Parliament: Singapore firms must aim for stronger local core, better quality foreign labour

SINGAPORE companies must aim to have a stronger Singaporean core and better quality foreign labour, Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say told Parliament on Monday.

Mr Lim said the aim is to "strengthen our competitiveness and sustainability by becoming more manpower lean with a stronger Singaporean core and better quality foreign manpower, as we reposition our economy for quality growth".

He reiterated that the manpower ministry is making further enhancements to send a clearer and stronger signal about fair consideration for Singaporeans. For example, from Oct 1, 2015, companies with a weaker Singaporean core will be required to provide additional information, such as the number of applications from Singaporeans, how many were shortlisted, and the interview outcomes.

"We may also require some of them to commit to plans to strengthen their Singaporean core,'' Mr Lim said.

He was replying to query on whether the Employment Pass (EP) and Jobs Bank schemes could be further tightened to ensure that employers are required to give due consideration to applications from qualified Singaporeans first and that EP applications must be accompanied by evidence that the hiring of foreigners is only after unsuccessful sourcing from local talent pool.