Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

6 Nov 2023

Catered Food for Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories without Time-stamp Indicating Date and Time by Which Food Should Be Consumed

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment for the number of cases over the past five years where catered food for migrant workers in dormitories lacked a “consume by” time-stamp.
Grace Fu responded that the Singapore Food Agency recorded no such cases in the past five years.
The exchange highlights ongoing scrutiny over food safety standards for migrant workers’ catering.
The government’s position indicates compliance with labeling requirements for catered meals in dormitories.

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4 Oct 2023

Migrant Workers' Complaints Received by Manpower Ministry

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of complaints received through FAST officers and the FWMOMCare app over the past five years, as well as the top five complaints.
The Minister responded that MOM does not track complaints as a category but addresses each feedback and request, noting that workers have easier access via FAST and FWMOMCare.
Common issues requiring MOM intervention include illegal employment, criminal kickbacks, false salary declarations, agency fee refund failures, and illegal deployment.

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4 Oct 2023

Inspections to Ensure Workers in Dormitories Consume Catered Food within Four Hours from Time It was Cooked

Louis Ng asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment for the number of inspections conducted over the past five years to ensure catered food in worker dormitories is consumed within four hours of being cooked.
Grace Fu explained that the Singapore Food Agency requires catered food to bear a time-stamp indicating its consumption deadline, and dormitory operators must source food from licensed caterers and protect it from contamination.
The Ministry of Manpower conducts at least annual inspections of licensed dormitories for compliance with the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act, with any lapses addressed immediately.
Workers can report food-related issues to MOM’s support teams or via a mobile app, and SFA investigates specific caterer-related food safety concerns.

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3 Oct 2023

Adoption of Recommendations by Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics on Migrant Domestic Workers

Hazel Poa asked if the Ministry will adopt recommendations to allow migrant domestic workers (MDWs) assisting in investigations or with stern warnings to work, provide live-out options, and permit MDWs to change employers with notice.
The Minister responded that MDWs assisting investigations can work under the Temporary Job Scheme unless there are safety or interference concerns, and employers may request to continue hiring MDWs given stern warnings.
The Ministry is not considering live-out options, citing difficulties for employers to oversee well-being and safety, and suggested the Household Services Scheme for partial-day help.
MDWs can terminate employment with notice but need employer consent to transfer to another employer.
If the recommendations are not adopted, the Minister did not provide a reason beyond the existing framework and concerns outlined.

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3 Oct 2023

Action against Employers Making Unfounded or False Accusations against Migrant Domestic Workers

He Ting Ru inquired about actions against employers who make unfounded or false accusations against migrant domestic workers, including potential hiring bans.
Tan See Leng stated that all reports of potential wrongdoing are investigated by the Police and Ministry of Manpower, with enforcement decisions based on evidence.
The Minister clarified that no enforcement action does not imply a false accusation, and actions have been taken against those who knowingly provide false information.

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3 Oct 2023

Immigration Checks on Hand-carried and Checked Baggage of Travellers Arriving via Private Jets

Don Wee inquired whether the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority inspects both hand-carried and checked baggage of private jet travellers.
K Shanmugam confirmed that all such travellers are screened and their baggage may be examined.
He added that advance passenger information allows authorities to flag high-risk individuals for more thorough checks upon arrival.

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3 Oct 2023

Percentage of Workers Living in Dormitories who have Mattress to Sleep On

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry for Manpower if it has data on the percentage of workers in dormitories with mattresses and if not, whether a survey can be conducted.
The Minister for Manpower stated that dormitory operators are required under law to provide beds, which include mattresses or a base board, and that operators typically provide mattresses by default or on request.
The Ministry does not see the need for a survey, as workers can seek assistance from the Ministry’s support teams or via the FWMOMCare app if mattresses are not provided.

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3 Oct 2023

Extension of Concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker Levy to Persons with Life-limiting Medical Conditions

Tan Wu Meng asked whether the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy can be extended to persons with life-limiting medical conditions who do not meet the age criteria.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified that employers already qualify for the concession if they live with family members who are young children, elderly persons, or individuals with serious medical conditions requiring help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), without an age criterion.
Applications for the levy concession are assessed by the Agency for Integrated Care based on care needs, and employers who do not qualify can still hire a domestic worker at the standard levy rate.

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3 Oct 2023

Companies Which Made False Salary Declarations in Work Pass Applications or Renewals

Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of companies that made false salary declarations in work pass applications or renewals since 2018, and how many of these are manpower supply companies or have fewer than 25 employees.
Tan See Leng stated that 80 companies have been found to have made such false declarations since 2018.
Of these 80 companies, one is a manpower supply company.
Of these 80 companies, 57 have fewer than 25 employees.

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3 Oct 2023

Amount of Time Granted to Migrant Workers Going Through Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management Case to Find New Employers

Over the past five years, migrant workers on a Work Permit with a valid salary claim lodged with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management were granted an average of two weeks to find a new employer, with the typical range being two to eight weeks.
The Ministry of Manpower facilitates extensions for workers who have found new employment but need additional time to complete their Work Permit application, but does not track the number of such extension applications.
The average time granted for job search is based on the resolution period for salary claims, which usually takes between two to eight weeks.
The government’s approach is to allow workers to look for new employers until their salary claims are resolved, with extensions provided as needed for administrative completion of permits.

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19 Sep 2023

Successful Applications for Employment Pass

Leong Mun Wai sought annual data since 2010 on the number of Employment Pass applicants with zero to over four prior successful applications and their recent success rates.
Tan See Leng presented a table showing the average annual proportions of applicants with zero, one to three, or four or more prior successful Employment Pass applications from 2010 to 2022.
The Ministry of Manpower noted that most applications are successful, as criteria are published and a Self-Assessment Tool helps employers gauge approval likelihood.

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19 Sep 2023

Measures to Build Up Pipeline of Singaporeans to Take Up Jobs on Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

The Ministry explained that not every occupation can have a local pipeline due to ageing demographics and education levels, and selected nine NTS occupations after consulting sector agencies on S Pass holder impacts, manpower shortages, low local take-up, and low automatability.
To protect existing Singaporean workers in these jobs, a strict quota with an 8% sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a $2,000 minimum monthly salary was implemented to prevent over-reliance and cheap sourcing of NTS workers.
The NTS Occupation List will be reviewed every three years and amended if employers can hire sufficient locals or if automation and job redesign reduce manpower needs, with ongoing monitoring through tripartite partners and sector agencies.
Fair employment practices require employers to consider all candidates and pay fairly, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices available to assist workers facing unfair treatment.
The Minister noted that some Singaporeans already work in these occupations, but their prospects will be safeguarded through the measures above, and the list will be rolled back when local supply is sufficient.

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18 Sep 2023

Availability of Accommodation and Employers' Commitment to Productivity Targets Before Approval of Work Passes for Foreign Workers

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked whether the Ministry of Manpower ensures sufficient accommodation for foreign workers before approving work passes, collaborates with employers committed to productivity measures, and how effective past schemes have been in reducing reliance on foreign workers.
The Ministry responded that employers must provide acceptable accommodation, and 17,000 new dormitory beds have been added since December 2022; productivity transformation is supported through Industry Transformation Maps and grants, but requiring individual firm commitments before approving passes is impractical.
The Ministry instead calibrates foreign workforce policies, such as reducing Dependency Ratio Ceilings for sectors like Construction and Process, to incentivize productivity improvements and reduce foreign worker reliance.

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18 Sep 2023

Addressing Bed Bug Issues at Migrant Worker Dormitories

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Ministry of Manpower would take additional measures beyond advising workers not to use infected mattresses to address bed bug issues in migrant worker dormitories.
Tan See Leng stated that dormitory operators are legally required under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act to maintain cleanliness and ensure dormitories are free from vectors like bed bugs.
The Ministry conducts regular inspections and has mechanisms for feedback, and if bed bugs are found, operators must remove infected mattresses and engage vector control services.
The Ministry will take enforcement action against operators or employers in cases of serious infestation or non-compliance.
The response emphasizes existing legal frameworks and inspection protocols as the primary means to address bed bug issues.

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18 Sep 2023

Work Passes for Those who can Work in Singapore during Non-peak Hours and Return to Homes in Johor Bahru or Batam in the Day

Mr Don Wee proposed increasing work passes for specific night-shift jobs like production operators and truck drivers, allowing workers to live in Johor Bahru or Batam and commute daily.
The Ministry of Manpower explained that loosening Dependency Ratio Ceilings could make businesses overly reliant on foreign workers and that enforcing daily cross-border commutes would be impractical.
Employers needing temporary foreign manpower can instead use the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities scheme, which offers flexibility while supporting Singapore's economic goals.

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18 Sep 2023

Support for Foreign Healthcare Workers Facing Difficulties in Finding Affordable Housing in Current High-rent Market

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired whether the Ministry of Health offers assistance to foreign healthcare workers struggling with high rental costs and if long-term housing could be included to attract them.
The Ministry of Health and public healthcare clusters provide housing allowances and are establishing hostel-like accommodation to support new foreign healthcare workers.
The Ministry will continue monitoring needs, including the potential for long-term accommodation, while private employers also offer similar support.

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18 Sep 2023

Inspection of Catered Food Provided to Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the timings for migrant workers' lunch and dinner breaks are within four hours from when catered food is cooked.
The Ministry of Manpower conducts regular inspections on dormitories to ensure food safety measures and proper storage are in place.
No specific complaints have been received about food being consumed too long after preparation, but workers can report issues via FAST officers or the FWMOMCare app.
MOM will follow up with dormitory operators or employers to address issues and may refer serious food safety concerns to the Singapore Food Agency.

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18 Sep 2023

Immigration (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces the New Clearance Concept to digitalise and automate immigration clearance using biometrics, aiming for faster and more secure processing at checkpoints and Changi Airport, while ensuring data privacy and accommodations for travellers with special needs.
It strengthens border controls by expanding the collection of advance passenger information to include bus operators, enabling No-Boarding Directives to prevent undesirable individuals from boarding conveyances to Singapore, and clarifying the Minister’s power to restrict entry for public health or security reasons.
The Bill removes the statutory right of appeal for Permanent Residents against certain decisions, aligning with other immigration passes, and clarifies the legal framework for losing PR status if a Re-Entry Permit expires without renewal within a prescribed period.

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3 Aug 2023

Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreigners Renting Bedrooms and Entire HDB Flats from Open Market

Hazel Poa asked for the number of Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreigners renting entire HDB flats or bedrooms from the open market each year since 2010.
As of June 2023, 11,900 Singapore Citizens (5%), 34,900 Permanent Residents (15%), and 185,000 Non-Residents (80%) rented entire HDB flats, while 7,200 Singapore Citizens (3%), 28,100 Permanent Residents (13%), and 186,000 Non-Residents (84%) rented bedrooms.
Since 2010, the proportion of tenants renting HDB flats has been stable: 5-9% for Citizens, 13-24% for PRs, and 67-82% for Non-Residents.
For bedrooms, the proportion of tenants has also been stable: 3-8% for Citizens, 11-21% for PRs, and 70-85% for Non-Residents.

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3 Aug 2023

Construction Temporary Quarters and Factory-converted Dormitories with Unhealthy Carbon Dioxide Levels

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the number and percentage of rooms with carbon dioxide levels below 1,100 ppm in two types of migrant worker dormitories.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that a 2021 study used carbon dioxide measurements to assess ventilation in dormitories.
She stated that no further studies are planned, so the specific data requested is unavailable.

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