0107 Written Answer for PQ on Potential Abuse of In-Principle Approval

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3321 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 7 JANUARY 2025
QUESTION NO. 6420 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Leong Mun Wai

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry is aware of any abuse of the in-principle approval (IPA) system by employers to prevent migrant workers from seeking other employment in Singapore; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry intends to review the IPA system.

Answer:

Migrant workers are not prevented from seeking employment in Singapore by other employers who abuse the in-principle approval (IPA) system. Employers are required to obtain the worker’s written consent before submitting a Work Permit application. Workers who discovered that an IPA has been obtained without their consent can approach the Ministry of Manpower for assistance. The Ministry will require the employer to produce proof of consent.

2. In many of the cases where the worker alleged that consent had not been obtained, the worker had changed his mind about working for the employer and the employer was able to produce proof of consent. In a smaller number of cases, the Ministry revoked the IPA as the employer was not able to produce such proof.

3. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the Ministry may also conduct further investigations and take enforcement actions. Employers who make false declarations on workers’ consent when submitting Work Permit applications may face prosecution, which carries severe penalties, including imprisonment. The Ministry will continue to take in feedback to review and improve our processes.