Employment & labour — Topics

15 Oct 2012

Number and Profile of People Working in Singapore Media Industry

The media industry in Singapore employs about 68,300 people, including sub-sectors like film, broadcasting, publishing, and online media.
The film and video subsector accounts for 6% and broadcasting for 7% of media employment, each with over 4,000 workers.
Freelancers in the media sector are estimated at around 29,000, though exact numbers vary due to project-based work and lack of official statistics.

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15 Oct 2012

Optimum Old-age Support Ratio

Pritam Singh sought the Prime Minister’s view on the old‑age support ratio needed to keep Singapore’s economy vibrant up to 2030 and on the projected numbers of non‑residents, PRs, and Singaporeans required to achieve a sustainable ratio.
Teo Chee Hean, responding for the Prime Minister, outlined a multi‑pronged approach to address a shrinking and ageing citizen workforce, including raising productivity, encouraging more residents to stay in the workforce, and using calibrated foreign manpower.
He noted that without immigration, the ratio would be about 2.1 working‑age citizens to each citizen aged 65 and above in 2030, but supplementing the population with immigrants and foreign workers would improve the overall old‑age support ratio.
The Government highlighted that there are no international targets for the old‑age support ratio, that a declining ratio would increase fiscal burdens and reduce care capacity for the elderly, and that a White Paper on Population would be released in January 2013 after public engagement.

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15 Oct 2012

Holistic Health and Safety Measures at Workplace

The Singapore government reinforced its commitment to workplace safety by ratifying the International Labour Organisation's Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, aiming to cultivate a strong safety culture where all stakeholders proactively address risks, including psycho-social issues like violence, bullying, and harassment.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council introduced the CultureSAFE programme, offering funding to eligible SMEs to build a safety-oriented mindset, and developed guidelines for companies to establish clear protocols and incident reporting systems to manage harassment and violence.
Workers facing sexual harassment can seek advice from the Tripartite Alliance Fair Employment Practices or refer serious cases to the police, emphasizing the need for proper channels and collective action to create safe, productive workplaces.

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15 Oct 2012

Youth Unemployment in Singapore

The Acting Minister for Manpower reported that in 2011, the unemployment rate for Singaporean youths aged 15-24 was 6.7%, higher than the overall resident rate of 2.9%, which is typical as many are entering the job market for the first time.
Singapore's youth unemployment rate is lower than that of many advanced economies such as the US, UK, and several Asian peers, and most joblessness is short-term or "frictional" as young people search for jobs or change roles.
Over 90% of fresh polytechnic and university graduates in 2011 found work within six months of completing their studies, indicating high employability for educated youth.

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15 Oct 2012

Re-employment of Older Workers in Private Sector

R Dhinakaran asked the Acting Minister for Manpower about the number of workers offered re-employment contracts in Singapore's private sector since the Retirement and Re-employment Act began on 1 January 2012.
Tan Chuan-Jin stated that a 2011 survey showed 97% of local private sector employees retiring in the year ending June 2011 were offered employment beyond age 62, indicating employers were already re-employment ready before the law.
The implementation of the new law has been smooth, with confidence that older employees will continue to be offered re-employment if fit and able, supported by a tight labour market and tripartite efforts.

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11 Sep 2012

Grading of Private Security Officers

Zainal Sapari asked if the Ministry will create a system to grade private security officers based on training and competency to differentiate remuneration.
Teo Chee Hean stated that the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department will identify specialist functions requiring additional training and certification for security officers.
This approach aims to enhance professionalism, with better-trained officers adding more value and earning higher wages.
For example, security officers performing screening with X-ray or metal detectors must now complete specific Workforce Skills Qualifications training.
The department is considering imposing similar training requirements for other security functions.

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11 Sep 2012

Preventing Employment Discrimination against Disabled Persons

Christopher de Souza asked if there are regulations to prevent employment discrimination against disabled persons, whether the Employment Act could be extended to explicitly cover them, and what other fair employment measures the Ministry has taken.
Tan Chuan-Jin stated that discrimination based on disability has no place in Singapore and that addressing it requires education and awareness, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) promoting fair hiring practices through workshops and engagement.
TAFEP’s efforts have led to initiatives like the Enabling Employers Network, which has secured over 600 employment opportunities for disabled persons across 160 companies, demonstrating progress toward fair hiring.
The Employment Act already applies to all employees, including those with disabilities, and provides them with the same level of protection as other employees.
The Ministry and its tripartite partners plan to continue promoting fair and merit-based employment practices to eliminate discrimination against persons with physical disabilities.

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11 Sep 2012

Impact of Increased Varsity Places on Job Market, Value of Singapore Degrees and Median Salaries

Ms Tin Pei Ling questioned how the economy would cope with more university places, the projected job creation for PMEs, measures to preserve the value of Singapore degrees, and the trend of PME median salaries amid rising graduates.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin explained that Singapore’s shift toward productivity and innovation-driven growth will create higher-value jobs, and increasing the university participation rate to 40% will provide more opportunities for Singaporeans to upgrade their skills.
To ensure degree value, universities will focus on industry-relevant skills and practical training, with applied degrees at SIT and UniSIM offering differentiated pathways to prepare graduates for the workforce.
The Minister noted that while wage growth projections are challenging, keeping the labour market tight and boosting productivity should lead to positive real wage growth over time.
He emphasized that more degree holders help level the playing field and that attracting good companies and maintaining a diverse workforce are key to creating well-paying jobs for Singaporeans.

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11 Sep 2012

Employment of Foreign Manpower (Amendment) Bill

The Act introduces an administrative penalty regime for minor infringements, allowing fines up to $20,000 and debarment from hiring foreign workers, while serious criminal offences like illegal importation of workers and kickbacks attract heavier penalties including imprisonment and caning.
New presumption clauses and enhanced investigatory powers are added, such as presuming foreign workers have knowledge of falsified documents and allowing forced entry for inspections, to combat complex syndicate operations.
The amendments close loopholes, like requiring employers to seek re-assessment for salary reductions of S Pass and Employment Pass holders, and penalising recovery of employment costs from workers or using phantom local employees to inflate quotas.

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11 Sep 2012

Work Permits and S Passes Issued in Last Six Months

Teo Siong Seng asked for data on the number of Work Permits and S Passes not renewed and newly issued over the past six months, as well as the net increase or decrease, but the Minister deferred releasing full figures until the annual foreign workforce data is published early next year.
The Acting Minister for Manpower, Tan Chuan-Jin, highlighted that rejection rates for Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applications increased to 30% from January to July 2012 due to policy tightening, including higher qualifying salaries, stricter educational criteria, and a reduced sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling, with some transitional allowances given for existing workers.
Tan Chuan-Jin emphasized that while individual companies face difficulties in renewing or obtaining permits, overall foreign workforce growth continues at a calibrated rate, aiming to maintain about one-third of the workforce as foreign, and companies are being encouraged to transform rather than rely on easy access to foreign labor.
In response to a query on flexibility for EP and S Pass renewals, Tan Chuan-Jin noted that case-by-case appeals may be considered for existing workers but new applications face firm rules, and he is open to exploring a tripartite framework with unions to better match job vacancies with local workers before approving foreign passes.
The debate underscored the government's balancing act between managing foreign manpower growth, ensuring company competitiveness, and supporting Singaporeans as the core workforce, with an acknowledgment of the need to improve matching between job opportunities and local job seekers.

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11 Sep 2012

Improvements to Productivity and Workers' Salaries

The Acting Minister for Manpower outlined that Singapore's productivity growth has been inconsistent, with a notable 11.1% jump in 2010 followed by lower rates in subsequent years, prompting urgent efforts to restructure the economy, reduce reliance on foreign workers, and support businesses through schemes like iSPRINT to improve productivity and wages.
Government initiatives include sectoral productivity roadmaps, incentives for SMEs, and tightening foreign worker policies to drive higher-value job creation, though challenges remain in scheme accessibility and encouraging business feedback to refine programs.
Long-term goals aim to achieve 2-3% annual productivity growth to boost real wages and living standards, with data showing past wage growth aligned with productivity improvements, but ongoing efforts are needed to ensure Singaporeans take up better jobs and sustain competitive economic growth.

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11 Sep 2012

Return of Used Utensils at Food Centres

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources highlighted that the cleaning industry is facing a significant restructuring due to a shortage of local cleaners and tightened foreign labor policies, with the goal of improving wages and working conditions through accreditation schemes and engaging reliable cleaning companies.
A refreshed tray-return initiative will be launched in the latter half of the year, involving partnerships with organizations like the Singapore Kindness Movement, to encourage patrons to return used utensils, which will require retrofitting existing hawker centers and designing new ones with appropriate facilities.
The Minister emphasized that both the government and the public must work together to improve cleanliness, stating that patrons should not consider it a paid service to leave messes and that future cleaning efforts will require more gracious behavior from customers.
Members of Parliament raised practical concerns, including the need to design hawker centers to accommodate mechanized cleaning equipment and ensure that low-wage cleaners are not adversely affected by customer tray-return initiatives.
The Minister assured that cleaners' jobs will not be lost due to increased customer participation, as there will still be a chronic shortage of cleaners in the future.

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11 Sep 2012

Support for Employment of Disabled Persons

Christopher de Souza proposed expanding financial support, extending special employment credits to non-SPED graduates, and reviewing the Open Door Fund for workplace modifications and training.
Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that current initiatives like the Workfare Income Supplement and Special Employment Credit are being prioritized and evaluated, with flexibility in applying credits to non-SPED graduates, alongside efforts to improve vocational training and job redesign.
Denise Phua asked for formal inclusion of non-SPED graduates in the Employment Credit Scheme, to which the Minister agreed to consider while emphasizing employer partnerships and job redesign.
Lily Neo raised concerns about transport accessibility for disabled persons, prompting the Minister to outline dual approaches: specialized vehicles by VWOs and new public transport options via recently completed proposals.
The debate highlighted ongoing government efforts to support disabled employment through financial incentives, training, job redesign, and improved accessibility, with a commitment to collaborate with disability sectors and employers.

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10 Sep 2012

Assistance to SMEs on Hiring of Locals

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the percentage of work pass renewals rejected in the past year and how many companies have used the ADVANTAGE! Scheme since its introduction.
Acting Minister Tan Chuan-Jin stated that 30% of Employment Pass and S Pass applications were rejected from January to July 2012, with 29% of rejected applications being renewals, due to stricter salary, educational, and dependency ratio criteria.
The minister clarified that tightening measures affect all companies, with those employing more foreigners or fewer locals being more impacted, but grace periods were given for compliance.
Over 3,000 companies have used the ADVANTAGE! Scheme since 2005, helping to recruit, retain, or re-employ more than 26,000 mature local workers.
The government will continue working with tripartite partners to help employers tap the pool of older residents for manpower needs.

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10 Sep 2012

Impact of Reduction of Foreign Workers on SMEs

The Ministry of Manpower engages SMEs through various channels like industry associations and company meetings to understand their concerns about foreign worker reductions and has taken actions such as extending the Period of Employment for work permit holders to address these issues.
The Government has implemented policies like extending the maximum employment period for workers to 10 years and granting companies up to two years to adjust to new Dependency Ratio Ceiling changes, providing flexibility and time for SMEs to transition.
Schemes such as online Innovation and Capability vouchers are being simplified and intensified to assist SMEs in innovation, branding, and overseas expansion, with a review to enhance current programmes and develop new support measures.

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10 Sep 2012

Provision of Proper Accommodation for Foreign Workers

Zainal Sapari asked the Acting Minister for Manpower for the number of employers warned or fined each year from 2005 to 2012 for failing to provide proper accommodation for foreign workers.
Tan Chuan-Jin stated that MOM enforces penalties including warnings, fines up to $2,000 per charge, and prosecution with fines up to $5,000 or six months imprisonment per offence.
From 2005 to June of the current year, MOM took action against 7,660 employers, resulting in over 50,000 foreign workers being relocated to acceptable accommodation.
Unacceptable accommodation includes makeshift shelters, bin centres, and illegally converted factories, with dormitory operators also facing similar penalties if responsible.

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10 Sep 2012

Actual Average Weekly Work Hours of Civil Servants

The Prime Minister's Office stated that civil servants work 42 hours weekly, comparable to the private sector's 43-hour average, and noted a shift away from clocking systems to focus on outcomes and flexible work culture.
Reducing work hours to 40 per week requires careful study of impacts on public service levels and potential productivity gains, as demands for responsive services are increasing.
35 public agencies practice "Blue Sky Days," mostly weekly, but operational agencies use other work-life balance measures; officers are encouraged to leave on time daily when work is done.
The government will continue encouraging wider adoption of "Blue Sky Days" where applicable, but may not mandate weekly practice across all ministries and statutory boards.

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10 Sep 2012

Average Working Hours of Public Transport Drivers

Public transport bus drivers in Singapore work an average of eight to nine hours daily over a six-day week, totaling around 50 hours weekly, while MRT train drivers average about 44 hours weekly over a 21-day period.
Compared to other cities, Singapore’s bus drivers work fewer hours than those in the UK (9–10 hours daily) and Australia (12 hours daily).
The Employment Act sets a maximum of 44 normal work hours per week, 12 hours daily (including overtime), and 72 hours of overtime per month, which public transport operators must follow.
Operators schedule regular breaks; for example, bus drivers work no more than 12 hours daily and 72 hours overtime monthly, and train drivers have breaks after driving for four hours.

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10 Sep 2012

Mapping ITE and Polytechnic Curricula to Industry Demands

The Ministry of Education collaborates annually with manpower agencies and post-secondary institutions to align course offerings with the economy’s future needs.
Polytechnics and ITE ensure their curricula meet industry demands through advisory committees with industry leaders, resulting in high employment rates for graduates.
Over 87% of ITE graduates are employed within six months, with many working in local companies, though specific data on SME employment is unavailable.
Despite strong local graduate readiness, a current shortage of workers is addressed through controlled foreign worker intake.

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10 Sep 2012

Factors in Determining Foreign Worker Dependency Ratios for Industries

The Government determines Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs) based on quantitative and qualitative factors such as the sector’s skill needs, local worker availability, and the willingness of Singaporeans to take certain jobs, with varying DRCs across industries like construction and services.
To protect Singaporean employment and career advancement, the DRC is complemented by other measures, including increasing Foreign Worker Levies and imposing salary and qualification criteria on S Pass holders, to level the playing field and encourage productivity over labour reliance.
The Government balances business needs for foreign talent with safeguarding local interests, noting that over 90% of polytechnic and university graduates found jobs within six months and overall unemployment remains low, indicating that a thriving business environment is key to good opportunities for Singaporeans.

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