Employment & labour — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Opportunities and Challenges in Maintaining Position as Tech Hub with Recent Lay-offs in Tech Sector

The Minister emphasized that the dot-com bubble crash teaches the need for resilience and a long-term view, with Singapore remaining an open, trusted hub for tech companies to innovate and hire.
Despite recent layoffs, the Information and Communications sector is still fast-growing and optimistic, with resident workforce expanding over 40% in five years, supported by attracting global talent, investments, and local company growth.
Government initiatives include building the tech ecosystem, strengthening partnerships between multinational and local firms through PACT, upskilling workers via TeSA to fill tech jobs, and establishing digital trade rules through agreements to connect Singapore globally.

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6 Feb 2023

Success of Job-related Help Including Career Support, Professional Conversion and Capability Transfer Programmes

Since 2016, over 40,000 locals have benefited from the Career Conversion Programme (formerly Professional Conversion Programme), with nearly $1 billion committed, while the Capability Transfer Programme has supported over 1,000 local workers with about $5 million in funding.
The Career Support Programme was discontinued in 2020, and the Capability Transfer Programme saw low take-up during the pandemic but is expected to increase as travel resumes.
The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package placed about 200,000 locals into jobs, traineeships, or attachments from April 2020 to April 2022, with nearly 80% entering permanent roles.

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6 Feb 2023

Workplace Fatalities Involving Hoisting Operations and Extension of Heightened Safety Period

The Ministry of Manpower introduced a six-month Heightened Safety Period (HSP) in September 2022, resulting in over 760 composition fines, 48 Stop Work Orders, and the debarment of 15 companies from hiring foreign workers, which contributed to a significant reduction in the workplace fatality rate from 1.5 to 0.8 per 100,000 workers.
Inspections in 2022 revealed common safety lapses in hoisting operations, such as improper equipment testing and lack of lifting plans, while the construction sector remained the top contributor to fatalities and major injuries despite a 21% improvement in enforcement actions per inspection.
The Ministry is reviewing whether to extend the HSP beyond February 2023 and is considering further measures to strengthen workplace safety and health culture, in line with recommendations from the International Advisory Panel for WSH.

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6 Feb 2023

Strengthening Mental Wellness at the Workplace

Edward Chia argued that the pandemic highlighted the importance of workplace mental wellness, noting low employer adoption rates in Singapore compared to other countries, and proposed a roadmap including regular mental health assessments using tools like iWorkHealth, integrating well-being into company strategies, upskilling HR and managers, and expanding Employee Assistance Programme services.
He called for government support to scale up iWorkHealth adoption, enhance mental health frameworks, and provide funding or incentives for SMEs to implement mental wellness interventions, while also suggesting recognition through awards like the Company of Good programme.
Minister Gan Siow Huang acknowledged the progress made, citing increased adoption of mental well-being initiatives among employers, and outlined government efforts such as the Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health, promotion of iWorkHealth, and support through programmes like Total WSH and SkillsFuture courses.
Both speakers emphasized the need to reduce stigma, normalize conversations about mental health, and foster a culture where employees take ownership of their well-being, with the government committed to incorporating stakeholder inputs to strengthen workplace mental wellness support.

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6 Feb 2023

Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces a Progressive Wage Model for waste collection and materials recovery workers, with legislated wage increases and career progression to uplift the sector and support its transformation.
A new statutory presumption will hold flat owners or tenants liable for high-rise littering from their units unless they can rebut it, aiming to improve enforcement and deter such acts.
The cleaning business licensing framework will be revised into three classes with differentiated requirements to raise industry capabilities, with a transition period for existing businesses.

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10 Jan 2023

Requests for Credit Bureau Ratings of Job Applicants and Employee by Non-MAS Regulated Employers

Patrick Tay asked whether non-MAS regulated employers can mandate or collect credit bureau ratings from job applicants and employees.
The Minister clarified that all employers must follow the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, which allow requesting credit bureau ratings only for roles with legitimate trust or financial responsibilities.
Employers cannot obtain credit reports directly from credit bureaus without the individual's consent under the Credit Bureau Act.
Job seekers and employees can seek advice from TAFEP if they face issues related to such requests.
Employers unsure about compliance may also approach TAFEP for guidance.

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10 Jan 2023

Data on Training Employment Passes and Training Work Permits Issued in Last 10 Years

Leong Mun Wai requested detailed statistics from 2013 to 2022 on Training Employment Passes (TEPs) and Training Work Permits (TWPs), including issuance numbers, average durations, extensions, conversions to other work passes, and salary data.
Tan See Leng explained that TEPs are for foreign students or trainees with a minimum $3,000 monthly salary or from specified institutions, typically valid for up to three months, while TWPs are for unskilled or semi-skilled trainees, valid for up to six months and subject to Dependency Ratio Ceiling and levies.
Both passes are non-renewable with no automatic conversion to other work passes; employers must apply separately if they wish to hire the trainees, who must meet prevailing work pass criteria on their own merit.
The Ministry of Manpower provided a table with historical annual averages for the requested statistics from 2013 to 2021, but specific numeric details were not included in the debate transcript.

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10 Jan 2023

Public Sector Jobs Lost due to Outsourcing of Government Functions

Leong Mun Wai asked the Prime Minister for the number of full-time public sector jobs lost since 2000 due to outsourcing and the percentage of contract workers among public sector employees.
Chan Chun Sing, responding for the Prime Minister, explained that outsourcing occurs when the private sector has greater expertise or efficiency, allowing the public sector to focus on core services while tapping private capabilities.
The response stated that outsourcing does not necessarily cause job loss, as affected officers may transfer to outsourced entities or be retrained and redeployed within the public service.
As of 31 December 2021, about 0.66% of public officers were on contracts of less than one year, often for reasons like manpower augmentation.

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10 Jan 2023

Applications to Inclusive Business Programme In Support of Employment of Persons with Disabilities

Two businesses successfully applied for and were approved under the Inclusive Business Programme since its launch in 2019, receiving HDB shop spaces and a 20% rental discount for the first three years.
The government provides employment support through the Open Door Programme, which includes job placement, job support services, grants, and wage support via the Enabling Employment Credit.
Enabling Business Hubs are being developed to offer employment training, employer engagement, and on/offsite employment opportunities closer to where persons with disabilities live.

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10 Jan 2023

Flexibility under Work Pass Framework to Hire Foreign Nurses to Meet Healthcare Sector Needs

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower to provide flexibility under the work pass framework to hire foreign nurses to meet healthcare manpower needs.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that additional work pass quotas and greater flexibility have been allocated to recruit foreign nurses from non-traditional sources, which are being used judiciously.
Louis Ng sought clarification on whether the Dependant's Pass applications for foreign nurses are being monitored and if the application process could be made more favourable.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the concern and stated that the issue is being looked into specifically.
The debate highlighted the need to address foreign nurses' concerns about bringing their families to Singapore to retain talent in the healthcare sector.

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10 Jan 2023

Ex-offenders Assisted under Jobs Growth Incentive Scheme

Approximately 2,300 ex-offenders were hired under the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) scheme up to May 2022, with the top industries being environmental services, logistics, food services, wholesale trade, construction, retail, professional services, food manufacturing, precision engineering, and real estate.
The JGI, an extraordinary measure introduced during COVID-19, will expire on 31 March 2023 and is not planned to be permanent, but the government is reviewing future support while other existing employment measures by Yellow Ribbon Singapore will continue beyond the expiry.
The Minister highlighted that many ex-offenders remain employed nine months after placement and that the government is exploring ways to encourage more employers to hire them, including through training, placement services, and partnerships, while considering the member's suggestions for post-JGI incentives.

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9 Jan 2023

Clarification by Second Minister for Trade and Industry

The Second Minister for Trade and Industry clarified that there was no "U-turn" regarding the M-SEP scheme's impact on foreign domestic worker (FDW) quotas, addressing a point raised by Mr Leon Perera.
The Minister corrected a previous statement, noting the relevant cap is 33% (not 30%) for the ratio of FDWs to households, and this will be monitored closely.
The M-SEP scheme is highly selective with stringent criteria, so it is not expected to significantly affect the prevailing quota proportions.
The clarification emphasized that the scheme does not involve raising sub-DRC numbers or work permit numbers above the prevailing quota, which was the context of the "U-turn" concern.

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9 Jan 2023

Companies Offering Caregiving Leave to Employees and Plans to Encourage Such Offerings to Improve Caregiving Support

The Ministry of Manpower provided data showing that as of 2020, 19.5% of establishments offered additional paid family care leave and 27.3% offered additional paid child sick leave, with these proportions increasing since 2010.
Tripartite partners have introduced standards to encourage employers to provide unpaid leave for unexpected care needs and promote work-life harmony, setting best practices for progressive employers.
Recognizing that flexible workplaces are a more sustainable support for caregivers, tripartite partners will introduce Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements by 2024, requiring employers to fairly consider employee requests for such arrangements.

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9 Jan 2023

Requirement for Occupational Therapists to Complete Return-to-work Competency Certification from Approved Institutes

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Manpower plans to make it compulsory for private and public hospital occupational therapists to complete a return-to-work competency certification from an approved institute before facilitating a worker's return to work.
Tan See Leng clarified that there is no mandated requirement for such certification, as occupational therapists are regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council and trained to rehabilitate patients for everyday activities, including work.
Tan added that those who voluntarily complete return-to-work certification courses receive extra training for better case management, including employer collaboration for workplace adjustments.
The Ministry of Manpower previously had MOUs with restructured hospitals to fund return-to-work certification courses, which concluded in 2022, and such programmes improved return-to-work rates from 75% to 95%.
Hospitals continue to run return-to-work programmes, but there is no move to mandate certification for private practice or hospital therapists.

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9 Jan 2023

Work Permit Holders Unable to Enter Singapore due to Lack of Dormitory Spaces in 2022

Desmond Choo asked for the number of approved work permit holders unable to enter Singapore due to dormitory space shortages in 2022, by industry.
The Ministry of Manpower stated it does not track such numbers or reasons, noting dormitory occupancy rates are high with over 10% more CMP workers than pre-COVID-19 levels.
In the second half of 2022, net inflow of CMP workers averaged over 7,000 per month, and MOM will work to increase dormitory bed supply while urging employers to adopt productivity measures.

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9 Jan 2023

Allow Special Pass Holders Assisting in Investigations to Take Up Temporary Employment

Louis Ng asked whether Special Pass holders assisting in investigations could take up temporary employment with prior notification, without needing discretionary approval.
The Minister responded that such holders are generally allowed to work under the Temporary Job Scheme, but eligibility assessments may be required in cases involving public safety or investigation interference.
The Ministry of Manpower refers eligible holders to employment agencies and informs potential employers of their legal circumstances to support informed hiring decisions.

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9 Jan 2023

Number of Construction Workers Required to Sustain Level of Development and Projected Shortfall for Construction Manpower in 2023

The Minister stated that the number of construction work permit holders in Singapore exceeded pre-COVID levels by about 15% as of end-2022, due to eased entry requirements and firms catching up on delayed projects.
The Built Environment Industry Transformation Map aims to improve productivity and reduce reliance on a large, manpower-intensive workforce, with initiatives like enhancing the Buildability framework to mandate Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) for large projects.
The Building and Construction Authority supports firms in adopting DfMA technologies such as precast and PPVC, and has extended the Productivity Innovation Project scheme to co-fund up to 70% of costs for newer technologies.

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9 Jan 2023

Data on Annual Leave Application and Non-working Rest Hours of Junior Doctors in Public Hospitals

Leon Perera asked for data on annual leave forfeitures, average non-working rest hours after 24-hour shifts, and measures against under-reporting of junior doctors' work hours in public hospitals over the last three years.
Ong Ye Kung stated that junior doctors took 14 to 18.9 days of annual leave on average from 2019 to 2021, with lower utilisation in 2020, but MOH does not track leave cancellations as they are managed at the institutional level.
Healthcare institutions monitor work hours via electronic logging and surveys, with about 90% of residents having at least 10-hour rest intervals, and no systemic under-reporting has been detected; a whistle-blowing channel exists for anonymous reports.
MOH has established a national committee chaired by a senior doctor to improve junior doctors' well-being, emphasising the medical profession's responsibility to care for juniors.

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9 Jan 2023

Median Starting Salary of Foreign Graduates from Local Universities and Polytechnics who Entered Workforce

Hazel Poa requested data on the number and percentage of foreign graduates from local universities and polytechnics entering Singapore's workforce over the past 20 years, along with the median starting salary for both foreign and local graduates.
Chan Chun Sing responded that international students make up about 10% of students in local higher education institutions and that their employment outcomes and wages are comparable to those of local students.
The debate centered on the need for transparency regarding the employment and salary statistics of foreign versus local graduates from Singapore's educational institutions.

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9 Jan 2023

Ensure Companies under Manpower Strategic Economic Priorities Scheme are Committed to Hiring or Training Locals

Shawn Huang asked how the government ensures companies under the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities scheme hire and train locals appropriately, monitor compliance with Condition 2 after approval, and track local employment and training efficacy during renewal.
Gan Kim Yong stated that this question was already addressed in the combined oral reply to Questions 6 to 13 from the 9 January 2023 sitting.
The debate highlights concerns about accountability and effectiveness in ensuring local employment and training under the scheme.
No new details or commitments were provided in this exchange, as the matter was previously covered in parliamentary proceedings.

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