Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

1 Aug 2022

Profiles of Licensed Electrical Workers as of June 2022

As of June 2022, there were close to 4,000 licensed electrical workers, with less than 1% being foreigners on S Passes or Employment Passes.
The majority of licensed electrical workers were between 41 and 80 years of age.
The Minister did not provide specific breakdowns of Singaporeans, permanent residents, top 10 nationalities of non-Singaporeans, or detailed age profiles.

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1 Aug 2022

Due Diligence and Credit Checks for Foreign Domestic Workers Taking Loans from Moneylenders

Licensed moneylenders are legally required to conduct due diligence and credit checks on all loan applicants, including foreign domestic workers, by verifying personal details and income documents and obtaining credit reports from the Moneylenders Credit Bureau (MLCB).
The MLCB provides credit reports that assess borrowers' creditworthiness and outstanding debts, and its system automatically rejects loan applications that would exceed income-based aggregate loan caps, such as the $500 limit for foreigners earning under $10,000 annually.
The Registry of Moneylenders enforces compliance through regular inspections to ensure licensed moneylenders adhere to lending laws and safeguards for all borrowers.

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1 Aug 2022

New Citizens Renouncing Singapore Citizenship and Permanent Residents Renouncing PR Status

Leong Mun Wai requested data on the number of new citizens and permanent residents who renounced their status each year from 2000 to 2018.
K Shanmugam responded that between 2000 and 2021, about 290 naturalised citizens renounced their citizenship annually on average.
He also stated that from 2000 to 2018, approximately 3,370 PRs renounced their status each year on average.
The debate focused on providing historical figures regarding the renunciation of Singapore citizenship and PR status.
The figures indicate a consistent but relatively low annual renunciation rate for both new citizens and PRs over the specified periods.

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1 Aug 2022

Gender and Age Breakdown of New Citizens at Point of Obtaining Citizenship Each Year Since 2000

Leong Mun Wai requested the Minister for Home Affairs to provide the gender and age breakdown of new citizens for each year since 2000, categorized into four age brackets: below 18, 18–30, 30–40, and above 40.
K Shanmugam responded with the average number of new citizenships granted annually from 2000 to 2021, including the breakdown by gender and age.
The reply included data on citizenship by registration and citizenship by descent for the specified period.

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1 Aug 2022

Male Children of New Citizens Who Did Not Serve National Service Subsequently

Leong Mun Wai asked how many new citizens' male children who were under 18 when their parents obtained Singapore citizenship or permanent residency have not served National Service after turning 18 since 2000.
Ng Eng Hen responded that from 2000 to 2021, about 60,000 new citizens sponsored their children for citizenship or permanent residency.
Among the male children who were under 18 when sponsored and have since turned 18 or older, around 3% were exempted from National Service, primarily due to medical unfitness.
This exemption rate mirrors the overall exemption rates for each enlistment cohort in Singapore.

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1 Aug 2022

Applications for HDB Loan Eligibility Letter by Singapore Citizens with Spouses on Long-Term Visit Passes

The Minister reported that HDB received about 400 monthly applications from Singapore citizens with non-resident spouses for an HLE letter from January to June 2022, but does not track the specific work pass types of the spouses.
HDB considers only the incomes of the flat buyers (Singapore citizen borrowers) when determining the loan quantum in an HLE letter, not the incomes of any occupiers, including spouses on LTVPs.
Appeals to include an occupier’s income for loan quantum computation are considered by HDB on a case-by-case basis.

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1 Aug 2022

Policy on Allowing Foreigners Wanted By Their Governments to Transit or Enter Singapore Temporarily

The Minister for Home Affairs stated that foreigners with valid travel documents and who meet entry requirements are generally allowed into Singapore, but the government reserves the right to deny entry if it is deemed not in the national interest.
If a foreigner is wanted by their government and a request is made, Singapore will assist in accordance with its laws, and for those transiting without clearing immigration, the government may still take action if undesirable persons are identified.
The government ensures the general safety and security of all visitors in Singapore and may provide additional security based on the individual's status and the risks posed to the person and the public.

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5 Jul 2022

Breakdown of Gross Monthly Salary of S Pass Holders

Leong Mun Wai asked for the breakdown of S Pass holders across specific gross monthly salary bands.
Tan See Leng stated that the S Pass minimum qualifying salary was raised to $2,500 in October 2020 and will increase to $3,000 from September 2022, with further updates in subsequent years.
As of December 2021, there were 161,800 S Pass holders with a median monthly salary of $3,100, and nearly all earned at least $2,500.

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5 Jul 2022

Number of PMET Jobs Done by Work Permit Holders in Each of Past Five Years

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of PMET jobs done by Work Permit holders in each of the past five years.
Tan See Leng provided a table showing the number and share of PMET jobs accounted for by Work Permit holders over the past five years.
The Minister stated that Work Permit holders make up a very small minority of PMET jobs and are subject to sector-specific quotas, levies, and medical and employment restrictions.

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5 Jul 2022

Steps Taken to Professionalise Blue-collar Trades in Construction Industry for Singaporeans

The Government is leveraging the Construction Industry Transformation Map to reduce reliance on migrant workers and create higher-skilled jobs through technology like Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, which generates roles such as production managers and precision crane operators with competitive wages.
Existing programmes like the ITE Work-study Diploma and Career Conversion Programmes are being built upon to upskill students and mid-career entrants for these new technical roles in the construction sector.
The Building and Construction Authority is conducting a Jobs Transformation Map study for the Built Environment sector to identify in-demand jobs, redesign roles, and develop targeted interventions with industry partners, aiming for completion in the second half of the year.

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5 Jul 2022

Males who Become Singapore Citizens by Registration and Percentage of Those Not Required to Serve National Service

The debate focuses on the percentage of male Singapore citizens by registration who are exempt from National Service and their alternative contributions to the country's defence.
Under the Enlistment Act, all male citizens and permanent residents aged 18–40 are liable for National Service, but those who receive citizenship as mature adults (typically in their 30s and 40s) are not enlisted as they are unsuitable for full-time service and did not benefit from citizenship beforehand.
New male citizens who stayed in Singapore when young are enlisted when they turn 18 or older, averaging 3,400 per year, which is about half of all new male citizens registered annually.

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5 Jul 2022

Higher Foreign Manpower Quota for Town Councils to Better Meet Cleanliness Expectations of Singaporeans

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry proposed increasing the foreign manpower quota for Town Councils to better meet Singaporeans' cleanliness expectations in HDB estates.
The Government acknowledged the difficulty in recruiting locals for cleaning work and has allowed Town Council contractors to hire Work Permit holders from non-traditional sources to ensure sufficient manpower.
While foreign workers help meet current needs, the Government does not intend to keep increasing quotas and encourages Town Councils to adopt automation and best practices to reduce reliance on manual labor.
Town Councils facing exceptional circumstances can request additional foreign workers beyond the allocated quota, and MND will work with MOM to assess such requests.
The debate centers on balancing the need for adequate cleaning manpower with policies to encourage productivity improvements and sustainable workforce practices.

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5 Jul 2022

Rationale for Exemption from Fair Consideration Framework and Complementarity Assessment Framework

The Fair Consideration Framework requires job advertising to promote fair employment, while the Complementarity Assessment Framework uses a points system to ensure foreign hires complement the local workforce, with different exemptions for small firms due to their distinct impacts.
Small firms with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from the FCF job advertising requirement due to resource constraints, but all employers must still follow fair hiring practices, whereas firms with fewer than 25 PMET employees get default points on certain COMPASS criteria to avoid skewed ratios.
The exemptions are not about one scheme being more lenient but tailored to each framework’s purpose, ensuring policies do not disproportionately burden small firms while still safeguarding local job opportunities.
These measures aim to create a conducive environment for startups to grow, ultimately strengthening the Singaporean core in the workforce by balancing support for small firms with fair employment safeguards.

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5 Jul 2022

Review of Criteria for Issuance of Permanent Residency to Attract Skilled Workers

Mr Lim Biow Chuan suggested reviewing permanent residence criteria to attract skilled workers like nurses and technicians to address workforce gaps.
Minister K Shanmugam clarified that PR applications are assessed holistically on factors such as economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, integration, and commitment to Singapore.
The assessment includes evaluating whether applicants possess skills needed in key economic and social sectors.
The government's approach aims to balance attracting talent with ensuring sustainable integration into Singaporean society.
No immediate changes to criteria were announced, but the existing framework is designed to support workforce needs.

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5 Jul 2022

Plans to Ramp Up Manpower Supply for New Eldercare Facilities

The Ministry of Health is addressing the shortage of nurses and allied health workers by enhancing salaries, providing scholarships and training, and implementing job redesign to increase productivity in the community care sector.
Efforts to boost staff supply for new eldercare facilities include launching a campaign to improve the sector's public image and respect, while continuing to complement the local workforce with foreign manpower where necessary.
Healthcare clusters will collaborate with eldercare centres to bring preventive care services to the community, supported by administrative staff and volunteers, as part of the strategy to scale up eldercare capacity by 2025.

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5 Jul 2022

Impact of Manpower Crunch in Hospitality and F&B Sectors on Customer Satisfaction and Singapore's Reputation as Business and Travel Destination

Edward Chia asked for the Ministry's assessment on how the manpower crunch in hospitality and F&B affects customer satisfaction and Singapore's reputation as a business and travel destination.
Gan Kim Yong highlighted that Singapore's reputation remains strong, citing a tourism survey and a robust pipeline of events, indicating resilience despite manpower challenges.
The Ministry acknowledged post-COVID demand surges have strained these sectors and has reopened borders for foreign workers to alleviate labor shortages.
Businesses are encouraged to adopt digitalization, job redesign, and productivity measures to maintain service quality while transforming to meet both local and international customer expectations.
The Ministry will continue collaborating with industries to ensure quality service and experiences for visitors as Singapore welcomes back travelers.

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4 Jul 2022

Study on Impact of Living Conditions on Sleep Quality and Quantity Among Migrant Workers and Workplace Safety

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry has studied how living conditions affect migrant workers' sleep and in turn workplace safety, and about efforts to alleviate heat in dormitories.
The Minister responded that dormitories must meet ventilation standards, with operators required to provide adequate fans, and new dormitories built after 2021 have reduced occupancy and more space per worker for better airflow.
Workers can report heat issues to FAST teams who work with operators to resolve them, and medical centres provide support, with very few heat or sleep-related complaints recorded in 2022.

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4 Jul 2022

Number of Letters of Consent for Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) Holders Approved in Each of Past 12 Months, Priorities Given, Measures to Prevent Exploitation and Recourse Available

From June 2021 to May 2022, about 1,500 Pre-Approved Letters of Consent (PLOCs) and LOC applications for Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders were approved on average each month.
LOC applications are assessed individually and are not prioritized by industry; LTVP holders with PLOCs can work in most jobs with employer notification to MOM.
LTVP holders are protected under the Employment Act, including rights to timely pay, leave, and key employment terms, with efforts to educate them on reporting exploitation.
Employees facing mistreatment can contact MOM for assistance, with resources available on the MOM website for reporting and guidance on employment laws.

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4 Jul 2022

Number of Migrant Domestic Workers Suffering Injuries in Course of Work and Average Compensation Given in Last Five Years

Seah Kian Peng asked the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for the number of migrant domestic workers injured at work and average compensation over the last five years.
MOM stated it does not collect injury data for migrant domestic workers because their work in households makes it hard to determine if injuries are work-related.
Employers must cover medical expenses and provide personal accident insurance with at least $60,000 coverage, regardless of whether the injury is work-related.
MOM does not track insurance payout data, as employers purchase insurance from private insurers.
The discussion highlights the lack of specific data on workplace injuries and compensation for migrant domestic workers.

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4 Jul 2022

Possibility of Differentiated Subsidies for Healthcare for Expecting Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens

Tin Pei Ling asked if differentiated healthcare subsidies could be provided to expecting foreign spouses of Singapore citizens for gynaecological care.
The Health Minister explained that subsidies are currently based on individual citizenship status, not spouse’s status, but Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+) holders receive subsidies at PR levels for inpatient services including obstetrics and gynaecology since 2012.
Singapore citizens and PRs can use MediSave to cover pre-delivery and delivery expenses for their foreign spouses up to prevailing withdrawal limits.
Financially needy patients may seek help from medical social workers for assistance, charity funds, or instalment plans based on assessment.

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