Immigration & foreign manpower

• Louis Ng asked about the percentage of work permit holders whose work matches their Skills Evaluation Certificate (SEC) or SEC(K) over the past five years, and whether this data would be tracked if unavailable.
• Desmond Lee responded that construction work permit holders must obtain SEC(K) or equivalent to ensure basic skills, but BCA does not track work alignment percentages due to varied job assignments and administrative burden.
• The Ministry encourages upskilling to meet diverse industry needs without mandating detailed tracking of skill-match percentages.

• Edward Chia asked if fully vaccinated migrant domestic workers (MDWs) from their source country can be prioritized for quicker entry into Singapore.
• Tan See Leng confirmed that MOM will start accepting entry applications from 15 October 2021 for MDWs arriving from 1 November 2021, with a requirement for full vaccination before arrival.
• The entry quota for vaccinated travellers will be tightly managed for countries with concerning COVID-19 situations to protect public health.
• For unvaccinated MDWs or those needing urgent entry, employers may use an industry-led pilot programme that exempts the vaccination condition but requires full vaccination after arrival.
• MOM will facilitate entry approvals within public health parameters set by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce.

• Darryl David asked whether there are plans to regulate maid agency fees and other related costs for hiring foreign domestic helpers.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) noted a general increase in fees during COVID-19 due to additional costs and reduced business volume but does not regulate these fees.
• MOM highlighted that over 900 active agencies provide sufficient competition, encouraging employers to compare prices and services.
• Agencies are required to give a clear fee breakdown, and action will be taken against those misrepresenting regulatory costs.
• The government currently relies on market competition rather than direct fee regulation.

• The debate centers on a proposal by Gan Thiam Poh to increase penalties for S Pass and Employment Pass holders who submit forged documents, such as academic certificates, to enter Singapore.
• Minister Tan See Leng responded that existing penalties under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act include fines up to $20,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both, plus work pass revocation and permanent bar from working in Singapore.
• The Ministry of Manpower considers the current penalties sufficient and comparable to those under the Immigration Act, with no immediate plans to raise them further.
• MOM is enhancing screening and fraud detection, and employers are urged to ensure rigorous recruitment processes for foreign workers.

• From 2011 to 2020, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority investigated 1,746 work pass holders for overstaying offences.
• Of those investigated, 1,027 were charged and convicted for overstaying after their passes expired.
• The remaining cases resulted in composition fines or warnings, depending on factors like reasonable cause for overstaying and the duration of overstaying.

• Joan Pereira asked for an update on recourse for employers against false accusations by migrant domestic workers.
• MOM takes a firm stance against MDWs who file false employment complaints or claims.
• MOM investigates all complaints thoroughly and fairly, interviewing both parties and reviewing evidence.
• Actions have been taken against MDWs found to have provided false information, including fines, imprisonment, or both.
• MDWs found guilty of false allegations have been barred from working in Singapore.

• Between 2014 and the first half of 2021, TAFEP received an average of 379 workplace discrimination complaints annually, investigated all of them, and found about two-thirds unsubstantiated due to misunderstandings.
• The remaining one-third of cases led to referrals to MOM, with an average of 41 employers per year found in breach of fair employment guidelines and facing work pass suspension.
• The data covers complaints received, investigated, mediated, resolved, and prosecuted by TAFEP and MOM, with most resolved through clarification and mediation without further action.

• Members of Parliament asked about easing movement restrictions and expanding social activities for fully vaccinated migrant workers, including a timeline and vaccination rates.
• The Minister for Manpower stated that over 90% of dormitory migrant workers are fully vaccinated, similar to the general adult population.
• The Ministry will take a careful, calibrated approach to easing restrictions to avoid a spike in infections while safeguarding workers’ health and mental well-being.
• Measures include easing restrictions within dormitories, increasing visits to Recreation Centres, and piloting guided community visits for vaccinated workers.
• The approach aims to slow the spread of infection and gradually ease restrictions without unwinding previous gains.

• Gan Thiam Poh asked if HDB could allow Permanent Residents (PRs) to buy resale HDB flats without a Singaporean joint applicant, provided they have been PRs for at least three years.
• The Ministry noted that PR households without a Singapore Citizen owner or essential occupier can already buy resale flats if all PRs in the household have been PRs for at least three years and meet other criteria.
• PR households face stricter conditions and do not receive housing subsidies to prioritize public housing for citizens.
• The Ministry has no plans to change the three-year waiting period for PRs at this time.

• Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Ministry of Health about the annual number of new nurses from the Philippines hired in Singapore over the past 10 years and whether this has significantly reduced since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Ong Ye Kung replied that, on average, 400 new Filipino nurses were registered annually with the Singapore Nursing Board over the past decade, with increases during new hospital openings.
• He added that the total number of Filipino nurses has stayed stable over the last five years, including during the pandemic, with only a slight dip between end-2019 and end-2020.

• The Ministry of Health has issued a circular to all registered doctors and medical clinics outlining how to spot and manage signs of domestic abuse, including both physical and non-physical forms, for all domestic workers, not just foreign ones.
• A joint circular with the Ministry of Manpower was sent in August to enhance the six-monthly medical examinations for foreign domestic workers, reminding doctors to check and document possible signs of abuse.
• Professional medical bodies, including the Singapore Medical Association and the College of Family Physicians Singapore, have further disseminated guidelines to their members based on these circulars.

• Miss Rachel Ong asked about the number of Myanmar nationals' visit or employment passes expiring by December 2021 and options to extend stays on compassionate grounds given Myanmar's political situation.
• The Minister for Home Affairs stated that all extension requests are assessed under prevailing guidelines, including COVID-19 border restrictions.
• Singapore has a longstanding policy not to accept political asylum or refugee seekers due to its small size and limited land.

• Ang Wei Neng requested a breakdown of foreign workers entering Singapore from January 2021, categorized by domestic helpers, S Pass holders, Employment Pass holders, and other work permit holders, including those who tested positive for COVID-19 and those who suffered serious symptoms requiring oxygen ventilators or ICU warding.
• Tan See Leng explained that the Ministry of Manpower calibrates entry based on the COVID-19 situation in departure countries, not the type of work pass, and from January to August 2021, about 12,200 work pass holders entered monthly with a net decline of 9,900 due to more departures than arrivals.
• Approximately 1% of work pass holders entering Singapore during this period tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival or during stay-home notice, with only five requiring oxygen ventilators and none warded in ICUs.

• Members of Parliament asked about the timeline and conditions for relaxing movement restrictions on migrant workers in dormitories, including their return to the community, the justification for continued lockdowns, and support for their mental wellness.
• The Minister responded that dormitories are more resilient due to over 90% vaccination rates, multi-layered detection and containment strategies, and safe living measures, but cautioned against lifting restrictions too quickly to avoid reversing pandemic gains.
• Current eased measures allow workers to visit recreation centres and participate in social activities, with plans to pilot guided community visits for vaccinated workers while continuing to monitor the situation.

• Minister Tan See Leng rebutted the PSP's Motion, presenting data to show that local PMET employment, wages, and vacancies have grown despite increases in foreign PMETs, arguing that the PSP's proposals would harm Singapore's economic competitiveness and deter investment.
• The Minister emphasized that Singapore's foreign talent policy aims to complement locals and rejected the PSP's focus on FTAs like CECA as the cause of job anxieties, labeling such claims as misleading and potentially dangerous.
• Mr Leong Mun Wai countered that the government's policies have hollowed out the Singaporean core, advocating for rebalancing through measures like a levy on Employment Pass holders and quotas to protect local jobs.
• Multiple Members of Parliament supported the government's Motion, warning that protectionist policies could drive away businesses and jobs, while also acknowledging the need to strengthen support for mid-career workers and address workplace discrimination.
• The debate concluded with a rejection of the PSP's Motion and the Workers' Party's amendments, affirming the need to stay open to global talent while intensifying efforts to secure jobs and livelihoods for Singaporeans.

Here are three concise bullet points summarizing the debate:

• The government strongly defended Singapore's foreign talent policy and FTAs, stating that CECA does not allow a "free flow" of foreign professionals and that the government retains full control over work pass approvals, while noting that local PMET jobs have grown significantly more than foreign PMET roles.
• Opposition members, particularly PSP's Leong Mun Wai, raised concerns about job displacement and underemployment, calling for greater transparency, more data on foreign worker impacts, and tighter controls, while the Workers' Party proposed amendments to enhance accountability and proactive information release.
• The debate highlighted public anxiety over job security and immigration, with calls for stronger anti-discrimination laws, skills transfer initiatives, and a more transparent, data-driven approach to foreign manpower policies to balance economic growth with protecting Singaporean workers' livelihoods.

• Leong Mun Wai argued that Singaporeans face widespread anxiety over jobs and livelihoods due to foreign talent policies and trade agreements like CECA, emphasizing that the issue is about economic fairness, not racism.
• He criticized the government for failing to manage the quality, number, and concentration of foreign work pass holders, leading to job displacement and underemployment among Singaporeans, especially PMETs.
• The PSP proposed concrete measures including raising qualifying salaries for Employment Passes and S Passes, imposing a levy, capping single-nationality workers, and reducing permanent residency grants to work pass holders.
• Leong highlighted data gaps and policy misalignment across ministries, calling for urgent action to restore balance in the job market and support displaced Singaporeans.
• He urged the debate to lead to tangible reforms rather than repeating past discussions, stressing the need for a compassionate approach to protect Singaporean families and future generations.

• The Minister emphasized that Singapore must remain open and connected to the global economy to create good jobs and sustain prosperity, while managing foreign manpower and upskilling Singaporeans.
• He rejected the alternative Motion by the PSP as misleading and populist, warning that blaming foreigners and free trade agreements like CECA risks stirring racism and xenophobia.
• The Government outlined its multi-pronged approach: adjusting work pass criteria, enshrining fair employment practices in law, and expanding support for displaced workers through SkillsFuture and industry transformation.
• Data showed the policies have succeeded, with rising incomes, more local PMET jobs, and low unemployment, and the Minister challenged the PSP to offer concrete alternatives instead of anti-foreign rhetoric.
• He appealed for a constructive debate that strengthens Singapore’s social cohesion and economic resilience, rather than exploiting anxieties for political gain.

• The government is expanding the Progressive Wage Model to new sectors and introducing a Local Qualifying Salary requirement, ensuring all local workers in firms hiring foreigners earn at least $1,400 monthly, which is expected to uplift about 77% of lower-wage employees.
• To manage sustainability and costs, the government will provide transitional support to employers, maintain Workfare income supplements, and encourage firm-level productivity improvements through grants and tripartite negotiations, while urging consumers to accept reasonable price increases.
• The measure aims to cover 94% of lower-wage workers over time, with safeguards to prevent opportunistic profiteering, though microbusinesses with under 10 workers are exempt to avoid disruption, and the Local Qualifying Salary will be reviewed periodically based on economic conditions.

• Shawn Huang Wei Zhong inquired about upcoming measures to reduce quarantine costs for foreign domestic workers entering Singapore.
• Tan See Leng outlined that employers can opt for shared rooms at the Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facility (SDF), which cost $1,000 compared to $1,500 for single rooms.
• The Ministry of Manpower also considers appeals on a case-by-case basis to waive SDF costs based on household income and financial circumstances.