WORK PERMITS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Mr S. Dhanabalan asked the Minister for Labour whether, in view of the fact that many small businesses are not prepared to consider employing permanent residents as they want to avoid the trouble of applying for work permits for such persons, he will consider changing the procedure to allow permanent residents to apply directly for work permits without sponsors or employers being involved, and issue work permits on such applications thus enabling permanent residents to find employment more easily.

The Minister of State for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to inform the hon. Member that permanent residents should have no difficulty in obtaining work permits, as it has been the policy to issue work permits to these persons most liberally. The work permits issued are for two years. The present procedure of applying for work permits is simple and is not troublesome for an employer as it only involves the employer at the initial stage of the application by having to complete one part of the application form. The application is processed promptly by the Work Permit Department and the employer, together with the applicant, will normally be informed of the outcome of the application within a week from the date of receipt of the application.

Work permits for permanent residents are granted easily. The system gives the Government useful data on the work characteristics of non-citizen workers, including permanent residents. It is useful to continue with the present practice.