Written Answer to PQ on Migrant Workers involved in TADM cases

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2250 FOR THE SITTING ON 3 OCTOBER 2023
QUESTION NO. 5189 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: LOUIS NG KOK KWANG

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) for each year in the past five years, what is the average amount of time granted to migrant workers who are on a work permit going through a Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management case to find a new employer; and (b) what is the current average number of workers who apply for an extension of the initial period granted.

Answer:

1. Migrant workers with valid salary claims lodged with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) are allowed to look for a new employer until their salary claims are resolved, which typically ranges from 2 to 8 weeks. Over the past 5 years, a migrant worker with a valid salary claim took on average 2 weeks to find a new employer. In instances where the migrant worker has found new employment but needs additional time to complete the work permit application, we will facilitate and grant an extension to complete the application. We do not track the number of workers who applied for an extension to remain in Singapore.