Foreign Worker Representation in Tech and IT Sector
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the breakdown of work pass holders versus the resident workforce in the tech sector and efforts to promote local employment. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say stated that in 2015, two-thirds of the sector's 125,300 workers were residents, while one-third were work pass holders, predominantly on Employment Passes. To address specialist shortages, a Sectoral Manpower Plan is being formulated to develop a strong Singaporean Core and achieve manpower-lean growth in areas like cyber security and data analytics. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say emphasized that action is being taken against "double weak" companies failing to nurture local talent, while "double strong" companies will be recognized. These measures aim to ensure fair consideration for Singaporeans in recruitment and career development across the industry.
Transcript
5 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current breakdown of Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit holders and the resident workforce in the tech and IT sector; and (b) what are the efforts to ensure that foreign manpower is not over-represented in this sector and the efforts to promote more locals to join the sector.
The Minister for Manpower (Mr Lim Swee Say): Mdm Speaker, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector employed 125,300 workers in 2015, comprising about two-thirds resident workers and one-third work pass holders who are mostly Employment Pass holders.
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) estimated that in 2014, there was a shortage of about 15,000 ICT professionals. With the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of technology in Singapore's push to become a Smart Nation, further demand for ICT manpower will continue to be strong both in terms of numbers and the range of skills and expertise needed. IDA estimates that by 2017, another 15,000 specialists may be required, especially in growth areas such as software and application development, network and infrastructure, cyber security and data analytics.
To help more Singaporeans benefit from the growth of career opportunities in ICT, IDA and the industry are working together to formulate the Sectoral Manpower Plan. Our objectives are to (a) sustain the global competitiveness of the sector; (b) achieve manpower-lean growth; (c) develop a strong Singaporean Core; and lastly (d) to foster a highly-skilled and complementary foreign workforce. More details will be released during the Ministry of Communication and Information (MCI)'s Committee of Supply (COS).
Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines): I thank the Minister for his reply. I am also very encouraged that the Ministry for Manpower (MOM) has consistently gone after the "double weak" companies. So, I would like to ask the Minister if he has observed any "double weak" companies in the ICT sector and what are the actions against these "double weak" companies?
Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, the answer is yes. More details will be disclosed during MOM's COS.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (West Coast): I thank the Minister for the reply. For the IT sector, the Labour Movement has been receiving a lot of feedback from the ground, about concerns in terms of visuals and the proportion. And I am glad that the Minister shared that there is a two-third/one-third kind of proportion in the sector. But of course, there are specific companies, as what the hon Member Desmond Choo has shared, that they are "double weak"; sometimes even "triple weak".
So, I suggest that MOM take this seriously and be more rigorous as well as more resolute in measures against those companies which really demonstrate themselves to be "double weak" and are still recalcitrant.
Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, in this House, I spoke on what we call the "double weak" companies. "Double weak" refers to those companies who have a very weak Singaporean Core and a weak commitment to nurture a future Singapore Core. So, I agree with the Member that we ought to take this seriously. In fact, MOM has already initiated action against the "double weak" companies.
As I had mentioned, this will be an on-going process to ensure that Singaporeans – whether it is ICT sector or all other sectors, whether rank-and-file workers or professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) – will be given fair consideration in recruitment, development and career enhancement. As I have mentioned earlier, during MOM's Committee of Supply (COS), I will share more information on our action plan forward.
Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Minister, I filed a Parliamentary Question (PQ) sometime ago which also talks about this. I suggested that beyond the stick approach, we should also have the carrot approach. Perhaps, your answer may be that "this will be addressed at the COS". I certainly hope so, so that we consider recognising companies which are good role models through the COS with some good announcements for them.
Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, the answer is yes again. On one hand, there are "double weak" companies; on the other, there are also "double strong" companies. So, please wait for my reply at the COS. [Laughter]