Committee of Supply 2024 debate, Day 4: Edward Chia on sustaining wage growth

How can the Government ensure that foreign workforce policies contribute to Singaporeans’ real wage growth? Is it timely to establish distinctions between various work passes based on the specific job appeal to Singaporeans? Alongside this distinction, should the Government adjust the dependency ratio ceiling to ensure that enterprises have the necessary manpower to thrive, while ensuring equitable access and higher wages for Singaporeans? MP Edward Chia raised these questions in Parliament on Monday (Mar 4). As part of the strategy to ensure that foreign workforce policies foster business growth while enhancing collaboration with local talent, Mr Chia proposed implementing temporary quota increases contingent upon commitments to human capital development and local worker training. He also asked the Ministry of Manpower how it is empowering employers to redesign jobs for new and emerging opportunities and empowering workers to improve their career health. Mr Chia also touched on increasing workers’ productivity and support for lower-wage workers in his speech.