Closed door dialogue session with Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Second Minister for Manpower, Second Minister for Home Affairs

26 March 2018 – SMF held a closed door dialogue session with Mrs Josephine Teo, where more than 130 participants attended, including SMF President, Mr Douglas Foo. 

Emphasizing on keeping manufacturing as its core, Minister for PMO, Second Minister for Manpower, and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Ms Josephine Teo highlighted three major points that the Government recognized, namely: 

• Moderate Manpower Growth 
• Enhance Foreign Workforce Quality 
• Provide Foreign Workforce Flexibility 

Aside from addressing the constant challenges that the manufacturing sector may potentially face, Mrs Josephine Teo also introduced the Capability Transfer Programme (CTP). Launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in the recent Budget 2018, it aims to speed up the transfer of global expertise into Singapore by supporting 30% to 70% in eligible cost, such as costs of living. It is also noted that MOM and WSG will assess each application on a case by case basis. 

Expressing his gratitude to the support from other Trade Federations such as SEPTA and SGTech, SMF President Mr Douglas Foo, also commented that the Government has a very delicate role in balancing between Singaporeans and the number of foreign workers allowed to work in Singapore while maintaining a variable economy. 

 

Minister for PMO, Second Minister for Manpower, and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo (centred), SMF President, Mr Douglas Foo, (on her left) and SMF members at the closed door dialogue session housed in SMF on 26 March 2018