Immigration & foreign manpower

He Ting Ru questioned the Coordinating Minister for National Security about any changes in the government's policy on releasing data regarding new citizenships and permanent residencies by country of birth. K Shanmugam responded that the government does not provide such data to avoid creating bilateral sensitivities and maintains that this position has not changed.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the annual rejections of Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) and LTVP+ applications from 2020 to 2024, particularly regarding criminal convictions and applicant or sponsor conduct. K Shanmugam responded that about 7% of LTVP/LTVP+ applications were rejected during this period, with evaluations based on various criteria that are not publicly detailed to protect the system's integrity. Tan also inquired about minimum income requirements for LTVP sponsorship and the number of cases rejected despite meeting those requirements, but this information was not provided.

He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister about the proportion of the 30% increase in non-resident population expected from 2021 to 2025 that is temporary and the reasons behind the increase. Gan Kim Yong responded that Work Permit Holders (WPHs) constitute 60% of this increase, primarily from the construction sector for public housing and infrastructure projects. Additionally, there is a notable rise in migrant domestic workers to meet increased caregiving demands. The increase is partly due to post-COVID-19 recovery, with easing travel restrictions leading to a return of economic activity and a need to fill positions that were vacant during the pandemic.

He Ting Ru questioned the increase in new citizenships and permanent residencies granted last year compared to the previous five years, asking if this indicates a sustained trend. Gan Kim Yong, representing the Prime Minister, explained that the number of new PRs and citizenships granted is based on factors like application quality, changing needs, and population trends. Recently, more PRs were granted to healthcare workers, and citizenship numbers rose due to a stronger applicant pool. The immigration policy is regularly reviewed to adapt to demographic changes, ensuring that those granted PR or citizenship can contribute and integrate into Singaporean society.

He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for Manpower about surveys on why Singaporeans and permanent residents hire foreign domestic workers, future demand projections for these workers, and the possibility of releasing survey findings. Tan See Leng responded that the Ministry of Manpower conducts periodic surveys on Migrant Domestic Workers and their employers, with the most recent one in 2021, and the findings are available on their website. There is an increasing demand for domestic workers to care for seniors due to the ageing population, and the government will continue to monitor trends and adjust policies as necessary.

Gho Sze Kee raised concerns about job market uncertainties and challenges for recent graduates, asking if the foreign manpower mix would be reviewed to improve local opportunities, especially for entry and mid-level PMET positions. Minister Tan See Leng affirmed that the Ministry of Manpower regularly reviews foreign workforce policies to ensure they complement the local workforce and provide job access for Singaporeans. Updates include adjustments to Employment Pass and S Pass salaries to match local wage growth, while balancing talent access for businesses to maintain competitiveness. The Ministry will continue to invest in the local workforce and assess policies holistically to adapt to market conditions.

Dr. Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore seeking treatment for mental health issues and any legal challenges they face in doing so from 2021 to 2025. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary reported that fewer than 20 MDWs sought such assistance annually between 2022 and 2024, and no legal issues were encountered during this process. MDWs' access to medical treatment, including mental health, is protected under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which mandates employer coverage of medical expenses. Hamid Razak expressed concerns regarding feedback about MDWs citing mental health issues for secondary employment and suggested that mental health assessments be considered as part of pre-employment evaluations in the future, to which Shawn Huang responded that MDWs are currently required to declare any mental health conditions during pre-employment medical exams.

• The Minister for Manpower outlined that all first-time migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must complete a Settling-In Programme (SIP) that includes safety training for high-risk tasks before starting work.
• The SIP training is conducted in the MDWs' native languages and is regularly updated, with the latest review occurring in May 2025.
• New employers of MDWs are required to attend an Employers' Orientation Programme that highlights their responsibilities for ensuring a safe work environment.
• Employers must sign a safety agreement with MDWs, committing to comply with safety regulations, particularly regarding cleaning high-rise windows.
• Employment agencies also provide pre-employment training for MDWs on safety practices related to common household tasks.

• Dr. Wan Rizal inquired about the safety incidents involving migrant domestic workers (MDWs), enforcement actions against employers or agencies, and insurance claim statistics over the past five years.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, reported an average of 35 safety incidents per year from 2020 to 2024, including falls and unsafe practices, with enforcement actions taken against all involved employers and three agencies for non-compliance.
• Mandatory orientation programs for first-time employers and MDWs cover essential safety practices, including training on safe window cleaning and fall prevention.
• Employment agencies are required to explain safety requirements and ensure safety agreements are signed before MDWs are deployed.
• The Ministry of Manpower does not track insurance claim statistics or average payouts for MDWs.

• Victor Lye raised concerns about the Temporary Permit (Exhibition) Scheme (TPES) potentially creating an uneven playing field between established firms and newly-registered companies.
• The TPES is designed to meet seasonal manpower needs in the Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions and Conventions industry, with specific restrictions on the type of work and duration of employment.
• Workers under the TPES can only perform installation and teardown tasks at designated venues for a maximum of three weeks and must be Malaysian nationals.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, stated that the scheme is accessible to all firms and does not favor any particular group, and emphasized ongoing monitoring and review of the TPES.

• Mr. Fadli Fawzi inquired about the number and percentage of Permanent Residents (PRs) who have been outside Singapore for more than 180 days as of October 2025, and those who stayed less than 183 days in 2024.
• Minister K Shanmugam reported that approximately 42,000 PRs, or 8% of the total PR population, had been outside Singapore for over 180 days by the end of September 2025.
• The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not monitor the duration of stay for PRs in Singapore, specifically those who have been in the country for fewer than 183 days.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the statistics of road accidents involving foreign Work Pass holders from 2021 to the present, including the number of accidents and fatalities.
• K Shanmugam provided data indicating an average of 1,489 road accidents annually involving foreign Work Pass holders, with an average of 15 fatalities each year.
• Foreign Work Pass holders accounted for 22% of all road accidents and 13% of all fatal accidents during the specified period.

• Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the annual statistics of workplace fatalities and injuries among migrant domestic workers (MDWs) involved in high-rise window cleaning over the past decade and suggested the need for enhanced safety measures.
• Dr. Wan Rizal questioned the adequacy of current regulations for MDWs cleaning windows and proposed mandatory safety briefings for employers and expanded mental health support for MDWs.
• Minister Tan See Leng outlined existing safety regulations for MDWs, including restrictions on window cleaning without proper safety measures and supervision, and highlighted enforcement actions taken against negligent employers.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has implemented mandatory orientation programs for first-time employers and MDWs, and provides resources for mental health support and safety compliance.
• MOM will continue to monitor incidents and may increase education and enforcement efforts to ensure the safety of MDWs in high-rise cleaning tasks.

Elysa Chen asked about the number of employers investigated for abuses of the Training Employment Pass (TEP) scheme in 2023 and the involvement of foreign students and trainees. Tan See Leng reported that 230 employers and 520 TEP holders have been investigated for abuses of the scheme in 2023 and 2024.

Yeo Wan Ling questioned the Minister for Manpower about checks to ensure delivery platform work is limited to Singaporeans and PRs, and the conditions under which third-party vendors can hire non-Singaporeans. Pritam Singh raised concerns about tracking foreign workers employed by platform companies to prevent income loss for local workers and the need for more proactive measures to ensure compliance. The Minister, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, clarified that only Singaporeans and PRs can perform platform work, and that platform operators can outsource jobs to logistics companies employing foreigners within capped limits. Enforcement efforts include checks on delivery workers in hotspots, though challenges remain in tracking the dynamic outsourcing landscape. Measures are being taken to improve compliance, including random facial verification of workers using platform accounts to deter illegal activities.

Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Manpower about annual cases of foreigners working without valid employment passes over the last five years and the outcomes of these cases. The Minister of State for Manpower reported an average of about 450 illegal workers annually from 2020 to 2024, with few prosecutions and fines, while most faced warnings and repatriation. Chen followed up on measures to enhance detection and deterrence of illegal employment, particularly in sectors like wedding photography and Traditional Chinese Medicine, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other agencies. The Minister highlighted proactive and reactive inspection regimes, noting the prevalence of illegal employment in services and construction, and reassured that the Ministry seeks to avoid penalizing misled workers while focusing enforcement on perpetrators.

Yeo Wan Ling asked about the number of fines issued to migrant domestic workers and employers for illegal moonlighting over the past five years, and the take-up rate of the Household Services Scheme (HSS) since its formalization in 2021. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong reported that an average of 12 migrant workers and 15 employers have been fined annually for moonlighting. He also noted that the number of companies participating in the HSS increased from 80 to 240 since 2021, with a growing number of households served. Yeo highlighted a demand for affordable caregiving options and suggested expanding the HSS and improving awareness of the scheme. Huang acknowledged the need for diverse caregiving options and indicated openness to enhancing public awareness alongside potential online booking options for HSS services.

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Acting Minister for Transport if safety, licensing, and work permit rules were discussed in a recent meeting with Malaysian representatives regarding cross-border point-to-point transport. Jeffrey Siow referred to a previous written reply provided during the 23 September Parliament Sitting, indicating that the question had been addressed there.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised questions about coordination protocols between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) regarding passports that have been impounded during investigations. K Shanmugam confirmed that SPF and ICA have established protocols for handling such cases, including processes for issuing new passports when original ones are under police custody.