Singapore: Government Reduces Maximum Number of Foreign Workers Companies May Sponsor
Singapore is reducing the percentage of foreign workers that companies seeking S Pass and Work Permits may employ.
The government of Singapore has announced a 5 percent reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers that can be employed by companies holding S Pass and Work Permits. Specifically, S Pass employers will be limited to 20 percent foreign temporary workers. Limits in the Work Permit category will be 60 percent for manufacturers and 45 percent for service sector companies.
The lowered ratios take effect on July 1, 2012 for new S Pass and Work Permit applications. Employers will have until June 30, 2014 to meet the lowered ratios for existing workers.
There will be no changes to the ratios for Work Permits in other industries.
The S Pass is for skilled foreign nationals who earn at least S$2,000 monthly. The Work Permit is for skilled and unskilled foreign nationals, usually working in designated industries, who earn less than S$2,000 monthly.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global or send an email to SGInitiations@fragomen.com.
Source: Fragomen