More stringent criteria for higher-skilled foreign workers in process sector: Tan Chuan-Jin
Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development at the Social Workers' Day 2015 Symposium. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — More stringent eligibility criteria for higher-skilled foreign workers in the process sector will be introduced from 2017 so as to reliably identify workers who are “genuinely skilled and productive”, said Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin today (March 9).
The criteria for foreign workers in the process sector to achieve R1 status — given to higher-skilled workers for whom employers pay lower levies — will be enhanced to reflect market-relevant skills, announced Mr Tan during the Committee of Supply debate for the Manpower Ministry.
The process sector covers the petroleum, petrochemical, speciality chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.
From June 2017, a work permit-holder in the sector needs to earn at least S$1,200 monthly on top of holding the existing skills certification to qualify for R1 status.
Alternatively, the skills certification requirement can be substituted with at least two years’ working experience in Singapore.
This will be followed by further changes from 2019, where only relevant Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) certification will be recognised under the framework. Currently, a number of certificates, including those of similar standards obtained from the work permit holder’s home country, are accepted.
From 2019, a work permit holder will have to hold the WSQ certificate and earn a minimum salary that will be determined nearer to that year. The certification requirement can be substituted with a minimum of three years’ working experience in Singapore.
A third option will be introduced, whereby a worker who has earned the WSQ certification and has at least three years of working experience here will be recognised for R1 status.
The new criteria is to ensure that only workers whom employers value are given R1 status, said Mr Tan.
To support employers in retaining experienced workers, the Government will, from June 2017, allow employers in the process sector to hire experienced work permit holders at any time with their current employer’s consent, or nearing the end of their stay. They would no longer have to source for workers residing outside Singapore. More information will be released in due course.
In another change involving foreign workers, work permit holders in the construction, process and marine sectors will be able to take on driving as a secondary job function from June.
