Employment & labour — Topics

22 Sep 2025

Employer-employee Relationship in GRaduate Industry Traineeships and Mid-Career Pathways Programmes

Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Ministry of Manpower about the rationale for not classifying trainees in the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) and Mid-Career Pathways Programmes as having an employer-employee relationship with their host organizations.
Minister Tan See Leng indicated that further details would be provided in a response scheduled for 23 September regarding graduate employment and the GRIT programme.

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22 Sep 2025

Reports of Workplace Harassment and Bullying Cases, and Actions against Companies with Repeated Reports

Patrick Tay Teck Guan inquired about the number of workplace harassment and bullying cases reported to TAFEP from 2021 to the present and whether TAFEP negotiates interim safeguards for affected individuals.
He also asked if the Ministry for Manpower tracks actions against employers with repeated reports of workplace harassment through various channels.
Tan See Leng responded that TAFEP receives an average of 57 complaints per year and collaborates with stakeholders to provide resources and assistance for workplace harassment.
TAFEP requires companies to conduct independent investigations into complaints and implement interim safeguards if necessary, while also ensuring proper follow-up and preventive measures are established.
Egregious companies that fail to ensure a safe work environment or do not take corrective actions will be reported to the Ministry for Manpower.

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22 Sep 2025

Efficacy of Career Coaching at Autonomous Universities in Supporting Graduate Employment Outcomes

Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the percentage of students in autonomous universities who have engaged with career coaching, the impact of such coaching on employment outcomes, and the metrics used to assess its effectiveness.
Minister Desmond Lee highlighted that autonomous universities offer various Education and Career Guidance services, including career coaching, to assist students in their job search and career planning.
The Ministry of Education relies on surveys and student feedback to evaluate the performance of these programs but does not collect specific data on career coaching sessions.
It is challenging to directly link improved employment outcomes to any particular Education and Career Guidance initiative.

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22 Sep 2025

Assessing Graduate Employability and Strengthening Student-industry Collaboration Beyond Internships

The Ministry of Education is assessing graduate employability outcomes and is considering curriculum reviews to align academic programs with industry demands.
The government monitors employment rates and salaries of fresh graduates, which have remained stable, with a low long-term unemployment rate for younger workers.
Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are enhancing student-industry collaboration beyond internships through initiatives like job shadowing and project collaborations.
IHLs are updating curricula to include industry-relevant skills, particularly in AI, and are focusing on developing competencies such as critical thinking and collaboration.
The Ministry and IHLs will continue to work with industry partners to ensure that educational offerings meet evolving job market requirements.

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22 Sep 2025

Number of Hawkers Who Have Hired LTVP or LTVP+ Holders to Work as Stall Assistants

The policy allowing hawkers to hire Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or LTVP+ holders as stall assistants began on January 1, 2025.
Approximately 170 LTVP or LTVP+ holders have been hired as stall assistants in the first six months of the policy across over 120 hawker centres.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to monitor the employment of LTVP or LTVP+ holders in hawker centres to assess the impact of the policy.

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22 Sep 2025

Structuring Carbon Relief Allowances to Support Emissions-intensive Trade-exposed Companies and Retain Jobs for Singaporeans

Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin proposed that the Ministry consider structuring carbon relief allowances to support emissions-intensive trade-exposed companies, aiming to retain jobs for Singaporeans.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong affirmed the government's approach to providing allowances to help these companies transition while maintaining their operations in Singapore.
The government recognizes the risk of losing emissions-intensive companies to regions with lower carbon prices, which could negatively impact local jobs and integrated value chains.
The commitment is to ensure that these companies can continue to contribute to Singapore's economy and provide employment opportunities.

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22 Sep 2025

Reducing Civil Service Job Postings That Focus on Academic Requirements to Emphasise Skills-based Hiring

Patrick Tay Teck Guan proposed that the Public Service Division reduce job postings emphasizing formal academic requirements to promote skills-based hiring.
Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the Public Service already supports skills-based hiring, with most job ads not listing specific academic qualifications.
He noted that for specialized roles, such as in accountancy, engineering, and legal services, relevant professional qualifications may still be necessary and will be justified by agencies.

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22 Sep 2025

Extension of SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support to Workers Engaged on Contracts for Service with Non-renewals

Edward Chia Bing Hui inquired about the potential extension of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme to workers on contracts for service with non-renewals, highlighting their job insecurity.
The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, indicated that a related question from Ms. Elysa Chen would be addressed in a future sitting, suggesting a coordinated response to the inquiries.

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22 Sep 2025

Data on Enrolment, Graduation, Non-completion and Employment of Students under ITE Work-Study Diploma Programme

The ITE Work-Study Diploma programme has seen a significant increase in enrolment from 100 in 2018 to approximately 1,300 in 2024, with stable completion rates around 80%.
Employment outcomes for graduates are strong, with about 90% securing full-time jobs within six months of graduation and a median monthly salary of around $2,900.
Approximately 70% of graduates remain with their training employers after six months, and about 10% progress to further education at universities or polytechnics.
ITE provides support for non-completers through career counselling and options to pursue other educational pathways or reapply for the programme with recognition of previously completed modules.

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22 Sep 2025

Strategies for Improving Employment Outcomes for Youths and Proportion of Graduating Students Taking Up Contract Roles

The NEET rate among youths in Singapore is low at 4.1%, indicating strong engagement in education and employment compared to other developed countries.
The Ministry of Manpower provides various support strategies, including education and career guidance, career matching, and reskilling programs to help youths transition into the workforce.
NEET youths can access support from educational institutions and specialized programs offered by Workforce Singapore and other partners to re-engage with education or employment.
The government acknowledges that some NEET youths face complex challenges and has established support networks to assist them, including mentorship programs and social services.
Statistics on the proportion of graduating students taking up contract roles will be addressed in a future report, highlighting ongoing concerns about employment trends for new graduates.

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22 Sep 2025

Data on Fresh Graduates Employed on Fixed-term Contracts with Durations of One Year or Less

The Ministry of Education tracks the employment status of fresh graduates, including those on fixed-term contracts of one year or less, through the Graduate Employment Survey (GES).
Over the past five years, approximately 90% of employed graduates secured full-time positions, with around 90% of those being permanent roles.
The proportion of fresh graduates on temporary contracts varies by institution: about 5% for autonomous universities, 20% for polytechnics, 10% for ITE graduates, and 20% for private institutions.
A significant number of polytechnic graduates (close to 50%) reported pursuing further studies as a reason for accepting temporary employment.

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22 Sep 2025

Impact of GRaduate Industry Traineeships on Graduates' Placement, Development and Earning Potential

The debate focused on the GRaduate Industry Traineeships Programme, specifically the determination of traineeship allowances ranging from $1,800 to $2,400.
Questions were raised regarding the comparison of these allowances to average salaries for fresh graduates from various educational institutions over the past year.
There was an inquiry into the mean and median starting salaries of graduates who participated in the SGUnited Traineeship Programme, particularly those employed by their host organizations versus those who found employment elsewhere.
The Minister for Manpower indicated that further details would be provided in a future oral reply regarding graduate employment and the impact of the traineeship programme.

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22 Sep 2025

President's Speech

The debate centered around the President's Speech, which highlighted significant global and domestic challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic transformation, and social issues such as job security and the rising cost of living.
Key challenges identified include securing the nation against various threats, transforming the economy in light of climate change, ensuring social support for citizens, and fostering a united society based on trust and shared purpose.
There is a notable concern regarding the mismatch between job seekers' skills and employers' needs, particularly for fresh graduates, leading to high unemployment rates despite a low overall unemployment figure.
Suggestions for addressing these issues include expanding traineeship and apprenticeship programs, enhancing collaboration between government, businesses, and educational institutions, and supporting small businesses facing rising operational costs.
The debate emphasized the importance of a "we first" mindset to foster inclusivity and community support, ensuring that economic growth benefits all Singaporeans and addresses the needs of vulnerable populations.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) aims to empower Singaporeans by enhancing skills, career pathways, and AI literacy to adapt to a changing economy and workforce needs.
MOM is promoting flexible work arrangements and multi-generational workplaces to support longer careers and better work-life balance for seniors.
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) system will be strengthened to ensure adequate retirement savings, with additional support for those struggling to save enough.
MOM is focusing on fair and inclusive growth by raising workplace standards, ensuring protections for diverse worker groups, and supporting lower-wage workers through wage increases and upskilling initiatives.
Collaboration with businesses and stakeholders is emphasized to create a thriving workforce and address challenges faced by various worker categories, including platform workers and freelancers.

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8 Apr 2025

Jobseekers Assisted by WSG who Secured Employment through Direct Job-matching and Evaluating Effectiveness of Career Coaches

Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about the effectiveness of Workforce Singapore (WSG) in placing jobseekers, specifically regarding the percentage of placements through direct job-matching and the success rate within six months.
Minister Tan See Leng confirmed that 56,000 jobseekers secured employment in 2024 through WSG's programs, with contributions from both WSG and the jobseekers themselves.
Approximately 60% of jobseekers who received career matching services from WSG and its partners in 2023 found employment within six months, which is a key performance indicator for WSG's effectiveness.

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8 Apr 2025

Data on Workers Performing Night or Rotating Shift Work, and Those Affected By Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Ms. See Jinli Jean inquired about data on the proportion of workers performing night or rotating shifts and the prevalence of Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) among them.
The Ministry of Manpower reported that approximately 8% of full-time resident and non-resident employees engaged in shift work, but does not track SWSD due to its absence in international guidelines.
Factors influencing sleep quality include work conditions and personal lifestyle choices, necessitating both employer and employee efforts to prevent SWSD.
The Ministry supports employers in implementing measures to mitigate health risks associated with shift work, including guidelines for fatigue risk management and workplace accommodations.

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8 Apr 2025

More Leave Days for Technical Workers in Lift and Escalator Industry to Attend Training and Courses

Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed that more leave days be mandated for technical workers in the lift and escalator industry to attend training and courses.
He inquired about the number of cases reported to the Ministry of Manpower regarding workers being forced to use annual leave for training or attending training outside of working hours without compensation.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that employees required to attend training outside normal hours should receive compensation and encouraged workers to report any issues to the Ministry.
The Ministry has not received complaints in the past three years regarding the misuse of annual leave for training in the lift and escalator sector.
The Ministry supports training through initiatives like the Workfare Skills Support Scheme, which helps employers cover costs associated with training lower-wage workers.

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8 Apr 2025

Addressing Bus Drivers' Needs Given Additional Foreign Worker Quotas

Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about updates on addressing the needs of bus drivers in light of additional foreign worker quotas.
The Ministry of Manpower is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Education to support public and school bus operators in maintaining an adequate supply of bus drivers.
The government emphasizes that bus driving is a viable career for Singaporeans and that additional foreign worker quotas are temporary, aimed at encouraging the hiring and retention of local drivers.
Efforts are being made to enhance salary packages and working conditions for bus captains through collaboration with public bus operators.

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8 Apr 2025

Meeting Healthcare Needs of Older Work Permit Holders

The debate focused on the healthcare needs of older work permit holders following the removal of the maximum employment period and increased age limit for these workers.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) emphasized its commitment to providing adequate healthcare for work permit holders, including mandatory primary care plans for certain sectors and optional plans for others.
Employers are required to purchase medical insurance for work permit holders, with specific coverage limits for inpatient care and day surgery, and compensation for work-related injuries.
MOM promotes health literacy and preventive health measures among migrant workers, including age-friendly workplace practices and health programs like Project MOCCA.
The Ministry will continue to review and adapt healthcare initiatives to meet the evolving needs of older work permit holders.

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8 Apr 2025

Promoting Workplace Mentorship across Industries, and Proposal for National Framework for Mentorship

Christopher de Souza inquired about additional plans to promote workplace mentorship across industries and the possibility of a national mentorship framework in Singapore.
Tan See Leng highlighted existing government mentorship initiatives, including career guidance services and the Mentoring SG movement, aimed at supporting workers at various career stages.
The Ministry of Manpower is committed to enhancing outreach and support for mentorship through collaboration with other ministries and encouraging employer participation in mentorship programs.
There is an emphasis on the role of employers in fostering a culture of mentorship and supporting employee career development.

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