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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on Foreign Instructors Conducting Classes as Work Pass Exempt Activity

Work passes and permits Foreign manpower

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1848 OF 2019 FOR THE SITTING ON 7 OCTOBER
QUESTION NO. 1448 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

NMP: Assoc Prof Walter Theseira

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the reasons why foreign instructors may conduct classes as a Work Pass Exempt Activity, provided that no administrative work is carried out; (b) what are the reasons for the exclusion of administrative work such as the setting and grading of assessment materials; and (c) whether this exclusion can be waived in cases where educational objectives can be strengthened through having the same instructor integrate teaching and assessment.

Answer

  1. MOM exempts foreigners conducting workshops or speaking at seminars or conferences from the requirement to apply for a Work Pass, as such activities typically take place over a short period of time and the individuals do not become part of our regular workforce.
  2. The exemption does not cover foreigners who are employed on a more permanent basis as faculty or instructors of an educational institution. Such faculty or instructors would typically also perform other administrative duties, such as setting and grading of assessment materials. In these cases, MOM requires the educational institution to apply for a Work Pass for the particular instructor.