MOM to extend waiver of foreign worker levies for duration of SHN

THE Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will extend the waiver of foreign worker levies for all S Pass and work permit holders, including migrant domestic workers, for the duration of their stay-home notice (SHN) until December this year.

Previously, employers had to pay the monthly levy for each worker starting from the day the temporary work permit or work permit is issued, whichever is earlier, until the permit is cancelled or expires. This includes the SHN duration.

The waiver had earlier been provided for the period January to September 2021.

According to MOM, the extension will help employers manage costs associated with safety measures, as Singapore gradually reopens its borders.

In a Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas) event on Monday, Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, added that there has been new dormitory standards introduced to enhance liveability and safeguard against future pandemics.

During his speech, Dr Tan also noted that pandemic has highlighted the importance of building a "resilient" sector.

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"The manpower challenges and disruptions faced by construction firms have highlighted the risks of overdependence on migrant workers," he said.

Dr Tan encouraged companies to tap on technologies to digitalise and automate processes as well as strengthen their local workforces.

"The sector is evolving and with this evolution comes many new career pathways that did not exist previously," he added.

Meanwhile, Chia Ngiang Hong, president of Redas and group general manager of CDL, said during the event's welcome address that many construction projects are still facing delays to varying extent.

"Significant uncertainties will persist, and the operating environment of many businesses will remain challenging," he added.

To manage such risks, developers are "constantly reviewing" their portfolios, he said.

However, Mr Chia also noted that there is "general optimism" in the industry as vaccination rates gain pace. Following this, developers are turning their focus to green and sustainable developments as well as their projects' implications on climate change.

He said: "As developers, we remain confident in the country's macroeconomic stability and strong track records for mid- to long-term capital value growth and preservation."

"We hope the government will continue to monitor the market and review and calibrate the cooling measures where and when needed to maintain stability and sustainability of the property market," he added.