Employment & labour

Eileen Chong Pei Shan questioned the rationale behind the GRaduate Industry Traineeship (GRIT) Programme's focus on specific sectors like financial services, ICT, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. She also asked about the metrics used to assess the quality of placements beyond traineeship completion, in order to measure conversion rates to full-time employment. Tan See Leng directed her to a previous parliamentary reply from September 2025 that addressed these queries.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Ministry of Manpower if it has conducted surveys on recruitment fees paid by work permit holders in Singapore and their home countries, and whether findings could be released with breakdowns by country, sector, and gender. Tan See Leng responded that the Ministry conducts ad hoc surveys revealing typical recruitment fees for different sectors, ranging significantly based on occupation. Gender-based fee ranges were also provided, with males paying more than females on average. However, the Ministry does not disclose nationality-specific data due to sensitivity concerns.

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Manpower about regulations on delivery riders and how to protect legitimate workers from enforcement actions against illegal platform work. Tan See Leng clarified that there are no restrictions for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents on food and parcel delivery work, while foreigners need a valid work pass and cannot be platform workers. The Platform Workers Trilateral Group's recommendations aim to combat illegal activities, including foreigners using local accounts for delivery work, with increased enforcement planned. The Ministry acknowledges that legitimate workers may experience inconveniences during checks but emphasizes that only those breaking the law will face penalties.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned whether settlements mediated by the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management could automatically become Court judgments, including penalties for employer defaults. Tan See Leng explained that the Ministry of Manpower lacks the legal authority to convert settlements into Court orders, but registered settlement agreements with the District Court are enforceable. Without registration, enforcement requires a separate legal process, but the Ministry has measures to assist workers in receiving agreed payments, including penalties for non-compliant employers.

Wan Rizal asked about the reasons behind persistent anxiety among Singaporeans regarding job security despite a strong labor market and the government's plans to support mid-career workers and those at risk of restructuring. Tan See Leng referred to a previous reply detailing measures to ensure job stability and enhance support for workers, suggesting the need to consult that document for specifics.

Sharael Taha asked for an update on the aviation and aerospace sector's attractiveness for Singaporeans, considering upcoming growth, including developments at Changi Airport Terminal 5. Jeffrey Siow highlighted that Singapore is investing in Terminal 5 and related areas to capitalize on the anticipated growth in international travel, with the sectors collectively employing over 80,000 workers. Efforts to enhance the sectors include job redesign and technology adoption, a pilot project aimed at improving job appeal, and partnerships for AI capability building. Training and upskilling initiatives, such as the Career Conversion Programme, have reskilled over 5,000 individuals for growth job roles. Finally, there are strengthened outreach and recruitment efforts targeting youths through partnerships with educational institutions and sector-wide events to showcase opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked about measures to ensure fair compensation and understanding of employment rights for interns in polytechnics, ITEs, and universities, as well as how to encourage employers to provide fair allowances and meaningful internships. Desmond Lee responded that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) prioritize student well-being and ensure internships relate to students' studies. IHLs work with companies to establish job scopes and provide guidance on fair allowances based on industry standards. Intern terms are agreed upon prior to starting, and students are informed about their rights and channels for raising concerns. Additionally, IHLs monitor internship quality and can bar companies that fail to provide satisfactory experiences.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked about the Ministry of Manpower's projections regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on job displacement and creation for PMETs and knowledge economy roles, as well as targeted interventions for young graduates facing underemployment. Tan See Leng referred to a previous response provided on this topic, indicating that further details could be found in a specific official report.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the number of workers under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) living in public rental housing who have faced rent increases due to wage adjustments. Chee Hong Tat clarified that the HDB does not track tenants by their employment sectors and confirmed that rents for public rental flats will not rise during a tenant's tenancy, even with income increases. Rent increases upon tenancy renewal will consider household size and living expenses to ensure that the rent increase remains lower than income growth, allowing tenants to maintain financial stability.

Shawn Loh requested information from the Minister for Manpower regarding average fines imposed on migrant domestic workers and their unofficial employers for unpermitted domestic work from 2020 to the present, as well as whether income levels were considered in setting these fines. Tan See Leng explained that enforcement actions are based on various factors, and most cases involve warnings rather than fines. From 2020 to 2024, 66 illegal employers received fines averaging $3,100, while two migrant domestic workers faced fines of $2,000 and $4,000. For cases taken to court, illegal employers and workers were fined averages of $8,800 and $5,000 respectively, based on individual circumstances.

Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Manpower about the use of differentiated platforms like social media for job matching of fresh graduates and young PMETs. Tan See Leng responded that job seekers use multiple channels for job searches, including MyCareersFuture (MCF), which is popular among this group, with one in three active users aged 30 and below finding jobs within six months. Workforce Singapore will enhance visibility and usage of the MCF portal through digital marketing, media outreach, physical events, and improved platform functionalities, including tools to aid in job searches supported by programs like the GRIT initiative for fresh graduates.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of complaints related to intrusive employee monitoring practices, such as location tracking, received over the last three years, the outcomes of these complaints, and the recourse available for employees. Tan See Leng stated that the Ministry does not track such complaints as they are outside the scope of the Employment Act. Employees concerned about privacy breaches should raise the issue through company grievance channels, contact their union, or seek assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked if the Ministry of Manpower is considering requiring employers to buy the Primary Care Plan (PCP) for Work Permit and S Pass holders not living in dormitories or in certain sectors, as well as whether medical insurance for Employment Pass holders would be mandated. Tan See Leng responded that the PCP is currently required only for certain groups due to higher risks of infectious diseases in communal living situations, but employers can choose to purchase it for other migrant workers. The Ministry does not mandate medical insurance for Employment Pass holders since they typically can afford personal coverage or receive benefits through their employment.

Elysa Chen asked if the Government would introduce regulations for employers to provide protected time for mothers to breastfeed during working hours to enhance workplace support for women. Tan See Leng acknowledged the importance of supporting nursing mothers but stated the Government prefers an enabling approach over regulations, collaborating with tripartite partners to foster an inclusive work culture. The Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony encourages employers to implement practices that support employees, including lactation support and flexible breaks. Additionally, the Government has mandated the provision of lactation facilities through existing building regulations.

Shawn Loh asked about the number and proportion of active CPF members who turned 55 years old from 2020 to 2024, and whether the Ministry anticipates a future decrease in this proportion due to labor market disruptions. Tan See Leng explained that an active CPF member has made at least one contribution in the recent months and reported a slight increase in the proportion of members turning 55 during the specified period. The Ministry expects this proportion to remain stable in the coming years despite past labor market challenges.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan requested statistics on companies that failed to file mandatory retrenchment notifications (MRN) from 2021 to the present and those that incurred penalties for non-compliance. Tan See Leng reported that from January 2021 to June 2025, approximately 19,800 MRN submissions were received, with 5,750 submitted after the five-day deadline. Most non-compliant employers received caution letters and subsequently complied with filing MRNs.

Jamus Jerome Lim sought information on the average and median teacher attrition rates for the periods 1995 to 2009 and 2010 to 2025. Desmond Lee confirmed that the mean and median annual resignation rates for both periods have consistently been around 2% to 3%. He anticipates that the resignation rate for 2025 will remain within this range.

Jamus Lim inquired about the average and median tenure durations of teachers for two specific periods: 1995 to 2009 and 2010 to 2025. Desmond Lee responded that the median length of service for teachers was five to nine years from 1995 to 2009, and it increased to 10 to 14 years from 2010 to 2025.

Low Wu Yang Andre raised concerns regarding curriculum frameworks in higher education to address AI advancements and support graduate employability. Desmond Lee stated that the government tracks employment outcomes through surveys and noted stable employment rates and rising median salaries for fresh graduates. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are revising curricula in consultation with industry to align skills with job market demands and integrating AI competencies into their courses. IHLs are emphasizing internships and industry partnerships to enhance practical experience and have increased focus on developing essential competencies beyond AI. The Ministry of Education will continue to monitor graduate employment outcomes and collaborate with industry to ensure curricula remain relevant.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the response to five workplace fatalities in May 2025, specifically regarding participation in the voluntary safety timeout, number of inspections, and common safety lapses. Tan See Leng clarified that the Ministry of Manpower did not track participation in the Safety Time-Out held from 12 to 26 June 2025. Over 500 inspections were conducted in high-risk sectors between April and June 2025, resulting in three stop-work orders and 110 fines for safety breaches. Common violations included inadequate control measures for work-at-height hazards and lack of traffic management plans for vehicular safety.