Employment & labour — Topics

9 Jan 2023

Government Scholarships for Encouraging Students to Work with Local SMEs

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the existence and rationale of Government scholarships specifically aimed at encouraging students to work with local SMEs.
The Minister confirmed that the Government administers the Singapore-Industry Scholarships (SgIS) in partnership with local SMEs and other companies, which support students across various industries.
Additionally, sector-specific scholarships like the SG Digital Scholarships are available for local SMEs to tap on for talent development.
Beyond scholarships, EnterpriseSG and MOE run talent development programmes, including internships and work-study schemes, to help local SMEs attract and develop young talent.
The Government's approach combines scholarships with broader initiatives to support local SMEs in building a skilled workforce.

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9 Jan 2023

Employment Passes Issued to Non-residents who Secured New Jobs in Third Quarter 2022 and Measures to Encourage Singaporeans to Fill These Roles

The Ministry for Manpower reported that of the 71,100 new jobs taken by non-residents in Q3 2022, 11,300 were Employment Pass holders, 5,900 were S Pass holders, and 53,900 held work permits or other passes, with growth concentrated in Manufacturing and Construction.
The Minister expects total employment to continue growing but more moderately for residents, given that resident unemployment has recovered to pre-COVID levels while non-resident employment remains below its pre-pandemic peak despite recent increases.
The government is leveraging initiatives like the National Jobs Council’s SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package and Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programmes to support Singaporeans in filling new roles, having placed about 200,000 locals into jobs and training opportunities from April 2020 to April 2022.

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9 Jan 2023

Employee Compensation Trends in Firms that Have Adopted Progressive Wage Model

The Ministry of Manpower enforces Progressive Wage Model compliance through inspections and investigations, with penalties for non-compliance such as suspension of work pass privileges.
MOM has not found any substantiated case of companies reducing total employee compensation in response to implementing the Progressive Wage Model, as a tight labour market makes such cuts counterproductive for attracting and retaining workers.
Progressive Wages are designed to increase annually through tripartite consensus, and data shows that cleaners, security guards, and landscape maintenance workers saw their real median wages grow faster than the median worker from 2016 to 2021.

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9 Jan 2023

Work Passes Issued under Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities Scheme

The Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme provides temporary foreign worker flexibilities to about 1,000 firms participating in key economic programs, such as Scale-Up SG, with firms required to commit to hiring or training local workers to support Singaporean talent development.
Ministers emphasized strict safeguards against abuse, including barring firms with poor employment practices, and clarified that the scheme is highly selective and time-limited, aimed at generating economic opportunities for Singaporeans without significantly impacting the overall foreign workforce ratio.
MPs raised concerns about the scheme's complexity, eligibility for smaller companies and professional service providers, and potential effects on local wages and job opportunities, with the government assuring that existing programs support local upskilling and that the scheme will be monitored and adjusted based on economic conditions.

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30 Nov 2022

Length of Service of Nurses Successful in Applications for Permanent Resident Status

MP Louis Ng asked for the average and median length of service of nurses who successfully obtained Permanent Resident status over the past five years.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the exact data is not readily available because employment records do not track PR nurses who switch employers within the public healthcare sector.
He added, based on anecdotal feedback, that nurses who gain PR status are likely to stay in service longer.

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30 Nov 2022

Employment Pass to Attract and Retain Foreign Nurses at Restructured Hospitals

Mr. Louis Ng asked the Ministry of Health to work with the Ministry of Manpower to create an improved Employment Pass specifically to attract and retain foreign nurses at restructured hospitals.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that foreign nurses are currently hired via Employment Pass or S Pass, with the government already exercising flexibility to meet manpower needs and working to ensure competitive salaries.
Mr. Ng raised concerns about high attrition rates among foreign nurses and asked if work pass conditions could be reviewed and dependants allowed to join them to improve retention.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the concerns, stated that these issues are being actively considered, and assured that appropriate flexibility is being explored to manage recruitment targets.

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29 Nov 2022

Data on Singaporeans and Non-Singaporeans Made Redundant from Tech Firms in 2022

Ms He Ting Ru requested specific data on Singaporean and non-Singaporean tech workers made redundant in 2022, including numbers, median age, and median salary.
Minister Tan See Leng stated the question had already been answered in a previous parliamentary session on 28 November 2022.
The earlier reply addressed the impact of layoffs by big tech companies and the support available for affected employees.

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29 Nov 2022

Number of Workers in Technology Sector Retrenched in 2022 and Impact of Global Layoffs on Technology Employment Landscape

Melvin Yong asked for the number of technology sector workers retrenched in 2022 and the impact of global tech layoffs on Singapore's employment landscape.
Tan See Leng referred to a previous reply given on 28 November 2022, indicating the information was already addressed in Parliament.
The earlier response discussed the impact of big tech layoffs and support for affected employees.
The debate confirms that the government has data on tech retrenchments and is monitoring the situation.
The issue of global tech layoffs affecting Singapore's employment landscape has been officially acknowledged and discussed.

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29 Nov 2022

Breakdown of Employment and S Pass Holders by Occupation Classification

From 2010 to 2020, the average number of Employment Pass (EP) holders classified as Professionals, Managers, and Executives (PMEs) was 137,600, while the average for S Pass holders in the same category was 56,300.
Over the same period, the average number of EP holders classified as Associate Professionals and Technicians (APTs) was 28,100, compared to 62,900 for S Pass holders in APT roles.
The average number of non-PMET EP holders from 2010 to 2020 was 10,000, while the average for non-PMET S Pass holders was 40,000.
EP holder counts for PMEs ranged from 93,300 to 153,600, and S Pass holder counts for PMEs ranged from 26,800 to 72,400 during the period.
For APT roles, EP holder numbers ranged from 21,200 to 30,400, and S Pass holder numbers ranged from 38,900 to 70,800 from 2010 to 2020.

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29 Nov 2022

Data on Former Employment Pass Holders Who Were Subsequently Granted S Pass since 2010

Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of former Employment Pass holders who were subsequently granted an S Pass each year from 2010 onwards.
Tan See Leng provided a table showing the numbers from 2010 to 2021, noting that employers decide the pass type based on business needs.
Employers converting EP holders to S Pass must adhere to S Pass qualifying salaries, quotas, and levies.
The response highlights that pass conversions are employer-driven and subject to prevailing regulations.
The data covers a period from 2010 to 2021, as requested by the question.

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29 Nov 2022

Workers with letter of Consent Employed in Jobs with Job Scope or Salary Equivalent to Pass Holders

Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of workers with a Letter of Consent employed in jobs with scope or salary equivalent to Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit holders.
Tan See Leng explained that since May 2021, Dependant's Pass holders need a work pass instead of a Letter of Consent, with most LOC holders being dependants of Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.
The Manpower Ministry provided a table as of June 2022 categorizing LOC holders by whether their salaries meet the prevailing Employment Pass (≥$5,000) and S Pass (≥$3,000) criteria, noting no salary requirements for Work Permit holders.

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29 Nov 2022

Plan to Better Protect Gig Workers and Measures to Balance Interests of Gig Work Organisations, Gig Workers and Consumers

Ang Wei Neng sought an update from the Minister for Manpower on plans to better protect gig workers and measures to balance the interests of gig work organisations, gig workers and consumers amid high inflation and interest rates.
Tan See Leng stated that the Government accepted the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers’ recommendations on 23 November 2022 to enhance protection for platform workers while balancing stakeholder interests.

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29 Nov 2022

Plans to Maintain Dynamism in Tech Industry amidst Layoffs

The Minister acknowledged recent layoffs in tech firms but highlighted that Singapore's Information & Communications sector continues to grow, with job vacancies tripling since 2020 and retrenched workers finding new employment quickly.
The government has activated measures like the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation to provide career coaching and resources to support affected tech workers.
To maintain a dynamic tech industry, Singapore will focus on attracting companies and talent, investing in local firms, strengthening partnerships between multinationals and SMEs, and upskilling the workforce.
The government is also establishing digital trade rules through Digital Economy Agreements to integrate Singapore's tech ecosystem globally and ensure long-term competitiveness.

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29 Nov 2022

Recent Workplace Safety Offences and Incidence of Repeat Offenders

During the recent enforcement operation from August to October 2022, 558 companies were penalised, with slightly more than half being repeat offenders who received stiffer penalties and more frequent inspections.
The government has introduced measures like the Heightened Safety Period, the Approved Code of Practice for Directors and CEOs, and the StartSAFE programme to hold leaders accountable and help SMEs improve workplace safety, with over 140 companies joining StartSAFE since September.
Early results from the Heightened Safety Period show a reduction in fatal accidents from 4.5 to 2 per month, with plans to review whether to extend the period beyond February 2023 based on outcomes.

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29 Nov 2022

Reports of Platform Workers Suffering Injuries in Course of Work

The Ministry of Manpower explained that platform workers are currently not covered by mandatory work injury compensation, so injury data is not reported, but the government has accepted recommendations to strengthen financial protection and will implement a framework for platform workers by the end of 2024.
The Senior Minister of State rejected an insurance industry proposal to use prolonged medical leave and group personal accident insurance instead of a Work Injury Compensation Act-like framework, arguing it would provide inadequate coverage, higher costs, and no dispute resolution mechanism compared to the recommended approach.
Platform companies and workers have generally welcomed the advisory committee’s recommendations, with concerns about implementation details and market distortions addressed by noting that street-hail taxis operate on a different business model and should not be included in the new rules.

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28 Nov 2022

Ages of Retrenched Tech Company Employees and Support Given

Dr Shahira Abdullah asked the Minister for Manpower about the ages of tech workers retrenched by companies, the support provided to retrenched youths, and whether tech talent demand has decreased compared to 2020 and 2021.
Minister Tan See Leng referred the question to a prior combined oral reply given on 28 November 2022, indicating the matter had already been addressed in Parliament.
The debate highlighted concerns over youth retrenchment in the tech sector amid Singapore’s talent development efforts.
No specific ages, support details, or demand trends were provided in this exchange, as the response pointed to an earlier reply.
The exchange underscores ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of employment impacts in Singapore’s tech industry.

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28 Nov 2022

Foreign Worker Dormitory Operators' Restrictions on Their Residents' Movement

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) restricts dormitory operators from imposing rules on foreign workers’ freedom of movement and whether it would consider curtailing operators’ powers to protect residents’ leisure options.
MOM stated that dormitory operators cannot prevent residents from leaving for leisure unless expressly instructed by the Commissioner for Manpower in limited circumstances such as safety or health concerns.
MOM’s Forward Assurance and Support Teams (FAST) regularly engage migrant workers to identify issues and ensure dormitory operators comply with regulations.
Dormitory residents can report movement restriction issues to their employer, MOM, or via the FWMOMCare app, and MOM will assist and follow up with operators.
The Ministry emphasized that any restrictions are narrowly tailored to specific safety or health instructions from the Commissioner, not broad operator discretion.

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28 Nov 2022

Profile of Singaporeans Affected by Global Tech Industry Layoffs and Support Available

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired about the percentage of Singaporeans affected by global tech layoffs, their demographics, job roles, expected future layoffs, and support for career switchers.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that the question was already addressed in a previous combined oral reply from 28 November 2022.

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28 Nov 2022

Impact of Continued Global Tech Layoffs on Tech Workers

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Manpower about the assessed impact of continued global tech layoffs on tech workers in Singapore.
Tan See Leng responded that the issue had been addressed in a combined oral reply to earlier questions during the 28 November 2022 parliamentary sitting.
The exchange highlights government attention to the global tech industry's influence on Singapore's local tech workforce.

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28 Nov 2022

Undergraduates Studying Islamic Studies and Availability of Certified Teachers

Abdul Samad queried the Ministry about the number of undergraduates studying Islamic Studies, the annual requirement for new asatizahs, and MUIS's plans to ensure sufficient certified teachers, given the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) requires a degree in Islamic Studies for graduate-tier teachers.
MUIS reported that about 350 new asatizahs are needed over five years (roughly 70 per year), with over 600 current students in Islamic Studies-related degrees, though not all will become teachers, and projections indicate enough asatizahs to meet community needs.
MUIS launched the Asatizah Workforce Development Plan in 2019 to enhance the religious teaching sector through industry practices like the Career and Competency Framework and Common Salary Guideline, alongside upskilling programmes to attract and retain talent.

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