Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

4 Apr 2022

Registered Companies in Singapore Not Hiring Work Pass Holders for Past Five Years

Over the past five years, approximately 160,000 business entities in Singapore hired at least one worker.
Between 45% and 48% of these entities did not hire any work pass holders, including those that do not employ lower-wage workers at all.
Only 18% of lower-wage workers work in firms that do not hire work pass holders, and these firms are mostly small-scale family businesses with fewer than 10 workers.

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4 Apr 2022

Review on Projected Number of Migrant Domestic Workers Given COVID-19 Disruptions and Ageing Population

The Minister for Manpower stated that demand for caregiving support will rise with Singapore's ageing population, where one in five residents will be 65 and above by 2030, but projecting the exact number of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) is complex due to multiple factors and evolving options like assisted living and expanded household services.
The government is expanding a wide range of eldercare services, including home care, day care, community rehabilitation, assisted living pilots, and an expanded Household Services Scheme to offer more alternatives and potentially moderate MDW growth.
While MDWs remain important, the government encourages diversity in their source countries and will continue monitoring population trends and regularly reviewing policies to meet caregiving needs.

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11 Mar 2022

Statistics on Enforcement Actions against Employers for Compelling Work Permit Holders to Work on Rest Days without Prior Written Agreement between 2016 and 2020

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for statistics from 2016 to 2020 on enforcement actions against employers who compelled work permit holders to work on rest days without prior written agreement, including investigations, warnings, fines, charges, and convictions.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified there is no legal requirement for written consent for rest-day work but advises written agreements for routine scheduling to avoid disputes, with workers able to withdraw consent anytime.
Between 2016 and 2021, MOM received about 20 complaints annually about rest-day non-provision, mainly issuing advisories, warnings, or fines, with follow-up inspections and employers promptly rectifying practices.

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8 Mar 2022

Numbers of Work Permit Holders Living in Dormitories and Non-dormitories Who Attempted and Committed Suicide in Each of Past 10 Years

The Ministry of Manpower reported that the suicide rate for Work Permit Holders was consistently lower than the general population over the past ten years, with an average of 4.2 per 100,000 compared to 8.7 per 100,000 for the general population.
The Minister outlined that suicide rates among Migrant Workers were higher in 2020 and 2021 but remained below those of the general population, noting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since November 2020, the government has implemented a seven-point strategy under Project DAWN to improve mental health literacy and early identification of at-risk individuals among migrant workers.
A key initiative involves training peer support leaders among migrant workers to provide psychological first aid and timely support to colleagues and friends.
The Minister emphasized that MOM will continue to closely monitor and support the mental health of all workers.

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8 Mar 2022

Update on Plans to Regulate Foreign Worker Dormitories under Foreign Employee Dormitories Act

The Senior Minister of State for Manpower confirmed plans to expand the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA) to include smaller dormitories with fewer than 1,000 beds by the end of the year, aiming to strengthen regulatory standards and consistency.
Engagement with dormitory operators, including NGOs, is ongoing due to the diverse landscape and infrastructure constraints, with more details on the expansion to be shared in the coming months.
Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised concerns about the timeline for implementation and support for dormitories adapting to new rules, to which the Minister responded that sufficient transition time and further details will be provided later this year.

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7 Mar 2022

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

The Ministry of Manpower announced significant enhancements to the Progressive Wage Model and Workfare Income Supplement, including expanding PWM coverage to 94% of full-time lower-wage workers by early 2023 and increasing Workfare qualifying income cap to $2,500 monthly with a new $500 minimum monthly earning requirement, supported by $9 billion in government spending over five years.
A new Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for Employment Pass applicants will be implemented from September 2023, evaluating factors like salary relative to local PMET wages, qualifications, firm diversity, and support for local employment, with a $20,000 monthly salary exemption for senior management roles.
The government is expanding the Household Services Scheme to include basic child-minding and elder-minding services, promoting flexible work arrangements, and enhancing mental well-being support in workplaces, while enshrining fair employment guidelines in law to strengthen workplace fairness.

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4 Mar 2022

Provision of Subsidies to Families Using Household Services Scheme and Expanding It to Include Workers from More Countries

The Ministry of Manpower explained that the Household Services Scheme (HSS) allows eligible companies to hire migrant workers from countries like India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and recently Cambodia, to provide part-time home cleaning and other household tasks.
The scheme has grown to 103 companies, benefiting around 16,000 households, and is being expanded to include more services such as grocery shopping and pet-sitting.
The Ministry stated it is considering further expansion of HSS services and will monitor market response but did not commit to providing subsidies similar to those for migrant domestic workers.

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4 Mar 2022

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Minister Koh Poh Koon stated that migrant worker community visits are underutilized but can be expanded as COVID-19 conditions improve, and emphasized measures to transform the workforce and improve migrant worker welfare.
Minister Tan See Leng corrected that the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) List will begin in 2023, not 2021 as previously mentioned.
The debate highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen workforce resilience through transformation, support for vulnerable workers, and upgrades to the migrant worker ecosystem.

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4 Mar 2022

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

The Ministry of Manpower announced a new points-based COMPASS framework for Employment Pass applications, requiring candidates to meet both a qualifying salary and score points on complementarity and diversity factors, with implementation starting in September 2023.
S Pass qualifying salaries and levies will be raised in phases to align with local wages, aiming to reduce reliance on low-cost foreign labor and encourage job redesign, with the first increases effective from September 2022.
Changes to Work Permit policies, including reduced dependency ratios and new occupation lists for non-traditional sources, will be introduced from 2024 to support industry transformation and productivity growth.

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2 Mar 2022

Efforts to Ensure Migrant Workers without Letter of Guarantee from Employers Can Access Medical Treatment

The Minister for Manpower explained that employers are required to cover the medical expenses of migrant workers in Singapore.
For medical emergencies, hospitals provide immediate treatment without needing a letter of guarantee, while non-emergency cases may require one, with MOM assisting if employers refuse to provide it.
MOM is reviewing medical insurance coverage and billing arrangements to improve access, and migrant workers can use primary care services or telemedicine for non-urgent needs.

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2 Mar 2022

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

Members raised concerns about digital inclusion for seniors and low-income families, with questions on alternative non-digital services, childcare leave, and support for those struggling with online government platforms.
The government highlighted progress in Smart Nation initiatives, including the Singpass app and various digital services, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in cybersecurity, user experience, and integration across platforms.
Discussions covered population strategies, including family-friendly policies, immigration, and workforce complementarity, with the government emphasizing support for families and balanced approaches to foreign talent.

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2 Mar 2022

Mandatory Rest Day for Migrant Domestic Worker and Ensuring a 24-Hour period of Uninterrupted Rest

Louis Ng asked whether the mandatory rest day for migrant domestic workers would be defined as a full 24-hour period of uninterrupted rest when implemented at the end of 2022, but the Minister of State for Manpower replied that no specific number of hours would be set, allowing households to agree on arrangements and use helplines or third-party services if needed.
The Minister emphasized that the rest day policy aims to provide rest and support networks for workers, will be implemented towards the end of 2022, and encouraged open communication between employers and workers to avoid rigidity.
Louis Ng inquired about monitoring and enforcement of the rule and penalties for non-compliance, to which the Minister responded that MOM will communicate the requirement to agencies and employers, conduct regular checks, and allow workers or concerned parties to report issues for prompt assistance.

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1 Mar 2022

Employers Issued with Warnings, Composition Fines or Charges for Kickback Offences

Between 2016 and 2020, MOM took enforcement action against an average of 102 employers annually for kickback offences, affecting about five migrant workers per employer on average.
MOM does not track structured data on kickback amounts, but typical payments ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 per worker, and employers are required to return these funds to affected workers.
Victims are supported through referral to employment agencies for fee-free job changes, with about 20% finding new work and 30% staying with their current employer after issues were resolved.
MOM uses data analytics and mining to detect kickback patterns, alongside education efforts through programmes and apps to encourage migrant workers to report malpractices.

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1 Mar 2022

Penalties for Employers who Implement Attendance-based Incentive Schemes

Louis Ng asked about penalties for employers using attendance-based incentive schemes once the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices are amended to clarify such schemes are a breach.
The Senior Minister of State noted that the matter had been addressed in a previous parliamentary question, but clarified that penalties include the curtailment of work pass privileges.
Louis Ng questioned the effectiveness of this penalty for companies that do not hire foreigners, prompting a follow-up on the penalty's applicability.
The Senior Minister of State explained that the penalty, such as a suspension of work pass privileges lasting up to 24 months, remains effective even if the employer does not currently employ foreign workers.

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28 Feb 2022

Recovery Areas within Dormitories for Migrant Workers Infected with COVID-19

The Ministry of Manpower established a Dormitory Recovery Programme where asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic vaccinated migrant workers recover in dedicated, segregated facilities within dormitories, with access to medical services and vital monitoring.
Workers at higher risk of severe disease are sent to appropriate healthcare facilities like hospitals, and recovery beds have been scaled to meet current needs.
Authorities monitor the situation and are prepared to increase capacity in recovery facilities if necessary.

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28 Feb 2022

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Edward Chia welcomed the Budget’s focus on uplifting lower-wage workers and the staggered GST hike, while highlighting labour shortages in essential sectors like childcare and healthcare, and urged a review of foreign talent policies to supplement an ageing local workforce.
Cheng Hsing Yao stressed the need to maintain Singapore’s openness to global talent amid xenophobia, urged careful policy design to balance growth and support for displaced workers, and called for a refreshed national vision to inspire all generations.
Rachel Ong praised the Budget’s social and green measures, proposed using renewable diesel as a transitional fuel for transport, and suggested regulating International Renewable Energy Certificates to boost market liquidity for sustainability goals.
Shawn Huang advocated for bold investments in R&D and innovation, proposing a dedicated Ministry of Science and Technology and stronger support for local enterprises to build globally competitive capabilities, while highlighting successful inclusion of neurodiverse workers.
Yip Hon Weng and other speakers emphasised prudent spending, better coordination of government services, and enhanced support for seniors, including micro jobs, integrated care navigation, and improved palliative care to address ageing population needs.

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28 Feb 2022

Number of Foreign Remote Employees Hired by Companies Based in Singapore and Breakdown by Industries

Yip Hon Weng asked for the number and industry breakdown of foreign remote employees hired by Singapore-based companies and measures to discourage excessive offshoring, but the Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng) stated that the Ministry does not track this data and emphasized Singapore's focus on transforming its economy toward higher-value activities while maintaining openness to global trade and foreign manpower to complement the local workforce.
Dr Tan explained that remote work has increased due to COVID-19, potentially prompting offshoring of lower-value work, but Singapore has historically shifted to higher-value industries like Advanced Manufacturing and Fintech, and tripartite efforts are ongoing to reskill workers for future jobs, with caution against balancing foreign and local workforce policies to avoid losing higher-value opportunities.
In a supplementary question, Yip asked if foreign remote employees are subject to foreign workforce levies, quotas, and CPF payments, and Dr Tan replied that they are not currently, but the Ministry would review if contracts are changed to attract such requirements.

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28 Feb 2022

Profile of Persons whose COVID-19 Vaccination Status Had Lapsed on 14 February 2022

Approximately 21,800 individuals aged 18 and above had their COVID-19 vaccination status lapse on 14 February 2022, comprising 38% work pass holders, 14% permanent residents, and the rest Singaporeans.
The Ministry of Health cannot determine the exact reasons for missing boosters but suggests many are overseas; among unboosted Singaporeans, most are seniors aged 60 and above who feel adequately protected, seldom go out, or prefer to delay vaccination.
The Ministry plans to continue encouraging booster uptake through SMS reminders, convenient vaccination access, and deploying Mobile Vaccination Teams to the heartlands, especially for seniors.

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15 Feb 2022

Progress on Efforts Taken to Bring In New Workers for Construction Industry

The Retention Scheme, launched in September 2021 in partnership with SCAL, has enrolled about 430 workers and successfully matched 60% of them to new employers, with the rest in the matching process.
The Ministry of Manpower is facilitating the entry of more construction workers under safe management protocols, with 21,000 migrant workers entering Singapore through industry initiatives to date.
Between November and December 2021, an average of 18,000 Construction, Marine and Process workers entered Singapore monthly, and efforts will continue subject to the public health situation.

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15 Feb 2022

A Fairer and More Inclusive Singapore for Low-wage Migrant Workers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang highlighted three major issues faced by low-wage migrant workers in Singapore—forced kickbacks, prolonged confinement in dormitories, and exhaustion—proposing solutions such as harsher penalties for kickback offences, a permanent scheme for workers to change employers, and a mandatory rest day per month.
Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon responded that current penalties for kickbacks are sufficient and already allow for per-worker charges that can result in high fines, while the Retention Scheme is being considered for extension beyond the construction sector based on industry readiness.
Koh also noted that migrant workers already have weekly rest day protections under the Employment Act and that the government is taking a calibrated approach to gradually allow more dormitory residents into the community, balancing health risks with well-being.

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