Singapore expat jobs come under threat amid push for local hirings

Employment pass holders - in executive, managerial or specialised roles - must earn a minimum monthly salary of S$4,500 ($3,295), versus a previous threshold of S$3,900

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Singapore’s government is trying to protect local jobs at a time when retrenchments are on the rise and the city-state faces its worst recession on record

tightened regulations around employment visas for foreign workers by raising the minimum salaries for two categories of passes.

Employment pass holders — in executive, managerial or specialised roles — must earn a minimum monthly salary of S$4,500 ($3,295), versus a previous threshold of S$3,900, according to a Ministry of Manpower release. Those with an “S pass,” or mid-level technical staff, must earn at least S$2,500 per month — up from S$2,400. In the financial services industry, the minimum qualifying salary for an employment pass will be increased to S$5,000, given higher pay in the sector. It’s the first time salary requirements have been set higher for a particular industry, the ministry said.

Singapore’s government is trying to protect local jobs at a time when retrenchments are on the rise and the city-state faces its worst recession on record.

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First Published: Fri, August 28 2020. 01:57 IST