International

VIRUS OUTBREAK: MANPOWER IMPACT

·

SUBSCRIBERS

Building, marine, process sectors still struggling to get entry for workers

Some bosses speak of uphill battle to get approvals, especially for workers from India and Bangladesh; result has impacted projects and planning

Published Fri, Apr 16, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Foreign workers

Singapore

EMPLOYERS in the construction, marine and process (CMP) sectors continue to face difficulties getting entry approvals for their work permit holders - particularly those from India and Bangladesh - with some having submitted their applications repeatedly for months, only to face rejections multiple times.

Most are understanding of the current circumstances, and recognise that the government is in a catch-22 situation: bring in too many foreign workers at a go, and the country risks seeing an increase in imported Covid-19 cases.

But the lack of certainty on when workers can come in makes it difficult for e…