Employment & labour — Topics

25 Feb 2013

Help for Low-wage Workers

The Tripartite Committee for Low-Wage Workers and Inclusive Growth focuses on promoting Workfare Training Support, raising awareness of employment rights through the WorkRight campaign, and implementing best sourcing practices in outsourced sectors like cleaning and security.
The committee has prioritized the cleaning and security sectors to improve wages and employment conditions, using these as models to help other low-wage workers in different industries.
While the government currently works with tripartite partners to address working conditions and rights without amending the Employment Act, future amendments may be considered if necessary.
Beyond wages, support for low-wage workers includes schemes like Medifund, Workfare, and rental rebates, and the committee is exploring ways to better communicate these measures to workers and employers.
The Progressive Wage Model, which links skills, wages, productivity, and career progression, is being considered for sector-specific implementation with the National Trades Union Congress.

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25 Feb 2013

Participation Rate and Funds Disbursed for Workplace Re-design and Flexi Workplace Schemes

The government has disbursed nearly $57 million under the ADVANTAGE! Scheme since 2005, benefiting around 3,500 companies with an average payout of $16,000 per company, including $24 million for job redesign.
The Flexi-Works! scheme has disbursed over $3.9 million since 2007, supporting over 360 companies with an average payout of $11,000 each, while the Work-Life-Works! Fund has disbursed over $15 million, benefiting 860 companies with an average of $19,000 per company.
The Minister of State confirmed that these schemes will be enhanced and more details will be announced in March, acknowledging that while progress has been made in increasing flexible work arrangements and employment rates for older workers, more can be done to improve uptake and support local employment.

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25 Feb 2013

International Companies' Operations in Singapore

Tan Su Shan questioned the Minister for Trade and Industry about the number of international companies exiting or scaling down operations in Singapore over the last two years, the types and reasons for their departure, and how this compares to the previous five-year trend from 2005 to 2010.
The Minister responded that tracking a single number of companies exiting is not meaningful due to various factors like global restructuring, industry cycles, and economic transformation, emphasizing a focus on maintaining a competitive business environment and carefully calibrating policies like foreign worker regulations.
Tan Su Shan expressed concern that not monitoring company exits could lead to a vicious cycle of job losses and asked what forward-looking measures MTI would take to attract high-end industries and keep Singapore globally competitive.
The Minister clarified that while specific numbers are not tracked due to noise in macro data, MTI conducts sectoral monitoring, tracks retrenchment figures, and engages in broad economic scanning to understand industry changes and maintain competitiveness.

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8 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore

The Deputy Prime Minister apologized for misclassifying nursing and other professions as low-skilled in the Population White Paper and announced a corrigendum to remove that segment, acknowledging the dignity of the nursing profession.
Nominated Member Nicholas Fang emphasized that the debate is about Singapore's future and quality of life, cautioning that slowing economic growth to address population issues could harm long-term competitiveness and job prospects, while calling for more transparent explanations of population projections and a focus on intangible values like family and national identity.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Maliki Bin Osman highlighted the government's challenge in balancing the interests of businesses and citizens, underscoring the need for a new social compact to address workforce and fertility issues, and stressed the importance of immediate infrastructure improvements and medium-term reviews of population policies to build trust with Singaporeans.

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7 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

Tan Chuan-Jin emphasized the need to balance population growth with infrastructure capacity, slowing the economy to a sustainable rate while preserving Singapore's values and identity, and defended an inclusive definition of the Singaporean core that includes immigrants who choose to make Singapore their home.
Low Thia Khiang argued that foreign workers depress local wages and take jobs, accusing Tan of quoting him out of context, and challenged the government to set clear targets for its labor initiatives rather than suggesting opposition should take over.
Tan responded by highlighting contradictions in the Workers' Party's stance on foreign workers and reiterated the government's commitment to improving labor participation rates, inviting concrete suggestions for addressing low fertility rates.

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7 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate centered on the Population White Paper's projection of a potential 6.9 million population by 2030, with many MPs expressing public anxiety over overcrowding, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, while the government emphasized the figure was a planning parameter, not a target.
Key concerns included the need to prioritize Singaporean citizens for jobs and opportunities, improve infrastructure like transport ahead of demand, and address the low total fertility rate through stronger support for marriage and parenthood, rather than relying heavily on immigration.
Amendments were proposed to clarify that population projections are for land use planning, stress the importance of a strong Singaporean core, and call for medium-term reviews of policies, which some MPs supported while others opposed the White Paper outright, arguing for a smaller population cap and greater focus on productivity over foreign labor growth.

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6 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The government's population roadmap, projecting a possible 6.9 million by 2030 to counter an ageing citizen population and sustain economic growth, was met with strong public anxiety about overcrowdedness, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, with many speakers noting the government's failure to plan ahead for current population pressures.
A central debate emerged between supporting the government's calibrated immigration policy to fill workforce gaps and opposing it in favor of a more aggressive push to raise the Total Fertility Rate, with critics arguing immigration is a short-term fix that dilutes the Singaporean core and urging radical work-life balance measures and stronger support for families.
The opposition proposed a lower population target of about 5.9 million, advocating for zero foreign workforce growth to force productivity increases, a move government supporters warned would cripple the economy, halt critical infrastructure projects, and leave Singapore ill-prepared for its demographic challenges.

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6 Feb 2013

Psychological Tests for Foreign Domestic Workers

Mrs Lina Chiam proposed mandatory psychological tests for foreign domestic workers to ensure suitability for work, safeguarding both their well-being and that of employers, citing past incidents and the need to care for the elderly.
The Ministry of Manpower, through Hawazi Daipi, maintained that the current medical examination framework focuses on infectious diseases and general fitness, and it is impractical to prescribe a comprehensive standard for psychological testing.
Employers are encouraged to obtain medical reports and, if concerned, arrange additional tests at their own cost, including psychological screenings, before hiring a foreign domestic worker.

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5 Feb 2013

Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme

Gan Thiam Poh requested a review of the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme to extend it to the lower middle income group and increase payouts for all qualified workers.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that WIS currently targets the bottom 20% of full-time income earners, with benefits tapering down to cover earners up to around the 30th percentile to encourage progression.
The Ministry of Manpower will review WIS in 2013, considering changes in income levels and inflation to ensure assistance remains meaningful while promoting individual effort and responsibility.
WIS is a permanent social transfer mechanism designed to support those who need it most, with the review aiming to balance support with incentives for work.

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5 Feb 2013

Special Credits Given to Employers for Continued Employment of Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Ministry for Manpower about the total amount of Special Employment Credit given to employers for employing seniors and persons with disabilities, and the number of employers, senior workers, and persons with disabilities who have benefited.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that the Special Employment Credit encourages employers to hire Singaporean employees aged above 50 and persons with disabilities, with credit rates of 8% to 16% of monthly wages depending on the employee's age and disability status, capped at $240 per month for persons with disabilities.
Since its introduction in 2011, $268 million has been paid to 91,000 employers for employing 404,000 eligible employees up to June 2012, including $2.5 million for 3,200 persons with disabilities hired between January and June 2012.
The Special Employment Credit is paid twice a year, with the next payment scheduled for March 2013 for eligible employees on payroll from July to December 2012.
The scheme aims to support older Singaporeans and persons with disabilities to gain dignity through work and achieve independence.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate highlighted concerns over rising business costs, particularly the impact of high COE prices on small businesses that rely on vehicles, with a call for alternative systems to manage operating expenses more reasonably.
Speakers addressed the need for a balanced approach to immigration, arguing that while a zero-immigration policy would harm SMEs and infrastructure projects, tighter controls and incentives like job advertising requirements could prioritize Singaporean employment.
There was emphasis on improving employment protections, such as extending notice periods and creating statutory unfair dismissal protections, to support Singaporean workers amid economic expansion and foreign labor competition.
Quality of life issues were raised, including the side effects of urban development like noise and privacy impacts, stressing the importance of detailed planning to maintain social cohesion and affordable housing.
The population White Paper was supported as a long-term planning tool, with a call for greater public involvement to ensure the plan reflects Singaporeans' ideas and concerns while building infrastructure for future needs.

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5 Feb 2013

Work Injury Claims under New Laws

Since the Work Injury Compensation Act amendments in June 2012, about 7,300 claims have been filed, with 5,400 resolved and 94% awarded in favour of employees, primarily for injuries from being struck by objects or slips and falls.
Employers must pay compensation within 21 days, and the Ministry conducts audits and takes legal action against non-compliant employers, including fines, imprisonment, and barring them from hiring foreign workers.
The Ministry also prosecutes workers who make fraudulent claims, with penalties including fines and jail terms, while emphasizing the need for workplace safety to prevent accidents.

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5 Feb 2013

Development of Sports Administration and Management Expertise

The Acting Minister affirmed that sports administration and management are key priorities, with the Singapore Sports Council providing grants, an organisational excellence framework, and educational partnerships to enhance NSA capabilities.
Nicholas Fang highlighted that current financial support for NSAs is insufficient to attract talent, suggesting dedicated educational programs and a focus on administrative excellence in fundraising efforts.
Christopher de Souza emphasized the direct link between well-staffed federations and athletic success, advocating for more grants to support administrative roles.
The Minister committed to a comprehensive study on the sports sector's manpower needs, including salary benchmarks and educational programs, to ensure a stable supply of expertise.
Stakeholders agreed on the need for a holistic approach to develop sports administration, including organisational excellence and competency frameworks, with a willingness to provide additional support if required.

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4 Feb 2013

Qualifying Criteria for Employment Pass

The Ministry of Manpower sets a qualifying salary of at least $3,000 for Employment Pass applicants, with higher requirements for more experienced professionals to ensure they do not undercut local wages, and provides an online Self Assessment Tool to help employers gauge application success.
The government offers transition periods for policy changes, such as staggered implementation and one-time renewals, and encourages businesses to proactively attract Singaporean talent and tap support schemes like those from the Workforce Development Agency to address foreign worker pass renewal issues.
Ministries monitor business costs and activity indicators, gather feedback from businesses, and track the impact of manpower policies on competitiveness while supporting companies in productivity improvements.

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4 Feb 2013

Employment Disputes Lodged for Mediation Assistance

Mr Chen Show Mao requested annual statistics from 2008 to 2012 on the number of employment dispute mediation requests lodged by employees under tripartite mediation for PMEs and the Ministry’s voluntary mediation service, broken down by age groups and gender.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin explained that MOM provides mediation and adjudication services, with most disputes resolved amicably, and highlighted that tripartite mediation for PMEs was introduced in 2011 with seven cases lodged and almost all resolved successfully.
The Minister provided a detailed breakdown of employment disputes lodged from 2008 to 2012 in a table, addressing the specific statistics requested on age and gender demographics.

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4 Feb 2013

Complaints and Claims by Employees under the Employment Act

Member Chen Show Mao asked for a yearly breakdown from 2008 to 2012 of Employment Act claims, complaints, and unfair dismissal appeals lodged by employees, including data by age group and gender.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin provided tables detailing the number of cases by age and gender for the specified period.
The tables were presented on pages 154 and 155 of the parliamentary records.

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4 Feb 2013

Number of Singaporean Seafarers Working Onboard Singapore Registered Ships and Harbour Craft Vessels

Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Transport for the current number of Singaporean seafarers on Singapore-registered foreign-going commercial ships and harbour craft vessels.
The Minister for Transport, Lui Tuck Yew, responded that there are 446 Singaporeans on board Singapore-registered ships.
The Minister also stated that there are 1,159 Singaporeans crewing harbour craft vessels.
The figures provide a direct update on the employment of Singaporean seafarers in both shipping sectors.

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4 Feb 2013

Part-time Work for Foreigners on Student Passes

Hri Kumar Nair proposed allowing foreign students on student passes to work part-time in industries like food and beverage to address labor shortages.
Tan Chuan-Jin opposed the idea, stating that foreign students should focus on studies and work passes should be reserved for those intending to work, to prevent abuse of the student pass system.
However, foreign students in higher education institutions like universities and polytechnics are already permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during term time and unrestricted during vacations in any sector, including F&B.
The government emphasized tapping into the local workforce, such as older persons and women, through flexible arrangements and schemes like the Special Employment Credit, while also promoting productivity improvements as a long-term solution.

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4 Feb 2013

Age Discrimination in Workplace Practices

Chen Show Mao raised concerns about age discrimination faced by older workers in hiring, wages, and workplace practices, seeking the Ministry’s actions to quantify the problem.
Tan Chuan-Jin highlighted improved employment rates for older workers over the past decade, attributing this to a tight labour market, re-employment legislation, and changing perceptions of their contributions.
The Ministry works with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices to promote fair hiring through moral suasion, research, and addressing complaints, noting 151 age-related discrimination cases in three years.
Employers have generally complied with TAFEP’s advice to remove age criteria from job ads, and the response emphasizes ongoing societal effort rather than a one-time solution.

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4 Feb 2013

Workers Who Receive Employers' Compensation after Labour Court Rulings

Between 2008 and 2012, the Labour Court issued about 7,400 payment orders in favor of workers, with 20% of workers not receiving payment, mostly due to small companies facing financial difficulty or ceasing operations.
Workers who did not receive payment can enforce the orders through the Subordinate Courts using a writ of seizure and sale without needing a lawyer, with Ministry of Manpower officers facilitating the process, though payment depends on whether the company has assets.
The Ministry takes action against defaulting employers by restricting their access to foreign manpower, and in more egregious cases, prosecuting them, resulting in 115 convictions with fines or jail terms and 23 composition fines during the period.

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