Employment & labour

Saktiandi Supaat inquired about the inclusion of overseas graduate data in Singapore’s fresh graduate employment statistics and the employment conditions of these individuals. The Minister for Manpower, Dr. Tan See Leng, clarified that the published data only covers graduates from local universities and noted that the underemployment rate for overseas graduates was 0.8%, slightly higher than that of local graduates. Dr. Tan highlighted that overall employment outcomes remain strong for both groups, with around 90% employed, but local graduates generally have better outcomes in terms of wages and employment stability. The Ministry will continue to track and publish employment data for overseas graduates while working on enhancing support schemes tailored to their needs.

Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari raised concerns about the rising number of long-term unemployed resident PMETs aged 50 and above despite low overall unemployment rates. Tan See Leng explained that the increase reflects an aging labor force, with the long-term unemployment rate for this demographic slightly declining from 1.2% to 1.1%. The government has invested in reskilling and job support programs aimed at mature workers, such as the Mid-Career Pathways Programme and SkillsFuture initiatives. The Ministry of Manpower is also reviewing senior employment policies through the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, with recommendations expected in the second half of 2026.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the number of Singaporeans categorised as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) over the last three years, including breakdowns by age group, median duration of NEET status, and the percentage of NEETs aged 40 and above who have been outside the workforce for over 12 months. Tan See Leng explained that the NEET statistic typically focuses on youths aged 15 to 24, aligning with international practices, and noted a decline in NEET figures from 17,100 in 2023 to 15,900 in 2025. The average duration for youths categorized as NEET was reported to be around 6 months, indicating that these periods are usually temporary. Tan also mentioned that data on NEETs aged 40 and above is not specifically tracked, as their labor market situation is better assessed through indicators like long-term unemployment and participation rates.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan requested information on the number of discrimination complaints received by the Ministry of Manpower and TAFEP from 2021 to 2025, along with a breakdown by types of discrimination. Tan See Leng reported that TAFEP received an average of 296 workplace discrimination complaints annually during this period. The specific breakdown by type of discrimination was provided in a table referenced but not included.

Elysa Chen queried the Minister for Manpower about the number of mothers who re-entered the workforce after caregiving breaks via the Career Conversion Programme and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme over the last five years. Tan See Leng responded that Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore do not track the maternal status of participants in these programmes.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the employment outcomes for Special Education (SPED) school graduates in 2022, 2023, and 2024, specifically regarding their placement within a year and retention by the end of 2025, as well as the possibility of publishing annual employment data for SPED graduates. Desmond Lee explained that around half of the approximately 500 SPED graduates each year from 2022 to 2024 were employed or engaged in higher education within six months of graduation, with jobs primarily in retail, horticulture, and hospitality. Graduates with higher needs may access sheltered workshops and day activity centers for skill development. The Ministry of Education collaborates with other agencies to assess outcomes for persons with disabilities, which will be included in reports like the Disability Trends Report 2024. An inter-agency Taskforce has been established to enhance support for SPED graduates to ensure better employment outcomes.

Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari raised concerns about the increase in involuntary part-time or temporary employment among fresh polytechnic graduates, noting a rise from 1.5% in 2023 to 2.3% in 2025, and a spike in unemployment from 4.7% to 11.5% in the same period. He sought to understand the factors contributing to these trends and any resulting concerns. Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education will address these questions along with others on the topic at the next opportunity.

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Education about the possibility of additional SkillsFuture funding for adult Singaporeans to keep up with the evolving job market. Desmond Lee responded that SkillsFuture Singapore already offers significant course fee subsidies of up to 90% and introduced the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme for those aged 40 and above to assist in skills upgrading. He noted that while the government will continue to review support for skills development, there are currently no plans for another round of SkillsFuture funding or subsidies.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the uptake of the Enabling Employment Credit by eligible employers, the barriers to greater utilization, and measures to raise the employment rate of persons with disabilities to 40% by 2030. Masagos Zulkifli highlighted that employers hiring residents with disabilities earning under $4,000 are automatically enrolled in the credit scheme. He referenced a previous written reply detailing barriers faced by employers and the support measures in place. Additionally, the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities will propose further recommendations to enhance support for employers and improve job resilience for persons with disabilities.

Elysa Chen raised concerns about future plans to improve long-term financial security and employment re-entry for individuals exiting the workforce for unpaid caregiving under the Caregiver Support Action Plan. Tan See Leng responded that caregivers can access employment facilitation and reskilling programs through Workforce Singapore and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute, including Career Conversion and Mid-Career Pathways Programmes. Additionally, SkillsFuture support is available for training and course subsidies. Upcoming financial enhancements, including the Majulah Package's Retirement Savings Bonus and changes to the Silver Support Scheme, aim to improve retirement adequacy for seniors with caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers may also qualify for the Workfare Income Supplement and Earn and Save Bonus, which provide income and retirement savings support.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Manpower about the factors behind the decline in full-time permanent employment rates for polytechnic graduates and the rise in involuntary part-time employment since 2022. Tan See Leng explained that the trends are a result of reduced hiring from a previous post-pandemic surge and cautious employer sentiment amid economic uncertainties. He noted that employment outcomes for polytechnic graduates have remained stable over the past decade, with nine in 10 graduates finding jobs within six months and significant entry-level job vacancies available. The Ministry is actively reviewing polytechnic curricula and maintaining strict S-Pass dependency ratios while increasing qualifying salaries to ensure fair job opportunities for local graduates. Career support services are also available for graduates needing assistance in job placement.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan raised questions about Singapore's working hours in comparison to other advanced economies, highlighting the need to address working hours for professionals and measures for moderation. Tan See Leng reported that employed residents worked an average of 41.4 hours per week in 2025, a decrease from 44.2 hours a decade ago, and that Singapore's economy ranks competitively even after adjusting for working hours. Health professionals and managers had the longest working hours among PMET occupations, while Protective Services Workers and Drivers led among non-PMETs, but higher hours did not correlate with lower pay. The government promotes flexible work arrangements instead of regulating hours, encouraging efficiency through technology and job redesign to enhance productivity and work-life balance.

Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for Education how SkillsFuture Singapore verifies that subsidized courses for licensed occupations align with relevant qualifications and how this information is communicated to learners during enrollment. Desmond Lee explained that SkillsFuture Singapore subsidizes various training courses, including those for licensed occupations and Progressive Wage Model sectors. Training providers must demonstrate support from relevant government agencies for course funding, and learners can find licensing requirements and suitable courses through the MySkillsFuture portal.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan proposed that the Public Service Division should include compensation ranges, flexible work arrangements, and flexible compensation options in government job postings to enhance pay transparency and appeal to a diverse talent pool. Chan Chun Sing explained that the Public Service Division regularly reviews recruitment processes, allowing agencies the discretion to share salary information that supports effective recruitment. He affirmed the commitment to flexible work arrangements, noting they are offered based on operational needs and can be discussed during recruitment. The Public Service Division also aims to alleviate jobseeker fatigue through initiatives like the Singapore Public Service Career Fair and enhancements to the online job portal, Careers@Gov.

Choo Pei Ling questioned the Minister for Manpower about the responsible use of the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) grant and measures against misuse. Tan See Leng explained that the DTS grant aims to help dormitories cover retrofitting costs necessary to meet interim standards by 2030, specifically for three categories of works, with funding based on the required extent of retrofitting. The grant will only support eligible retrofitting projects, with disbursement contingent on completion and certification of works. The Ministry of Manpower will inspect dormitories to ensure compliance with DTS standards prior to granting the funds.

Shawn Loh raised the question of making the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme a long-term measure to manage business costs while addressing the wage gap. Tan See Leng clarified that the scheme, initiated in 2022, serves as transitional support for businesses adapting to policies that benefit lower-wage workers. The government aims for employers to use this period to invest in employee upskilling, business transformation, and productivity improvements for sustainable wage increases. A review of the scheme is ongoing, with updates forthcoming.

Valerie Lee requested information from the Prime Minister regarding studies on leave days taken by parents of children under seven due to childcare centre closures or illness, and whether such leave exceeds current entitlements. Indranee Rajah stated that working parents receive six days of Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL), totaling 12 days for couples, but the government does not track the reasons for GPCL usage. In 2023, 58% of eligible working mothers and 53% of fathers took more than three days of GPCL, with most taking the full six days. The government has also introduced guidelines for flexible work arrangements to support parents' work-life balance and will continue to review parental leave provisions.

Sharael Taha questioned the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies about the healthcare workforce's alignment with projected service demand and strategies for addressing skill shortages. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry regularly assesses manpower plans and aligns them with education and training initiatives. He stated that the healthcare workforce is expected to grow by 20% from 129,000 in 2024 to around 156,000 by 2030, with the current workforce adequately meeting healthcare demand. Additionally, he mentioned that public hospitals have a low overall vacancy rate.

Sharael Taha questioned the Minister for Manpower about the effects of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) on wages in sectors not covered by the PWM and its impact on business costs and competitiveness in affected industries. Tan See Leng responded that lower-wage workers benefit from the Local Qualifying Salary and Progressive Wage Mark accreditation, resulting in a cumulative 10.1% increase in real gross monthly income for the 20th percentile from 2021 to 2025. He acknowledged business concerns regarding cost increases, noting that lower-wage workers make up a small portion of overall manpower costs. To support sustainable wage increases, the government introduced the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme in 2022 to co-fund wage enhancements and the Workfare Skills Support scheme to assist employers with training costs for lower-wage workers.

Assoc Prof Terence Ho raised concerns about whether the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is causing employers to slow down the hiring of fresh graduates and sought assistance for boosting their employability. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower stated that employment rates for fresh graduates have remained stable, but the impact of AI on entry-level jobs is still uncertain. He highlighted that Institutes of Higher Learning are integrating AI competencies into their curricula and providing work-based learning opportunities like the AI Apprenticeship Programme. The Government introduced the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) Programme to assist young graduates in gaining relevant experience, and efforts are being made to support job redesign in a way that enhances human contributions alongside AI.