Streamlined entry requirements for construction, marine shipyard, process workers

ENTRY requirements for vaccinated new work permit holders with in-principle approval in the construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors will be streamlined effective Mar 13.

In a joint media statement on Sunday (Mar 6), the Building and Construction Authority, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Economic Development Board said there is scope to streamline the entry requirements as the Covid-19 situation improves

Currently, CMP sector workers have been entering Singapore via 2 entry lanes. Workers may enter either via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, based on prevailing border measures for general entries, or they can use an industry-led end-to-end process - available for workers entering from certain source countries - which has brought in over 15,000 CMP workers to date.

Under the industry-led process, workers currently undergo a 7-day Covid-19 testing regime at specified onboarding facilities at source countries before departure for Singapore. On arrival, workers will be subject to the prevailing health protocols.

From Mar 13, this process will be streamlined into a shorter 2-day pre-departure preparatory programme (PDPP) in the source country. This is followed by a 3-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and onboarding at the MOM's onboard centres upon arrival in Singapore, which is the current requirement.

"The PDPP is intended to be the main channel for new CMP work permit holders going forward and will enhance the resilience of the CMP sectors," the government agencies said. They added that the duration of the PDPP may be adjusted in accordance with the global Covid-19 situation.

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From May 1, new CMP work permit holders holding in-principle approval will be required to undergo the PDPP process if it is available at their source countries. The PDPP will be available in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar from Mar 13.

New CMP work permit holders entering from other source countries will continue to enter via the Work Pass Holder General Lane. Under this lane, they currently need to undergo a pre-departure test, a 7-day SHN and additional 2-day programme at MOM's onboard centres upon arrival in Singapore.

Existing CMP work permit holders will continue entering via the Work Pass Holder General Lane, with entry approvals prioritised for them.

The government agencies said: "This streamlined process will help the CMP sectors accelerate the entry of necessary workers for ongoing projects, alleviate the labour shortage that the sectors have faced over the past year, while building greater resilience in their workforce."