Labour MPs call for foreign manpower tweaks, expanded training to support local workers

LABOUR MPs have called for more support for local workers, including tweaks to foreign manpower policies and expansions of training schemes, as the Budget debate entered its second day in the House on Tuesday (Mar 1).

That's as Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat, who is also NTUC deputy secretary-general, noted that employers who have invested in a strong Singaporean core and in good labour movement ties should be recognised with advantages in government projects, grants, and work pass applications.

Enhancing the Employment Pass (EP) framework is among the most urgent tasks needed to improve conditions for professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), PAP MP Patrick Tay (Pioneer SMC), assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress argued.

He cited "ground concerns and perceptions that an overreliance on foreign PMEs has led to an unnecessary increase in competition in the local job market and employment".

Besides raising the qualifying salaries of EP and S Pass holders in line with the increase in local PMEs' median wages, the Ministry of Manpower could also adopt NTUC recommendations on including a points-based work pass system that takes into account sectoral input, whether employers hire and develop local workers, and the spread of nationalities in these companies, Tay said.

Similarly, Nominated MP Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab, NTUC vice-president and general secretary of the Union of Power and Gas Employees, stressed that companies should not turn to "foreign labour as a quick fix solution" as international borders reopen amid an improving Covid-19 situation.

"Companies should not take advantage of the recovering economy to bring in foreign talents but (should) instead put in place a career development (plan) for their Singaporean workers to take on these jobs and grow their careers," he added of PME positions.

Noting that economic challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic continue to put pressure on a tourism recovery, Abdul Samad also suggested that the government extend support to the hotel sector. Similar help is already on the way for the aviation industry, which received a support package in the Budget.

Meanwhile, NTUC operations director and PAP MP Fahmi Aliman (Marine Parade GRC) reiterated his view that the Progressive Wage Model - which sets structured wage and skills ladders for certain sectors and job roles - can be extended to the strata and facilities management and pest management industries.

He also suggested that private-sector service buyers be incentivised to use an outcome-based contracting model that takes into account progressive employment practices, and not just price, when awarding contracts.

Similarly, NTUC director and PAP MP Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) stressed that freelance workers in the gig economy need "basic labour protections", such as a standard level of insurance and contributions to their retirement savings from the partner platforms where they work.

"As we look to provide greater protection and welfare benefits for workers in the gig economy, the tripartite partnership must strive to support a healthy diversity of career options and sustainable, dignified livelihoods," she said.

And, as workers age, NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence, urged periodic reviews of the salaries that qualify for employer Central Provident Fund contributions to ensure that the proportion of pay that qualifies for CPF "keeps pace and does not become materially eroded" as pay improves.

"This will enable us to strike and sustain a fair, judicious and necessary equilibrium between employers' legitimate cost concerns and workers' legitimate need for retirement adequacy," he said.

The proposals came as NTUC now plans to set up 2,500 Company Training Committees (CTCs) by 2025 - compared with an earlier goal of 1,000 CTCs by 2022 - after the Budget set aside S$100 million to scale up the initiative where unions and employers collaborate on job redesign and worker skills.

Other labour representatives speaking on the Budget included NTUC assistant secretary-general Desmond Choo (Tampines GRC), who proposed offering workers the option of a second subsidised diploma or degree, and NTUC Enterprise group chief executive Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC), who suggested one-off grants to assist trade associations that serve small businesses.

Get the latest updates on Budget 2022 here: bt.sg/budget22