Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

2 Mar 2023

Foreign Versus Local Companies that Qualify Under Condition 1 of Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities Scheme

Leon Perera asked for a breakdown of foreign versus local companies among the 1,000 firms qualifying under Condition 1 of the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme, with the Minister clarifying that all beneficiaries must be locally incorporated or registered to hire Work Permit or S Pass holders.
The Minister noted that about 40% of eligible firms have at least 30% local shareholding, but shareholding is not a prerequisite; the scheme focuses on firms contributing to economic growth and creating opportunities for Singaporeans, with tight selection and collaboration with agencies like EDB and Enterprise Singapore.
Perera raised a supplementary question about a two-year requirement for firms to maintain their local workforce share, questioning how hiring more foreign pass holders could affect this share, with the Minister explaining that the scheme’s focus is on overall economic competitiveness and training for locals, not isolated workforce ratios.

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1 Mar 2023

Performing Artiste Work Permit Holders' Employment Rights and Responsibilities

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires employers to provide Work Permit holders, including performing artistes, with key employment terms in their native language before arrival and within 14 days of employment start.
MOM disseminates educational information on rights and support channels through social media and the FWMOMCare application to inform permit holders.
MOM conducts inspections and investigates complaints to enforce labour protections for all Work Permit holders, including performing artistes.

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1 Mar 2023

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

The debate focused on the challenge of an ageing workforce, with MPs urging the government to redesign jobs for older workers, expand part-time work opportunities, and enhance support schemes like the Part-time Re-employment Grant to prevent a "cliff-drop" in the workforce.
Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign manpower policies on local PMEs and SMEs, with calls for finer calibration of frameworks like COMPASS and the Shortage Occupation List to ensure complementarity while protecting Singaporean jobs.
The House discussed strengthening retirement adequacy, including CPF reforms for seniors and platform workers, while ensuring progressive wage increases for lower-income workers through the Progressive Wage Model and Workfare support.

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28 Feb 2023

Rules for HDB Flat Applications by Singapore Citizens with Non-resident Spouse, Parents or Children

Leong Mun Wai questioned why Singapore Citizens with non-resident spouses, parents, or children aged 21–35 are only eligible to apply for HDB flats if the non-resident has a Long-Term Visit Pass or work pass with at least six months' validity at application, and why they are restricted to 2-room flexi flats instead of larger units.
Desmond Lee explained that the minimum citizenship requirement for new HDB flats is one Singapore Citizen aged 21 and above and one Singapore Permanent Resident, with single SCs aged 35 and above eligible for specific flat types.
SCs aged 21–35 without a family nucleus cannot buy HDB flats alone, but they may purchase resale flats if their non-resident family member holds a long-term visa (e.g., Long-Term Visit Pass or work pass of at least six months) to qualify as an essential occupier.
The policy ensures non-residents staying long-term can be included in housing applications, reflecting prioritization given Singapore's limited land and resources.
The Ministry of National Development will continue reviewing housing policies to meet evolving societal needs.

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27 Feb 2023

Reasons for Unsuccessful Applications for Long-Term Visit Passes, Permanent Residency and Singapore Citizenship

Louis Ng asked the Ministry of Home Affairs whether it would include reasons for rejection and next steps in letters for unsuccessful applications for Long-Term Visit Passes, Long-Term Visit Pass Plus, permanent residency, and Singapore Citizenship.
K Shanmugam responded that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority generally does not disclose reasons for unsuccessful immigration applications, noting this policy was previously explained in Parliament in 2016, 2018, and 2021.
The Minister provided no indication of a policy change, implying the current practice of not providing detailed reasons will continue.

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27 Feb 2023

Correlation between Tightening of Foreign Worker Quotas and Hiring of Singaporeans at Higher Pay

Leon Perera asked whether studies have been conducted on the effects of tightening foreign worker quotas on hiring Singaporeans at higher pay and potential business failures, and if not, whether the Government would consider such a study.
The Minister for Manpower stated that internal studies show tightening access to lower-skilled foreign workers is more likely to improve local employment outcomes by substitution, while the impact is less clear for higher-skilled foreign professionals, with studies having limitations and being just one input to policymaking.
In a supplementary question, Leon Perera sought clarification on the findings for lower-skilled workers and whether the correlation for higher-skilled workers indicates a shortage of locally produced skilled professionals.
The Minister clarified that for lower-skilled workers, tightening quotas can lead to better outcomes for locals up to a point, but excessive tightening could harm economic progress; for higher-skilled workers, the Government is actively developing local talent but also needs foreign workers to complement the workforce amid rapid economic changes.

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24 Feb 2023

Data on Work Permit Holders Who Are Paid Electronically and Not Living in Dormitories

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the number and percentage of Work Permit holders not in dormitories paid electronically, and for an update on talks with tripartite partners about extending this requirement.
Tan See Leng stated that the Ministry of Manpower lacks data on Work Permit holders not in dormitories paid electronically.
The ministry has prioritized implementing electronic payments for Work Permit holders in dormitories, focusing on compliance verification and addressing non-compliance.
Discussions with tripartite partners are ongoing to possibly extend electronic salary payment requirements to more workers in the future.

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24 Feb 2023

Data on Work Permit Holders Charged with Crimes and Applying for Criminal Legal Aid

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for statistics on Work Permit holders charged with crimes, their applications for criminal legal aid, and reasons for unsuccessful applications over the past five years.
K Shanmugam provided crime data from SPF and ICA, redirected CLAS questions to Pro Bono SG, and shared that foreigners' CLAS applications are tracked by outcome but not by permit type.
Pro Bono SG reported that the top reasons for unsuccessful CLAS applications by foreigners are failing the means test, the offence not being covered, and inability to contact the applicant for testing.

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24 Feb 2023

Non-Citizens Married to Singapore Citizens and Subsequently Took Up Citizenship

Mr Leong Mun Wai requested detailed annual data from 2000 on foreign spouses marrying Singapore citizens and later gaining citizenship, including breakdowns by country of origin and the median time taken for citizenship.
Minister K Shanmugam provided the average annual number of foreign spouses gaining citizenship (around 2,700) and noted that high-level statistics are publicly available, but declined to share country-specific breakdowns to avoid bilateral sensitivities.
The Minister explained that foreign spouses must become Permanent Residents before applying for citizenship, and the processing time varies based on factors like marriage length, residency, and rootedness in Singapore.

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24 Feb 2023

Committee of Supply – Head U (Prime Minister's Office)

The debate focused on Singapore's climate change commitments, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with discussions on balancing economic growth, supporting SMEs, and ensuring a just transition for workers affected by the green shift.
Parliament addressed population and fertility challenges, including low birth rates, ageing demographics, and immigration policies, with calls for better family support measures like enhanced paternity leave and flexible work arrangements.
Concerns were raised about corporate governance and anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the Keppel case, with discussions on improving transparency, strengthening laws, and ensuring accountability in public and private sectors.
The Smart Nation agenda was reviewed, emphasizing digital inclusion for seniors, cybersecurity, and leveraging technology for public services, while maintaining non-digital options to avoid leaving anyone behind.
MPs debated lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, with the government maintaining that existing engagement mechanisms for youth are sufficient and that voting age should not be changed without clear benefits to governance.

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23 Feb 2023

Companies Investigated for Unauthorised Salary Deductions from Employment Pass Holders

Leong Mun Wai asked if companies have been investigated for unauthorised salary deductions from Employment Pass holders and how many such companies were investigated.
The Ministry of Manpower has measures to screen employers who may not intend to pay the declared salary.
From 2018 to 2022, MOM investigated 167 companies for potential EP salary criteria contraventions.
Among these, 10 companies were specifically investigated for making unauthorised salary deductions from EP holders.
The response indicates that while many companies were investigated for EP salary issues, only a subset involved unauthorised deductions.

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23 Feb 2023

Actions to Prevent Foreigners from Staying Illegally in Singapore Following Cancellation of Work Pass

The Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority conducts regular enforcement operations and checks at addresses of foreigners whose passes have expired, and that employers and homeowners must verify the immigration status of foreigners to prevent overstaying.
In response to a query about overstayer arrests, the Minister stated that from 2018 to 2022, the median duration of unlawful stay for arrested overstayers was about three months, and penalties for overstaying include jail and caning.
The Ministry noted that it is investigating the two cases of Chinese nationals who stayed illegally for 13 and 15 years, but cannot provide further details as the investigation is ongoing.

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23 Feb 2023

Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief for Married Women, and Divorced or Widowed Women without School-going Children

Leong Mun Wai questioned why married women without school-going children can claim Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief for income taxes, while divorced or widowed women without school-going children cannot.
Lawrence Wong stated that the Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief will end starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, as announced in Budget 2023.
The Government continues to provide support through the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy, which is aimed at helping those caring for dependents like young children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.

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23 Feb 2023

Employers' Declarations on Modifications to Salary Terms for Work Permit Holders

From 2019 to 2022, an average of 3% of non-domestic work permit holders were affected by salary reductions reported to MOM, while an average of 27 employers per year were fined for not properly notifying or obtaining consent for such changes.
Employers can reduce salaries only with the worker's written agreement and prior notification to MOM, and they must provide documented evidence in case of disputes; otherwise, the original salary must be upheld and any shortfall made good.
MOM is enhancing transparency by allowing workers to check salary declarations via the MyMOM portal and plans push notifications for salary changes, though it does not support capping salary reductions due to the need for flexibility in genuine cases like economic downturns or underperformance.

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23 Feb 2023

Individuals who have Leveraged on Global Investor Programme to Qualify for Permanent Residency

From 2020 to 2022, about 200 individuals received Permanent Residency through the Global Investor Programme (GIP), which requires an investment of at least $2.5 million in a business, fund, or family office in Singapore.
The government facilitates integration for these PRs through activities organized by the National Integration Council and the People’s Association, and they can also access networks from the Economic Development Board (EDB) for philanthropic or community contributions.
GIP investors have brought in over $5.46 billion in direct investments from 2011 to 2022, creating more than 24,000 jobs, and an additional $1.62 billion was injected into approved GIP funds as of October 2022.
The EDB conducts regular reviews, including site visits and documentary checks, to ensure GIP investors are rooted in Singapore and meet their commitments, with non-compliant PRs risking the lapse of their status if their re-entry permit is not renewed.
Only a very small percentage of GIP PRs are granted Singapore citizenship, and the government does not disclose specific numbers, but it is confirmed that the number is much less than 1% of total PR approvals annually.

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23 Feb 2023

Proposed Job-Matching System for Workers in Cleaning and Waste Management Industry

Louis Ng proposed a job-matching system similar to the Foreign Construction Worker Directory for the cleaning and waste management industry to improve job matching and reduce power imbalances where migrant workers fear reporting kickbacks.
The Senior Minister of State replied that job-matching initiatives should be industry-led and MOM would support such a proposal if the sector deems it necessary.
Louis Ng argued that a directory could help workers find alternative jobs within the same salary range, addressing both worker vulnerability and employer concerns about job-hopping.
The Senior Minister of State disagreed that job facilitation would address power imbalances, stating workers should report kickbacks to MOM for investigation instead.

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22 Feb 2023

Size of Job Market for Information and Communications Sector

Gerald Giam asked if the Information & Communications (I&C) sector's job market is shrinking and if the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has reduced Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass issuances accordingly.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that I&C employment grew by 13,700 in early 2022 and job vacancies were higher than the previous year, though near-term hiring may slow; the Ministry remains cautiously optimistic about the sector's long-term prospects.
The Minister explained that MOM does not adjust foreign pass quotas in response to business fluctuations, as this would create uncertainty and undermine Singapore's reputation as an open economy.
Instead, MOM has policies like pegging EP and S Pass criteria to local wage benchmarks, the upcoming COMPASS framework, and S Pass sub-Dependency Ratio Ceilings to ensure firms prioritize local hiring and avoid cheap foreign labor.
Additional measures, including the Fair Consideration Framework and Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower, are in place to safeguard local employment outcomes during economic downturns.

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7 Feb 2023

Measures to Maintain Racial Harmony and Security in Migrant Workers Dormitories

The Ministry of Manpower implements the Settling-in Programme for new work permit holders, introducing Singapore laws and social norms in their native languages to promote harmonious living among diverse races and religions.
MOM collaborates with NGOs, dormitory operators, employers, and community partners to organize regular multicultural social activities and celebrations, fostering appreciation and interaction among migrant workers of different backgrounds.
The Friends of ACE (FACE) Network, comprising migrant worker volunteers, helps bridge communication between peers and MOM to identify and address ground concerns early for proactive intervention.
Dormitory operators are required to respect religious and cultural sensitivities, implement measures to minimize conflicts, and respond swiftly to incidents, with MOM taking strict action such as revoking work passes for violent disturbances.

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7 Feb 2023

Update on Improving Living Conditions in Migrant Worker Dormitories

The Ministry of Manpower has implemented new standards for dormitories approved from September 2021, including larger living spaces, in-room Wi-Fi, en-suite toilets, and enhanced public health features, with six Quick Build Dormitories currently meeting these requirements.
MOM is developing a transition plan to upgrade existing dormitories while considering infrastructure constraints and potential bed supply disruptions, and plans to build and own two new Purpose-Built Dormitories with enhanced standards and public health innovations.
MOM proactively monitors and supports dormitories through regular inspections by Forward Assurance and Support Teams and has introduced the Primary Care Plan to provide migrant workers with accessible and affordable primary healthcare services.

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7 Feb 2023

Sufficiency of Manpower and Specialised Skills in Government Hospitals and Measures to Attract Quality Professionals

The Ministry of Health projects a need to grow healthcare manpower by approximately 3,000 nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff, along with 700 junior doctors annually to meet rising demand from an ageing population.
Ongoing initiatives include nurturing healthcare workers through education institutions, training and developing staff within public healthcare institutions, and offering mid-career conversion programmes.
The Ministry continues to redesign care models and job responsibilities, actively recruit foreign healthcare workers to complement the local workforce, and regularly review salaries to ensure competitiveness.

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