Employment & labour — Topics

13 May 2013

Medical Officers in Public and Private Healthcare Institutions

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that as of 31 December 2012, 10,225 doctors were registered with the Singapore Medical Council, with 61% in the public sector and 35% in the private sector.
In the public sector, 72% of doctors held full registration, 23% had conditional registration, and 5% had temporary registration, compared to 97%, 3%, and less than 1% respectively in the private sector.
There were 308 doctors on temporary registration, primarily recruited to meet service needs in fields like emergency and geriatric medicine, with 38% receiving extensions beyond their initial two-year contract in 2012.
Doctors on temporary registration must demonstrate good performance, receive department recommendations, and be accepted into specialist training by their fourth year to have their licences renewed.
The Ministry has regulations to ensure these doctors are supervised and work only in relevant departments, with close monitoring to maintain standards and adaptation to local practice.

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13 May 2013

PMETs' Vulnerability to Retrenchment

Gerald Giam asked why PMETs, especially degree holders, were more vulnerable to redundancy in 2012 beyond general factors like globalization, whether this trend would continue in 2013, and if the government would reduce Employment Pass issuances in response.
Tan Chuan-Jin noted that redundancy among PMETs rose slightly but remained low overall, with increases concentrated in externally oriented sectors like electronics and financial services, and highlighted that unemployment rates for resident PMETs stayed comparable to non-PMETs and lower than in some peer economies.
The government emphasized ongoing support for displaced workers through training and job placement services, a decline in Employment Pass holders in 2012 due to stricter policies, and further reviews of EP eligibility to ensure fair consideration for Singaporeans.

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8 Apr 2013

Effective Retirement Age in Singapore

The Ministry monitors the labour force participation rate (LFPR) of older workers, which rose from 58.6% to 66% for residents aged 55–64 over the past five years, with increases for both males and females.
Older workers in this age group had a low unemployment rate of 2.4% in 2012, indicating most were employed.
Singapore’s LFPR for older males is high internationally, surpassing Hong Kong, Taiwan, and many OECD countries, though it trails Japan and Sweden.
The LFPR for older females in Singapore remains lower than in many developed countries like the US, UK, and Japan, but is higher than in Hong Kong and Taiwan.The request was rejected because it was considered high risk

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8 Apr 2013

Foreign Nurses in Acute Care Public Hospitals

The Ministry of Health reported that as of 31 December 2012, foreign nurses (excluding Malaysians) constituted about 26% (approximately 4,950) of the public healthcare nursing workforce, a figure maintained to meet healthcare needs despite expansion of local intakes.
Foreign nurses must meet Singapore Nursing Board registration standards and English proficiency requirements, with local assimilation programmes providing basic conversational training in languages like Mandarin, Chinese dialects, and Malay, along with mentorship and teamwork to support patient communication.
The attrition rate for Singaporean nurses in public healthcare clusters decreased from around 13% in 2003 to about 8% in 2012, with the Ministry continuing efforts to improve nurse retention.

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8 Apr 2013

Flexi-Hour PMET Jobs

The government has introduced initiatives like WorkPro and the Work-Life Grant to fund flexible work arrangements and support mothers returning to part-time work.
These measures include financial incentives for employers to hire and train back-to-work individuals, as well as tools and forums to promote flexible workplaces.
While the government does not track specific job vacancies with flexible hours, it monitors the rising trend of establishments offering such arrangements, which increased from 25% in 2007 to 41% in 2012.

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8 Apr 2013

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The debate centered on the Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill, which enhances the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package to support Singaporeans in having children, with a focus on leave-related measures like extended childcare leave and shared parental leave to encourage both parents' involvement.
Ministers emphasized that the M&P Package aims to promote marriage and traditional family values, but they also highlighted separate social assistance programs for vulnerable families, such as single-parent households, to ensure all children receive support without undermining self-reliance.
Discussions included balancing the needs of employers and employees in leave schemes, with assurances that enhancements like adoption leave and protection provisions are being monitored and refined to avoid negative impacts on employability or business operations.
The broader goal is to create a pro-family environment through government policies, employer support, and community efforts, recognizing that personal decisions about family are deeply individual and influenced by societal values.
A minor typographical correction was made to the Bill regarding maternity leave protections during retrenchment, which was agreed upon by the House.

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8 Apr 2013

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The bill introduces new leave benefits including one week of government-paid paternity leave, one week of shared parental leave for fathers, enhanced childcare leave for parents of children aged 7 to 12, and statutory adoption leave for adoptive mothers.
It enhances maternity benefits by introducing a Government-Paid Maternity Benefit scheme for mothers ineligible for standard maternity leave, and extends protection against dismissal or retrenchment for pregnant employees throughout their pregnancy.
The bill expands eligibility for childcare leave to unwed single parents and introduces penalties for employers who fail to grant or pay statutory leave benefits.
Members supported the bill but raised concerns about potential unequal treatment of adoptive parents, the need for stronger protections for pregnant women, and the extension of full parenthood benefits to unwed mothers.
Additional suggestions included reviewing leave allocation for families with multiple children, improving workplace support for breastfeeding mothers, and considering a whistle-blower mechanism to protect against abuse of the new leave schemes.

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8 Apr 2013

Staff Adequacy at Public and Private Hospitals

The Ministry of Health reported improvements in doctor-to-population and nurse-to-population ratios since 2007, with plans to expand the healthcare workforce by about 20,000 by 2020 and 32,000 by 2030 to meet ageing population needs, including enhancing pay and training intakes.
Measures to ensure public hospital staffing include productivity improvements, workforce optimisation, and contingency plans for surges like pandemics, such as reallocating staff and reducing elective surgeries temporarily.
The Ministry is promoting preventive healthcare through health promotion campaigns, screenings, chronic disease management programmes, and a review of financing to support affordable and accessible preventive care.
Recruitment challenges for nursing and allied health courses are being addressed via campaigns and career development initiatives, while efforts are underway to encourage more doctors to specialise in geriatrics and rehabilitation medicine.
Reliance on foreign-trained medical officers is acknowledged, with emphasis on building a core Singaporean workforce and ensuring all foreign professionals meet registration standards and language competency requirements.

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8 Apr 2013

Trend for Singapore's Inflation Rates

Singapore’s inflation is projected to ease to 3.5–4.5% this year, with accommodation and car costs still accounting for a large share, while imported food and oil-related inflation are expected to remain benign.
The government acknowledges that tight labour policies may push up wage costs and services inflation during restructuring, but measures like the Wage Credit Scheme and productivity initiatives aim to cushion the pass-through to consumers.
In response to concerns about structural inflation, the minister emphasized that wage increases alone do not necessarily cause long-term inflation if they are accompanied by productivity gains, and it is too early to conclude that tighter labour policies will create sticky inflation.

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8 Apr 2013

Impact of Tighter Foreign Worker Quotas on Completion of new HDB Flats

The tightening of foreign worker policies, including a 45% cumulative reduction in the man-year entitlement quota and higher levies, is expected to impact construction time and costs for HDB BTO projects, though HDB's extensive use of prefabrication helps mitigate delays.
The government has contingency plans to manage contractors unable to meet schedules, such as novating contracts to other contractors, and remains committed to delivering flats on time without relaxing the foreign worker tightening policy.
Despite potential cost increases from levies, HDB will maintain affordable BTO prices by absorbing additional costs through government subsidies, as BTO prices are delinked from resale indices.

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8 Apr 2013

Review of Salaries for Civil Servants and Appointment Holders

The Public Service Division has completed a comprehensive review of salaries for Administrative Service officers, judicial appointees, and select statutory holders, concluding that current salaries are competitive and will be maintained with only minor adjustments to salary ranges.
Key structural changes include removing pensions and replacing them with a Long-Term Retention Package and gratuity plans of equivalent value, and substituting the GDP Bonus with a broader National Bonus linked to socio-economic progress for lower and middle-income Singaporeans.
The government emphasized that competitive salaries, regular market-based reviews, and non-financial motivators like public service ethos and development opportunities are essential to recruit and retain high-caliber talent while upholding integrity and accountability.

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14 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Parliament debated enhancing support for Singaporean workers, focusing on low-wage workers, economically inactive locals returning to work, and PMEs, while moderating foreign worker growth to prioritize quality and productivity over quantity.
Ministers outlined multi-pronged strategies including upskilling, wage support schemes like the Wage Credit Scheme, promoting flexible work arrangements, and strengthening fair employment practices to combat discrimination and develop a strong Singaporean core.
Specific measures were announced, such as expanding the Employment Act to protect more PMEs, forming tripartite clusters for sectors like cleaning and security to implement Progressive Wage Models, and creating a one-stop WorkPro programme to support work-life harmony and hiring older or returning workers.

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11 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Speakers highlighted the construction industry's low productivity, attributing it to practices like lowest-tender awards, intense competition among consultants, and reliance on low-skilled foreign workers, and called for measures such as stricter skills testing and higher buildability standards.
Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign worker levy increases and reduced Man-Year Entitlement quotas on construction projects, with suggestions for differentiated dependency ratios for public-sector works and enhanced funding for productivity improvements.
Parliament discussed housing affordability and support for vulnerable groups, including calls to freeze rental increases for low-income tenants, relax eligibility rules for rental flats, and address the housing needs of citizens with foreign spouses.
Members emphasized preserving Singapore's heritage, green spaces, and community amenities, advocating for environmental impact assessments for major developments and integrating heritage into new town designs.
The Ministry outlined initiatives to boost productivity, support low-income families, and balance development with conservation, including enhanced construction funding, flexible housing policies, and community-driven heritage projects.

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7 Mar 2013

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Several members supported the budget's focus on helping older Singaporeans, lower-income families, and businesses through measures like the Wage Credit Scheme and productivity incentives, while also stressing the importance of social mobility and a caring government.
Debates highlighted the need for a more cohesive society, with proposals for a new ministry to foster consensus, unity, and better integration of new citizens, alongside calls for greater support for persons with disabilities and caregivers.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized restructuring the economy toward quality growth, with significant support for SMEs and a progressive fiscal system, while addressing income inequality, healthcare financing, and the need for sustainable policies without creating dependency.

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6 Mar 2013

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate centered on the need to transition to a quality-growth, inclusive economy, with strong focus on supporting lower-income and older workers through enhanced schemes like Workfare and the new Wage Credit Scheme, while also addressing cost-of-living concerns and the need for a stronger social safety net.
Key concerns included work-life balance, flexible work arrangements, and the pressures on families and caregivers, with calls for legislative support for flexible work and better support for childcare and elderly care.
Debates also highlighted challenges in public transport, housing affordability, and the impact of immigration and foreign labor policies, with suggestions for more targeted support for SMEs and a rethinking of productivity initiatives to ensure benefits reach workers and smaller businesses.

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6 Mar 2013

Wages as a Share of Economic Growth and Companies' Profits

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene requested data on the share of total wages in Singapore's GDP and the ratio of wages to private sector profits for each decade from 1970 to 2009.
The Minister for Trade and Industry stated that data is only available from 1980 onwards, with the wage share of GDP averaging 41.8% in the 1980s, 41.9% in the 1990s, and 42.5% between 2000 and 2009.
The Minister noted that a breakdown of wages and profits for the private sector alone is not available due to data limitations, but the overall economy's wage-to-profit ratio remained stable at around 0.83 to 0.86 across these decades.

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5 Mar 2013

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Gerald Giam highlighted that Singapore's income inequality widened in 2012 despite an "inclusive" budget, with the Gini coefficient rising to 0.459, and argued that high inequality threatens social cohesion, economic growth, and meritocracy.
He supported making the tax system more progressive and the Wage Credit Scheme but questioned its effectiveness in raising productivity, noting SMEs face challenges in hiring locals and proposed a "New Hire Wage Credit" scheme to subsidize wages for new hires in SMEs.
Giam criticized the slow progress in raising productivity, noting it fell to -2.5% in 2012, and urged the government to consider more drastic measures if productivity targets are not met soon.
The debate emphasized the need for policies to address income inequality, support SMEs, and improve productivity, with Giam suggesting specific schemes to aid local employment and workforce participation.
Overall, the budget was seen as focusing on economic restructuring but needing adjustments to better help lower-income groups and ensure sustainable growth.

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5 Mar 2013

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

The debate centred on balancing economic restructuring for quality growth, with tighter foreign worker policies and the Wage Credit Scheme to support businesses and raise Singaporean wages, while acknowledging the pain for SMEs and the need for a careful transition pace.
There was strong emphasis on building a more inclusive society through increased social spending, particularly on preschool education and healthcare financing, to support lower and middle-income groups, retirees, and sustain social mobility.
Members highlighted concerns over the rising cost of living, the need for work-life balance, and supporting vulnerable groups like low-wage workers and women in the workforce, with some calling for more progressive taxation and a re-examination of economic and social policies.

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5 Mar 2013

Strengthening Singaporean Core in the Workforce

The Ministry of Manpower is using a multi-pronged approach focused on developing Singaporeans through training and employment facilitation while calibrating the work pass framework to ensure foreign workers complement, not substitute, Singaporeans.
During downturns, past measures like the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience and Jobs Credit have protected local jobs, and similar tools can be deployed if needed, with a commitment to investigate and restrict work passes for firms that do not comply with fair employment practices.
The Minister agreed with the suggestion to strengthen the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) by enhancing its guidelines and investigation powers to improve compliance among employers.

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25 Feb 2013

Annual Budget Statement

The government projected a modest GDP growth of 1-3% for 2013, highlighting challenges from global factors and an aging workforce, while noting a $3.9 billion surplus for FY2012 driven by short-term revenue increases.
A "Quality Growth Programme" was introduced, focusing on restructuring the economy through tighter foreign worker policies, wage subsidies, and productivity incentives to raise incomes and support businesses during the transition.
Social measures were expanded to promote inclusivity, including enhanced Workfare payouts for low-wage workers, property tax reforms targeting high-end properties, and new funds for healthcare, eldercare, and community services.
The government announced direct assistance to households, such as double GST Vouchers, Medisave top-ups for seniors, and tax rebates, to address cost-of-living pressures while maintaining a balanced budget with a projected surplus.

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