Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

4 Mar 2021

Nature of Discrimination in Cases that Breached Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices

Over the past three years, MOM penalised about 50 firms annually for breaching fair employment guidelines, mainly suspending work pass privileges, with 60% of cases involving nationality discrimination and about one-third split between gender and age discrimination.
The government issues warnings for less severe breaches and tracks public perceptions of discrimination through regular surveys, noting an increase in perceived discrimination from 2014 to 2018.
Penalties are not limited to work pass curtailment; firms may face compensation orders, demerit points, or legal action for false declarations, and there have been no repeat offenders in the past three years.
The penalty framework was reviewed in 2020 and may be further reviewed to better align penalties with the type of discrimination, such as non-nationality-based discrimination.
MOM is considering publishing breach statistics annually if it helps shape employer behaviour and clarify public understanding of fair employment practices.

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3 Mar 2021

Arrangements for Migrant Workers on Special Passes Staying in Dormitories to Leave Dormitories Regularly for Mental Health Reasons

Miss Rachel Ong raised concerns about whether migrant workers on special passes who cannot leave their dormitories for work could have regular outings for mental health and whether their cases could be expedited for repatriation.
The Minister for Manpower explained that these workers can visit Recreation Centres up to three times a week if they meet eligibility criteria like having a contact tracing device and a recent negative COVID test.
MOM aims to resolve cases quickly, with most concluded within six months, but some may take longer due to serious injuries requiring stabilization before medical assessment.

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3 Mar 2021

Non-spousal Sponsorship Renewal by Long-Term Visit Pass Holders

The Minister for Home Affairs reported that from 2015 to 2020, about 23,500 annual applications for Long-Term Visit Pass renewal were received from non-spousal sponsors, with 46% from foreign parents and 37% from foreign children of Singaporeans or permanent residents, while the remaining 17% involved other relationships such as former spouses or foreign family members of Student's Pass holders.
Approval rates were nearly 100% for foreign parents and children of Singaporeans or PRs, and about 98% for other relationship categories, with rejections typically due to lack of local family roots, adverse records, or insufficient financial support from the sponsor.
Foreign spouses married to Singaporean citizens generally must renew their LTVP under their local spouse's sponsorship, but may seek sponsorship from other Singaporeans or PRs if there are valid reasons, such as having custody of Singaporean children or undergoing divorce proceedings in Singapore.

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3 Mar 2021

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

The Ministry of Manpower outlined measures to secure Singapore's economic rebound by extending job support schemes like the Jobs Growth Incentive and SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, while also focusing on uplifting lower-wage workers through the expansion of the Progressive Wage Model to the food services and retail sectors.
Significant reforms were announced for migrant worker management, including a new onboarding centre, plans to expand the Foreign Employees Dormitories Act to cover all dormitories, and enhanced healthcare and social support systems to improve safety, health, and well-being.
The government will raise the retirement and re-employment ages and increase CPF contribution rates for senior workers from 2022, supported by a $1.3 billion Senior Worker Support Package to help companies adjust.

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2 Mar 2021

Requirement for Employers of Foreign Domestic Workers to Obtain Documented Consent from FWDs for Deployment Outside Their Contract

Mr. Louis Ng asked if employers must obtain documented consent from foreign domestic workers for each deployment outside their contractual address to resolve disputes more easily.
Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that FDWs are only allowed to work at their employer's residential address but may accompany family members to other locations if the employer obtains written consent and notifies the Ministry of Manpower via an online form.
She clarified that FDWs should not perform full housework in both households and encouraged employers to get written consent prior to employment and include it in the contract.

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2 Mar 2021

Long-Term Visit Pass and LTVP Plus Holders in Workforce

The Minister of State confirmed that as of December 2020, 17,890 LTVP and LTVP+ holders were part of Singapore's workforce, with 190 (about 1%) being self-employed, constituting approximately 0.5% of the total workforce.
LTVP and LTVP+ holders can work if they have Letters of Consent or a regular work pass, and the Minister clarified there is no legal barrier to self-employment, though they must hold a valid LOC/PLOC and be formally linked to a business entity.
The exchange highlighted that self-employment is permitted and useful for these pass holders to support themselves and their Singaporean families, with clear procedures in place.

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25 Feb 2021

Tiered Pricing for Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facilities to Ensure Affordability

Ms Foo Mee Har proposed a tiered pricing schedule for Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facilities to offer inbound travellers accommodation choices based on affordability and comfort.
The Minister of State explained that the current SDF system prioritizes health security with standardized fees, but acknowledges specific needs and reviews appeals case-by-case.
Ms Foo Mee Har appealed for more economical options, especially for families and foreign domestic workers, citing high costs.
The Minister of State noted operational complexity but confirmed the existence of an economy tier and promised continued refinements for flexibility.
Both parties agreed to balance affordability with safety, with the government considering case-specific appeals and system improvements.

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24 Feb 2021

Update on Requirement for Electronic Payment of Salary to Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories

As of January 2021, over 97% of employers with migrant workers in dormitories pay salaries electronically, up from 76% before the requirement began in April 2020.
A small minority of employers have not yet switched due to administrative issues or workers' cash preferences, and the Ministry of Manpower is taking steps to ensure full compliance.
Electronic payment has proven beneficial during the pandemic by ensuring salary access amid restrictions and reducing disputes through digital records.
The Ministry is consulting tripartite partners to potentially extend the electronic salary payment requirement to more workers, including local workers and work permit holders not in dormitories.

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24 Feb 2021

Employment Trends of Resident and Non-resident Population in Singapore and Expected Severity of Retrenchments

Total employment fell by 172,200 in 2020 due to a 16% drop in foreign employment, while resident employment grew modestly by 9,300, driven by sectors like Infocommunications & Technology, Financial Services, and Health & Social Services.
Sectors most affected by COVID-19, such as F&B Services, Community, Social & Personal Services, and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, saw the largest declines in employment.
Retrenchments in 2020 totalled 26,570, with the fourth quarter showing a decline to 6,100, though the incidence rate remained low compared to past recessions, and further challenges are expected in sectors like Air Transport.

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24 Feb 2021

Percentage of HDB Flats Approved for Renting Out in Open Market

As of January 2021, about 6% of one million sold HDB flats are approved for renting out, with roughly one-third each being 3-room, 4-room, and other flat types, though breakdowns by town are not provided.
Approximately 27% of rented flats are occupied by households with Singaporean or Malaysian tenants, while 73% include tenants of other nationalities.
Since 2014, HDB has enforced a Non-Citizen Quota to cap flats wholly rented to non-Malaysian foreigners at 11% per block and 8% per neighbourhood, with minimal impact so far.
As of January 2021, the NC quota affects about 1% of HDB blocks and fewer than 1% of neighbourhoods.
The government emphasises ongoing monitoring to maintain a balanced mix of nationalities and prevent foreign enclaves.

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16 Feb 2021

Monthly Number of Visitor Arrivals into Singapore via Reciprocal Green Lane Scheme and Family Ties Scheme

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16 Feb 2021

Cancellation or Renewal of Construction Sector Work Permits Close to Expiry Dates in Second Half of 2020

Between July and December 2020, 168,900 construction sector work permits were due to expire, with 105,900 (63%) renewed by employers and 34,500 (20%) transferred to new employers.
Of the renewed permits, 96,200 were renewed in the last 40 days, largely due to workers being unable to leave dormitories during the lockdown to complete the process.
A total of 28,500 permits (17%) were neither renewed nor re-issued, with 7,900 cancelled in the last eight weeks and 5,100 expiring without renewal.

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16 Feb 2021

Number and Profile of Intra-corporate Transferees and Family Members Working in Singapore

The Ministry of Manpower reported that the number of Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs) in Singapore is consistently below 5 percent of all Employment Pass holders, and they meet the same criteria as other EP holders.
Less than half of ICTs have brought dependants, and fewer than one in ten dependants are allowed to work, with both ICTs and working dependants included in the Ministry's foreign workforce and employment statistics.
Singapore has 26 Free Trade Agreements and is part of the WTO, covering virtually all individuals entering as ICTs, though the Ministry did not specify the exact number of ICTs from FTA countries.

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16 Feb 2021

Employers' Obligation to Provide Sufficient Masks to Their Migrant Worker Employees

Employers are responsible for ensuring all employees, including migrant workers, wear masks at work and must provide sufficient masks at no cost.
Government agencies actively monitor workplaces, with 98% of inspected sites having adequate mask supplies, and non-compliant employers are advised to improve.
Migrant workers can seek masks from the Migrant Workers’ Centre or MOM, and whistleblowers can report issues confidentially without fear of reprisal.

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16 Feb 2021

Singaporeans and PRs who have Applied for Foreign Domestic Workers to Enter Singapore and for Waiver of Their Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facility Accommodation Cost

From April 2020 to January 2021, about 600 Singaporeans and PRs submitted appeals after unsuccessful applications for their foreign domestic workers to enter Singapore, with around 500 of these appeals succeeding.
Approximately 3,200 Singaporeans and PRs had their appeals for a waiver of the Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facility accommodation cost approved, representing 13% of all entry approvals during that period.
The Ministry of Manpower approved around 25,000 requests for foreign domestic workers to enter Singapore from April 2020 to January 2021, maintaining a stable population of about 250,000 foreign domestic workers.

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16 Feb 2021

Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who have Appealed for Their Foreigner Relatives to Enter Singapore Since Circuit Breaker

From April 2020 to January 2021, about 18,600 applications for entry by foreign family members of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents were processed, with 97% approved.
The remaining 3% of entry applications were rejected, mainly because the applicant could not provide proof of their connection to a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
During the same period, 371 appeals for waivers of costs for Stay-Home Notice facilities or COVID-19 tests for family members were processed, with about 60% being successful.

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16 Feb 2021

Borders Kept Open for Travellers from India and Indonesia Despite Large Number of Imported COVID-19 Cases from These Countries

Leong Mun Wai questioned why Singapore kept borders open to travellers from India and Indonesia despite high imported COVID-19 cases.
Dr Koh Poh Koon explained that closing borders would disrupt essential sectors like construction and domestic work, affecting homes and livelihoods.
Strict measures like pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, and 14-day SHN are in place to manage risks from these travellers.
Additional protocols include Rostered Routine Testing for high-risk workers to detect infections early.
The government balances public health with economic needs by reviewing measures as the global situation evolves.

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16 Feb 2021

Percentage of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for Each Country in Relation to Total Arrivals from Those Countries

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked for the percentage of confirmed COVID-19 cases for each country relative to arrivals and whether travel insurance would be required for all foreigners.
The Senior Minister of State for Health stated that less than 1% of total arrivals since April 2020 tested positive, with specific rates for arrivals from Malaysia (0.04%), Mainland China (0.01%), Indonesia (1.6%), and India (3.7%).
Starting January 2021, Work Permit and S Pass holders must have medical insurance for COVID-19 treatment, and from February 2021, short-term visitors must purchase travel insurance for COVID-19-related costs.
The government will consider extending insurance requirements to other travellers based on the COVID-19 situation and insurance market availability.

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2 Feb 2021

Number of Stateless Residents Living in Singapore as of December 2020 and Measures to Assist Their Application for Singapore Citizenship and Permanent Residency

As of November 2020, there were 1,109 stateless persons living in Singapore, with 76% being Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) who enjoy benefits in healthcare, housing, and education.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) evaluates each application for PR or Singapore citizenship based on criteria such as length of stay, family profile, economic contributions, education, age, and family ties to Singaporeans.
ICA also considers the applicant’s circumstances, including reasons for statelessness, such as voluntary renunciation of foreign citizenship, loss of citizenship due to offenses, or being born in Singapore to non-citizen parents who did not secure foreign citizenship for the child.

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2 Feb 2021

Utilisation Rates at ICA's Physical Counters

In 2020, approximately 660,000 over-the-counter transactions were recorded at ICA, primarily for collecting physical documents like passports and NRICs.
ICA is transitioning to digital services via the MyICA online platform, offering tutorials and step-by-step video guides in four languages to assist users.
For those unable to use the internet, ICA allows family and friends to assist with key transactions online and provides in-person support at the ICA Building for guidance or counter processing.

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