Employment of Non-Singaporeans by Civil Service and Public Agencies

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Prime Minister (a) whether there are non-Singapore Citizens being employed by the Civil Service and public agencies under the Ministries of Trade and Industry, National Development, Finance and Manpower; (b) if so, why are non-Singaporeans employed to manage and shape policies affecting Singaporeans; and (c) whether policy formulation roles in all state bodies can be restricted to Singapore Citizens only.

Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): Less than 5% of the total staff in these four Ministries and their Statutory Boards are non-Singaporeans. None of these non-Singaporeans is in key jobs involving national-level policy formulation.

Singaporeans remain the core of the Public Service workforce. Non-Singaporeans are, generally, hired only for positions that are operational in nature or require skills that are in shortage amongst Singaporeans.