Employment & labour — Topics

4 Oct 2023

Median Wage Growth of Workers Employed by Public Transport Operators

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport for median wage growth data over the past five years for Professionals, Managers and Executives, non-Professionals, Managers and Executives, and senior management at public transport operators, whether such data could be made public in future fare reviews, and why the national wage index is used instead of a sector-specific index.
Chee Hong Tat, responding for the Minister, stated that the question had already been addressed during the Parliament Sitting on 3 October 2023 and referred to the relevant Official Report.

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4 Oct 2023

Migrant Workers' Complaints Received by Manpower Ministry

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of complaints received through FAST officers and the FWMOMCare app over the past five years, as well as the top five complaints.
The Minister responded that MOM does not track complaints as a category but addresses each feedback and request, noting that workers have easier access via FAST and FWMOMCare.
Common issues requiring MOM intervention include illegal employment, criminal kickbacks, false salary declarations, agency fee refund failures, and illegal deployment.

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4 Oct 2023

Flexible Work Arrangements for All

Chua Kheng Wee Louis calls for legislation to make flexible work arrangements (FWAs) a legal right for all employees, citing declining FWA adoption post-COVID, the need to support parents and caregivers, and addressing Singapore's low fertility rate and ageing population.
The government, through Minister of State Gan Siow Huang, agrees on the importance of FWAs but prefers a collaborative, tripartite approach with new guidelines in 2024, cautioning against rigid legislation that could harm workplace culture and productivity.
Both sides emphasize that FWAs benefit talent retention, employee well-being, and gender equality, but differ on whether legal mandates are necessary versus voluntary guidelines and employer-employee dialogue.

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3 Oct 2023

Adoption of Recommendations by Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics on Migrant Domestic Workers

Hazel Poa asked if the Ministry will adopt recommendations to allow migrant domestic workers (MDWs) assisting in investigations or with stern warnings to work, provide live-out options, and permit MDWs to change employers with notice.
The Minister responded that MDWs assisting investigations can work under the Temporary Job Scheme unless there are safety or interference concerns, and employers may request to continue hiring MDWs given stern warnings.
The Ministry is not considering live-out options, citing difficulties for employers to oversee well-being and safety, and suggested the Household Services Scheme for partial-day help.
MDWs can terminate employment with notice but need employer consent to transfer to another employer.
If the recommendations are not adopted, the Minister did not provide a reason beyond the existing framework and concerns outlined.

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3 Oct 2023

Action against Employers Making Unfounded or False Accusations against Migrant Domestic Workers

He Ting Ru inquired about actions against employers who make unfounded or false accusations against migrant domestic workers, including potential hiring bans.
Tan See Leng stated that all reports of potential wrongdoing are investigated by the Police and Ministry of Manpower, with enforcement decisions based on evidence.
The Minister clarified that no enforcement action does not imply a false accusation, and actions have been taken against those who knowingly provide false information.

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3 Oct 2023

Help for Employees Affected by Recent Retrenchments in Financial Services and Information and Communications Sectors

The Ministry of Manpower requires employers to submit retrenchment notices within five days, enabling timely employment facilitation support through the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation.
Affected workers are offered career matching services, information kits, and access to government support, with around 70% of retrenched residents finding new employment within six months in 2022.
Workers can reskill through Workforce Singapore programmes like Career Conversion Programmes and Mid-Career Pathways, with nearly 100 options across 30 sectors.
Lower-income households can apply for ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance via Social Service Offices for help with basic living expenses.

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3 Oct 2023

Number of Medical Doctors and Specialists Leaving Public Medical Institutions for Private Practice and Measures to Retain Them

The Ministry of Health reported that attrition rates for doctors in public healthcare have been stable at 3% to 5% over the last three years, with a net inflow of doctors into the system and lower attrition among specialists.
Exit interviews indicate the top reasons for doctors leaving public practice are personal factors, better career prospects, and returning to their home countries.
Measures to retain doctors include ensuring competitive remuneration, supporting well-being, providing good career prospects and development, and highlighting the meaningful contribution to society.
No specific mention was made of a study on the effectiveness of these retention measures.

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3 Oct 2023

Upper and Lower Limits of Salaries for Civil Servants Suspended on Reduced Pay

Ms Hazel Poa asked the Prime Minister for the upper and lower limits of salaries for civil servants suspended on reduced pay, and for statistics since 2000 on the number suspended under different pay conditions, as well as the basis for no-pay suspensions.
Chan Chun Sing, speaking for the Prime Minister, stated that interdiction on half-pay has a floor of $1,200 and a ceiling of $8,500 per month, and no-pay interdiction applies after wrongdoing is established, up to the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
Approximately 300 civil servants were interdicted over the last decade since 2013, with 10% directly on no-pay, 30% initially on half-pay then no-pay, and 60% only on half-pay due to ongoing investigations, pending cases, no wrongdoing found, or resignation.

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3 Oct 2023

Proposal for Dedicated Funds to Subsidise Early Childhood Sector's Manpower Costs

Carrie Tan proposed allocating funds to subsidize early childhood sector manpower costs to raise salaries and improve talent quality.
The Minister highlighted that ECDA already supports salary uplifts for educators through government funding to ensure market competitiveness and retention.
ECDA also provides resources for educators’ professional development and career advancement to deepen expertise.

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3 Oct 2023

Percentage of Workers Living in Dormitories who have Mattress to Sleep On

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry for Manpower if it has data on the percentage of workers in dormitories with mattresses and if not, whether a survey can be conducted.
The Minister for Manpower stated that dormitory operators are required under law to provide beds, which include mattresses or a base board, and that operators typically provide mattresses by default or on request.
The Ministry does not see the need for a survey, as workers can seek assistance from the Ministry’s support teams or via the FWMOMCare app if mattresses are not provided.

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3 Oct 2023

Companies Which Made False Salary Declarations in Work Pass Applications or Renewals

Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of companies that made false salary declarations in work pass applications or renewals since 2018, and how many of these are manpower supply companies or have fewer than 25 employees.
Tan See Leng stated that 80 companies have been found to have made such false declarations since 2018.
Of these 80 companies, one is a manpower supply company.
Of these 80 companies, 57 have fewer than 25 employees.

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3 Oct 2023

Singapore's Stance on International Labour Organization's Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No 111)

Singapore has not ratified the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (C111), but aligns its national policies with the convention's spirit by enforcing fair employment practices through tripartite guidelines and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.
The government emphasizes that all forms of workplace discrimination are not tolerated, with mechanisms for education, complaint resolution, and potential enforcement by the Ministry of Manpower, and it plans to enact Workplace Fairness Legislation to further enhance protections.
Singapore has ratified seven of the ten ILO Fundamental Conventions and will continue to review the ratification of C111 while maintaining its tripartite approach to improve workplace fairness.

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3 Oct 2023

Attract and Train More Manpower for Special Needs Care and Education Sector

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), SG Enable, and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) collaborate with agencies to attract manpower, with revised salary guidelines increasing recommended pay for sector professionals by 4% to 15% this year.
Training initiatives include a competency framework and roadmap by the Social Service SkillsFuture Tripartite Taskforce, programmes from the Social Service Institute and SG Enable’s Enabling Academy, and specific pathways for early intervention and special education professionals.
Community training focuses on caregivers, with SG Enable and the Agency for Integrated Care offering courses supported by the Caregivers Training Grant to help cover costs.
MSF and the Ministry of Education will continue working with stakeholders to attract and retain manpower while reviewing policies like the Journeys of Excellence Package for special education teachers.

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3 Oct 2023

Number of Singaporeans Aged 55 Unable to Attain Basic Retirement Sum with CPF Savings and Strategies to Enhance Retirement Adequacy

The Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) remains a relevant indicator for basic retirement adequacy as it is regularly adjusted for inflation and household expenditure, and members can set aside up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum for higher payouts.
In 2022, about 12,400 CPF members aged 55 did not meet the cohort BRS, with 5,400 being male and 7,000 female; all active CPF members have positive balances and will receive some CPF LIFE payout, with those meeting BRS expecting at least around $850 monthly from age 65.
Strategies to enhance retirement adequacy include ensuring a competitive economy and good jobs, supporting lower-wage workers through Workfare and Progressive Wage moves, and providing targeted support through schemes like the Silver Support Scheme and family top-ups matched by the government.
Older generations aged 65 and above benefit from Pioneer and Merdeka Generation Packages, while those aged 50–64 receive support from the Majulah Package; younger Singaporeans below 50 save more due to wage growth and have longer to benefit from CPF enhancements.
Future enhancements to the Workfare Income Supplement, Silver Support Scheme, and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme will be detailed next year to further protect retirement adequacy.

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3 Oct 2023

Data on Employment of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with Disabilities

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of employed Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with disabilities and the percentage working as PMETs and non-PMETs.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that the Ministry of Manpower’s survey cannot accurately estimate the total number of employed persons with disabilities due to their low prevalence in the sample.
The survey estimates that among employed persons with disabilities aged 15–64 in 2021–2022, about four in 10 were PMETs and the rest were non-PMETs.
The share of employed persons with disabilities in PMET roles has risen over the years, mirroring the overall trend for employed residents.

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3 Oct 2023

Amount of Time Granted to Migrant Workers Going Through Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management Case to Find New Employers

Over the past five years, migrant workers on a Work Permit with a valid salary claim lodged with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management were granted an average of two weeks to find a new employer, with the typical range being two to eight weeks.
The Ministry of Manpower facilitates extensions for workers who have found new employment but need additional time to complete their Work Permit application, but does not track the number of such extension applications.
The average time granted for job search is based on the resolution period for salary claims, which usually takes between two to eight weeks.
The government’s approach is to allow workers to look for new employers until their salary claims are resolved, with extensions provided as needed for administrative completion of permits.

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3 Oct 2023

Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Senior Minister of State for Manpower introduced the Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill to amend the Central Provident Fund Act 1953.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The parliamentary sitting was suspended at 4.43 pm and resumed at 5.00 pm with the Deputy Speaker in the chair.

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3 Oct 2023

Adults with Special Needs who are Financially-dependent on Retired Parents

The Ministry does not track how many adults with special needs are financially dependent on retired parents, but employment rates for persons with disabilities have increased steadily, with support programs like the Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit aiding job placement and retention.
Future plans include launching Enabling Business Hubs to bring employment services closer to communities and expanding into new sectors like logistics, while aiming for a 40% employment rate by 2030 through a whole-of-society approach.
Parliament members emphasized the need for better data tracking on financial dependency, segmentation of adults with disabilities by work capability, and accelerated investments to ensure long-term self-sufficiency and integration.

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3 Oct 2023

Uptake of Progressive Wage Mark Accreditation and Its Impact on Volume of Business

More than 3,600 firms have been accredited with the Progressive Wage Mark since its January 2023 launch, covering approximately 56,000 low-wage workers, representing about 20% of the estimated low-wage workforce.
The government has made the PW Mark a contractual obligation for new tenders since March 2023 and will extend this to government quotations from March 2024, though it does not track exclusive business commitments by service buyers.
While the government does not intervene in commercial contract renegotiations, it adheres to tripartite advisories and encourages agencies to support fair practices, urging the reporting of unscrupulous requests to the National Trades Union Congress or the Ministry for Manpower.

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19 Sep 2023

Successful Applications for Employment Pass

Leong Mun Wai sought annual data since 2010 on the number of Employment Pass applicants with zero to over four prior successful applications and their recent success rates.
Tan See Leng presented a table showing the average annual proportions of applicants with zero, one to three, or four or more prior successful Employment Pass applications from 2010 to 2022.
The Ministry of Manpower noted that most applications are successful, as criteria are published and a Self-Assessment Tool helps employers gauge approval likelihood.

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