Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

7 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate centered on the Population White Paper's projection of a potential 6.9 million population by 2030, with many MPs expressing public anxiety over overcrowding, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, while the government emphasized the figure was a planning parameter, not a target.
Key concerns included the need to prioritize Singaporean citizens for jobs and opportunities, improve infrastructure like transport ahead of demand, and address the low total fertility rate through stronger support for marriage and parenthood, rather than relying heavily on immigration.
Amendments were proposed to clarify that population projections are for land use planning, stress the importance of a strong Singaporean core, and call for medium-term reviews of policies, which some MPs supported while others opposed the White Paper outright, arguing for a smaller population cap and greater focus on productivity over foreign labor growth.

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6 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate highlighted the urgent need for Singapore to plan for an ageing population, with projections showing the elderly population rising to 900,000 and a declining old-age support ratio, citing Japan, Taiwan, and China as cautionary examples of economic stagnation and social burdens from low fertility and immigration resistance.
Speakers emphasized that population growth is essential for economic competitiveness, warning against isolationism that would drive away businesses and talent, and advocating for a balanced approach that supplements the local workforce with foreign labor while investing in productivity and infrastructure.
Concerns were raised about current infrastructure strains, but the White Paper was defended as a long-term roadmap, with calls to focus on immediate improvements like transport and housing while reviewing assumptions periodically, rather than fixating on the projected 6.9 million figure.
The debate stressed that population policy is not just about numbers but about sustaining Singapore's vitality, ensuring citizens' well-being, and learning from other countries' mistakes to avoid unsustainable welfare and debt traps.

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6 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The government's population roadmap, projecting a possible 6.9 million by 2030 to counter an ageing citizen population and sustain economic growth, was met with strong public anxiety about overcrowdedness, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, with many speakers noting the government's failure to plan ahead for current population pressures.
A central debate emerged between supporting the government's calibrated immigration policy to fill workforce gaps and opposing it in favor of a more aggressive push to raise the Total Fertility Rate, with critics arguing immigration is a short-term fix that dilutes the Singaporean core and urging radical work-life balance measures and stronger support for families.
The opposition proposed a lower population target of about 5.9 million, advocating for zero foreign workforce growth to force productivity increases, a move government supporters warned would cripple the economy, halt critical infrastructure projects, and leave Singapore ill-prepared for its demographic challenges.

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6 Feb 2013

Effectiveness of Foreign Sports Talent Scheme in Retaining New Citizens

Since the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme started in 1996, 64 athletes have been granted Singapore citizenship, with 10 granted in the last five years, averaging 2 years and 10 months of residence before citizenship.
Four of the 64 athletes have renounced their Singapore citizenship, citing reasons such as more playing opportunities abroad, retirement plans, or difficulty adapting to the local lifestyle.
The scheme aims to raise sports standards and support local talent, with integration programs including community events, English lessons, and mentors to help athletes assimilate into Singapore society.

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6 Feb 2013

Psychological Tests for Foreign Domestic Workers

Mrs Lina Chiam proposed mandatory psychological tests for foreign domestic workers to ensure suitability for work, safeguarding both their well-being and that of employers, citing past incidents and the need to care for the elderly.
The Ministry of Manpower, through Hawazi Daipi, maintained that the current medical examination framework focuses on infectious diseases and general fitness, and it is impractical to prescribe a comprehensive standard for psychological testing.
Employers are encouraged to obtain medical reports and, if concerned, arrange additional tests at their own cost, including psychological screenings, before hiring a foreign domestic worker.

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6 Feb 2013

Auditing Medical Examinations for Foreign Workers

Dr. Chia Shi-Lu inquired about the auditing procedures and robustness of medical examinations for foreign workers, highlighting concerns about inconsistent fitness assessments across different doctors.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that employers must arrange medical checks within 14 days of arrival, with MOM reviewing all reports and excluding workers with specific infectious diseases or unfit for work.
Dr. Chia suggested a central database to address variations in fitness assessments, and the Ministry stated it would consider this but noted no urgent need to expand screening due to low failure rates for key diseases.
Pritam Singh raised concerns that work permit renewals only require HIV testing, not a general fitness certification from doctors, but the Ministry replied that six-monthly tests for infectious diseases and objective results already determine work eligibility.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate highlighted concerns over rising business costs, particularly the impact of high COE prices on small businesses that rely on vehicles, with a call for alternative systems to manage operating expenses more reasonably.
Speakers addressed the need for a balanced approach to immigration, arguing that while a zero-immigration policy would harm SMEs and infrastructure projects, tighter controls and incentives like job advertising requirements could prioritize Singaporean employment.
There was emphasis on improving employment protections, such as extending notice periods and creating statutory unfair dismissal protections, to support Singaporean workers amid economic expansion and foreign labor competition.
Quality of life issues were raised, including the side effects of urban development like noise and privacy impacts, stressing the importance of detailed planning to maintain social cohesion and affordable housing.
The population White Paper was supported as a long-term planning tool, with a call for greater public involvement to ensure the plan reflects Singaporeans' ideas and concerns while building infrastructure for future needs.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The government proposes a population plan aiming for 6.5–6.9 million by 2030 to support economic growth and an aging society, emphasizing integration of immigrants and maintaining a Singaporean core.
Several MPs express concerns about infrastructure strain, overcrowding, and the impact on locals, with some suggesting slower growth or a focus on productivity over foreign labor to improve quality of life.
The debate highlights trade-offs between economic dynamism and social cohesion, with calls for better support for families, flexible work arrangements, and ensuring Singaporeans benefit from growth.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate focused on the government's proposal for a sustainable population policy, aiming for a potential population of up to 6.9 million by 2030 to address demographic challenges like an ageing population and low birth rates, with the goal of maintaining a strong Singaporean core and a dynamic economy.
Ministers and MPs emphasized that economic growth is not the end goal but a means to ensure Singaporeans' well-being, acknowledging public concerns over overcrowding, infrastructure strains, and competition, while defending the need for a calibrated pace of immigration to supplement the local workforce.
Alternative proposals, such as from the Workers' Party, advocated for lower GDP growth targets and a focus on growing the resident workforce through higher labor participation rather than immigration, leading to a projected population of 5.9 million by 2030, while the government stressed that its numbers are planning parameters, not fixed targets.
Key themes included the urgent need to improve total fertility rates through enhanced marriage and parenthood incentives, address infrastructure bottlenecks in transport and housing, and ensure policies benefit Singaporeans, with calls for medium-term reviews and mindset changes to support family life.

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4 Feb 2013

Qualifying Criteria for Employment Pass

The Ministry of Manpower sets a qualifying salary of at least $3,000 for Employment Pass applicants, with higher requirements for more experienced professionals to ensure they do not undercut local wages, and provides an online Self Assessment Tool to help employers gauge application success.
The government offers transition periods for policy changes, such as staggered implementation and one-time renewals, and encourages businesses to proactively attract Singaporean talent and tap support schemes like those from the Workforce Development Agency to address foreign worker pass renewal issues.
Ministries monitor business costs and activity indicators, gather feedback from businesses, and track the impact of manpower policies on competitiveness while supporting companies in productivity improvements.

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4 Feb 2013

Number of Staff Employed by the National Environment Agency

Mrs Lina Chiam requested a breakdown of the National Environment Agency's workforce by citizenship status, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Vivian Balakrishnan, provided a breakdown of the agency's employees as of 15 January 2013.
The response was delivered to address the parliamentary question, with the specific figures referenced on page 145 of the debate records.

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4 Feb 2013

Part-time Work for Foreigners on Student Passes

Hri Kumar Nair proposed allowing foreign students on student passes to work part-time in industries like food and beverage to address labor shortages.
Tan Chuan-Jin opposed the idea, stating that foreign students should focus on studies and work passes should be reserved for those intending to work, to prevent abuse of the student pass system.
However, foreign students in higher education institutions like universities and polytechnics are already permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during term time and unrestricted during vacations in any sector, including F&B.
The government emphasized tapping into the local workforce, such as older persons and women, through flexible arrangements and schemes like the Special Employment Credit, while also promoting productivity improvements as a long-term solution.

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4 Feb 2013

Medical Screenings of Foreign Workers

Dr. Lam Pin Min inquired about the Ministry of Health’s investigation into two clinics that screen foreign workers and the measures to ensure these screenings are conducted properly.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed that the Ministry is investigating the two clinics for potential breaches of the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act after a complaint that workers were certified fit without physical examinations.
The investigation is ongoing, and regulatory actions may be taken against the clinics and doctors if breaches are found, with the Singapore Medical Council also empowered to act.
The Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Manpower to review and improve the medical screening process for foreign workers.

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4 Feb 2013

Non-Singaporean Public Enforcement Officers

Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked about the number of enforcement officers dealing with littering, traffic offences, and illegal parking, the proportion who are foreigners, and whether all such officers should be Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents.
Teo Chee Hean, representing the Prime Minister, stated that as of 31 December 2012, there were about 20,000 enforcement officers in the public sector, with 2% being foreigners mainly deployed for littering and illegal parking.
The government emphasised the importance of enforcement officers understanding Singapore's laws for effective enforcement and said agencies would review the suitability of foreigners in such roles and consider the suggestion.

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4 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

Intan Azura Mokhtar urged the government to better publicize and coordinate cost-of-living assistance schemes and to actively attract more Malay/Muslim immigrants to maintain racial stability, emphasizing support for Singaporean families before relying on foreigners.
Christopher de Souza stressed the need to preserve a strong Singaporean core identity, ensure meritocracy applies equally to locals and foreigners, and prioritize national security by staffing critical institutions with Singaporeans.
He called for infrastructure improvements—especially in housing and transport—to be completed ahead of population growth, and proposed stricter regulations on foreign property ownership to prevent market distortions.

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4 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean outlined a population roadmap targeting 6.5–6.9 million by 2030, emphasizing a shift to slower growth, controlled immigration, and infrastructure planning to support an ageing citizen core while balancing economic needs and quality of life.
Multiple MPs expressed concerns about the 6.9 million projection, overcrowding, job competition, and diluted Singaporean identity, urging stronger focus on raising fertility rates, improving work-life balance, and ensuring better integration of new citizens.
Some MPs proposed alternatives, such as lower GDP growth targets to reduce population influx, while others called for more concrete measures to support families, tap local talent, and build trust through periodic reviews and clearer communication on population planning.

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4 Feb 2013

Impact of Recent Illegal Bus Drivers Strike on Industrial Relations and Dependency on Foreign Workers

The debate focused on the 2012 illegal strike by SMRT Chinese bus drivers, highlighting grievances over pay disparities, insensitive communication, and accommodation, with the Minister emphasizing that while contractual issues are between employer and employee, statutory breaches are enforced and illegal actions are dealt with under the law.
Key lessons included strengthening grievance handling systems, better protecting and educating vulnerable foreign workers, and reinforcing tripartism, with calls for proactive measures in essential services like HR audits and improved intelligence to prevent disruptions.
Discussions centered on enhancing support for foreign workers, including union access (noting current low membership but efforts to increase it), better dormitory access to grievance channels, and ensuring fair contracts, while maintaining Singapore's reputation as a fair destination for foreign labor.

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14 Jan 2013

Foreign Worker Levy Rates

Tan Su Shan asked whether the foreign worker levy could be adjusted based on a sector's strategic importance and its reliance on foreign workers, considering the impact on local inflation.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that the levy is a pricing mechanism to manage foreign worker numbers, with planned increases until July 2013 to encourage a shift away from labor-intensive growth toward technology and productivity.
He noted that levy adjustments consider factors like productivity gains, foreign worker growth, and local wages, with higher increases for sectors that rely heavily on foreign workers and have stagnant local wages.
The government acknowledged potential inflation concerns but emphasized sending a clear signal to companies to restructure, while offering support through measures like Innovation and Capability Vouchers and the Productivity and Innovation Credit.

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14 Jan 2013

Emolument Criteria for S Pass Applicants

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah queried why bonuses and allowances are not included in the S Pass emolument criteria and asked if the policy will be reviewed to include them.
Acting Minister Tan Chuan-Jin explained that fixed monthly salary, comprising basic salary and fixed monthly allowances, is used as a consistent and reliable proxy for an applicant’s quality and economic contribution.
Variable payments like bonuses and commissions are excluded because they are unpredictable, could lead to applicants falling below salary thresholds, and might be exploited to game the system, undermining the work pass framework.

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14 Jan 2013

Qualification Criteria for Personalised Employment Pass Applicants

The Minister explained that the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) uses salary as the primary criterion to assess eligibility, with recent increases requiring at least $12,000 monthly for local hires and $18,000 for overseas professionals, reflecting higher standards for the PEP compared to the Employment Pass.
As of June 2012, there were 12,000 PEP holders, with only 1% declared as performing support staff functions, indicating the scheme is largely used for higher-skilled professionals.
Approximately 3,000 PEPs were issued annually from 2010 to 2012, and the government will continue to regularly review the scheme for relevance amid changing needs.

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