Singapore’s migrant labour dilemma deepens as costs rise

As living costs rise and recruitment fees surge, questions mount over the sustainability of the city-state’s dependence on low-wage migrant workers

Published Fri, Oct 3, 2025 · 02:00 PM — Updated Sat, Oct 4, 2025 · 05:07 PM

Singapore's latest population numbers – soaring to a record-high 6.11 million as at June – show that growth was driven largely by work permit holders. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

[SINGAPORE] For Nasir Uddin, paydays are often the only time he can afford a small treat.

The Bangladeshi construction worker, who has spent the last 12 years in Singapore, used to shell out S$6 or S$7 to buy a meal from McDonald’s or KFC.

Now, amid rising costs of living post-pandemic, the same meals cost at least S$10.