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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo to PQ on renewal of existing S Passes during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Foreign manpower Work passes and permits

NOTICE PAPER NO. 377 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 10 MAY 2021

QUESTION NO. 653 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Sitoh Yih Pin

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether companies seeking renewal of existing S Passes can be allowed to do so even if their quota has been reduced as a result of a drop of the companies’ workforce numbers due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Answer

  1. A company’s quota for work permits and S Passes would be reduced as a result of a drop in the company’s workforce numbers. Existing employees who may not be in Singapore due to entry restrictions are included in the workforce numbers so long as they continue to be on the company’s payroll as evidenced by CPF contributions, or hold a valid work pass if they are non-residents. To be fair and consistent to all employers, we do not include workers who have obtained in-principle approval but have not arrived in Singapore to start work.
  2. MOM may, on appeal, grant time-limited extensions for existing work passes, if there are valid reasons and assurance that they are short term in nature. Companies that need transitional support while implementing plans for a leaner workforce can also consider applying for the Lean Enterprise Development (LED) Scheme.