Employment & labour

Charlene Chen asked the Ministry of Manpower about plans to enhance public awareness of support measures for Singaporeans re-entering the workforce, especially focusing on older jobseekers, those needing part-time or flexible work, and those looking for inclusive employers. Tan See Leng referenced a previous reply that addresses these issues and directed her to consult the official report from 23 September 2025.

Edward Chia Bing Hui and Nadia Ahmad Samdin raised questions about the need for the Ministry of Education to review curricula and internship programs in response to disruptions caused by generative AI, aiming to ensure students gain relevant experience and skills for employability. Desmond Lee acknowledged concerns about employment prospects amid rapid technological advancements but noted a resilience in the labor market, with 30,000 entry-level jobs available for fresh graduates. He stated that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) regularly update courses in collaboration with industry to integrate AI competencies and promote digital literacy while enhancing skills like critical thinking and collaboration. The Ministry of Education remains committed to equipping graduates with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving industry demands.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin queried whether the Ministry of Trade and Industry would consider extending the Global Talent Ready Programme to foreign multinationals lacking local shareholding or creating a new variant for supporting internships and workforce training with these firms. Gan Kim Yong responded that the Global Ready Talent Programme focuses on building a talent pipeline for Singapore enterprises, maintaining a 30% local shareholding requirement to support local businesses. He noted that there are existing internship opportunities available for students with multinational corporations and other firms, facilitated by various agencies and institutes to enhance students' employability and skill development.

Dr. Koh Poh Koon clarified a previous statement regarding the number of complaints the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) received about illegal platform workers. He corrected the number from about 70 to approximately 50 complaints per year since January 2023. The clarification was in response to supplementary questions from Mr. Pritam Singh.

Poh Li San highlighted that young Singaporeans have access to advanced technology and resources, yet they face significant challenges in securing employment due to economic uncertainties and a weak job market. She proposed creating an AI Traineeship Programme to train young people in AI tools to assist SMEs in automating processes and increasing efficiency, thereby generating employment. Patrick Tay emphasized the need for workforce development, advocating for support schemes to protect workers amid technological disruptions, and calling for policy measures to support jobseekers, especially among professionals. Sylvia Lim discussed the importance of trust in Parliament, urging MPs to prioritize accountability and represent their constituents' interests effectively. Kenneth Tiong proposed building inherent capacity through local companies and industries to reduce dependence on foreign investment, advocating for policies that foster regional economic cooperation and development.

Yeo Wan Ling questioned the Minister for Manpower about checks to ensure delivery platform work is limited to Singaporeans and PRs, and the conditions under which third-party vendors can hire non-Singaporeans. Pritam Singh raised concerns about tracking foreign workers employed by platform companies to prevent income loss for local workers and the need for more proactive measures to ensure compliance. The Minister, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, clarified that only Singaporeans and PRs can perform platform work, and that platform operators can outsource jobs to logistics companies employing foreigners within capped limits. Enforcement efforts include checks on delivery workers in hotspots, though challenges remain in tracking the dynamic outsourcing landscape. Measures are being taken to improve compliance, including random facial verification of workers using platform accounts to deter illegal activities.

Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about Singapore's drop in ranking in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2025, asking for the government's response to the factors affecting this decline. Indranee Rajah explained that the ranking considers investment in local talent, appeal to overseas talent, and readiness of the workforce, with Singapore still ranked seventh despite the drop. The decline was attributed mainly to perception-based factors regarding employee training and apprenticeship adequacy, as well as labor force growth issues. Rajah emphasized Singapore's high public spending on education, which does not fully reflect in the percentage of GDP measure used in the ranking, and highlighted the importance of ongoing investments in workforce development and skills training.

Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Manpower about age discrimination complaints in the past two years, revealing an average of 61 complaints annually in 2023 and 2024, primarily from the administrative, wholesale, and accommodation sectors. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) also proactively identified 90 potentially discriminatory job advertisements in the same period. The Ministry expressed a commitment to educating employers about fair practices and confirmed plans to table the Workplace Fairness Bill by the end of the year, with implementation expected in 2026 or 2027. Trends show stable complaint numbers over the past five years, with a focus on providing support avenues for older workers facing discrimination issues.

Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Manpower about annual cases of foreigners working without valid employment passes over the last five years and the outcomes of these cases. The Minister of State for Manpower reported an average of about 450 illegal workers annually from 2020 to 2024, with few prosecutions and fines, while most faced warnings and repatriation. Chen followed up on measures to enhance detection and deterrence of illegal employment, particularly in sectors like wedding photography and Traditional Chinese Medicine, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other agencies. The Minister highlighted proactive and reactive inspection regimes, noting the prevalence of illegal employment in services and construction, and reassured that the Ministry seeks to avoid penalizing misled workers while focusing enforcement on perpetrators.

Yeo Wan Ling asked about the number of fines issued to migrant domestic workers and employers for illegal moonlighting over the past five years, and the take-up rate of the Household Services Scheme (HSS) since its formalization in 2021. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong reported that an average of 12 migrant workers and 15 employers have been fined annually for moonlighting. He also noted that the number of companies participating in the HSS increased from 80 to 240 since 2021, with a growing number of households served. Yeo highlighted a demand for affordable caregiving options and suggested expanding the HSS and improving awareness of the scheme. Huang acknowledged the need for diverse caregiving options and indicated openness to enhancing public awareness alongside potential online booking options for HSS services.

Poh Li San queried the Minister for Manpower about the retrenchment of 93 staff from MediaCorp on or around 1 September 2025, specifically regarding the age range of these staff and whether they received training or opportunities for different roles prior to retrenchment. Tan See Leng confirmed MediaCorp informed the Ministry of Manpower about the retrenchment but noted that details on the age range of the affected staff are confidential. He mentioned that affected employees have the opportunity to apply for alternative roles within MediaCorp and that support measures, including training grants and employment facilitation services, are being provided to assist the retrenched staff.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about the latest statistics on caregivers who have left the workforce, their demographics, and the long-term financial impact of caregiving-related unemployment. In 2024, approximately 87,100 residents were out of the labor force due to caregiving, with a majority being women (85.7%) and varying age groups represented. The Minister mentioned that there is no data on first-time caregivers and highlighted government interventions to support re-entering the workforce, including reskilling initiatives and income supplements for working caregivers. Support measures for senior caregivers were also mentioned, along with flexible work arrangements to help manage caregiving and career responsibilities.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Manpower about the re-employment status of Jetstar Asia employees following the airline's closure at Changi Airport. Tan See Leng reported that a job matching exercise was organized for the affected employees, but the Ministry does not track re-employment rates. As of September 2025, about 90% of former flight crew members have found new jobs or interviews. The remaining employees are encouraged to seek financial assistance and training support through union programs while looking for new roles.