Selective flexibility on foreign manpower needs, even as Govt tightens criteria: Lim Swee Say
Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say speaks alongside Second Manpower Minister Josephine Teo (L) at the SNEF-MOM Post-Committee of Supply 2018 Dialogue at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre on March 9, 2018. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Despite the Government’s move this week to further tighten the criteria for overseas workers, economic agencies still have the flexibility to allow some companies to bring in the foreign talent they require, Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say assured on Friday (March 9).
For instance, some companies have had their Employment Pass applications approved even though their foreign workers did not meet the minimum salary requirement, Mr Lim told an annual post-Budget dialogue session jointly organised by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore National Employers Federation.
He stressed, however, that such flexibility is accorded on a case by case basis, and only after economic agencies such as the Economic Development Board (EDB) have assessed that the companies had given fair consideration to Singaporeans, and faced a shortage of workers with skills that are in demand globally.
“But we hope that this short-term flexibility will not lead to long-term dependency. So, yes we want to provide flexibility, but at the same time, let us also focus on building a pipeline of local workers in the future,” Mr Lim said in responding to concerns among companies in fast-growing sectors like artificial intelligence that the manpower shortage was hindering their growth.
The minister announced in Parliament on Monday that the Government would be raising the S Pass salary criteria to S$2,400 in phases over the next two years, and extend the maximum period of employment for work permit holders from non-traditional sources, in a bid to boost the quality of foreign manpower.
In announcing the new measures, the minister acknowledged the ongoing debate over the country’s foreign worker policy, with some businesses complaining that the policy is “too tight” and the Government not pro-business enough, while
Singaporeans complained that they had to compete with too many foreigners for jobs here.
Addressing an audience of about 700 people, including business owners and human resource directors, Mr Lim reiterated that the Government is pro-business and Singapore’s doors are open to skilled foreign professionals who can help businesses upgrade and transform.
But the authorities will not make a U-turn on its foreign manpower policy, he added. At the event on Friday, Second Manpower Minister Josephine Teo also spoke at length on the Government’s measures to help improve the job prospects for Singaporeans.
Mr Lim had stressed in his speech on Monday that Singapore aimed to strike a “fine and dynamic balance” in its foreign manpower policy - one that is open enough to support business growth, but at the same time, tight enough to improve local employment.
He returned to the same argument on Friday by reminding his audience: “We cannot succeed in being pro-worker if we are not pro-business. But at the same time, we cannot be pro-business unless you are also pro-worker.
“If we support you in your business expansion but at the end of the day, all the good jobs went to the foreigners, then what’s the purpose of having all these healthy transformation and innovation in Singapore?”
