TODAY (21 March 2011) : Registration of employment agency staff restrictive
Stakeholders support registration
- TODAY, 28 March 2011
1. We thank Mr Thomas Lee Zhi Zhi for his feedback on 21 March 2011.
2. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) amended the Employment Agencies Act (EAA) in January this year to enhance the regulatory framework for employment agencies (EAs). The objective of the new framework, which will kick in on 1 April 2011, is to increase the professionalism of the industry and accountability of all industry stakeholders. One of the key changes is the requirement for EA personnel who perform EA work to be registered and certified. This will give both employers and job seekers greater confidence when approaching EAs for their recruitment or employment needs.
3. The one-time registration fee for EA personnel covers the cost of the registration process, which includes a thorough screening process to ensure all registered EA personnel meet the eligibility criteria, as well as the need to include the relevant information in the EA directory website.
4. Prior to making the changes, MOM had conducted extensive industry and public consultations to seek feedback from the various stakeholders. Over 100 industry stakeholders, including EAs, were consulted.
5. The majority of stakeholders consulted were in favour of requiring all EA personnel to be registered for greater accountability and professionalism. For the same reason, most also supported the proposal to disallow persons from being registered under multiple EAs as clients will be clearer about which agency the EA personnel represents. This is also necessary as EAs are required to specify their dispute resolution mechanisms so that clients know which specific EA they can seek recourse from in the event of any dispute, and which EA to report for any possible infringements of employment agency regulations.
6. Individuals who wish to operate independently may also set up their own employment agencies.
Registration of employment agency staff restrictive
- TODAY, 21 March 2011
From April, employment agency personnel will be required to be registered with the Ministry of Manpower. It appears to be a case in which the details of the scheme were not thought through properly.
First, the registration fee is rather high. If the purpose of registration is to keep tabs on such personnel, wouldn't a S$20 or S$30 fee suffice? Moreover, once an agent switches agency, he or she has to re-register and pay yet another S$160.
The regulations do not allow freelancing, as each personnel can register only under one agency at a time. But freelancing is one way that personnel in this sector can maximise their income, as each agency usually specialises in only a few industries. If one has a good network, he or she would have candidates for jobs in many sectors.
The recruitment industry is one where PMETs, especially those on the wrong side of 50, stand a good chance of getting employed. After being working at a managerial level for 20 or 30 years, they know the expectations of both management and job seekers well, and hence are able to make a good match.
A final point: Registration of housing agents was introduced some years ago, and yet, new regulations are even now needed to deal with errant real-estate agents. So, will registration for employment agencies personnel work? I hope the ministry can comment.