MOM reveals new rules on hiring employment pass holders

Qualifying salary for new EP raised to $3,300.

In a release, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) today announced new rules that require employers to consider Singaporeans fairly before hiring Employment Pass (EP) holders.

Firms with discriminatory hiring practices will be subject to additional scrutiny and may have their work pass privileges curtailed.

These changes will reinforce expectations for employers to consider Singaporeans fairly for job opportunities and enhance job market transparency.

The new rules, known as the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), draw on feedback from Singaporeans who have submitted their views to MOM, through MOM’s Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) on Jobs, and from key stakeholders such as the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and employer groups.

Under the framework, MOM expects all firms to consider Singaporeans fairly for jobs, based on merit. All firms are strongly encouraged to advertise their job vacancies and must ensure that jobs advertised are open to Singaporeans.

MOM and other government agencies will also identify firms that may have scope to improve their hiring and career development practices.

For example, these firms may have a disproportionately low concentration of Singaporeans at the PME level compared to others in their industry or have had repeated complaints of nationality-based or other discriminatory HR practices.

From January 2014, the qualifying salary for new EP applications will be raised from $3,000 to $3,300, in line with rising salaries. Applicants will have to earn a salary of at least $3,300 a month or more, depending on qualifications and experience.

MOM will continue to raise the quality of Singapore's foreign workforce and encourage businesses to reduce their reliance on manpower.