Singapore is piloting a new scheme to allow small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to employ foreign workers, said the country’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Currently, the country is applying Dependency Ratio ceilings to ensure companies do not rely too heavily on foreign workers. Companies can employ foreigners according to the quotas.
The two-year pilot, taking effect on October 1, is expected to help SMEs be more flexible in hiring foreign manpower.
The new method is intended to support Singaporean companies to hire and train more local workers to manage new production chains while temporarily retaining more high–skill foreign workers.
As such arrangements will be allowed on a case by case basis, companies must submit proposals for improving their productivity and innovation to be assessed by a designated task force.-VNA