Tan See Leng dodges query on details of 4,900 rise in 2023 resident employment

Dr Tan clarified that MOM does not collect data on the net change in resident employment based on workers’ prior residency status in their labour market surveys.

“Net employment change is derived from Central Provident Fund (CPF) administrative data which does not collect information on prior residency status.”

Instead, he suggested Mr Leong refer to the MOM statistics webpage for a more holistic understanding of labour market outcomes for residents, including employment rate, unemployment rate and wage growth.

The job statistics report released by the Ministry of Manpower in March shows that 94.5% of 2023’s employment growth, comprising 88,400 positions in Singapore (excluding migrant domestic workers), came from non-resident workers.

The remaining 4,900 resident employment growth account for both Singaporean Citizens and non-Singaporean Permanent Residents without the breakdown.

In April, Tan See Leng evades question on Singapore citizens employed in new jobs for 2023

In a previous Parliamentary exchange last April, Minister Tan was pressed by both Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam and NCMP Leong on the employment of Singaporean citizens in 2023.

In response, he did not answer directly regarding the requested figures, but instead said, “Singapore must not view residents and foreigners as a ‘zero-sum game’ and continue to draw divides,”  underlining the necessity of foreign talent for enhancing job opportunities and wages for locals.

This statement was in direct response to concerns raised by Mr Giam about ensuring that the majority of new jobs in 2024 are secured by citizens and residents, especially given the previous year’s trend where non-residents accounted for the bulk of employment growth.

Addressing the Member of Parliament for Aljunied’s apprehensions, Dr Tan countered, “seems to be under the misconception that a net increase in foreign employment means that jobs are not going to Singaporeans,” labeling this view as “fundamentally misguided”.

He elaborated, “Thriving businesses with access to complementary foreign talent will not only lead to more job creation but also improve overall wage outcomes as businesses expand and improve their productivity.”

In his response to Mr Giam’s questions, Dr Tan also revealed that about 18,700, or 22.4%, were from higher-skilled Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders.

He added that the remaining increase of 64,800, accounting for more than 77%, was due to an increase in the number of holders of work permits and other work passes in sectors such as construction, which he states are not typically the type of jobs that Singaporeans want to do.

Dr Tan further defended the government’s stance by highlighting the growth in resident professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) by 380,000 between 2013 and 2023, in contrast to a smaller increase of 50,000 EP and S Pass holders.

This, he argued, demonstrates the commitment to balancing the need for foreign skills with the development of local talent.

Dr Tan emphasised necessity of access to diverse workforce for economic growth

Mr Giam then asked for the figures, which the Manpower Minister did not answer: “What is the percentage of the 4,900 that goes to Singaporeans?”

Mr Giam asked, “Is the minister concerned that these government expenditures appear to be disproportionately benefiting MNCs and foreign workers, in particular, foreign professionals, over Singaporean workers?”

Reiterating his points and avoiding Mr Giam’s direct question on the figures for Singaporean workers, Dr Tan stated that as the economy grows, access to a workforce is essential.

“They need access to workers. They need access to foreign talent. They need access to local talent. ”

“Now, in a situation where our labour market is so tight, how do we ensure that our startups, our SMEs, our large local enterprises, and the MNCs who make significant FDIs in Singapore continue to grow and tap into and leverage the ecosystem, especially when we are already at close to full employment?”

NCMP Leong then raised concerns about g the need for job statistics to distinguish between Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs). He emphasized the lack of transparency regarding changes in resident unemployment.

However, In response, Minister Tan interpreted Leong’s remarks as an attempt to revive the dichotomy between “Singapore citizens vs PRs”, characterizing it as an “us versus them” scenario.

Dr Tan reiterated that he had already addressed the essence of Gerald Giam’s question. He ended the debate by suggesting Mr Leong to file another PQ for the matter.