Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

12 Aug 2013

Applications for Citizenship by Stateless Persons

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked how many stateless people in Singapore apply for citizenship each year and how many are approved.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean responded that from 2003 to 2012, about 500 to 600 stateless persons applied annually, with an average approval rate of 91%.
Teo Chee Hean noted that data on the number of appeals for citizenship from stateless persons is not available.

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12 Aug 2013

Dependency Ratio Ceilings for New Growth Industries

The Ministry provides limited flexibility on dependency ratio ceilings for new growth industries, but only on an exceptional basis to address temporary skills gaps, and applies strict criteria tied to high productivity and value add.
Various government schemes, such as the Singapore-Industry Scholarship and the Development and Apprenticeship Programme, are in place to promote skills transfer and groom local talent for leadership roles in key sectors.
The Ministry has tightened criteria for Employment Pass and S Pass applications to reduce reliance on foreign talents, resulting in a decline in Employment Pass numbers in 2012, with further measures to ensure fair consideration for Singaporeans to be announced later.

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12 Aug 2013

Jobs for Singaporeans

Members of Parliament raised concerns about ensuring fair consideration for Singaporeans in hiring, including extending dependency ratio ceilings to Employment Pass holders, reviewing the Employment Pass framework, and introducing labour market testing to prioritize local talent.
The Acting Minister for Manpower emphasized the need to balance protecting Singaporean core workforce interests with maintaining competitiveness, citing international consultations, public feedback, and industry discussions that highlight the risks of overly rigid policies and the importance of merit-based hiring.
The Ministry is working on a framework to reinforce responsible hiring practices without being overly prescriptive, aiming to level the playing field while encouraging Singaporeans to upgrade their skills to meet job demands and support economic growth.

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9 Jul 2013

Average Waiting Time for Foreign Spouses for Citizenship

R Dhinakaran asked about the average waiting time for 70,600 foreign spouses who were granted Singapore citizenship by end-2012 under the Family Ties Scheme.
Teo Chee Hean stated that these spouses were typically Permanent Residents for about five years before becoming citizens.
He noted that 95% of the applications were approved within 12 months of submission.
The response clarified that the five-year PR period is not part of the application waiting time but a prerequisite for eligibility.
The information directly addresses the query on waiting times, emphasizing the efficiency of the approval process for eligible applicants.

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9 Jul 2013

Illegal Protest at Merlion Park by Malaysians

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, through Mr S Iswaran, clarified that the 8 May 2013 protest at Merlion Park by Malaysians was illegal as no permit was sought or issued, and the Police acted to maintain public order and safety, resulting in 55 persons charged and four more under review.
The Minister emphasized that all those investigated were foreigners and warned that they must abide by Singapore's laws, not import domestic issues from their home countries, and that those who break the law face firm actions including termination of work passes and visas.
In response to Mr Zaqy Mohamad's questions about prior awareness and the Police's delayed response, the Minister stated that the Police cannot monitor all online activities but respond to specific reports, and that officers arrived within 15 minutes of a report, made a tactical assessment to observe and identify participants before intervening, which led to actions taken after the protest had largely concluded.

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8 Jul 2013

Gross Monthly Wage of Total Working Population in Singapore from 1980 to 2011

Mrs Lina Chiam asked for annual gross monthly wage data for the total working population (including Citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreigners) from 1980 to 2011 and a yearly comparison with Singapore Citizens' wages.
The Acting Minister for Manpower stated that comparable data on gross monthly income from work is only available from 1996 onwards and only for residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents), as detailed in a table on page 157.
The Minister explained that the median gross monthly income for residents is typically higher than for Singapore Citizens alone due to Permanent Residents generally needing to demonstrate good employability before being granted residency.

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8 Jul 2013

Breakdown of Permanent Residents and Their Applications for Citizenship

Baey Yam Keng requested a breakdown of Permanent Residents by years of residence and the percentage whose citizenship applications were rejected, along with the reasons for rejection.
Teo Chee Hean, representing the Prime Minister, stated that about 10% of PRs have been in Singapore for 20 or more years, and around 8% of them have had citizenship applications rejected.
Applications are assessed holistically based on criteria like economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of stay to evaluate integration and commitment to Singapore.
Rejections result from a combination of factors rather than a single reason, and no further statistical breakdown by residency duration was provided.

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8 Jul 2013

Impact of S Pass and Employment Pass Tightening Measures on Singapore's Attractiveness as Location for Companies' Regional Headquarters

Ms Tan Su Shan asked whether studies have been done to assess the number of multinational corporations (MNCs) using Singapore as a regional headquarters and how tightening S Pass and Employment Pass policies might affect their executive training and relocation decisions.
Minister Lim Hng Kiang cited a 2010 survey showing 44% of MNCs with Asia Pacific headquarters are in Singapore, attributing this to the country's open economy, infrastructure, talent, and connectivity, rather than just training programmes.
While tightening foreign worker policies could pose challenges, the Minister believes MNCs are unlikely to relocate solely due to training programme disruptions, and ongoing engagement with MNCs shows continued confidence in Singapore's strategic advantages.
Investment forecasts from the Economic Development Board reflect sustained confidence, with $11-$13 billion in fixed asset investments expected for 2013.

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13 May 2013

Foreign Worker Quota for the Construction Sector

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked if the foreign worker quota for construction projects should be based on the year the project is awarded rather than the year it starts.
The government has progressively reduced the Man-Year Entitlement (MYE) since 2010 to promote productivity-led growth, with reductions applying only to applications lodged after each cut to encourage quicker industry response.
The quota changes were phased over four years, and the Dependency Ratio Ceiling was not reduced to ensure completion of key infrastructure projects, while supporting the sector’s transformation through assistance schemes and technology adoption.

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13 May 2013

Projected Increase in Number of Medical Officers

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked about the expected increase of 20,000 healthcare professionals by 2020, specifically the number of medical officers and projected increase in temporary medical officers in public healthcare.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that out of the 20,000 new healthcare professionals from 2011 to 2020, about 3,600 will be doctor positions, filled mainly by local graduates and returning Singaporean doctors.
Local medical schools will increase output to 500 graduates in the long term, and 92 overseas-trained Singaporean doctors returned in 2012, with efforts ongoing to attract more.
Remaining demand will be met by overseas-trained foreign doctors, some on temporary registration to address immediate clinical needs.

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13 May 2013

PMETs' Vulnerability to Retrenchment

Gerald Giam asked why PMETs, especially degree holders, were more vulnerable to redundancy in 2012 beyond general factors like globalization, whether this trend would continue in 2013, and if the government would reduce Employment Pass issuances in response.
Tan Chuan-Jin noted that redundancy among PMETs rose slightly but remained low overall, with increases concentrated in externally oriented sectors like electronics and financial services, and highlighted that unemployment rates for resident PMETs stayed comparable to non-PMETs and lower than in some peer economies.
The government emphasized ongoing support for displaced workers through training and job placement services, a decline in Employment Pass holders in 2012 due to stricter policies, and further reviews of EP eligibility to ensure fair consideration for Singaporeans.

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13 May 2013

Hospitalisation of Foreign Domestic Workers

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the number of foreign domestic workers hospitalized in the past three years, the range of hospitalization fees, how fees are covered under insurance, and the current medical insurance coverage limit for FDWs.
The government does not provide healthcare subsidies to foreigners, including FDWs, and requires employers to bear full medical costs to avoid passing unpaid bills to taxpayers, with mandatory employer-financed medical insurance for inpatient and day surgery expenses introduced in 2008.
The minimum insurance coverage was raised from $5,000 to $15,000 in 2010, covering 98% of FDW medical bills from 2010 to 2012, and while less than 1% of FDWs were hospitalized annually over the last three years, employers can purchase additional coverage and discuss payment plans for uninsured costs.

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8 Apr 2013

Foreign Nurses in Acute Care Public Hospitals

The Ministry of Health reported that as of 31 December 2012, foreign nurses (excluding Malaysians) constituted about 26% (approximately 4,950) of the public healthcare nursing workforce, a figure maintained to meet healthcare needs despite expansion of local intakes.
Foreign nurses must meet Singapore Nursing Board registration standards and English proficiency requirements, with local assimilation programmes providing basic conversational training in languages like Mandarin, Chinese dialects, and Malay, along with mentorship and teamwork to support patient communication.
The attrition rate for Singaporean nurses in public healthcare clusters decreased from around 13% in 2003 to about 8% in 2012, with the Ministry continuing efforts to improve nurse retention.

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8 Apr 2013

Breakdown of Statistics on Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens

Over the past decade, foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens are typically granted a Long Term Visit Pass first, with Permanent Residence and citizenship considered after marriage stability is assessed.
The number of foreign spouses sponsored for long-term immigration, PR, and citizenship under the Family Ties Scheme has increased between 2003 and 2012.
The majority of these foreign spouses are females, based on ICA records.
The statistics exclude foreign spouses who obtained PR or citizenship through other schemes or who were already PR before marriage.

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8 Apr 2013

Grant of Singapore Citizenship

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked for statistics on overseas-born children of Singapore citizens granted citizenship before and after the 2004 Constitution Amendment Act, including how many held another nationality.
Teo Chee Hean, for the Prime Minister, reported that from 2000 to 2004, about 700 children annually were granted citizenship by descent, with 64% holding a foreign citizenship at registration.
From 2005 to 2009, the annual average rose to 1,100 children, with 68% holding a foreign citizenship at registration.
The government requires individuals with a foreign citizenship to renounce it within 12 months of turning 21 to retain Singapore citizenship.

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8 Apr 2013

Offshore Islands as Sites for Foreign Workers' Dormitories

Mr Gan Thiam Poh suggested using nearby offshore islands to house foreign workers, especially in construction and shipyards.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan expressed openness to the idea, noting past use of islands like Jurong and Pulau Brani for worker housing.
Not all offshore islands are suitable due to infrastructure and planning constraints, but the Ministry will continue exploring options to house workers properly.

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8 Apr 2013

Impact of Tighter Foreign Worker Quotas on Completion of new HDB Flats

The tightening of foreign worker policies, including a 45% cumulative reduction in the man-year entitlement quota and higher levies, is expected to impact construction time and costs for HDB BTO projects, though HDB's extensive use of prefabrication helps mitigate delays.
The government has contingency plans to manage contractors unable to meet schedules, such as novating contracts to other contractors, and remains committed to delivering flats on time without relaxing the foreign worker tightening policy.
Despite potential cost increases from levies, HDB will maintain affordable BTO prices by absorbing additional costs through government subsidies, as BTO prices are delinked from resale indices.

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14 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Parliament debated enhancing support for Singaporean workers, focusing on low-wage workers, economically inactive locals returning to work, and PMEs, while moderating foreign worker growth to prioritize quality and productivity over quantity.
Ministers outlined multi-pronged strategies including upskilling, wage support schemes like the Wage Credit Scheme, promoting flexible work arrangements, and strengthening fair employment practices to combat discrimination and develop a strong Singaporean core.
Specific measures were announced, such as expanding the Employment Act to protect more PMEs, forming tripartite clusters for sectors like cleaning and security to implement Progressive Wage Models, and creating a one-stop WorkPro programme to support work-life harmony and hiring older or returning workers.

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12 Mar 2013

New Immigrants and Their Impact on the Religious Landscape in Singapore

The Acting Minister noted that Singapore’s religious landscape is evolving due to multiple factors, not solely immigration, and highlighted regular dialogues with religious leaders to monitor integration and harmony.
He emphasized that new immigrants generally integrate well within their religious communities, supported by initiatives like milestone programs for new citizens to appreciate local culture and respect different faiths.
Platforms such as Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) are used to build trust and encourage interaction among religious groups, including new immigrants, to strengthen social cohesion.

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11 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Speakers highlighted the construction industry's low productivity, attributing it to practices like lowest-tender awards, intense competition among consultants, and reliance on low-skilled foreign workers, and called for measures such as stricter skills testing and higher buildability standards.
Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign worker levy increases and reduced Man-Year Entitlement quotas on construction projects, with suggestions for differentiated dependency ratios for public-sector works and enhanced funding for productivity improvements.
Parliament discussed housing affordability and support for vulnerable groups, including calls to freeze rental increases for low-income tenants, relax eligibility rules for rental flats, and address the housing needs of citizens with foreign spouses.
Members emphasized preserving Singapore's heritage, green spaces, and community amenities, advocating for environmental impact assessments for major developments and integrating heritage into new town designs.
The Ministry outlined initiatives to boost productivity, support low-income families, and balance development with conservation, including enhanced construction funding, flexible housing policies, and community-driven heritage projects.

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