Written Answer to PQ on Mandatory Settling-in Programme for foreign PMETs

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3582 OF 2025 FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE SITTING
QUESTION NO. 6700 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan

To ask the Minister for Manpower besides the recently announced Alliance for Action to better integrate foreign professionals into Singapore's workplaces and communities, whether the Ministry will consider developing and implementing a mandatory Settling-in Programme catered to foreign PMETs to help them better integrate locally and understand local social norms.

Answer:

1. MOM launched the Cultural Orientation Programme (COP) as a pilot in December 2023 to familiarise new S Pass holders with working and living in Singapore. The COP pilot is currently voluntary, and MOM will be reviewing the COP after the pilot ends in 2025. We urge businesses to encourage all their new S Pass holders to attend this programme as part of their onboarding.

2. Businesses also play an important role in creating opportunities for their foreign employees to interact and bond, both at the workplace setting and beyond. Businesses can tap on the OneWorkplace.sg initiative which provides resources and tips in building a more integrated workplace.

3. As part of efforts to improve integration of foreign PMETs, MCCY is working through the Alliance for Action on Integration of Foreign Professionals (AfA-IFP) to develop recommendations to (a) provide stronger support to help foreign professionals integrate at the workplace and the community, and (b)
establish stronger HR practices to develop the competencies to foster integration.

4. The AfA will only complete its work in end 2025.