UNDISCHARGED BANKRUPTS IN SINGAPORE

UNDISCHARGED BANKRUPTS IN SINGAPORE: 5.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law (a) how many undischarged bankrupts are there presently; (b) how many of them are Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs); and (c) how many of them are unemployed.

The Senior Minister of State for Law (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law): Sir, as at 29th February this year, there were 25,961 undischarged bankrupts. From the data available, of the total number of bankrupts, some 3,703 of them belong to the Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) category. These bankrupts either held PMET jobs prior to bankruptcy or are currently working as PMETs. The proportion of bankrupts who are PMETs has remained stable over the past three years at about 14%. The number of new bankrupts who held or are holding PMET jobs declined from 546 in 2005 to 441 in 2007. Of the 3,703 bankrupts who are in the PMET category, 960 were unemployed at the time they were made bankrupt. For bankrupts who provided updates on their employment status, we know that there are currently around 80 PMET bankrupts who are unemployed.

The Ministry of Law will continue to monitor these trends closely.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang): Sir, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I would like to check whether, out of the 900 that are unemployed currently, there is any scheme by the Ministry to help them to secure employment. This is related to the next question which I am going to ask the Ministry of Manpower. It is similar to the Yellow Ribbon project whereby MHA actually helps the prisoners to look for new jobs when they get out of prison.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, actually the 960 figure relates to those who were unemployed at the time they were made bankrupt. There is a smaller number of them who are currently unemployed. The figures, of course, cannot be fully determined because a lot depends on whether and how they furnish this data. But on his point about employment, IPTO actually works with MOM. There is a referral scheme where bankrupts who need jobs are referred to MOM. But it is a good point and I have in fact asked the Official Assignee to strengthen this referral process. And indeed if there are lessons to be learnt from the Yellow Ribbon project that can be applied to bankrupts who are unemployed, they should also look at how we can apply these. For example, maybe have a Green Ribbon project because there are also "green zone" bankrupts and "red zone" bankrupts. So if you are in a green zone and are cooperative, yes, you have done your part, maybe we can see whether we can help you with a job. Ultimately, of course, it is up to the person whether he wants a job and the employer, whether he wants to give the person a job.

Mdm Halimah Yacob: I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether it is true that it is difficult for a bankrupt to seek employment in the public sector. In addition, if a public sector employee becomes a bankrupt while he is in employment, he will also be subject to disciplinary action. If this is true, then would the public sector want to take the lead by removing these restrictions for bankrupts?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: My understanding of the public sector is that there are currently civil servants who are bankrupts. Of course, this is a question where the details can only be provided by PMO. My understanding is that it depends on the circumstances under which they have become bankrupt. It is not automatic, therefore, that he is dismissed. So there is already some leeway because people can become bankrupt for a variety of reasons.