SINGAPORE — Members of Parliament have filed questions about the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme in the upcoming Parliament sitting on 9 January next week.
The scheme, which was launched on 13 December by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), together with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and participating economic agencies, seeks to complement the changes that MOM is
making to Singapore’s work pass framework by supporting the growth of businesses that contribute to Singapore’s strategic economic priorities through ambitious investment, innovation, or internationalisation activities.
The scheme gives qualifying firms the flexibility to temporarily hire S Pass and Work Permit holders above the prevailing Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) and S Pass sub-DRC.
To qualify, firms must also commit to employ and/or train locals.
Eligible firms can obtain additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas of up to 5 per cent above their base workforce headcount, subject to a cap of 50 workers per firm.
Such additional flexibilities accorded under the M-SEP scheme will last for two years upon enrolment, and may be renewed thereafter, subject to meeting renewal conditions.
MPs from the ruling party and opposition have filed wide-ranging questions in regard to the scheme, which expresses their concerns over its implications towards local employment.
Oral and written questions filed by MPs:
Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the expected number of additional S Passes and work permits to be issued under the M-SEP scheme; (b) whether smaller companies and outsourced service providers that support the strategic economic priorities can also be eligible; and (c) how will the Ministry ascertain that the additional foreign workers obtained under the scheme will be deployed in areas that advance Singapore’s economic goals.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how will the Ministry ensure the relevance of skills and employability of workers who are sent for training under Condition 2 of the M-SEP scheme; and (b) whether the required hiring and training under this scheme can have a greater focus and emphasis on mid-career PMETs.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how will the M-SEP scheme benefit Singaporean PMEs and workers; and (b) what are the safeguards against abuse of work passes issued under this scheme.
Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the projected impact of the M-SEP scheme on locals, in terms of wages and job opportunities; (b) what are the steps which the Ministry will be taking to ensure a level playing field for local workers; and (c) whether companies under investigation by the Ministry for poor employment practices or firms that have breached the Fair Consideration Framework, or the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, will be eligible for the M-SEP scheme.
Mr Don Wee: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry will consider issuing additional S Passes and work permits under the M-SEP scheme for professional service providers like auditing entities which support the strategic economic priorities.
Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the types of Singaporean workers who are affected by the new M-SEP scheme; (b) what is the Ministry doing to help these local workers affected by the M-SEP scheme in terms of retraining and employment facilitation; and (c) whether the renewal of work passes for foreign workers under the M-SEP scheme will continue under the same scheme after the two-year period, or fall under existing S Pass requirements.
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how will the M-SEP scheme benefit local SMEs; and (b) whether the eligibility criteria to qualify can be looked into for SMEs in essential services that are experiencing a manpower crunch.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry regarding the introduction of the M-SEP scheme (a) what signal does the Ministry intend to send to companies with regard to their commitment to reduce dependence on low- and mid-skilled foreign workers; and (b) what impact will this have on companies’ incentives to increase productivity through automation and develop a Singaporean core in their workforce.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how will the Ministry ensure that the companies that qualify for the M-SEP scheme are training and employing locals at the right level; (b) upon approval, how will the Ministry ensure that Condition 2 of the scheme continues to be adhered to; and (c) upon renewal, how will the Ministry track the employment of locals and determine the efficacy of their training.
