Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

3 Nov 2021

Average Number of Monthly Resignations of Foreign Medical Professionals in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and Impact on Medical System to Cope with Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked for the average monthly resignations of foreign nurses and doctors in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and whether this affected the medical system's ability to handle COVID-19 surges.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the question was addressed in a ministerial statement by the Senior Minister of State for Health on 1 November 2021.
The focus was on understanding resignation trends and their impact on healthcare capacity during the pandemic.
The ministerial response provided official data and clarification on the issue.
The debate highlighted concerns about retaining foreign medical professionals during a health crisis.

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3 Nov 2021

False Allegations of Employer Abuse Made by Migrant Domestic Workers and Applicable Penalties

From 2019 to 2020, an average of 300 MDW abuse reports were made to Police annually, with 17 MDWs found to have made false allegations and 13 blacklisted from working in Singapore.
MDWs who provide false statements face penalties including fines, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction, followed by repatriation and a ban from employment in Singapore.
Employers who are genuinely wronged may suffer financial and reputational losses, though specific loss figures were not detailed in the response.
The Police and Ministry of Manpower investigate all abuse allegations thoroughly and fairly to determine if claims are substantiated.
The Ministry did not explicitly commit to reviewing the sentencing framework but emphasized a serious and fair approach to handling false allegations.

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3 Nov 2021

Limits to Maximum Number of Migrant Domestic Worker per Household Given Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Entry of New Migrant Workers

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim queried whether the Ministry of Manpower would consider setting a cap on the number of migrant domestic workers per household and specifying the types of domestic work they can be deployed for, given entry restrictions due to COVID-19.
Tan See Leng responded that entry approvals for migrant domestic workers are prioritized based on urgent caregiving needs, such as households with sick elderly, young children, or family members with special needs.
The Ministry does not impose a fixed limit on the number of migrant domestic workers per household, as families may have unique circumstances requiring multiple workers, such as caring for young children or bed-bound family members.

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3 Nov 2021

Proportion of COVID-19 Re-infections from Cases in Local Community and in Dormitories, and Duration of Immunity following COVID-19 Infection

As of 16 August 2021, there were 32 confirmed COVID-19 reinfections in Singapore, with one-third occurring among dormitory residents and the remainder being imported cases, after which formal reinfection assessments ceased as national strategy shifted from eradication to management.
The average duration between an initial COVID-19 infection and a subsequent reinfection is approximately 300 days.
To reduce reinfections in dormitories, over 97% of migrant workers, including recovered residents, are fully vaccinated, and a multi-layered strategy includes Safe Living Measures, Rostered Routine Testing, and early isolation of symptomatic cases to contain outbreaks.

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3 Nov 2021

Proportion of Students in Government-aided Schools who are Permanent Residents or International Students and with One Singaporean Parent

The Minister for Education stated that about 9% of students in government and government-aided schools are Permanent Residents and 4% are International Students.
A very small minority of these non-citizen students have at least one Singaporean parent and they do not qualify for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme but can receive case-by-case support from their schools.
About 400 such students with at least one Singaporean parent are currently receiving support from the MOE.

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3 Nov 2021

Review Restrictions to Facilitate Entry of Non-traditional Source Migrant Workers who Satisfy Necessary Health-related Entry Requirements

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether restrictions on non-traditional source migrant workers who meet health requirements, such as vaccination and quarantine, would be reviewed, especially for Category IV countries like those in South Asia.
Tan See Leng responded that travel restrictions have been lifted for non-traditional source countries including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, with entry approvals for migrant workers in the CMP sectors resuming under safe and calibrated conditions.
Migrant workers must be fully vaccinated before arrival or complete vaccination within two months after entry, and firms can use ongoing initiatives to bring workers in with tightened safety processes.
Any further changes to entry restrictions will depend on the evolving COVID-19 situation in the region.

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3 Nov 2021

Impact of Delayed Major Construction Projects on Singapore Economy

Manpower shortages in the construction sector have reduced output, with its real value-added 25% below pre-pandemic levels in the first three quarters of 2021.
Despite project delays, Singapore's overall economy remained resilient, with real GDP recovering to 0.6% above pre-pandemic levels in the same period, supported by strong manufacturing and finance sectors.
The government has implemented measures to ease manpower constraints, including easier retention of existing workers and assistance for bringing in new workers, while working with firms to meet project needs.

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3 Nov 2021

Role of Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore's Caregiving Landscape

Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) are integral to Singapore's caregiving system, offering flexible and personalised support for families with ageing parents and young children, despite societal shifts like an ageing population, shrinking household sizes, and more dual-income households.
Challenges have emerged, such as escalating salary demands, disputes including false allegations of abuse, and frequent transfer requests, exacerbated by reduced MDW supply during COVID-19, leading to higher costs and helplessness for some employers.
Suggestions were made to improve the system, including a higher levy for high-income non-local households, enhancing employment agency accountability, capping MDW-initiated transfers, and expanding support channels for employers.
The government has taken steps like allowing vaccinated MDWs entry, diversifying source countries, and improving employment history transparency, while dispute resolution services and training grants aim to foster better employer-MDW relationships and care quality.

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3 Nov 2021

Potential Disruptions to Manpower Resources in Sectors Such as Cleaning and Hospitality as Singapore Reopens under Vaccinated Travel Lanes

The Minister for Manpower highlighted that COVID-19 caused a sharp contraction in employment in 2020, with foreign workers accounting for the decline, and noted ongoing labour market tightness due to border restrictions and reduced foreign worker supply in 2021.
The government is supporting local hiring through initiatives like the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package and the Jobs Growth Incentive, which have placed many locals into jobs and helped businesses hire residents.
Efforts are being made to retain and hire foreign workers, including matching existing foreign workers with employers and facilitating safe inflows, while easing border restrictions to address labour demands in sectors like cleaning and hospitality.

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2 Nov 2021

Breakdown of Reports on Employers Not Providing Properly Itemised Payslips and Penalties Imposed

From 2018 to 2020, the Ministry of Manpower handled an average of 100 complaints per year from work pass holders about missing itemised payslips, plus 280 cases found through proactive inspections.
About 80% of these cases required employers to fix the issue, while the rest were resolved without further action after verification.
There were no repeat offenders among the employers, so no harsher penalties were needed, and compliance is monitored through complaints and proactive inspections.

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2 Nov 2021

Reasons for Recent Sharp Decline in Singapore Permanent Resident Population and Impact on Job Formation

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised three questions regarding the 6.2% decline in Singapore's Permanent Resident (PR) population, including whether the decrease is due to prolonged stays abroad, the likelihood of return, and the impact on job formation.
Indranee Rajah, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the decline was primarily caused by PRs remaining overseas for over a year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, with insufficient data to determine their destinations or future plans.
The government noted that PRs abroad must maintain a valid Re-Entry Permit to return, which is renewed based on employment and family ties, and emphasized that short-term PR population shifts are unlikely to significantly affect resident employment trends, given that citizens comprise about 85% of the resident workforce.

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2 Nov 2021

Ensuring Dynamism as Singapore Faces Record Low Birth Rates and Rapidly Ageing Population

The Government views low birth rates and an ageing population as key challenges, with the total fertility rate hitting a historic low of 1.10 in 2020 and life expectancy rising, which could lead to a shrinking and ageing workforce.
To address this, the Government is prioritising marriage and parenthood through comprehensive support measures like parental leave, childcare, housing, cash grants, and a one-off Baby Support Grant, while strengthening a whole-of-society ecosystem for families.
Efforts are also focused on enabling seniors to remain active and productive through workplace adjustments, raising retirement and re-employment ages by 2030, and increasing CPF contributions for senior workers.
The Government is adapting the economy by broadening global linkages, promoting growth in new areas like sustainability and the Digital Economy, and refreshing Industry Transformation Maps to create good jobs and upskill workers.
Where local manpower is insufficient, the Government will complement the workforce with global talent and foreign manpower, while ensuring fair hiring and skills transfer to Singaporeans.

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2 Nov 2021

Measures to Facilitate and Expedite Entry of Migrant Domestic Workers to Meet Demand

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that entry approvals for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) have been tightened since May 2021 due to COVID-19, reducing monthly entries from 3,400 to 900, but approvals will increase from November 2021 if the pandemic stabilises, with prioritisation for families with healthcare workers and caregiving needs.
A pilot programme by the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) has facilitated over 1,000 MDWs from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar since July 2021, with plans to expand to India, though fees vary and financial assistance is available for COVID-19 test and accommodation costs.
Salaries for transfer MDWs have risen modestly from an average of $630 per month in 2020 to $660 by September 2021, and with more entry approvals expected, demand for transfers is anticipated to ease, though households may consider the AEAS programme for urgent needs.

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2 Nov 2021

Trend of Migrant Workers Staying in Dormitories Seeking Mental Healthcare

The Ministry of Manpower has established a multi-pronged support system, including the Project DAWN task force, to enhance mental healthcare access and awareness for migrant workers in dormitories, with initiatives like psychological first aid training and an escalation pathway to the Institute of Mental Health.
Data from January to September 2021 shows 98 work permit holders were admitted to IMH, lower than 2020 but higher than 2019; a Yale-NUS study found no notable difference in stress or depression levels between migrant workers and locals, though movement restrictions may increase stress.
Efforts to ease restrictions include increasing recreation centre visits to three times weekly, expanding community visits from 500 to 3,000 vaccinated workers per week, and extending visit durations, with plans to further open up in a calibrated manner while managing public health concerns.
The approach to mental health training is holistic, involving employers, dorm operators, NGOs, and healthcare providers, with programs like the FACE network and buddy systems to support peer and employer-led mental wellness.
The increase to 3,000 community visits was based on safety assessments, vaccination rates, and logistical feedback, with ongoing monitoring to balance worker well-being and healthcare system capacity.

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1 Nov 2021

Protocols to Ensure Threshold of Vaccination Levels among Workers in Dormitories and Verification of Vaccination Status of New Arrivals

Ms He Ting Ru asked about the current vaccination rates among migrant workers in dormitories, the breakdown of unvaccinated workers by dormitory, and whether there are protocols to ensure no dormitory falls below a certain vaccination threshold.
The Minister for Manpower reported that 98% of migrant workers in dormitories are fully vaccinated, and 96% of dormitories have over 80% of residents vaccinated, with ongoing efforts to engage employers and workers for vaccination or verification of overseas records.
In the past three months, over 6,200 workers arrived, with about 2,700 verified as fully vaccinated and 900 having one dose; the remaining 2,600 are being followed up for vaccination or verification, which typically takes about a week.

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1 Nov 2021

Vaccine Hesitancy among Work Pass Holders

From 1 November 2021, Singapore will only allow fully vaccinated work pass holders to enter the country, with exceptions for those medically ineligible who can appeal with a doctor’s memo.
Work pass holders already in Singapore are not explicitly required to vaccinate, but vaccination status will affect workplace return from 1 January 2022, where only vaccinated or recently recovered employees can return.
The Ministry of Manpower noted that 96% of work pass holders are already fully vaccinated and will continue monitoring and implementing measures to sustain high vaccination rates.

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1 Nov 2021

Measures to Ensure Steady Supply of Migrant Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) acknowledges the backlog of families waiting for migrant domestic worker (MDW) entry approvals since May 2021 and is increasing approvals as the COVID-19 situation improves, with new applications opening for fully vaccinated MDWs from 1 November.
MOM prioritizes families with urgent care needs and advises employers to check the portal weekly for additional entry approval slots if not immediately successful.
MOM is facilitating the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore)’s commercial programme to safely bring in more MDWs, which has benefited over 1,000 families, and will expand the scheme based on demand.
In the long term, MOM will diversify the sources of MDWs to enhance the resilience and stability of the supply.

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1 Nov 2021

Allowing Entry to Fully Vaccinated Workers from ASEAN Countries to Mitigate Labour Crunch in Construction and Renovation Industries

Ang Wei Neng asked if Singapore would allow fully vaccinated workers from ASEAN countries, excluding domestic helpers, to enter and help alleviate the labour shortage in the construction and renovation sectors.
Tan See Leng responded that travel restrictions have been eased and approvals for migrant workers in construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors resumed from 1 November 2021.
He added that all work pass holders must be fully vaccinated when entering Singapore from 1 November 2021 unless exempted, ensuring a safe and calibrated approach.

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1 Nov 2021

Employment Status of Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans and Support Available for Lower-income Households

The Minister for Manpower explained that foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens on Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP/LTVP+) can work via a Letter of Consent (LOC) or a Pre-Approved LOC (PLOC), with about 13,500 working as of June 2021.
These work passes do not require employers to meet foreign worker quotas, levies, or qualifying salaries, and employment support is available through agencies like Workforce Singapore, NTUC-e2i, and SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres.
Lower-income households facing financial difficulties can approach Social Service Offices for support, which may include referrals to other government agencies and community partners for employment assistance.

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1 Nov 2021

Halting Work Transfers as Preventive Measure to Stabilise Rising Salaries of Migrant Construction Workers

MP Poh Li San asked if the current policy allowing migrant construction workers to transfer employers could be halted to curb salary inflation and churn.
The Ministry of Manpower explained that policies are reviewed to balance employer and worker needs, citing a Retention Scheme and adjusted work permit transfer periods to retain experienced workers.
Under new adjustments, workers and employers can agree to a 30-day permit extension for job searches, otherwise workers are matched with new employers via SCAL within 30 days.
MOM stated it will continue engaging stakeholders to refine policies for manpower stability in the construction sector.
The ministry emphasized safeguards like limiting transfers for frequent job-hoppers to prevent exploitation.

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