No exemptions for firms to consider S’poreans fairly when hiring: Tan Chuan-Jin

SINGAPORE — Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin has stressed that there are no exemptions to the need for firms to consider Singaporeans fairly in the hiring process.

He made the point as he explained the rationale behind some exemptions to advertising requirements for the Fair Consideration Framework.

Speaking in Parliament today (Oct 21), Mr Tan explained that jobs paying a salary of S$12,000 and above a month are exempted from the advertising requirement because open advertising is usually not done for such jobs.

He said such jobs cover only 5 per cent of the local workforce. So the vast majority of jobs would be covered by the advertising requirement.

Under the new rules, firms making new Employment Pass applications must advertise the job vacancy in a new jobs bank, which will go online by middle of next year, for at least 14 days.

The advertisement must be open to Singaporeans.

Mr Tan said his ministry has not applied the advertising requirement for rank-and-file jobs.

This is because there are other tools such as levies and dependency ratio ceilings, which he said will spur firms to search for suitable Singaporeans before applying for S Pass or Work Permit.

But he said his ministry will monitor the implementation of the new rules closely.

He added it will make adjustments to the exemption framework, as necessary.

Mr Tan reiterated that the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) will impose greater scrutiny on firms with a low proportion of Singaporeans at the Professionals, Managers and Executives level for its industry, even if they are small firms.

In the coming months, the ministry will also consult private job portals to explore possible areas of collaboration.

Mr Tan said the aim is to improve overall labour market efficiency and provide as much visibility of job opportunities to job-seekers.

The Manpower Ministry introduced the Fair Consideration Framework last month.

It requires employers to consider Singaporeans fairly, before hiring skilled professional foreigners.

The new rules will affect employers who apply for Employment Passes (EP) — a work pass for foreign professionals working in managerial, executive or specialised jobs.

The ministry will also identify firms which have a disproportionately low level of Singaporean Professionals, Managers and Executives, or have had repeated complaints of nationality-based discrimination.

Recalcitrant firms may have their work pass privileges curtailed.

Selected firms under additional scrutiny will be notified by the first quarter of next year.

By August next year, all employers submitting new Employment Pass applications must comply with the advertisement requirements. CHANNEL NEWSASIA