Foreign Worker Representation in Tech and IT Sector

Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current breakdown of Employment Pass, S-Pass and Work Permit holders and the resident workforce in the tech and IT sector; and (b) what are the efforts to ensure that foreign manpower are not over-represented in this sector and the efforts to promote more locals to join the sector.

The Minister for Manpower (Mr Lim Swee Say): Mdm Speaker, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector employed 125,300 workers in 2015, comprising about two-third resident workers and one-third work pass holders who are mostly Employment Pass holders.

IDA estimated that in 2014, there was a shortage of about 15,000 ICT professionals. With the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of technology in Singapore's push to become a Smart Nation, further demand for ICT manpower will continue to be strong both in terms of numbers and the range of skills and expertise needed. IDA estimates that by 2017, another 15,000 specialists may be required, especially in growth areas such as software and application development, network and infrastructure, cyber security and data analytics.

To help more Singaporeans benefit from the growth of career opportunities in ICT, IDA and the industry are working together to formulate the Sectoral Manpower Plan. Our objectives are to (i) sustain the global competitiveness of the sector; (ii) achieve manpower-lean growth; (iii) develop a strong Singaporean core, and lastly; (iv) to foster a highly-skilled and complementary foreign workforce. More details will be released during MCI's Committee of Supply (COS).

Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines): I thank the Minister for his reply. I am also very encouraged that the Ministry for Manpower has consistently gone after the "double weak" companies. So, I would like to ask the Minister if he has observed any "double weak" companies in the ICT sector and what are the actions against these "double weak" companies?

Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, the answer is yes. More details would be disclosed during the MOM's COS.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (West Coast): I thank the Minister for the reply. I think for the IT sector, the Labour Movement has been receiving a lot feedback from the ground, about concerns in terms of visuals, in terms of the proportion. And I am glad that you shared that there is two-third/one-third kind of proportion in the sector. But of course, there are specific companies, as what hon Member Desmond Choo has shared, that they are "double weak"; sometimes even "triple weak".

So, I do suggest to Ministry of Manpower to take this seriously and also to more rigorous as well as more resolute in measures against those companies who really demonstrate "double weak" and are still recalcitrant.

Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, in this House, I spoke on what we call the "double weak" companies. "Double weak" refers to those who have a very weak Singaporean core and a weak commitment to nurture a future Singapore core. So, I agree with the Member that we ought to take this seriously. In fact, the Ministry of Manpower has already initiated action against the "double weak" companies.

As I had mentioned, this will be an on-going process to ensure that Singaporeans – whether it is ICT sector or all other sectors, whether rank-and-file workers or PMETs – will be given fair consideration in recruitment, development and career enhancement. As I have mentioned earlier, during the MOM's COS, I will share more information on our action plan forward.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Minister, I filed a Parliamentary Question (PQ) sometime which also talks about this. I suggested that beyond the stick approach, we should also have carrot approach. So, I hope, perhaps, your answer may be "this will be addressed at the COS", I certainly hope so that we consider recognising companies who are good role models and to recognise them through the COS with some good announcements for such companies.

Mr Lim Swee Say: Mdm Speaker, the answer is yes again. On one hand, there are "double weak" companies. On the other hand, there are also "double strong" companies. So, please wait for my COS. [ Laughter ]