Separate Sub-categories for Waste and Cleaning and F&B within Services Sector

25 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will establish distinct (i) waste and cleaning and (ii) food and beverage sub-categories within the Services sector with differentiated dependency ratios and quotas, given their differing manpower requirements.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regularly reviews the Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs) in line with Singapore's economic needs, local workforce outcomes and infrastructure and social constraints. As a general principle, we leverage on the DRCs to nudge firms to raise productivity and create jobs that are attractive to locals by allocating quota to such firms.

Nonetheless, MOM recognises that the Services sector covers a broad range of sub-sectors with differing manpower needs, which could include essential roles that are difficult to automate and recruit locals for. MOM has thus been working with sector agencies to provide targeted flexibilities, such as for landscaping and conservancy. We will continue to review our Work Permit framework to drive transformation and productivity growth while calibrating it to support the needs of businesses.