Immigration & foreign manpower

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Ministry of Manpower if it has conducted surveys on recruitment fees paid by work permit holders in Singapore and their home countries, and whether findings could be released with breakdowns by country, sector, and gender. Tan See Leng responded that the Ministry conducts ad hoc surveys revealing typical recruitment fees for different sectors, ranging significantly based on occupation. Gender-based fee ranges were also provided, with males paying more than females on average. However, the Ministry does not disclose nationality-specific data due to sensitivity concerns.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the policy rationale behind allowing permanent residents to withdraw their CPF savings in full upon leaving Singapore while citizens can only do so after age 55. Tan See Leng responded that the CPF system is crucial for supporting retirement and healthcare needs for both citizens and PRs. He explained that those who renounce their status can withdraw their CPF savings entirely, with the same withdrawal rules applied to both groups. To protect retirement adequacy, both citizens and PRs must set aside a full retirement sum by age 55.

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Manpower about regulations on delivery riders and how to protect legitimate workers from enforcement actions against illegal platform work. Tan See Leng clarified that there are no restrictions for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents on food and parcel delivery work, while foreigners need a valid work pass and cannot be platform workers. The Platform Workers Trilateral Group's recommendations aim to combat illegal activities, including foreigners using local accounts for delivery work, with increased enforcement planned. The Ministry acknowledges that legitimate workers may experience inconveniences during checks but emphasizes that only those breaking the law will face penalties.

Shawn Loh requested information from the Minister for Manpower regarding average fines imposed on migrant domestic workers and their unofficial employers for unpermitted domestic work from 2020 to the present, as well as whether income levels were considered in setting these fines. Tan See Leng explained that enforcement actions are based on various factors, and most cases involve warnings rather than fines. From 2020 to 2024, 66 illegal employers received fines averaging $3,100, while two migrant domestic workers faced fines of $2,000 and $4,000. For cases taken to court, illegal employers and workers were fined averages of $8,800 and $5,000 respectively, based on individual circumstances.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked if the Ministry of Manpower is considering requiring employers to buy the Primary Care Plan (PCP) for Work Permit and S Pass holders not living in dormitories or in certain sectors, as well as whether medical insurance for Employment Pass holders would be mandated. Tan See Leng responded that the PCP is currently required only for certain groups due to higher risks of infectious diseases in communal living situations, but employers can choose to purchase it for other migrant workers. The Ministry does not mandate medical insurance for Employment Pass holders since they typically can afford personal coverage or receive benefits through their employment.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the circumstances under which Permanent Residents and Work Pass holders in Singapore would have their residency or passes revoked for committing a criminal offense. K Shanmugam responded that foreigners, including these groups, can have their passes canceled and be barred from re-entry for breaking laws or engaging in undesirable behavior. There is a framework in place to assess each case, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, the individual's family ties in Singapore, and their contributions to the country.

Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Manpower about the evaluation of the Household Services Scheme (HSS) regarding its take-up rate, pricing, ease of use, and market demand. Tan See Leng reported a growth in HSS companies from 80 to 240 since its 2021 formalization, indicating an increase in households served. The Ministry supports HSS by providing concessions for migrant workers, with companies setting service prices based on demand, and no current need for government price intervention is seen. While there are benefits in allowing foreign workers to assist multiple households for efficiency, concerns exist about accountability, liability, and the risk of illegal moonlighting.

Victor Lye asked about the Ministry's regulations regarding foreign vehicles used by workers with valid work passes for commuting and commercial purposes in Singapore. Jeffrey Siow responded that all foreign vehicles must obtain a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and pay a daily fee to enter Singapore. Foreign workers can use their personal foreign-registered or Singapore-registered motorcycles for their employer's trade, but foreign-registered goods vehicles are prohibited from delivering services within Singapore.

• Mr. Gabriel Lam proposed extending the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy of $60 to first-time expectant parents two to three months before delivery.
• He inquired about the fiscal and policy implications of such an extension, including potential beneficiary numbers and impact on levy revenues.
• Minister Tan See Leng explained that the concessionary levy is currently available to households with caregiving needs and will be extended to those with a Singapore Citizen child born.
• The government will monitor the need for extending the concessionary levy or exploring alternative support options for expectant parents.

• Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis inquired about the number and percentage of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) authorized for caregiving at secondary residential addresses.
• Minister Tan See Leng stated that MDWs are only permitted to work at the declared residential address and must follow specific conditions if they care for employers at another address.
• As of August 2025, approximately 4,300 MDWs, or 1.4% of the total MDW population, are involved in caregiving at secondary addresses.

• Jessica Tan raised concerns about the current requirement for employers to bear the full costs of repatriating Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) and suggested a review for more equitable cost-sharing among employers, agencies, and MDWs.
• Minister Tan See Leng emphasized that employers are responsible for all costs related to MDWs, including repatriation, to prevent situations where workers are stranded due to disputes.
• The Ministry ensures that employers are aware of their obligations regarding MDWs through orientation programs before the workers arrive in Singapore.

• An average of 100,000 employers annually benefited from the concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) levy for families with children under 16 years old between 2020 and 2024.
• The concession reduces the MDW levy from $300 to $60 per month for the first MDW for eligible households.
• The Ministry of Manpower does not track the number of first-time parents among those benefiting from the concessionary levy.
• Households hiring MDWs before childbirth can apply for the concessionary levy once the Singaporean child is born.
• Information on the application process and timelines for MDW work permits is available on the Ministry of Manpower's website.

• The number of Training Employment Pass (TEP) approvals increased significantly from 900 in 2021 to 16,500 in 2024, reflecting the post-pandemic recovery.
• Reports of TEP abuse rose from nine in 2021 to approximately 150 in 2024, indicating a growing concern over misuse of the scheme.
• The Ministry of Manpower has implemented measures such as advisories for employers and increased enforcement operations to address TEP abuse.
• Approximately 70 companies are currently under investigation for offenses related to false declarations in work pass applications.

• The policy allowing hawkers to hire Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or LTVP+ holders as stall assistants began on January 1, 2025.
• Approximately 170 LTVP or LTVP+ holders have been hired as stall assistants in the first six months of the policy across over 120 hawker centres.
• The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to monitor the employment of LTVP or LTVP+ holders in hawker centres to assess the impact of the policy.