Immigration & foreign manpower

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the nationalities of workers issued work permits for foreign performing artistes over the past five years.
• Tan See Leng responded that the top three nationalities are Vietnamese, Chinese, and Filipino from 2020 to 2024.
• The Ministry of Manpower does not provide specific numbers for each nationality of foreign workers.

• Ms. He Ting Ru inquired about the Ministry of Manpower's tracking of deliberate under-reporting of overtime hours by employers of non-domestic migrant workers and the penalties for inaccurate payslips.
• The Ministry of Manpower monitors non-compliance with overtime pay through complaints and inspections, addressing breaches with educational approaches for minor infractions and enforcement actions for serious violations.
• Penalties for inaccurate payslips include caution letters and administrative fines of $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.
• Over the past five years, the Ministry has taken action against approximately 40 employers annually for overtime pay issues and about 10 for issuing inaccurate payslips.
• Affected employees are encouraged to seek assistance from the Ministry or the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management to file claims.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis raised a question about the harmonization of workforce regulations between Singapore and Malaysia under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to improve cross-border movement of people. Tan See Leng responded that while the zone aims to enhance economic cooperation and connectivity, there is no plan to harmonize workforce regulations. He clarified that individuals seeking employment in either country must still comply with the respective work pass requirements.

Jean See Jinli raised several questions regarding migrant workers' job loss and protection measures, including help provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the prevalence of fees owed to foreign recruiters, and responsibilities of employers. Tan See Leng responded that around 2,000 Work Permit holders seek MOM's assistance annually for dismissal-related issues, with support provided for salary or wrongful dismissal claims. MOM does not track whether dismissed workers owe recruitment fees, but regulates agency practices, including cap on fees, while acknowledging limitations in addressing fees in workers' home countries. To ensure responsible employer practices, laws exist for timely salary payments and impose penalties for non-compliance.

Hazel Poa requested data from the Minister for Home Affairs on the education qualifications of new citizens since 2019. K Shanmugam responded that the statistics on new citizens aged 20 and over, including those with secondary and below qualifications and post-secondary qualifications, are published annually. This information can be found in the "Population in Brief" publication and on the Singapore Department of Statistics' website.

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the presence of individuals wanted on INTERPOL Red Notices who may be at large in Singapore, specifically questioning their nationality status. K Shanmugam referred to a previous written response provided to related parliamentary questions on January 7, 2025, regarding tracking Singapore citizens or residents on INTERPOL's Red Notice.

• Leong Mun Wai raised concerns about potential abuse of the in-principle approval (IPA) system by employers to restrict migrant workers from seeking other jobs in Singapore.
• Minister Tan See Leng clarified that migrant workers are not prevented from seeking employment and that employers must obtain written consent from workers before applying for a Work Permit.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) can assist workers who believe their consent was not obtained, and employers must provide proof of consent if challenged.
• In cases where consent is disputed, MOM may revoke the IPA if the employer cannot prove consent, and false declarations by employers can lead to severe penalties.
• MOM is open to feedback and is committed to reviewing and improving the IPA system to prevent abuse.

• Mr. Leong Mun Wai inquired about the number of foreign workers granted permission to work under the Temporary Job Scheme (TJS) while under investigation and the reasons for unsuccessful applications.
• Minister Tan See Leng explained that foreign workers under investigation receive a Special Pass, allowing them to work under TJS unless there are safety concerns or potential interference with investigations.
• An average of about 850 Special Pass Holders have participated in TJS annually since 2022, and they are informed of their eligibility without needing to apply.
• Special Pass Holders can choose not to work under TJS if they can support themselves, and those needing assistance can contact the Ministry of Manpower.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean inquired about the annual percentage of S Pass holders who completed the Cultural Orientation Programme (COP) since its pilot began in 2023 and the potential expansion of such programs.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, reported that approximately 10% of eligible S Pass holders had voluntarily completed the COP as of November 2024.
• The COP was initiated as a pilot in December 2023 to help new S Pass holders acclimate to life and work in Singapore, with a review planned after the pilot concludes in 2025.
• The Settling-in Programme (SIP) is currently implemented for specific sectors, but there are no immediate plans to extend it to the Services sector.

• Christopher de Souza proposed the idea of granting short-term work permits for households to temporarily hire additional migrant domestic workers when their current workers return home for extended periods.
• Minister Tan See Leng responded that households can already employ a second migrant domestic worker if they have caregiving needs and the financial means to do so.
• Households can agree on a shorter employment period than the standard two-year work permit validity.
• The Ministry suggested that households needing interim help could utilize the Household Services Scheme for part-time and short-term domestic services.

• The debate focused on the government's tracking and monitoring of individuals in Singapore who are subjects of INTERPOL Red Notices, with questions raised about the number of such individuals and their citizenship status.
• The Minister for Home Affairs clarified that INTERPOL Red Notices are not arrest warrants and that the police can only act on them if there is sufficient evidence and an extradition request.
• Approximately 80 individuals linked to Singapore are associated with INTERPOL Red Notices, with about half being Singapore citizens and half not currently in Singapore.
• The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority screens immigration applications against adverse information, including INTERPOL notices, and takes action if a match is found.
• The government cooperates with issuing countries of INTERPOL Red Notices when contacted, especially if there are significant security concerns.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the number of citizenships granted in 2024, specifically by gender and age groups (21-30 and 31-40), and how many of these individuals are married to Singaporeans.
• Minister K Shanmugam responded that the statistics for 2024 are not yet available but provided data for 2023, indicating the number of citizenships granted by age and gender.
• Approximately 20% of the citizenships granted in 2023 were to foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens under the Family Ties Scheme.

• Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about non-digital access to applications for Singapore Citizenship, Permanent Residence, or Long-Term Visit Pass for those who are illiterate or lack digital skills.
• K Shanmugam responded that online submission is the default method for these applications, but assistance is available at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority Services Centre for those who need help.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised a question about whether employers are obligated to provide not just safe but also nutritious food for foreign workers in dormitories.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, confirmed that employers must ensure access to food for migrant workers, which can be done through catering, purchasing, or cooking facilities.
• The Ministry of Manpower promotes good nutrition among workers through educational materials and partnerships with healthcare providers and NGOs.
• Employers who cater food must use licensed food providers that meet safety standards, and the Ministry is exploring ways to encourage the provision of more nutritious options.
• Migrant workers can report food-related issues to the Ministry through designated support teams or a mobile application for assistance.

• Over 490,000 migrant workers are currently enrolled in the Primary Care Plan (PCP), which aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services.
• The PCP requires medical service providers to meet specific licensing, regulatory, and quality standards, including language support for migrant workers.
• Migrant workers benefit from low co-payment fees for healthcare services, leading to high satisfaction rates and increased usage of medical facilities.
• Employers can save at least 20% on healthcare costs per worker with the PCP, which offers predictable expenses and protection against unexpected bills.
• The Ministry of Manpower will continue to gather feedback from employers to improve the PCP and promote preventive healthcare among migrant workers.

The debate highlighted the integral role of hawker centres in Singaporean culture and the need to support hawkers amid rising costs and pressures. Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon emphasized the unique character of hawker centres and outlined key objectives: maintaining affordability for consumers, ensuring decent livelihoods for hawkers, and preserving local hawker culture. There are ongoing tensions between lowering food prices and supporting hawkers' income, as well as challenges in hiring local versus foreign workers without compromising the cultural identity of hawker centres. Proposed amendments to reinforce government support for hawkers and regular reviews of related policies were agreed upon, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to sustaining this vital cultural institution.

Jean See Jinli questioned the Minister for Manpower about routine checks for illegal foreign workers delivering parcels for e-commerce platforms. Minister Tan See Leng reported that since 2021, MOM has taken action against 11 foreigners working illegally and one delivery company that employed them. Advisories have been issued to remind delivery companies of the legal requirements for foreign workers. MOM will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate the need for additional deterrent measures.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the Ministry of Manpower's efforts to encourage foreign worker dormitory operators to exceed the minimum living space requirement. Tan See Leng responded that new dormitory standards will mandate at least 4.2 square metres per resident by 2040, with interim standards applying by 2030. Recognizing the challenges in immediate compliance due to infrastructural and business constraints, the Ministry introduced a Dormitory Transition Scheme to facilitate gradual improvements. Additionally, the Ministry is piloting innovative design features in new Purpose-Built Dormitories to enhance liveability and share best practices within the industry.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim asked about the share of foreign mothers with Singaporean children on Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVPs) after eight years of marriage, and whether the government plans to assist them in obtaining Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Residency (PR). K Shanmugam responded that as of June 2024, 7.5% of LTVP holders who were foreign spouses of Singaporeans were foreign mothers married for at least eight years. He explained that PR and citizenship applications from foreign spouses are assessed based on various criteria, including marriage length and the presence of children. Foreign spouses who do not qualify for PR can still apply for LTVP or LTVP+ to remain in Singapore.

Yeo Wan Ling and Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised concerns about health issues faced by migrant workers in Singapore and access to medical treatment. Dr. Koh Poh Koon, the Senior Minister of State for Manpower, outlined measures taken by the Ministry of Manpower to improve healthcare access for migrant workers, including mandatory employer coverage of medical fees and the introduction of the Primary Care Plan for affordable outpatient care. A study indicated that 96% of migrant workers can access primary health services, with common health issues being acute respiratory infections and musculoskeletal conditions. The Ministry emphasized the importance of balancing privacy and chronic condition management for workers while ensuring they are informed about healthcare options.