Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

14 Mar 2016

Breakdown of New Citizens

Dennis Tan asked for a yearly breakdown from 2006 to 2015 of new Singapore citizens by their previous nationality.
Minister K Shanmugam replied that an average of 18,795 people gained citizenship each year, with the majority from Asia, especially Southeast Asia.
He reiterated the government’s longstanding position, as stated by DPM Teo Chee Hean in 2013, of not providing detailed country-specific breakdowns to avoid sensitivities for specific groups and their countries of origin.

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14 Mar 2016

Fulfilment of Grant Obligations by International Students who Receive Study Grants

MOE has implemented tracking and reminders for international students on tuition grants, with over 80% of graduates serving or deferring their bonds, while a small minority account for about $30 million in grants annually.
For the 2012 cohort, 84% were working or had deferment, while the remaining 16% included some who could not be fully tracked; non-contactable students are considered in default and face serious consequences if they later apply to work or reside in Singapore.
MOE recovers liquidated damages from defaulters and imposes adverse actions, such as denying future work or residency applications, to deter non-fulfilment of grant obligations.

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14 Mar 2016

Citizenship for Male Permanent Residents who Complete National Service

Darryl David asked whether male Permanent Residents who complete National Service are automatically offered Singaporean Citizenship and how many such cases occur annually.
The Parliamentary Secretary clarified that citizenship is not automatic; PRs must apply and are assessed holistically on commitment to Singapore and their NS performance.
From 2011 to 2015, about 4,000 citizenship applications from NS-completing PRs were received, with 98% approved.

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14 Mar 2016

Strategies to Identify Potential Radicalised Groups

Security agencies in Singapore will continue monitoring and investigating signs of radicalisation, sharing intelligence with foreign partners to address transnational threats.
The Minister emphasised that society, including families, employers, and workers, must collectively help safeguard against radicalisation by reporting suspicious activities.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about specific action plans for dormitory operators to act as "eyes and ears" and thresholds for addressing foreign worker gatherings.
The Minister confirmed dormitories follow security guidelines and that the government is considering broader societal involvement, while noting lower crime rates among foreign workers but ongoing management of gatherings.
Plans are being developed to address these issues, with the Ministry set to announce further measures soon.

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14 Mar 2016

Electronic Payment System for Work Permit Holders

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether employers of work permit holders should be required to pay salaries electronically, similar to S Pass holders.
The Minister of State for Manpower explained that while electronic payments are already mandated if workers request them, two-thirds already receive salaries this way, but some prefer cash due to bank fees or employer administrative burdens.
The Ministry will continue policy reviews and monitor the situation to ensure adequate convenience and protection for workers.
Louis Ng sought clarification on whether workers can seek MOM's help if employers reject electronic payment requests, and what actions MOM would take.
The Minister confirmed that employers must comply with electronic payment requests if made by workers, and MOM can be contacted via its hotline for salary or manpower issues.

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29 Feb 2016

Stateless People Living in Public Rental Flats

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development for the number of stateless people living in public rental flats as of January 2016.
The Minister reported 613 stateless persons living in HDB public rental flats as of that date.
Most of these stateless individuals live with Singapore Citizen family members or another SC single.

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29 Feb 2016

Number and Profile of Stateless Persons Living in Singapore

As of 31 January 2016, there were 1,411 stateless persons residing in Singapore, with 59% male and 41% female.
A majority (74%) of these stateless individuals were aged 50 and above.
Many stateless persons originally came to Singapore to work or were born there to non-citizen parents, but many have since become Permanent Residents with access to benefits and a pathway to citizenship.

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29 Feb 2016

Number of Persons' Criminal Records Rendered Spent

From 2005 to 2015, 157,369 persons had their criminal records rendered spent, with an annual breakdown provided in Table 1.
Of these, 68,792 were Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, while 88,577 were foreigners, with over half (47,836) being illegal immigrants convicted for entering without a valid pass.
Records are automatically spent if ex-offenders meet criteria such as not exceeding imprisonment of three months or a $2,000 fine and maintaining a five-year crime-free period.
Foreigners with spent records, including repatriated illegal immigrants, must still obtain prior written permission to re-enter Singapore.

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29 Feb 2016

Permanent Residents Renouncing PR Status Before Age 21

David Ong asked whether the Ministry would allow Permanent Residents to renounce their PR status before age 21, especially if they are not residing in Singapore.
The Minister clarified that there are currently no age restrictions on PRs renouncing their status, but emphasized that PR is a step toward citizenship.
Male PRs who renounce before fulfilling National Service obligations may face serious adverse consequences for future applications to study, work, or live in Singapore.
Renunciation could also affect the renewal of Re-Entry Permits for the PR’s parents and immediate family members.
The Ministry highlighted that PR should be sought by those intending to take up Singapore citizenship.

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29 Feb 2016

Teenager Holding Dual Citizenship Seeking Exemption from National Service

David Ong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if discussions were held with New Zealand regarding a teenager with dual Singapore and New Zealand citizenship seeking exemption from National Service, and if so, the progress.
Vivian Balakrishnan stated that New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade requested a point of contact for the case, which Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided from the Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry conveyed Singapore’s citizenship laws and National Service principles, noting that under the Enlistment Act, all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents above 18 must serve NS, and the teenager, as a citizen, is liable even if he later renounces his citizenship.
The teenager was advised to return to Singapore to resolve the matter, as Singapore upholds universality and equity in NS, ensuring all citizens fulfill their obligations regardless of residence.

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29 Feb 2016

Statistics on Foreigners Given Dependant Passes and Letter of Consent to Work in Singapore

Chen Show Mao asked for the number of foreigners given Dependant Passes and the number of Dependant Pass holders who received a Letter of Consent to work from 2011 to 2015.
Lim Swee Say responded with data showing an increase in Dependant Passes and Letters of Consent issued to Dependant Pass holders over the 2011 to 2015 period.
The debate centered on quantifying the growth in Dependant Passes and work permissions for foreign dependants in Singapore.
The exchange highlights parliamentary scrutiny of foreign manpower trends and policy outcomes.

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29 Feb 2016

Non-citizen Single Parents with Singaporean Children in HDB Rental Flats

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar inquired about the number of non-citizen single parents with Singaporean children renting HDB flats and their available housing options.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated there are 31 such tenants, and non-citizen widows/widowers can retain their flat if their Singaporean spouse was the original tenant.
Single parents who are widowed or divorced with an SC child may buy a flat from HDB or a resale flat if they meet eligibility criteria.
Unmarried single parents can access housing options similar to singles, such as buying a 2-room flexi flat or resale flat with grants, if eligible.
Single parents in hardship with no other options may rent an HDB flat on a case-by-case basis.

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29 Jan 2016

Breakdown of Local and Foreign PMEs in Singapore by Industry and Sector

Patrick Tay Teck Guan requested a breakdown of Singaporean, Permanent Resident, and foreign PMEs by industry from 2013 to 2015.
The Minister for Manpower provided a table showing the breakdown of PMETs by residential status and sectors for the requested years.
The industries specified in the query included manufacturing, construction, services, banking and finance, and IT and communications.
The response focused on the PMET category, which includes professionals, managers, executives, and technicians.
The debate centered on providing statistical data on workforce composition across key sectors in Singapore.

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28 Jan 2016

Medical Bills of Foreign Workers

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef inquired about the trend and average size of medical bills for foreign workers, as well as arrears in restructured hospitals over the last five years.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that foreign workers' hospital bills are unsubsidized, with median bill sizes rising about 7% annually from 2011 to 2014, reaching around $2,000 in 2014.
Employers are required to provide healthcare insurance coverage of at least $15,000 for foreign workers, which fully covers 96% of day surgery and inpatient bills at public hospitals in 2014.
Foreigners, including foreign workers, represent about 14% of outstanding arrears cases lasting more than two months across all public hospital settings.
The Minister confirmed that the insurance coverage is generally sufficient to handle most medical bills, though some arrears persist among foreign workers.

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28 Jan 2016

Expanding Healthcare Insurance Coverage for Foreign Workers

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Ministry of Manpower to review healthcare insurance for foreign workers to include coverage for selective infectious diseases like pulmonary tuberculosis, noting that current insurance may not cover cases where the condition is diagnosed after inpatient treatment.
The Minister of State for Manpower explained that employers must cover medical costs, with insurance covering inpatient and day surgery bills up to $15,000, but outpatient treatments like tuberculosis are not covered to avoid raising costs for employers.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef highlighted that tuberculosis cases often lead to large hospital bills after inpatient care, but claims are denied due to the diagnosis, urging a policy review.
The Minister of State for Manpower stated that employers are responsible for costs, and the ministry will review the frequency and impact of such cases to consider policy adjustments.

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27 Jan 2016

Number of Couples Applying for Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment

Gan Thiam Poh asked how many couples have participated in the Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment since its introduction.
The Parliamentary Secretary replied that 4,159 applications were received last year, with 3,764 processed and 66% (2,481) issued a Letter of Long-Term Visit Pass eligibility.
Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the typical processing time for assessment and approval.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the assessment takes an average of about four weeks.

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15 Jan 2016

Prime Minister's Office (National Population and Talent Division)

The Deputy Prime Minister outlined a vision for Singapore as a cohesive, resilient, and sustainable society with a pro-family environment that supports marriage, parenthood, and good job opportunities for all.
He emphasized that Singapore welcomes global talent to boost economic vitality while ensuring Singaporeans receive education and training, and he stressed the importance of equal opportunities and mutual understanding in a multicultural society.
The government is strengthening support for families through enhanced housing and childcare policies, and it encourages shared parenting roles and employer support to sustain rising citizen marriage and birth rates.
Singapore faces a rapidly ageing population, necessitating a calibrated approach to immigration and foreign workforce complementation to maintain population stability without overcrowding.
The government commits to an open and consultative approach in population strategies, working with Singaporeans to balance diverse needs and co-create a sustainable future.

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18 Aug 2015

Mental Health Checks for Foreign Domestic Workers and Employers

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not track abuse cases specifically linked to mental health issues among foreign domestic workers (FDWs) or employers, but provides mandatory education and guidebooks on mental well-being and stress management for both parties.
Mental health checks for FDWs are available but not mandatory, as they are considered time-consuming, costly, and not always reliable; medical screenings require FDWs to declare any history of mental disorders and doctors to assess mental state.
A 2013 survey indicated that FDWs are at higher risk for mental health issues, but MOM emphasizes that mental health can change over time and relies on stakeholders—including employers, agencies, and VWOs—to share responsibility in promoting well-being and providing support.

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18 Aug 2015

Tuition Grants for Foreign Students at Secondary and Junior College Levels

Png Eng Huat asked how many foreign students who became PRs between 2001 and 2014 received scholarships or tuition grants and how many did not fulfill their obligations.
Hawazi Daipi clarified that no tuition grants exist for secondary and junior college levels, and about a quarter of these PR students were on scholarships like the ASEAN scholarship, with over 99% meeting the requirement to attain "A" levels or equivalent.
Png Eng Huat sought confirmation on whether scholarship obligations ended at attaining "A" levels without requiring work in Singapore, which Hawazi Daipi affirmed, noting that such obligations differ from university-level scholarships.

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17 Aug 2015

Employment Pass Applications Submitted immediately after 14-day Mandatory Advertisement Period in Jobs Bank

Mr Gerald Giam asked about the number and percentage of Employment Pass applications submitted within a week after the mandatory 14-day Jobs Bank advertisement period.
Minister Lim Swee Say reported that about one-third of the 800 average weekly EP applications were submitted within one week of the ad period ending.
The Ministry of Manpower is scrutinizing firms that frequently submit EP applications soon after the ad period, placing 38 on a watchlist and engaging 150 firms over the past year.
Firms on the watchlist are monitored and encouraged to strengthen the Singaporean core; uncooperative firms may face curtailed work pass privileges.
The Fair Consideration Framework aims to support Singaporean PMEs, whose unemployment remains low at 2.7% and real median wages grew 3.8% annually over the last five years.

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