Employment & labour — Topics

3 Oct 2022

English Language Qualification Requirement for Employment Pass Applicants

Leong Mun Wai asked whether there are English language qualification requirements for Employment Pass applicants and the reasons for not imposing them if none exist.
Tan See Leng stated that no such English language requirements are imposed by the Ministry of Manpower for Employment Pass applicants.
The Ministry believes employers are better positioned to specify English proficiency levels based on business needs and job-specific requirements.
Consequently, the Ministry does not mandate English language qualifications for Employment Pass applications.

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3 Oct 2022

Update on Jobs Taskforce Set Up in 2021 to Grow Talents in 10 Key Sectors

The Jobs Taskforce was established in September 2021 to address elevated resident unemployment by facilitating local placements in key sectors.
As of June 2022, resident and long-term unemployment rates improved to pre-COVID-19 levels of 2.8% and 0.7% respectively.
By May 2022, the Taskforce’s efforts across eight ministries and agencies helped nearly 9,000 local workers enter new jobs through career conversion and sectoral matching programmes.

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3 Oct 2022

Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass for Healthcare Professionals

Dr Tan Yia Swam proposed a personalized pass for healthcare professionals to attract top talent and asked for expedited dependant passes for their families.
The Minister confirmed the existing Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass already includes healthcare professionals earning at least $30,000 monthly.
Dependant pass applications for healthcare workers are typically processed within three weeks, meeting service standards.
Applicants are advised to submit dependant pass applications early to account for processing time.
The Ministry appreciates the need for speed and certainty in processing work and dependant passes for healthcare talent.

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3 Oct 2022

Support for Nurses Undertaking Caregiving for Their Families

The Ministry supports local and foreign nurses with family caregiving through various types of leave, including annual leave, maternity leave, childcare leave, paternity leave, and unpaid infant care leave under Singapore’s Employment Act and Child Development Co-Savings Act.
Public healthcare institutions and some private employers offer additional support like family care leave and flexible work arrangements such as staggered hours, compressed work weeks, and flexi-load to help nurses manage caregiving responsibilities.
Onsite childcare centres in certain hospitals are available for staff to enrol their children, providing further convenience for nurses balancing work and family duties.

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3 Oct 2022

Plans to Convert Preschools to Senior Care Centres and Preschool Staff to Carers for the Elderly

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether there are plans to convert some preschools to senior care centres and create career conversion pathways for preschool staff as the population ages.
The Minister stated that both preschool and senior care sectors are growing, with ECDA expanding preschool capacity by over 50,000 places since 2017 and planning 5,100 more by 2023, while unused preschool sites could be released for other community needs.
The Minister noted that the early childhood educator workforce has grown by over 30% since 2017 and will continue to expand, but existing career conversion schemes like the Senior Management Associate Scheme and Healthcare Career Conversion Programmes already support mid-career locals transitioning to community care.

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3 Oct 2022

Allied Educators Hired to Support Teachers at Special Education (SPED) Schools

Pritam Singh inquired about the number of allied educators in SPED schools on contract or part-time versus permanent bases, plans to increase their numbers, and current recruitment gaps for specialized instruction.
Chan Chun Sing explained that allied staff such as Teacher Aides, Allied Professionals, and Vocational Education personnel support SPED teachers, with around 1,000 such staff complementing 1,600 teachers across 22 schools.
The Ministry of Education, National Council of Social Services, and SG Enable will collaborate to hire more SPED teachers and allied staff as new schools open, focusing on professional development, career progression, and staff well-being.

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3 Oct 2022

Number of Teachers Breaking Teaching Bonds in Past Five Years and Their Reasons

Louis Ng asked for the number and percentage of teachers breaking teaching bonds over the past five years and the top three reasons for doing so.
Chan Chun Sing replied that about 10 teachers per year (1.5% of average annual recruitment) left without completing their bonds.
The main reasons cited were pursuing other career interests, family reasons, and medical reasons.

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3 Oct 2022

Workplace Grievances Surfaced to NTUC-affiliated Teachers' Unions and Associations

The Ministry of Education engages four NTUC-affiliated teachers' unions regularly to discuss staff issues and gather feedback on policies.
MOE receives about 60 cases annually from the unions, including workplace grievances, appraisal concerns, posting or leave requests, and general HR policy enquiries.
All cases referred by the unions are followed up by MOE, and the outcomes are communicated to both the individual members and the unions.

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3 Oct 2022

Percentage of Outcome-based Cleaning Contracts with Implementation of Progressive Wage Model for Cleaning Sector

Ms Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the Ministry’s tracking and current percentage of outcome-based cleaning contracts under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the cleaning sector.
Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that PWM has been mandatory for all licensed cleaning businesses since September 2015 to uplift wages and jobs, and service buyers are encouraged to adopt outcome-based contracting.
The National Environment Agency collaborates with industry partners to promote outcome-based contracting, with about 40% of large service buyers adopting it as of September 2022.

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3 Oct 2022

Plan to Train 1,000 Automotive Technicians to Maintain Electric Vehicles and Build Up Workshop Capabilities

The Singapore Motor Workshop Association Training Academy has trained around 100 technicians for EV maintenance since January 2021, with plans being reviewed amid COVID-19 impacts and growing alternative training options.
Government agencies are collaborating with higher education institutions and industry partners to upskill the workforce for EV maintenance roles.
Thirteen automotive workshops received the Enterprise Development Grant between December 2020 and September 2022 to develop EV and charging system capabilities, while none used the Enterprise Financing Scheme for this purpose.

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3 Oct 2022

Attracting Top Talent to Continue Representing Singapore in Diplomacy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively recruits top talent through outreach programmes and internships at its headquarters and overseas missions to ensure a pipeline of capable officers.
Foreign Service Officers are given early opportunities to represent Singapore at high-level international forums and postings, which is critical for their development in a complex global environment.
The Ministry regularly reviews its career schemes and remuneration package to remain competitive against the private sector and other fields that value the training and versatility of its officers.
The motivation for officers to join and serve in the Foreign Service is driven not only by tangible benefits but also by the honour and fulfilment of representing Singapore.

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3 Oct 2022

Data on Employment Pass Applications by Family Offices in Singapore

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng stated that Employment Pass applications from Single Family Offices are processed like other applications and rejected for similar reasons, such as failing to meet salary criteria or verification checks, with no specific data on rejections for family office applicants or their immediate family members.
The new Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass scheme is open to top talent across sectors, requiring a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 and proof of work with an established company overseas or in Singapore, with family office applicants eligible if they meet these criteria.
As of end-2021, there were about 700 Single Family Offices in Singapore, and applicants who do not qualify for the ONE Pass can continue applying for other work passes.

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3 Oct 2022

Beneficiaries and Targeted Competencies under Talent and Leaders in Finance Programme

The Talent and Leaders in Finance programme supports Singaporeans at all career stages to build deep specialist and leadership skills, focusing on technology, sustainability, and senior roles.
Beneficiaries include students, mid-career professionals, and existing workers, with initiatives like internships, career conversion programmes, and overseas stints to develop in-demand competencies.
The programme targets competencies in technology (e.g., data analytics, software engineering) and sustainable finance, alongside leadership development to help Singaporeans secure senior finance jobs and support Singapore’s growth as a global financial hub.

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3 Oct 2022

Training for Work Pass, Long-term Visit Pass and Dependant Pass Holders

Ms Hazel Poa asked about government-subsidised training schemes for work pass, long-term visit pass, and dependant pass holders, including details and subsidies spent over the past three years.
Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that training subsidies are primarily for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents to support local workforce upskilling and meet industry skills demand.
Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) holders, who are eligible foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens, are extended some training subsidies, but they account for less than 0.02% of total subsidies since October 2021.
The government’s focus is on local workforce development, with limited subsidy provisions for specific foreign pass holders like LTVP+ holders.
No specific subsidies for work pass or dependant pass holders were mentioned, indicating these groups do not receive similar training support.

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3 Oct 2022

Inclusion of Mental and Intellectual Disabilities in Employment-related Programmes for Persons with Disabilities

The Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit are available to persons with intellectual disabilities and autism, but those with other mental health conditions are directed to other agencies for employment support.
The government acknowledges the wide spectrum of mental health conditions and customizes support based on individual needs, with some requiring special work arrangements.
An Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being is examining ways to strengthen support, reduce stigma, and improve employment prospects for persons with mental health conditions.

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3 Oct 2022

Additional Workfare Income Supplement Cash Support to Cushion Inflation

Gan Thiam Poh asked if additional Workfare Income Supplement cash support can be provided to help beneficiaries cope with inflation.
Tan See Leng responded that Workfare is regularly reviewed and was enhanced from 2023, with maximum annual payouts raised and cash portions increased for lower-wage workers.
The government is also raising lower-income wages through Progressive Wages, Local Qualifying Salary, and annual wage recommendations, supported by a $1.5 billion relief package.
The government will continue monitoring the situation and provide targeted help if needed.

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3 Oct 2022

Ensuring Manpower and Service Level Adequacy with Reopening of Terminals at Changi Airport

The Ministry of Transport reported that Changi Airport's passenger traffic has recovered to over 60% of pre-COVID levels, with flight numbers expected to reach 80% by year-end, supported by the reopening of Terminals 4 and 2 to restore full capacity.
Aviation stakeholders are on track to recruit about 4,000 workers by end-2022, aiming to restore the workforce to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, ensuring service quality is maintained as passenger volumes increase.
Lessons from the pandemic, such as modular design for resilience, sustainability, and automation in areas like baggage handling, are being incorporated into future infrastructure projects like Terminal 5 to enhance efficiency and adaptability.

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3 Oct 2022

Efforts to Grow Manpower Talent for Key Sectors and to Groom Local Pipeline

The Ministry of Manpower outlined a three-pronged strategy to grow local talent while ensuring foreign workforce complementarity, emphasizing that a balanced approach supports job growth and wage increases for Singaporeans without quotas on Employment Passes.
Oversight mechanisms like the Fair Consideration Framework and COMPASS are being strengthened to promote fair hiring, with data analytics used to detect discrimination and enforcement actions taken against non-compliant companies.
Initiatives such as the Singapore Global Network and sector-specific programmes aim to attract overseas Singaporean talent back home, with support for relocation and career transition, though detailed data on leadership roles is not yet available.
The Ministry is reviewing the COMPASS framework and considering feedback on fixed-term Employment Passes, but maintains that current policies strike the right balance between business needs and local workforce development.

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13 Sep 2022

Wage Cut Notifications Received from March 2020 to July 2022

Leong Mun Wai requested a monthly breakdown of wage cut notifications from March 2020 to July 2022 and suggested re-implementing the measure to monitor businesses.
Minister Tan See Leng reported that notifications peaked at 1,937 in April 2020 but fell to an average of nine per month by early 2022, leading to the discontinuation of the requirement.
The tripartite partners do not plan to reinstate the notification requirement due to the sustained low level of notifications and the economy’s recovery.
The Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment remains in place to guide employers on fair cost-saving measures.
Employers and employees are encouraged to consult unions or seek advice from tripartite bodies like TAFEP and TADM for support or dispute resolution.

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13 Sep 2022

Individuals Who Ceased Employment Since Implementation of Workforce Vaccination Measures

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked for an update on the number of individuals who ceased employment since the Workforce Vaccination Measures took effect in January 2022, referencing 52,000 unvaccinated employees as of December 2021.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that the measures were lifted in April 2022 and estimated that 5,000 of the 32,000 local unvaccinated employees became unemployed or were on no-pay leave in 2022.
As of June 2022, about 1,000 of those 5,000 local employees had regained employment, with career matching services available from Workforce Singapore and NTUC's e2i.

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