Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

27 Feb 2024

Making Automated Clearance Lanes at Border Checkpoints More Accessible, User-friendly and Secure Against Unauthorised Entry

Automated clearance lanes process travellers up to 40% faster than manual counters, require less space and fewer officers, and are being expanded with over 160 new lanes installed in 2023 and 230 more planned this year to accommodate rising volumes.
Special Assistance Lanes (SALs) are wider and designed for travellers with disabilities, families with elderly or young children, and wheelchair users, with 58 installed across key checkpoints in 2023 and more to be added this year.
The new Automated Border Control System (ABCS) uses biometrics and data analytics to detect forged passports, high-risk travellers, and unauthorised entry, with on-site officers receiving alerts and conducting profiling.
ICA systems comply with stringent security and data protection requirements and undergo regular audits to mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
The ABCS will allow all foreign visitors, regardless of nationality or visit frequency, to use automated lanes, replacing existing lanes and manual counters progressively.

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26 Feb 2024

Retention of Designated Lanes for Singaporeans across All Land and Air Checkpoints

Patrick Tay Teck Guan questioned whether ICA would keep designated lanes for Singaporeans at all land and air checkpoints.
K Shanmugam confirmed that ICA will maintain dedicated lanes for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
The proportion of these lanes will be flexibly adjusted based on operational needs and traveller profiles.

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26 Feb 2024

Permanent Residency and Citizenship Registration for Individual Recently Served with Notice of Intended Designation as Politically Significant Person

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked for the timeline of an individual's permanent residency and citizenship registration, specifically for someone recently served a Notice of Intended Designation as a Politically Significant Person.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that MHA does not generally disclose such information due to confidentiality, but may do so under specific circumstances.
He noted that in this case, the events leading to the designation occurred after the individual's naturalisation, making an exception to confidentiality inappropriate.

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26 Feb 2024

Dedicated Lanes at Immigration for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents after Introduction of Automated Lanes for Foreigners

Darryl David asked whether dedicated immigration lanes for Singaporeans and PRs would remain after the introduction of automated lanes for foreigners.
The Minister of State confirmed that dedicated lanes will still be set aside for Singaporeans and PRs, with flexibility to adjust based on operational needs and traveler profiles.
Darryl David raised a supplementary question about improving the flow for families with young children or others who cannot use automated lanes.
The Minister of State responded that special assistance lanes for families and those with additional needs are available at checkpoints like Terminal 2, and these facilities are being expanded.
The government aims to enhance the travel experience for Singaporeans as part of the New Clearance Concept, ensuring ease of entry and overall satisfaction.

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16 Feb 2024

Clarification by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance

The Deputy Prime Minister clarified that all local employees at companies hiring foreign workers must be paid at least the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS).
He corrected that the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) is for Singaporeans aged 55 to 70, not 55 to 75 as initially stated.
The MRSS provides dollar-for-dollar matching for cash top-ups to CPF accounts to help those with less savings save more for retirement.

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16 Feb 2024

Measures to Ensure Passengers Do Not Overstay in Transit Area of Changi Airport

Passengers are allowed to stay in the transit area up to 72 hours for connecting flights, with those departing within 24 hours granted entry.
Security measures include regular patrols, community engagement, and collaboration with airlines and immigration to monitor and report suspicious or unauthorized stays.
Authorities have mechanisms to handle flight delays or cancellations, working with passengers and airlines to manage extended stays and ensure security.

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16 Feb 2024

Appeals by Younger Singaporeans Married to Non-Long-Term Visit Pass Holders to Buy HDB Flats or to Rent Flats under Public Rental Scheme

From 2019 to 2023, HDB received about 160 appeals annually from Singaporeans below 35 married to non-resident spouses seeking to buy or rent HDB flats, with an average of 13 appeals approved per year based on holistic case-by-case assessment.
The Minister outlined that SC-NR couples without a child who is an SC or SPR can use the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme to buy resale flats, with specific age and LTVP/Work Pass conditions, but do not qualify for public rental unless in exceptional circumstances.
A Member questioned why spouses with Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) are not eligible under the Family Scheme like SPRs, to which the Minister responded that resources are prioritized for Singaporean families, but LTVP holders can still buy resale flats and appeals are considered flexibly.

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6 Feb 2024

Possibility of Using CPF MediSave for Migrant Domestic Workers' Medical or Hospitalisation Expenses

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether employers can use their CPF MediSave to pay for their foreign domestic helpers’ medical or hospitalisation expenses if they cannot afford them, and what measures exist to raise awareness among potential employers about comprehensive medical insurance for their helpers.
Tan See Leng stated that CPF MediSave is meant for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents’ healthcare needs and cannot be used for Migrant Domestic Workers’ expenses.
Employers of MDWs must purchase medical insurance with an annual claim limit of at least $60,000, which covers about 99% of hospital bills for MDWs, and they can buy more comprehensive coverage if needed.
The Ministry of Manpower informs prospective employers about insurance requirements during work permit applications and the mandatory Employer’s Orientation Programme, and reminds current employers through media, the website, employment agencies, and direct mailers.

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6 Feb 2024

Expansion of Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List to Include Healthcare Cleaners

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List could be expanded to include healthcare cleaners.
The Minister for Manpower explained that occupations on the list are selected based on sector agencies' recommendations, considering local employment impact, wages, and automation potential.
The Ministry will work with sector agencies to assess healthcare cleaners' inclusion as part of regular reviews.

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5 Feb 2024

Statistics on Investigations of and Penalties for Employers Receiving Kickbacks from Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Manpower investigated about 210 cases annually from 2021 to 2023 involving employers receiving kickbacks from migrant workers.
Each year, approximately 70 employers were taken to task, with about 70% receiving warnings or composition fines and the remainder charged in court.
Of those charged, around 90% were successfully convicted, while the rest were still undergoing court proceedings.

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5 Feb 2024

Proposal for Work Injury Compensation to Cover Injuries Sustained by Migrant Workers at Dormitories

Murali Pillai inquired about the number of migrant workers injured in dormitories not covered by work injury insurance over the past five years and suggested reviewing the Work Injury Compensation Act to include such incidents.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified that non-work injuries at dormitories are not covered under the Work Injury Compensation Act, which only applies to work-related injuries.
The ministry noted that migrant workers have access to affordable non-work injury insurance through the Migrant Workers' Centre and that medical expenses are covered by mandatory employer-provided insurance.
The ministry stated there are no plans to expand the Work Injury Compensation Act's scope beyond work-related injuries, as it is designed as a no-fault claims regime for workplace incidents.

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5 Feb 2024

Non-Singaporeans Appointed in People's Association's Grassroots Organisations

Ms He Ting Ru requested statistics on the number of non-Singapore citizens who volunteered and were appointed as grassroots leaders in the People's Association's grassroots organisations over the last five years.
Minister Edwin Tong highlighted the People's Association's role in fostering social cohesion, noting that non-Singapore citizens actively participated in community initiatives, including over 2,600 volunteers during the COVID-19 Social Cohesion Campaign.
The Minister explained that non-citizens can volunteer informally through various schemes, but to become grassroots leaders, they must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Currently, about 8% of appointed grassroots leaders are Permanent Residents, and the PA aims to include both citizens and non-citizens in community activities to strengthen social bonds.
The Minister added that some non-citizens later become Singapore Citizens, contributing further to the community.

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5 Feb 2024

Impact of Reduced Dependency Ratio Ceiling for Construction Sector on Local SMEs

Most local SMEs in the construction sector are not significantly affected by the reduced Dependency Ratio Ceiling as they were already operating within the new 1:5 limit, with measures like advance notice, worker retention allowances, and support for productivity improvements helping ease the transition.
The government has implemented policies such as requiring large projects to adopt Design for Manufacturing and Assembly technologies and providing co-funding schemes to shift the industry toward more efficient, less manpower-intensive methods.
The Building and Construction Authority is educating project owners to factor updated costs from the reduced DRC into budgets, ensuring worker safety is not compromised amid the changes.

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5 Feb 2024

Extension of Ventilation Assessment to All Dormitory Types and Locations

Louis Ng asked if the Ministry would take ventilation measurements using carbon dioxide in separate locations, including sleeping rooms, and extend assessments to all dormitory types like Construction Temporary Quarters and Factory-Converted Dormitories.
The Ministry replied that a 2021 study by NEA and MOM was a one-off and there are no current plans for another study, but future studies would consider the member’s suggestions.
The exchange highlights concerns about comprehensive ventilation monitoring in migrant worker accommodations and the government’s stance on repeated assessments.
No commitment was made to immediate changes, but openness to incorporating member suggestions if further studies are conducted.
The debate underscores ongoing attention to migrant worker welfare and living conditions in Singapore.

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5 Feb 2024

Rooms in HDB Flats Rented Out to Non-Singaporean Tenants and Non-Citizen Quota for These Flats

Pritam Singh raised concerns about the 110,000 HDB flats with bedrooms rented out, questioning the number of Singaporean and non-Singaporean tenants and why the Non-Citizen Quota does not apply to such rentals.
Desmond Lee responded that there are about 223,000 registered tenants, with 3% Singaporeans, 56% Malaysians, and 41% other nationalities, and explained the quota aims to prevent foreigner enclaves in whole-flat rentals.
The Non-Citizen Quota does not apply to bedroom rentals because owners live with tenants, reducing foreigner concentration, and many owners rely on rental income to supplement their livelihood.
The government will continue monitoring tenant profiles to maintain the Singaporean character of HDB heartlands.

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5 Feb 2024

Global Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

Gerald Giam argued that Singapore should adopt a more proactive industrial policy with ambitious "moonshots," such as healthcare AI, and a state-led AI corporation to build local talent, ensure data sovereignty, and secure global leadership.
Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary countered that the government already supports similar outcomes through the National AI Strategy, emphasizing an open, collaborative ecosystem over protectionist measures and cautioning against the high costs and risks of picking specific winners.
Giam proposed stricter local hiring quotas and knowledge transfer conditions for foreign talent, while the government defended a balanced approach that remains open to global talent to complement local upskilling efforts.
The debate highlighted contrasting views on data strategy, with Giam advocating for local data sets and sovereignty, and the government stressing the necessity of cross-border data flows to maintain Singapore's competitiveness and global partnerships.
Both sides agreed on the goal of using AI to benefit Singaporeans and achieve economic growth, but diverged on the methods, with the government favoring broad-based initiatives and the MP calling for targeted, high-risk strategic investments.

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10 Jan 2024

Update on Hiring Auxiliary Police Officers from Taiwan and Work Challenges Associated with Such Hires

The Ministry of Home Affairs confirms that Auxiliary Police Forces (APFs) continue to hire APOs from Taiwan, though their numbers have declined by over 60% since 2017 to about 70 today due to factors like demanding work and better opportunities in Taiwan.
The government is considering expanding recruitment to other Asian jurisdictions like China, India, the Philippines, and Myanmar to address local workforce shortages and meet security service demand.
Risks of non-Singaporean APOs carrying firearms are managed through screening, training, supervision, and restricted deployment, with no evidence of higher misuse rates among foreign hires.

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10 Jan 2024

Inspection of Construction Temporary Quarters for Compliance with Foreign Employee Dormitories Act

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the completion of inspections of all Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQs) for compliance with the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act, the most common minor and major lapses identified, and actions taken against non-compliant CTQs.
The Ministry of Manpower confirmed it has inspected all CTQs regulated under the Act and found no major lapses.
Minor issues identified included poor housekeeping such as faulty lights, water leakage in toilets, and untidy rooms, which do not significantly affect resident well-being.
CTQ operators promptly rectified these minor issues, and no penalties were imposed.

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9 Jan 2024

Breakdown of Accommodation Type for Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit Holders

The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, provided a breakdown of accommodation types for Employment Pass, S Pass, and Work Permit holders, excluding migrant domestic workers.
Employment Pass holders are mainly in private residential properties (60%), rented HDB flats (30%), and other accommodation types.
S Pass holders primarily occupy rented HDB flats (70%), with some in private residential properties (20%) and dormitories or other types.
Work Permit holders are largely in dormitories and other accommodation, with smaller shares in private residential properties (10%) and rented HDB flats (30%).

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9 Jan 2024

Seniors Aged Above 65 with No Qualified Family Member to Sponsor Work Permit Application for Migrant Domestic Worker

Dennis Tan asked the Ministry of Manpower about seniors above 65 who lack qualified family members to sponsor migrant domestic worker applications, including application attempts, rejections, and nursing home relocations over the last five years.
The ministry responded that from 2018 to 2022, less than 1% of migrant domestic worker applications under the Sponsorship Scheme were rejected due to no eligible sponsor, which is fewer than 150 annually.
The ministry also stated it does not track data on seniors who move to nursing homes because they cannot hire a migrant domestic worker.

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