graduates entering the workforce.
The proportion of degree holders who are economically inactive has risen only slightly over the last decade, remaining significantly lower than the overall resident population, with young degree holders having the lowest inactivity rate.

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7 Oct 2014

Easing Impact of High Core Inflation Rate on Low-wage Households

Ang Wei Neng asked the Ministry of Trade and Industry about actions to ease the high core inflation rate and cushion its impact on low-wage households.
Lim Hng Kiang explained that core inflation is driven by higher food import costs and services inflation due to tight labor market conditions, while MAS uses currency appreciation to contain imported inflation.
The government is committed to keeping inflation in check through productivity schemes and transitional support like the Wage Credit Scheme to moderate wage cost pass-through to prices.
A multi-pronged approach supports low-income households, including job creation, Workfare, wage support, and subsidies and transfers for healthcare, childcare, education, transport, and housing costs.
Government transfers and rebates accounted for 90% of annual income per member for the lowest income quintile, highlighting significant support for vulnerable households.

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7 Oct 2014

Professions Covered by Workforce Skills Qualifications Framework

Ang Hin Kee asked which sectors or professions are not covered by the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework under the CET 2020 Masterplan, what measures ensure WSQ reaches these sectors, and whether all public sector training agencies are on the WSQ framework.
The government responded that WSQ frameworks currently cover 34 sectors across manufacturing and services, while construction and maritime sectors have existing training programs with government subsidies, and a tripartite SkillsFuture Council will be established to extend skills development beyond current WSQ frameworks.
The new SkillsFuture Council will develop sectoral manpower strategies to identify skills needs, articulate progression pathways, and help employers hire and develop workers, building on existing WSQ frameworks to support both pre-employment and lifelong training programs.

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7 Oct 2014

Implementation of Foreign Worker Dependency Ratio Ceiling for Certain Industries

Christopher de Souza asked if the government would adopt a flexible approach to the foreign worker dependency ratio ceiling for hard-to-fill industries like construction and landscaping.
Kuik Shiao-Yin inquired about studies on manpower constraints' impact on SMEs of different sizes, the proportion benefiting from productivity grants, and the number of smaller SMEs that closed due to manpower issues.
The Minister responded that current policies aim to reduce foreign labour reliance while supporting productivity growth, with sector-specific ratios and flexibility for essential needs, but warned against entrenching labour-intensive models.
The Minister noted that SMEs can use grants like SPRING's to cope with labour constraints, with most beneficiaries being smaller firms, and emphasized a balanced policy approach for inclusive growth.

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7 Oct 2014

Mandatory Implementation of National Wages Council Recommendations

K Karthikeyan proposed making National Wages Council (NWC) recommendations mandatory to address wage disparity.
The Minister for Manpower rejected mandatory implementation, stating that NWC guidelines are advisory to preserve market forces and business flexibility.
The Minister cited evidence that voluntary adoption of NWC guidelines has narrowed wage gaps, with stronger real income growth for lower-income workers.
The Minister emphasized that mandatory wage increases could harm businesses and employment, while the tripartite approach ensures sustainable wage growth aligned with productivity.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the NWC’s role as a consensus-building and flexible framework for wage negotiations.

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9 Sep 2014

Conditions of Foreign Worker Quarters Set Up at Construction Sites

Ms Irene Ng asked about the number of construction firms allowed to set up on-site foreign worker quarters, how the Ministry ensures these quarters meet living standards, what incentives exist for employers to use purpose-built dormitories, and whether penalties for sub-standard housing could be increased.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin stated that employers must comply with regulatory requirements for accommodation, including standards for living space, safety, and sanitation, and that over 70,000 foreign workers live in construction quarters.
The Ministry conducts regular inspections with other agencies to enforce standards, with penalties including fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 12 months, and bans on work pass applications for errant employers.

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9 Sep 2014

Applied Study in Polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education Review (ASPIRE)

The Senior Minister of State emphasized that ASPIRE is part of a holistic education strategy, linking applied learning across primary, secondary, polytechnic, ITE, and university levels to align education with industry needs and promote lifelong learning.
The debate highlighted the need for mindset change to value skills over qualifications, with the public sector leading by example through integrated career schemes and faster progression for non-graduates, while employers, especially SMEs, are encouraged to adopt training programs and sector-specific frameworks.
Members stressed the importance of industry and employer engagement, with government support schemes like SPRING's grants and WDA's training funding to help businesses invest in human capital, and calls for a taskforce to rigorously define job competencies beyond paper qualifications.

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9 Sep 2014

Applied Study in Polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education Review (ASPIRE)

The debate highlights broad support for the ASPIRE recommendations to broaden career pathways for Polytechnic and ITE graduates, emphasizing skills-based progression, structured internships, and lifelong learning to counter the societal overemphasis on university degrees.
Speakers call for significant mindset shifts among parents, employers, and the government itself, noting that the Civil Service must lead by example to ensure non-graduates are fairly recognized and rewarded based on performance and skills.
Key concerns include the need for better education and career guidance, stronger industry-education collaboration (especially for SMEs), and ensuring that vocational training is practical, respected, and leads to tangible career progression and wage improvements.
The implementation of sector-specific skills frameworks, expanded apprenticeships, and greater support for adult learners are seen as critical to making applied education a viable and respected alternative to academic degrees.

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9 Sep 2014

Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Manpower

Dr Amy Khor clarified that the 34 re-employment dispute cases mentioned were from 2013, not 2012.
The correction pertained to a reply given during a supplementary question by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah.
The Minister of State apologized for the error and referenced the official report for accuracy.
The clarification was made during the parliamentary sitting on 8 September 2014.
The correction ensures accurate reporting of re-employment dispute statistics.

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9 Sep 2014

Take-up Rates for Childcare and Paternity Leave Schemes in Civil Service

Seah Kian Peng questioned the Prime Minister about the relatively low take-up rates for childcare and paternity leave schemes among civil servants, citing specific percentages and asking for underlying causes.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean responded that the public service supports work-life balance through various pro-family leave benefits and that officers use them on a needs basis, with a focus on availability rather than utilisation rates.
Seah followed up, emphasising the importance of fathers taking paternity leave and asking for underlying reasons for the low uptake, suggesting top-down encouragement for public officers to take leave.
Teo acknowledged Seah's points without providing additional details, and the debate was adjourned as Question Time ended.

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9 Sep 2014

Availability of Qualified Infant Care Personnel

The Ministry and ECDA are expanding infant care places and addressing manpower shortages through career fairs, traineeships, and flexible training schemes for mid-career entrants and stay-at-home mothers.
A new registration management system aims to clarify true demand by identifying duplicate queues, while targeted subsidies and better site planning are used to match supply with high-need areas like Yishun and Punggol.
The core challenge is recruiting qualified infant educarers, not a lack of physical places; the government is simplifying training, offering incentives, and creating flexible work arrangements to attract and retain talent.

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9 Sep 2014

Graduate Compensation for Non-graduate Preschool Teachers

Tin Pei Ling asked if non-graduate preschool teachers, especially those at Anchor Operators, could be considered for graduate compensation based on merits, similar to moves in other sectors.
The Minister clarified that preschool teaching currently requires only a certificate or diploma, not a degree, and that ECDA is focusing on defining job competencies to improve career progression and align remuneration with performance rather than qualifications.
Tin Pei Ling expressed concern that encouraging teachers to pursue degrees might signal a shift toward requiring degrees for proper childcare, and the Minister reiterated that there is no policy requiring degrees, emphasizing that care and relationship skills are more important than formal qualifications.

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8 Sep 2014

Number of Singaporeans Applied for Jobs Posted on Jobs Bank Portal

Ms Foo Mee Har asked for the number of Singaporean applicants to jobs on the Jobs Bank, the percentage of jobs filled by Singaporeans, and the salary distribution of those placed.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin reported that over 31,000 Singaporeans and more than 10,000 employers have used the Jobs Bank, which hosts over 65,000 job vacancies and has received positive feedback.
He clarified that the Jobs Bank and Fair Consideration Framework do not guarantee local employment, as hiring is based on merit and may be influenced by skill mismatches or candidate preferences.
The Minister noted that tracking exact placements via the Jobs Bank is not representative, as many Singaporeans find jobs through other channels, and overall citizen employment indicators remain healthy with low unemployment and real wage growth.
He added that the Ministry of Manpower monitors firms with low Singaporean PME representation and may enforce work pass curtailment if hiring practices are deemed unfair.

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8 Sep 2014

Percentage of Workforce Engaged under Contracts for Services

As of June 2013, 8.1% of employed residents were own account workers, a slight decrease from 8.9% in 2003, and they typically operate their own businesses under contracts for services.
Self-employed persons are required to contribute to their Medisave accounts if their net trade income exceeds $6,000 annually, but contributions to Ordinary and Special Accounts for retirement are voluntary and encouraged through tax relief.
The government promotes retirement savings for self-employed individuals through awareness campaigns, outreach events, and support schemes like Workfare Income Supplement and Medisave top-ups, while industry initiatives such as the Drive-and-Save scheme are also encouraged.

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