Employment & labour

• Ms. See Jinli Jean inquired about the employment status of migrant workers whose contracts were prematurely terminated due to redundancy, specifically asking for data on re-employment rates and support services provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
• The Ministry of Manpower does not maintain records on the number of Work Permit Holders who find new employment without a break in stay after being retrenched.
• Employers are encouraged to assist retrenched workers in finding new jobs through job placement services and online portals, which helps retain experienced workers and reduces repatriation costs.
• MOM collaborates with current and prospective employers to facilitate the employment transition for affected migrant workers.

• Leong Mun Wai raised concerns about the increasing number of fresh university graduates not securing full-time permanent employment and suggested longer monitoring of graduate cohorts.
• He inquired whether the Ministry of Education would track these graduates over extended periods to assess their employment status.
• Chan Chun Sing indicated that this issue had already been addressed in a previous response related to employment trends and measures for fresh graduates.

• Mr. Ong Hua Han proposed using a portion of foreign worker levy revenue to create a fund aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of migrant workers.
• Minister Tan See Leng responded that the government consolidates revenue across ministries and allocates funds based on merit, already directing resources towards migrant worker initiatives.
• The Ministry of Manpower has established programs and partnerships, including recreation centers and support from NGOs, to improve migrant workers' safety and mental well-being.
• The government encourages a collaborative approach, urging employers to take responsibility for providing safe and healthy work environments for migrant workers.

• Mr. Ong Hua Han proposed that retrenchment data submitted to the Ministry of Manpower be shared with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to facilitate automatic income tax deferment for retrenched employees.
• Chee Hong Tat, speaking for the Prime Minister, explained that while retrenched taxpayers can apply for extended tax instalment plans, these are not automatically granted as individual financial situations vary.
• The IRAS provides support options for retrenched workers, including an information kit from Workforce Singapore that outlines available assistance and how to request extended tax plans.
• The current system allows for flexibility in tax payment arrangements, but it requires proactive engagement from the retrenched individuals rather than automatic deferment based on retrenchment notifications.

• The Minister for Manpower was asked about plans to enhance surveillance and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which are the second most reported occupational disease in Singapore from 2022 to 2024.
• The Ministry aims to improve detection and prevention by raising awareness among employers, employees, and the medical community, and is collaborating with the Ministry of Health for better reporting of these disorders.
• Identifying the origins of musculoskeletal disorders is challenging, but the Ministry will continue to monitor cases and tailor interventions for high-risk sectors.
• Resources and guidelines will be provided to support ergonomic practices, including training programs and codes of practice for manual handling and office ergonomics.
• Prevention requires collaboration between employers and workers, emphasizing the need for proper work processes and individual responsibility in practicing good ergonomics.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the effectiveness of "The Next Step" programme and the possibility of increased funding for its goals in assisting sex workers.
• The programme, run by Project X, offers upskilling, employment support, and social services to help sex workers transition out of the industry.
• Funding for the programme is provided by the National Council of Social Service from October 2023 to September 2026, with Project X responsible for additional fundraising.
• The Ministry emphasizes that funding is time-bound to evaluate performance and ensure resources are allocated based on social needs.

• Mr. Lim Biow Chuan proposed reducing the levy for hiring the first migrant domestic worker to $60 for households with at least one Singapore Citizen to alleviate costs.
• The Minister of State for Manpower, Ms. Gan Siow Huang, explained that the current levy is $300 per month for the first worker and $450 for subsequent workers, with a concessionary rate of $60 available only for households with specific caregiving needs.
• Lim suggested lowering the age criterion for the concessionary rate from 67 to 65 years and emphasized the need for cost reduction amid rising living expenses.
• The Minister reiterated that the levy serves as a mechanism to regulate the number of migrant domestic workers and that policies are reviewed to remain relevant to local needs.
• Ms. Gan encouraged members to report specific cases of financial need for domestic help to the Ministry of Manpower for consideration.

• The debate focused on the increase in workplace fatalities in the marine sector, with five fatalities reported in 2024 compared to none in 2023, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has implemented corrective actions, including a Safety Time-Out initiative and collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to improve workplace safety protocols and training, particularly in commercial diving.
• Investigations into the fatalities revealed issues such as improper use of diving equipment and accidents occurring in remote locations, raising concerns about emergency response times and the need for better medical access.
• The Senior Minister of State for Manpower acknowledged the fluctuating safety records and emphasized the importance of building a strong workplace safety culture and improving safety oversight in the marine sector.
• There is a commitment to ongoing monitoring and engagement with marine companies to address safety concerns and enhance the overall safety performance in the sector.

• The Ministry of Manpower is working to increase the supply of dormitory beds for foreign workers by extending leases, enabling higher occupancy in existing dormitories, and facilitating new dormitory applications.
• Six new purpose-built dormitories with approximately 45,000 beds are planned to be added to the market in the coming years, including a new 2,400-bed facility set to open in early 2026.
• The government emphasizes the need for employers to adopt productivity measures to reduce reliance on migrant workers, as unchecked demand for work permit holders could undermine housing strategies.
• A phased approach is being implemented for upgrading dormitory standards to balance worker welfare with compliance costs for businesses, ensuring that supply shortages do not occur during the transition.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Dormitory Association of Singapore is aimed at matching employers with available bed spaces, contributing to a stable supply and demand balance in the dormitory market.

• The Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, reported that the Skills and Salary Guidelines have been steadily increased to remain competitive, with about 80% of SSA employees currently adhering to these guidelines.
• He acknowledged queries from Mr. Melvin Yong regarding the adherence to salary guidelines and emphasized ongoing engagement with employers to improve compliance.
• In response to Ms. Ng Ling Ling's questions, the Minister mentioned a joint project with the Ministry of Health, with details on service norms and delivery to be announced later.

• The wage requirements for security officers under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) have significantly increased from $1,100 in 2016 to $2,870 in 2025, with a projected rise to $3,530 by 2028, representing a 220% increase.
• This increase indicates progress in raising the wages of security officers, positioning them above the traditional low-wage worker category.
• The shift to a gross wage structure for PWM aims to prevent exploitation of the system, ensuring that workers receive a minimum benefit from the PWM requirements.

• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assesses the effectiveness of mental wellness resources through tracking adoption rates and employee feedback on work stress and burnout.
• Over 90% of surveyed firms have implemented at least one mental well-being initiative, indicating a positive uptake of available resources.
• MOM collaborates with various organizations to provide resources like iWorkHealth and the Total WSH Programme, which offer tools and workshops for SMEs to support mental well-being.
• The Well-being Champions Network facilitates the exchange of best practices among over 700 individuals from 450 organizations, benefiting a workforce of 230,000 employees.
• MOM plans to continue promoting these initiatives and will regularly review and enhance the programs based on stakeholder feedback and effectiveness.

• Mr. Yip Hon Weng inquired about specific industries where polytechnic graduates face employment challenges and how the Ministry of Education plans to address these through curriculum enhancements and internship opportunities.
• Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that employment rates for polytechnic graduates are influenced by various factors, including economic cycles and sector-specific trends, with arts, design, media, engineering, and IT graduates facing more challenges in securing jobs.
• The Ministry encourages graduates to consider adjacent job sectors and emphasizes the importance of equipping students with industry-relevant skills through updated curricula and internship opportunities.
• Polytechnic graduates can also participate in Work-Study Post-Diploma Programmes to gain on-the-job training while enhancing their skills.
• The Ministry is committed to monitoring employment trends and working with industry partners to improve the employability of polytechnic graduates by recognizing skills beyond formal credentials.

• Pritam Singh raised concerns about the increasing difficulty university graduates face in securing jobs within six months of graduation, referencing the upcoming 2024 Graduate Employment Survey.
• Chan Chun Sing indicated that this issue was previously addressed in a parliamentary session on March 7, 2025, where the Minister for Education provided insights on the employment trends for fresh graduates.
• The discussion highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring and measures to improve employment outcomes for recent graduates.

• The debate focused on the balance between attracting foreign talent and developing the local workforce in Singapore's financial sector amid a talent shortage.
• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is committed to enhancing local workforce skills while remaining open to foreign talent, with over 80% of the financial sector workforce being local.
• MAS has allocated $400 million from 2021 to 2025 for training local finance professionals, supporting various programs for different career stages, including internships and leadership development.
• Financial institutions are actively involved in local talent development, with initiatives like OCBC Ignite and UBS-SUPER aimed at training and employing local graduates and mid-career professionals.
• The Ministry of Manpower's COMPASS framework encourages firms to prioritize local employment while also recognizing the value of global talent with in-demand skills.

• The Ministry of Manpower does not have data on whether security agencies are incorporating allowances into basic pay after the implementation of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), but gross wages for security officers have increased by 19.2% since 2016.
• PWM mandates significant wage increases for security officers, with requirements rising from $1,300 in 2016 to $2,870 in 2025 and projected to reach $3,530 by 2028, indicating a positive trend in wage growth.
• Concerns were raised about security agencies potentially relying on overtime instead of hiring more officers, and the Ministry is reviewing the Employment Act to ensure protections for security officers as wages rise.
• The Senior Minister of State assured that security officers are not worse off regarding overtime and that licensing conditions limit excessive overtime hours, maintaining some protections in the sector.
• The shift to a gross wage structure under PWM aims to prevent employers from gaming the system and ensure that security officers benefit from genuine wage growth.

See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of retrenched migrant workers since 2021 and their sectors, retrenchment benefits distributed, and how the Ministry ensures responsible retrenchment practices are followed. Tan See Leng reported that an average of about 2,680 non-resident employees were retrenched annually from 2021 to 2023, primarily in electronics manufacturing, information and communications, and wholesale trade. Approximately 90% of eligible employees received a retrenchment benefit. The Ministry emphasizes responsible retrenchment as a last resort and will engage companies that do not comply with responsible practices outlined in the Tripartite Advisory.

Carrie Tan emphasized the need for a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities (PWDs), advocating for public awareness campaigns to recognize their contributions and challenge misconceptions. She recommended creating a national framework for disability representation in media to promote positive visibility. Tan also urged the expansion of workplace integration programs to include smaller retailers and increase support for micro-enterprises to employ PWDs. Ng Ling Ling discussed the upcoming Matched Retirement Savings Scheme for PWDs and raised concerns about its implementation timeline and inclusivity. Baey Yam Keng highlighted the challenges PWDs face after turning 18, particularly in employment and caregiving, and called for updates on the Enabling Masterplan 2030's progress.