Salary cap of $2,000 imposed for NTS work permit holders

The sub-quota is at 8% whilst fixed monthly salary criterion is at $2,000.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng declared that employers who will hire non-traditional sources (NTS) work permit holders will be subject to a sub quota of 8% and a fixed monthly salary of at least $2,000.

Tan said the wage requirement will be a safeguard versus cheap-sourcing and incentivises employers to hire higher-skilled workers from source countries.

“Employers who are putting their existing NTS S Pass holders on Work Permits will have no trouble meeting the salary criterion. MOM will continue to work closely with agencies and industries to review the NTS List from time to time,” read the statement.

Amongst NTS work permit holders are:

• Cooks in Indian restaurants. 
• Workers in food processing firms, e.g. vegetable pickler, condiments and sauce makers.
• Sheet metal workers
• Welders and flame cutters
• Metal moulders and coremakers
• Riggers and cable splicers
• Structural metal preparers and erectors