Speech at English Language Proficiency Requirement For Work Permit Holders In Retail, F&B and Hotels To Obtain Skilled Levy Status

Thank you Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Co-chairman of Migrant Workers Centre and Mr Zee Yoong Kang, CEO of NTUC Learning Hub for inviting me here today. I would like to commend NTUC Learning Hub and MWC for their efforts in starting the Basic Conversational English course for migrant workers. The English course aims to help migrant workers better integrate into society and is designed for migrant workers who want to improve or develop their English speaking, listening and reading skills for everyday life.

2.   I am happy to note that the hotels are supportive of this course as they run corporate classes on-site for their staff. Migrant workers have benefited from the course and one good example is our emcee, Huang Jianlin, Wayne. Wayne who is 29 years old is a PRC national from Shanghai. He has been in Singapore since July and currently works as an assistant housekeeper at Hilton Hotel. He shared that the Basic Conversational English course has benefited him greatly in the course of his work as he is now able to communicate with guests and his colleagues more effectively and confidently. This has enabled him to improve his service standards as customers and the hotel have benefited too.

3.   English is the working language in Singapore. This is particularly important in industries like Hotels, Retail and F&B, where workers interact regularly with customers. Employees in the Services sector will increasingly need to be able to communicate in English to be effective in their jobs. Employers should equip their workers, both local and foreign, with basic English language skills so that they can be more effective in their jobs and deliver good service.

4.   Hence, English language proficiency will be an additional criterion for skilled levy status from the third quarter next year. The Ministry of Manpower will announce more details in early 2010. This is to ensure a smooth transition for employers who will have sufficient time to consider achieving cost savings by equipping their workers with basic English language skills.

5.   What's more, to incentivise companies to equip their workers with basic English language skills, Work Permit Holders (WPHs) in Hotels, Retail and F&B will enjoy skilled levy status if they pass an English language proficiency test in addition to the current skilled status requirement from the third quarter next year.

6.   The ability to communicate with and engage customers is crucial for service workers. As seen in the case of Wayne, basic proficiency in English helps deliver better service and raises productivity. Companies would achieve cost savings through a lower levy bill. This is an all-win situation for companies, workers and customers. This will in turn help to up the quality of the skilled foreign workforce in Singapore.

7.   Congratulations to all the graduands of the Basic Conversational English course. I wish you all the best and hope you will continue to up your service.