Oral Answer by Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on Take-up of the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) among ex-offenders

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1618 OF 2023 FOR SITTING ON OR AFTER 10 JANUARY
QUESTION NO. 4068 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Murali Pillai

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many ex-offenders have been assisted under the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) scheme up to the end of the year 2022; (b) what are the top ten industries that employ ex-offenders under the JGI; and (c) what steps have been taken to promote a higher take-up rate of the JGI amongst ex-offenders before the scheme expires on 31 March 2023.

Answer:

1. Based on the latest available data, the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) has supported the hiring of approximately 2,300 ex-offenders as at May 2022. The implementation of the JGI has been accompanied by an increase in interest among employers to partner with Yellow Ribbon Singapore to hire ex-offenders.

2. The top ten sectors which have employed ex-offenders with JGI support are:

(1) Environmental Services

(2) Logistics

(3) Food Services

(4) Wholesale Trade

(5) Construction

(6) Retail

(7) Professional Services

(8) Precision Engineering

(9) Food Manufacturing

(10) Real Estate

These sectors collectively account for over eight in ten ex-offenders hired with JGI support.

3. To promote the take-up of the JGI amongst employers for hiring ex-offenders, Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) has been raising awareness of the JGI and other available support amongst employers. Employers who hire ex-offenders directly through YRSG, Industrial and Services Co-operative Society or halfway houses engaged by the Singapore Prison Service will automatically receive JGI if they meet the eligibility criteria for JGI.