Committee of Supply 2022 debate, Day 3: Tan See Leng on points-based COMPASS for Employment Pass applicants
Companies which want to hire foreign professionals will soon have to meet the requirements of a new assessment framework, COMPASS. It is a points-based system that determines how good a fit an Employment Pass (EP) holder is for Singapore's workforce. Candidates must first meet the qualifying salary and score enough points to qualify for an EP. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who announced this in Parliament on Friday (Mar 4), said this is a "significant change". Companies would need sufficient time to adjust. Hence, it will come into effect for new EP applications from 1 September 2023, and for renewal applications from 1 September 2024. Dr Tan said COMPASS is designed to be balanced and reasonable. Employers will find the system responsive to industry needs, and easier to navigate as it is a transparent, predictable and clear framework. It also recognises the efforts to build a strong local pipeline and maintain a diverse foreign workforce. For the local workforce, it will give greater confidence that the EP holders here are of high calibre and will better complement their teams. Dr Tan said COMPASS will allow Singapore to remain open to complementary talent for frontier industries in the next stage of growth. He also highlighted several new measures to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce. He said that with workers, unions, businesses and the Government on the same ship, he has no doubt that Singapore will continue its voyage into an "even brighter future".
Companies which want to hire foreign professionals will soon have to meet the requirements of a new assessment framework, COMPASS. It is a points-based system that determines how good a fit an Employment Pass (EP) holder is for Singapore's workforce. Candidates must first meet the qualifying salary and score enough points to qualify for an EP. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who announced this in Parliament on Friday (Mar 4), said this is a "significant change". Companies would need sufficient time to adjust. Hence, it will come into effect for new EP applications from 1 September 2023, and for renewal applications from 1 September 2024. Dr Tan said COMPASS is designed to be balanced and reasonable. Employers will find the system responsive to industry needs, and easier to navigate as it is a transparent, predictable and clear framework. It also recognises the efforts to build a strong local pipeline and maintain a diverse foreign workforce. For the local workforce, it will give greater confidence that the EP holders here are of high calibre and will better complement their teams. Dr Tan said COMPASS will allow Singapore to remain open to complementary talent for frontier industries in the next stage of growth. He also highlighted several new measures to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce. He said that with workers, unions, businesses and the Government on the same ship, he has no doubt that Singapore will continue its voyage into an "even brighter future".
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