Dependant's Pass moves could hurt startups, limit talent

Published Fri, Mar 5, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Singapore

CONCERNS have been raised that the moves to tighten employment conditions for Dependant's Pass (DP) holders could hurt startups, underutilise dependants' skills and contributions, and dampen openness to talent.

Elena Chow, founder of startup talent consultancy ConnectOne, told The Business Times that the changes have created "a lot of buzz, and some concerns" in the startup community since their announcement.

Dependants of EntrePass and Employment Pass holders now apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) if they wish to work in Singapore. They are exempt from the quotas, levies and minimum salaries imposed on work pass holders. But from May 1, DP holders will need work passes.

Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has said DP holders employed on LOCs form only 1 per cent of work pass holders in Singapore. But Ms Chow says that because startups tend to hire more such workers, they will be disproportionat…