Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

4 Jun 2020

Measures at Foreign Worker Dormitories after Circuit Breaker Period

The government implemented early measures such as isolating workers under Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notices in separate dormitory sections, later shifting to dedicated facilities as regulations tightened.
Quarantine Orders for close contacts were served at Government Quarantine Facilities or within dormitory isolation areas, with large clusters leading to restricted movement and on-site medical posts.
Approximately 32,000 healthy workers were relocated to temporary accommodations with isolation areas, while the government plans to build more housing to reduce dormitory density.

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4 May 2020

Update on Management of COVID-19 Impact on Employment of Fresh Graduates, General Workforce and Foreign Worker Dormitories

Multiple MPs raised concerns about the management of foreign worker dormitories, including licensing conditions, the need to update technical standards, the collection of housing data, and compliance enforcement under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act.
Specific questions were asked about the movement and numbers of Malaysian workers during the circuit breaker period, and the employment impact on Singaporeans returning from overseas and fresh graduates in a COVID-19-affected job market.
The Minister for Manpower responded that these issues had been addressed in a Ministerial Statement on 4 May 2020.

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4 May 2020

Need to Advertise in Jobs Bank for 14 Days Prior to Hiring of Personalised Employment Pass Holders and Rationale for Non-advertisement

Leon Perera questioned whether employers must advertise a job on the Jobs Bank for 14 days before hiring a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) holder and sought the rationale if not required.
Josephine Teo clarified that PEP holders are in senior or specialized roles and do not need employer sponsorship, only notifying MOM upon employment, so the advertising requirement does not apply.
The PEP scheme is likened to global talent programs in the UK and Australia to attract senior talent, and PEP holders constitute about 1% of new Employment Passes issued.

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4 May 2020

Second Update on Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19

The government has implemented circuit breaker measures to curb community transmission, with signs of success in reducing daily cases, while also intensifying efforts to control outbreaks among migrant workers in dormitories through testing, medical support, and isolation facilities.
Singapore is rapidly expanding healthcare capacity, including hospital beds, ICU facilities, and community care centers, while ramping up testing and contact tracing capabilities to safely manage a gradual reopening post-circuit breaker.
Support measures for businesses and workers, including wage support and job initiatives, are being deployed alongside dedicated care for migrant workers, with commitments to review pandemic responses and improve standards after the crisis.

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4 May 2020

Extension of $300 Government Payout to Long-Term Visit Pass Plus Holders who are Spouses of Singaporeans as COVID-19 Measures

Murali Pillai asked whether the $300 Solidarity Payment could be extended to LTVP holders who are spouses of Singaporeans, similar to the extension to LTVP+ holders.
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that while LTVP holders are not eligible for the payment, they can work and receive other household benefits, and families can seek financial assistance through Social Service Offices if needed.
The government aligns support schemes with residential status, and the payment extension to LTVP+ holders was a targeted measure for urgent support during COVID-19, with assurances that no one is denied help due to their status.

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4 May 2020

Update on Management of COVID-19 Impact on Employment of Fresh Graduates, General Workforce and Foreign Worker Dormitories

Members of Parliament asked about the latest updates on COVID-19 infections in foreign worker dormitories, the effectiveness of containment measures, and whether a Commission of Inquiry should be appointed to investigate the outbreak's causes, stakeholder responsibilities, and propose reforms.
Questions were raised about the employment prospects and support options for fresh graduates, including collaboration between employers and the government, as well as recourse for employees who have not been paid despite their employers receiving the Jobs Support Scheme.
Parliament debated the need to amend the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act to cover all types of dormitories and improve living standards, such as increasing minimum space per resident and excluding basic facilities from area calculations.
Members sought information on lessons learned from managing dormitories, the role of dormitory owners in mitigating spread, and whether infected workers had spread the virus to the broader community.
The Minister for Health noted that the Minister for Manpower would address these questions in her Ministerial Statement, indicating a forthcoming government response on policy measures and regulatory actions.

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7 Apr 2020

Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021

The Ministry of Manpower received a $500 million increase to its budget to provide employers with a Foreign Worker Levy Rebate, temporarily easing labour costs for affected firms.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry was allocated an additional $200 million for enhancements to business support programmes, including the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme and Enterprise Financing Scheme.
A $4 billion increase was approved for Head Z, with $2.9 billion to enhance the Jobs Support Scheme and $1.1 billion for a one-off Solidarity Payment to households.

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7 Apr 2020

Screening Criteria for Foreign Domestic Workers beyond Mandatory Health Screening

The Ministry of Manpower requires foreign domestic workers to undergo mandatory health screenings for infectious diseases but does not mandate additional screenings for criminal records, bankruptcy, mental health, or character assessments, citing cost and effectiveness concerns.
Existing measures include access to an FDW’s biodata, employment history, and a reference channel for contacting previous employers, as well as blacklisting FDWs for previous offences or if they are underage.
Employers are encouraged to supervise and support FDWs, while the Ministry provides stress management education and works with NGOs to help FDWs adjust, aiming to prevent abuse through better matching and support systems.

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6 Apr 2020

Applications Received for Letter of Consent to Employ LTVP/LTVP+ Holder in Restricted Occupations and Number Approved and Approval Criteria in Each of Last Five Years

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of applications received and approved for Letters of Consent to employ LTVP/LTVP+ holders in restricted media and religion occupations over the past five years, as well as the approval criteria.
The Minister responded that 134 such applications were received in the past five years, with most approved.
Applications are assessed on individual merit, with input from relevant government agencies, and no specific approval criteria were detailed beyond this general process.

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6 Apr 2020

Number of Transnational Households with at Least One Singapore Citizen Spouse by Monthly Household Income

Anthea Ong asked the Prime Minister for the current number of transnational households with at least one Singapore citizen spouse, broken down by monthly household income.
Teo Chee Hean, responding for the Prime Minister, stated the latest estimate comes from the 2015 General Household Survey.
According to the 2015 survey, there were approximately 18,700 couples with a Singapore citizen married to a non-resident.
The response noted that a breakdown of this data by monthly household income is unavailable.

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6 Apr 2020

Entry into Singapore for Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens in Light of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked if foreign spouses of Singapore citizens would be allowed entry despite COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that all short-term visitors are disallowed entry, and Long-Term Pass holders, including foreign spouses, must seek prior approval to return.
Foreign spouses holding Long-Term Passes are given high priority for approval, and short-term visitors with extenuating circumstances are assessed case-by-case.

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26 Mar 2020

Rational Immigration Policy in an Irrational Age

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira highlighted that public misperceptions about immigration—such as overstating immigrant numbers and their economic impact—often distort policy debates, and argued that Singapore must adopt a fact-based, research-driven approach to immigration that treats immigrants as partners rather than just economic solutions.
He presented estimated data suggesting Permanent Residents (PRs) in Singapore tend to be more skilled and earn more than citizens but face higher retrenchment risks, underscoring the need for transparent labour market statistics and targeted support for locals adversely affected.
Minister Josephine Teo responded that Singapore’s immigration policy prioritizes integration and long-term commitment over purely economic criteria, and that attracting skilled PRs aligns with national interests, while noting that current selective policies remain sustainable due to high application numbers.

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5 Mar 2020

Requiring Association Support for Companies' Applications to Recruit Process, Construction and Maintenance Work Permit Holders

Zainal Sapari questioned the requirement for the Association of Process Industries (ASPRI) to support companies applying to recruit PCM work permit holders.
Josephine Teo explained that ASPRI verifies the business nature of PCM contractors to ensure only qualified contractors access foreign workers, leveraging its specialist knowledge of the sector.
Contractors submit work pass applications directly to MOM after ASPRI’s verification, with no further involvement from the association in the application process.

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5 Mar 2020

Grounds of Rejection in Request to Hire Foreign Domestic Worker

Anthea Ong queried the Ministry for Manpower on the grounds for rejecting requests to hire foreign domestic workers from both employers and employment agencies.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that the reasons for rejection are the same for employers and agents.
The main grounds for rejection include unacceptable accommodation for the FDW.
Other reasons are the employer having no or unstable income.
Another key factor is the FDW being over the age limit.

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5 Mar 2020

Number of Households Hiring At Least Two Domestic Workers in Last Three Years

Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Manpower for data on households hiring at least two domestic workers in the last three years, disaggregated by the number of workers and the presence of persons aged 65 or above.
Mrs Josephine Teo stated that from 2017 to 2019, an average of 14,000 households per year hired at least two foreign domestic workers.
She added that half of these households included at least one person aged 65 or older.

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5 Mar 2020

Number of Children Granted Singapore Citizenship Born to PR Mothers and Non-PR Mothers Each Year Since 2016

Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the number of children granted Singapore citizenship each year since 2016, categorized by whether their mothers are permanent residents (PRs) or non-PR foreign mothers.
From 2016 to 2019, an average of about 4,280 citizen children were born annually to PR mothers in Singapore.
During the same period, an average of about 2,210 citizen children were born each year to foreign mothers who are not PRs.

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5 Mar 2020

Singaporeans Under 21 Years of Age Residing in Singapore with Non-PR Foreign Parent

Ms Anthea Ong inquired about Singaporean children under 21 living in Singapore with non-PR foreign parents and specific details about such parents from 2016 to 2019.
Minister K Shanmugam reported that as of end-2019, about 13,400 such children had foreign parents on Long-Term Visit Passes or Work Passes.
From 2016 to 2019, around 14,400 unique non-PR foreign parents applied for LTVPs, with 12,100 being female.
Among the female parents, only 1.5% (177) were widowed, divorced, or separated, and seven did not qualify for long-term stay but their children remained in Singapore as of February 2020.

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4 Mar 2020

Arrangements to Ensure Workers Subjected to Stay-Home Notices are Effectively Segregated in Dormitories

Mr Dennis Tan asked how many Chinese workers returning to Singapore are in dormitories and what arrangements ensure effective segregation of those under Stay-Home Notices (SHNs) from others.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained that most Chinese work pass holders have not yet returned due to strict approval processes, with only around 220 approved daily.
All returning workers must serve SHNs, and those flouting rules face work pass revocation and permanent bans, while non-compliant employers lose privileges.
About 25% of those yet to return stay in HDB units, and 75% in other accommodation like dormitories; SHN residents are placed in separate sections without needing to leave rooms except for medical needs.
Dormitory operators have been advised to stagger common facility use, cease mass activities, and isolate residents with flu-like symptoms to minimise contact.

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4 Mar 2020

Number of Foreign Domestic Workers Repatriated Back to Their Home Countries before Finishing a Two-Year Contract

About 20% of foreign domestic workers in Singapore, or around 49,000 annually over the last three years, were repatriated before finishing their two-year contracts.
The top reasons for repatriation were family exigencies back home, employer dissatisfaction with the worker's suitability, and the worker's own wish to stop working in Singapore.
Approximately 20% of those repatriated returned to work as foreign domestic workers in Singapore within six months.

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3 Mar 2020

Number of Applications Received from Work Permit Holders to Marry Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the number of marriage applications from work permit holders to Singapore citizens or permanent residents over the past five years, including rejection rates, top reasons for rejection, and approval considerations.
From 2015 to 2019, the Ministry received about 1,200 such applications annually, with approximately 80% approved in recent years.
The most common reasons for rejection were lack of gainful employment or income instability, and applications are assessed holistically based on the applicant's ability to support themselves and their families.

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