Scheme to let China work permit holders switch jobs

Singapore

WORK permit holders from China who are already in Singapore can soon switch jobs without having to leave the country, in a temporary scheme unveiled by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Tuesday to soften the economic blow of the Covid-19 outbreak on businesses.

The move, which some employers had suggested at a closed-door session earlier this month, will let Chinese workers in manufacturing and services move between companies for six months from next Monday.

Malaysian work permit holders, as well as foreign workers in the construction, process and marine sectors, are already able to do so.

"I think this will plug a gap, and we hope that this is also a practical, tangible way in which we can help businesses to manage the current situation," Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said of the latest measure.

The Singapore Business Federation will match companies that face excess manpower amid lower business volume, and those that are now grappling with a labour crunch.

Of the roughly 30,000 work pass holders from China who left over Chinese New Year, the "vast majority" still remain abroad, according to Mrs Teo. They need permission from the MOM to return, and will also have to stay at home for 14 days, to minimise the potential spread of Covid-19.

Singapore's restrictions on travel from mainland China were extended on Tuesday to those who have recently been in the virus-hit Daegu city or Cheongdo county in South Korea.

The MOM is now approving an average of 220 applications to return each day, with priority for staff in essential operations such as healthcare, transport and waste management.

Given the labour situation, the MOM said in its latest statement that the new worker transfer initiative "will give companies more flexibility to manage their manpower needs".

In fact, the move will help companies to manage their cost and manpower issues, added Yeo Guat Kwang, assistant director-general of the National Trades Union Congress.

But, when asked by reporters whether Singapore could roll back its tight foreign worker quotas, Mrs Teo said that the challenge to businesses mainly relates to cash flow issues.

"A lot of it has to do with a return of confidence, so that people start to consume, people start to shop, people start to get back to the normal course of activities," she replied.

Noting that much of a S$4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package will go towards saving jobs, Mrs Teo added: "Individuals have to feel confident about their normal daily activities, so that's what the focus is on."