Written Answer to PQ by Minister for Manpower on Statistics on Number of Days Worker in Repatriated Following Cancellation of Worker's Work Permit

NOTICE PAPER NO. 785 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 03 NOVEMBER 2021
QUESTION NO. 1224 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

To ask the Minister for Manpower for each year in the past five years (a) how many workers were repatriated on the same day that their work permit was cancelled; (b) how many workers have been repatriated within a week from when their work permit is cancelled; and (c) what is the median number of days a worker is repatriated following the cancellation of the worker’s work permit.

Answer

MOM does not compile the statistics requested by the Member. We typically give employers up to 14 days to repatriate their work permit holders after the work permit is cancelled. In our Settling-In-Programme for new migrant workers, they are briefed that if they are being repatriated but have pending employment-related claims against their employer, they should inform officers at the immigration checkpoints, who will refer them to MOM. MOM will allow the worker to remain in Singapore to settle his claims and facilitate a transfer to a new employer if the worker would like to continue working in Singapore. MOM will also proactively reach out to construction workers whose permits have been cancelled to put them on the retention scheme jointly set up with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL). The retention scheme is being progressively expanded to include the Marine Shipyard and Process sectors, jointly with industry partners.