Singapore: In response to a report calling for better employment support for PME, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) stated on Friday (October 22) that the government is considering further improving Singapore’s employment pass framework.
The report issued by the Professionals, Managers and Executives (PME) Working Group on Thursday made nine recommendations to improve the employment and employability of local PMEs.
These include introducing income support for unemployed PMEs, and distinguishing the admission of foreign workers by occupation, and giving less access to occupations with “strategic interests” in order to increase the proportion of local PMEs.
The National Trade Union Union (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF) reports also recommend strengthening enforcement of wrongful companies that take unfair practices, and strengthening support for PME to promote their career development or help those who are unemployed Turn to “meaningful employment.”
The government stated that it will consider these recommendations as it conducts ongoing reviews of workforce policies, workplace equity frameworks, and employment support initiatives.
“We have been exploring further improvements to the Employment Pass framework to achieve our goal of building a strong Singapore core supplemented by a diversified foreign workforce,” said the Ministry of Manpower.
“The recommendations of the working group will be considered and more details will be announced in due course.”
The Ministry stated that in terms of workplace fairness, the Tripartite Commission on Workplace Fairness has assessed that legislation is the next step, and it will study the recommendations made by the PME working group when designing the legal framework.
The Ministry of Manpower added that the government will consider the recommendations of the working group when reviewing support measures for local workers.
“Helping local people to gain opportunities has always been the government’s top priority, especially considering the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and labor market. The National Employment Council is the first to work nationwide to integrate jobs and skills opportunities under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package. Combined.”
