Policymakers clamp down on foreign PMEs from diploma mills

Work pass controls will be refined.

The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) yesterday said that it will refine work pass controls for foreign professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), part of a bid to improve employment prospects of local PMEs.

WDA said that work pass applications from foreign PMEs from “degree mills” will be automatically rejected.

“We will also pay more attention to the relevant experience of EP and S pass applicants, especially for those applying for professional occupations. MOM intends to progressively encourage and facilitate the transfer of expertise to Singaporean PMEs over time,” WDA said. 

Apart from refining controls for foreign PMEs, the agency also rolled out a series of new measures to improve the employability of local PMEs.

These include providing wage support for firms who hire older PMEs, requiring companies to publish salary range for open position in the Jobs Bank, and increasing the scrutiny of EP applications for selected firms which have a weaker Singaporean core of PMEs relative to others in their industry.

The WDA will also help older PMEs get training to remain relevant in their careers. For mature Singaporean PMEs who experience greater difficulties in finding jobs, WDA will collaborate with and provide incentives to private search and placement firms to help these PMEs access more job opportunities. 

“These initiatives, which strengthen the employment support already in place, seek to enable Singaporean PMEs to remain employable and help them pursue quality jobs and careers. Employers and Singaporean PMEs have important roles to play. Employers should suppo