Approvals Granted to Work Permit Holders and MDWs to Continue Working in Singapore Beyond Age 60

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether approvals, upon appeal or application, have been granted to work permit holders and migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to continue working in Singapore beyond the age of 60; (b) if so, how many of such approvals have been granted to work permit holders and MDWs respectively in the past five years; and (c) what are some common reasons for the Ministry to allow such extensions.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) approves appeals from employers to continue hiring their Work Permit holders beyond age 60 based on considerations, such as the workers' health, experience and skills. From 2019 to 2023, MOM approved an average of 610 appeals a year for migrant workers and 350 appeals a year for migrant domestic workers.