Singapore Permanent Residents and Foreigners Employed in Civil Service

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Prime Minister, in the Civil Service (a) what is the number of Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) currently employed; (b) what is the number of foreigners currently employed; (c) which are the sectors they are working in; and (d) whether Singapore Citizens are given priority over PRs when applying for such jobs.

Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): As at 31 December 2011, there were 3,071 Singapore Permanent Residents and 777 foreigners employed in the Civil Service. They represented 4% and 1% of the Civil Service respectively. The majority of the non-citizen officers were language teachers in the Education Service.

Recruitment is based on individual merit, through fair and open competition. The vast majority of civil servants are Singapore citizens. Non-citizens are generally considered for positions that require skills that are in shortage among our workforce.

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