Tan See Leng on balancing foreign and local workforce
Singapore regularly updates its qualifying criteria for foreign talent to avoid undercutting local jobs and salaries. For example, new Employment Pass (EP) applicants aged 23 years old must earn at least S$5,600 currently, which is significantly above the median wage of fresh local graduates. The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is also refreshed annually in line with market conditions. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said this in parliament on Wednesday (Oct 15) in response to an MP’s question on whether there are plans to review the foreign manpower mix in light of job market uncertainty and challenges faced by recent tertiary graduates. Dr Tan said a very careful balance must be struck as Singapore has to provide sufficient access to talent to maintain its global competitiveness. He added that foreign professionals help to attract foreign investments and multinational corporations that create good jobs for Singaporeans and also create business for local firms which in turn employ locals.
Singapore regularly updates its qualifying criteria for foreign talent to avoid undercutting local jobs and salaries. For example, new Employment Pass (EP) applicants aged 23 years old must earn at least S$5,600 currently, which is significantly above the median wage of fresh local graduates. The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is also refreshed annually in line with market conditions. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said this in parliament on Wednesday (Oct 15) in response to an MP’s question on whether there are plans to review the foreign manpower mix in light of job market uncertainty and challenges faced by recent tertiary graduates. Dr Tan said a very careful balance must be struck as Singapore has to provide sufficient access to talent to maintain its global competitiveness. He added that foreign professionals help to attract foreign investments and multinational corporations that create good jobs for Singaporeans and also create business for local firms which in turn employ locals.
