Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

9 Jul 2014

Slight Rise in Unemployment Rate despite Tightening of Access to Foreign Manpower

The slight rise in unemployment to 3% for citizens is attributed to increased job search activity in a tight labor market, with normal quarterly fluctuations observed, and the unemployed profile includes older workers and those with lower education levels.
Challenges in placing unemployed citizens include ensuring skills relevance, supported by government subsidies for training and work-life balance initiatives, while requiring individual adaptability and a strong economy to create quality jobs.
The tightening of foreign manpower has led some companies to restructure or close, but net company formation continues, and the focus remains on generating sufficient jobs for Singaporeans through reskilling and sector transitions.

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7 Jul 2014

Government's Response to Report of Committee of Inquiry into 8 December 2013 Little India Riot

The Committee of Inquiry found the 2013 Little India riot was triggered by a fatal accident and fueled by crowd misperceptions, alcohol, and a cultural sense of retributive justice, but was not due to systemic issues with foreign worker conditions.
The government accepted all COI recommendations, including doubling the Special Operations Command, improving command and control systems, enhancing surveillance and infrastructure in congregation areas, and implementing stricter alcohol regulations.
Ministers emphasized that while the Home Team's overall response was effective in containing the riot without loss of life, the incident provided critical lessons for improving public order preparedness and foreign worker management.

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7 Jul 2014

Participation Rate of Permanent Residents' Children in National Service

The Minister for Defence clarified that the total PR population is not the appropriate basis for NS liability queries, as it includes females, first-generation PRs, and males not yet NS-liable or already completed service.
Over the past five years, approximately 7,200 second-generation PR males enlisted and served NS, while about 2,600 renounced their PR status before serving.
The Minister noted that ex-PRs who did not serve NS will face serious adverse consequences if they later apply to study or work in Singapore.

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30 May 2014

Indonesian Fugitives in Singapore

Mrs Lina Chiam asked about the presence of corrupt Indonesian fugitives in Singapore from 2007 to 2013 and the measures to prevent them from residing or seeking refuge in the country.
Teo Chee Hean stated Singapore's zero-tolerance policy on corruption, supported by the CPIB and CDSA, and noted strict immigration rules that deny entry to or remove known fugitives.
He mentioned that Singapore and Indonesia signed an extradition treaty and defence cooperation agreement in 2007, which are pending ratification, but cooperation continues through mutual legal assistance.
The public is encouraged to report information on corrupt activities or fugitives to the CPIB or police for investigation.

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29 May 2014

Withdrawal of CPF Monies by Permanent Residents

The Ministry for Manpower reported that from 2003 to 2013, Permanent Residents who left Singapore withdrew an average of $426 million in CPF funds annually, though they do not specifically track withdrawals by PRs who give up their status.
The Minister noted that PRs who withdraw their CPF monies and leave Singapore may continue to own property in their names and could be considered for future employment in Singapore based on their application and history.
The debate highlighted that data on the average length of PR status among those who left is not tracked, and specific details on property and employment rules for departing PRs would require further parliamentary questions.

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29 May 2014

Foreign Healthcare Staff in Public Hospitals and Polyclinics

The Ministry of Health emphasized that public healthcare institutions use language courses, pictorial guides, and team rostering with a mix of local and foreign staff to minimize miscommunication with non-English speaking patients.
Over 2,000 foreign nurses have received language training through a ministry-supported fund, and about 35% of recently hired foreign staff have attended such programs, though the Ministry did not provide data on time spent or workload impact from interpretation duties.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the 30-hour language courses, combined with on-the-job learning and teamwork, are sufficient for communication, and that full-time interpreters are only employed in a few institutions where deemed necessary.

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28 May 2014

Debate on President's Address

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined the government's progress on housing, public transport, and population management, highlighting initiatives like HDB flat construction, the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, and tighter foreign worker inflows to support economic and social goals.
The debate emphasized strengthening social safety nets, including MediShield Life and retirement adequacy measures, while maintaining fiscal prudence to avoid pitfalls seen in other countries, with a focus on sharing economic progress and ensuring affordability for all.
A core theme was keeping pathways open for opportunity through education, lifelong learning, and fostering an inclusive society, with examples of support for both the young and elderly, including suggestions like free off-peak bus rides for the Pioneer Generation.
Constructive politics was a key debate point, with the Prime Minister urging robust policy debate and clear stances from the opposition, while the Workers' Party defended its approach as responsible and focused on checking the government without offering detailed alternatives.
National security and defense were discussed, with support for Committee to Strengthen National Service recommendations to enhance training, safety, and inclusivity in NS, underscoring the importance of a secure Singapore for all other progress.

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16 May 2014

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

The National Population and Talent Division aims for a sustainable population with Singaporeans at its core, focusing on supporting seniors, marriages, parenthood, and integrating new citizens while managing foreign workforce growth.
The government will provide more opportunities and quality care for seniors to keep them active, support families through marriage and parenthood initiatives, and engage overseas Singaporeans to maintain their connection to Singapore.
New citizens and foreign spouses are welcomed to prevent population shrinking and improve age balance, with efforts to help them integrate into society while maintaining a balanced approach to foreign workforce growth.
Companies will receive help to raise productivity and restructure during the transition to slower foreign workforce growth, while ensuring Singaporeans are fairly considered for jobs and skills upgrading is supported.
The government will plan the city ahead of demand, promote mutual understanding between Singaporeans and foreigners, and review policies regularly to adapt to changing needs and environments for a distinctive home for future generations.

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16 May 2014

Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower aims to boost productivity, real incomes, and job quality through a pragmatic balance of local and foreign workforce policies, supported by tripartite collaboration and a focus on lifelong learning via the CET Masterplan.
Key initiatives include enforcing the Fair Consideration Framework to ensure Singaporeans are fairly considered for jobs, expanding training support for SMEs, and using the Jobs Bank for better job matching.
Efforts will focus on uplifting low-wage workers through the Progressive Wage Model, protecting their rights, and reviewing policies for older workers, including a potential extension of the re-employment age to 67.

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14 Apr 2014

Language, Orientation and Immersion Programmes for Foreign Healthcare Professionals

The Ministry of Health outlined programmes for foreign healthcare professionals covering Singapore's history, culture, policies, workplace safety, and language training in basic conversational Mandarin, Malay, and Chinese dialects, with typical orientations lasting half a day to one day and language courses about 30 hours over several weeks.
Nearly all new foreign staff attend orientation programmes, while about 35% of those recruited in the last five years have participated in at least one language programme, with some staff exempt due to prior familiarity.
Public healthcare institutions will continue to encourage participation and explore additional methods to help foreign staff adapt to the local working environment.

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14 Apr 2014

Update on Compulsory Weekly Rest Day for Foreign Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower reported that 37% of new foreign domestic workers in 2013 received a weekly rest day, a significant increase from 13% in a 2010 survey, with 61% receiving at least a monthly rest day.
The Ministry emphasized that the weekly rest day is compulsory for FDWs with permits issued or renewed after January 2013, and compensation must be provided if the rest day is forfeited by mutual agreement.
Dispute resolution involves employment agencies as initial facilitators, with the Ministry of Manpower serving as an adjudicator if necessary, though concerns were raised about the potential power imbalance between employers and FDWs.
By January 2015, all FDWs will be under new contracts enforcing the weekly rest day requirement, supported by public education campaigns and programs to ensure compliance and mutual understanding.

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14 Apr 2014

Free Movement of Professionals under ASEAN Economic Community Goal

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked about the status of negotiations on free movement of professionals under the ASEAN Economic Community and safeguards for Singapore PMETs, to which the Second Minister replied that Singapore's commitments under the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons are limited to intra-corporate transferees with specific criteria and duration, and subject to Singapore’s Employment Pass regime and the Fair Consideration Framework.
The Minister highlighted that allowing selected skilled labour from ASEAN helps fill skill gaps without compromising local job opportunities, while also facilitating Singaporean PMEs to gain regional experience, with the government continuing to support job readiness through education and training programs.
In a supplementary question, Mr Yee expressed concern about potential violations of bilateral trade pacts due to loosely worded agreements, to which the Minister assured that officials are careful in wording agreements and are clear about Singapore's obligations.

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14 Apr 2014

Complaints Filed Against Employers

Over the past three years, the Ministry of Manpower assisted thousands of workers with complaints, including approximately 7,000 non-domestic work permit holders in 2013—down from about 14,000 annually in 2011–2012—and fewer than 500 foreign domestic workers, with local worker cases slightly increasing to about 3,800 in 2013.
The ministry substantiated a portion of these complaints, but specific numbers for local and foreign workers were not detailed, though overall cases represented a small fraction of the respective workforces (under 1% for non-domestic workers and 0.2% for domestic workers in 2013).
The Ministry has taken action against workers who make invalid complaints, including about 100 workers over the past three years for false declarations, while emphasizing assistance for legitimate claims and zero tolerance for system abuse.

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14 Apr 2014

Recruitment of Bus Drivers for the Bus Services Enhancement Programme

Mr Teo Siong Seng asked whether the public transport operators will recruit local or foreign drivers for the 450 new buses under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme.
The Minister for Transport responded that both local and foreign drivers will be hired, mirroring the approach taken for the initial 550 buses.
The operators will prioritize local recruitment through measures such as a Place-and-Train programme and progressive wage structures.

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14 Apr 2014

Detection of Fake Passports at Singapore's Checkpoints

ICA uses INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database about 29 million times annually, and Singapore has been cross-checking passports against it since 2008.
Approximately 7,000 Singapore passports are reported lost or stolen each year, with information immediately cancelled and updated in INTERPOL’s database; around 350 travellers are detected annually with forged or tampered travel documents at checkpoints.
Singaporeans are reminded through public education and legal requirements to report lost or stolen passports immediately, and offenders under the Passports Act face fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, or both.

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7 Mar 2014

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Parliament debated manpower challenges, with MPs highlighting concerns over the mismatch between rising graduate numbers and quality job creation, the need to retrain PMETs for future jobs, and ensuring fair employment practices amid tighter foreign worker policies.
The government outlined its focus on productivity-driven growth, supporting lifelong learning through CET, expanding the Progressive Wage Model to sectors like cleaning and security, and enhancing the Fair Consideration Framework to ensure local workers are considered for jobs.
Key initiatives discussed included promoting flexible work arrangements, improving workplace safety, supporting older and low-wage workers, and strengthening tripartite partnerships to address manpower issues and retirement adequacy.

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5 Mar 2014

Committee of Supply – Head U (Prime Minister's Office)

Seng Han Thong raised concerns about integrity in the public service, suggesting more stringent recruitment, monitoring, and anti-corruption education, to which Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean responded by outlining existing measures, zero-tolerance policies, and support for low-wage civil servants.
Multiple MPs addressed population and immigration issues, including low fertility rates, support for families with foreign spouses, and the need for better integration, with Minister Grace Fu outlining calibrated immigration policies, family support measures, and a commitment to maintaining racial balance.
MPs also discussed financial concerns such as household debt and unsecured borrowing limits, with Minister Lawrence Wong explaining macro-prudential policies, debt relief efforts, and the stability of Singapore’s monetary framework amid global economic uncertainties.

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3 Mar 2014

HDB's Orphans Scheme

David Ong questioned why HDB's Orphans Scheme requires at least one deceased parent to be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident when the applicant must already be a Singapore Citizen.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the scheme is designed for surviving Singapore Citizen offspring living in HDB flats after parents' death, since non-resident parents would not have been eligible to buy or rent HDB flats initially.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that Singapore Citizen orphans with deceased non-resident parents can be assisted case-by-case and may buy HDB flats when married or as singles aged 35 and above.

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3 Mar 2014

Source Countries for Construction Workers

The government is exploring new source countries like Sri Lanka and the Philippines for skilled construction workers to meet infrastructure needs and boost productivity, not to replace but supplement existing sources from China, India, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
There is a deliberate policy shift toward quality over cost, including higher levies for basic-skilled workers and potential minimum quotas for higher-skilled workers, to encourage a smaller pool of more experienced and better-paid workers.
The government is not reducing recruitment from existing source countries but is extending employment periods for experienced workers to retain talent while exploring additional countries with higher labor costs if needed.

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3 Mar 2014

Overstayers in Singapore

Arthur Fong asked about the number of overstayers in Singapore, annual figures for the last five years, and procedures against them.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs reported a 49% decline in overstayers arrested from 2009 to 2013, with overstayers investigated under the Criminal Procedure Code and subject to prosecution, warnings, fines, or removal.
Lim Biow Chuan inquired about re-entry bans for overstayers, and the Minister responded that decisions depend on the offence's severity and other factors.
Low Thia Khiang asked about the nationalities of overstayers, and the Minister noted most come from Asian countries.
Overstayers removed from Singapore must seek permission to re-enter in the future.

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