Growing a better skilled foreign workforce

During debate on the Population White Paper in February, Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) brought up several issues, perspectives and suggestions.

Labour MP Yeo Guat Kwang reiterated his call for MOM to make skills certification a requirement when renewing work permits. He urged the Ministry of Manpower to seriously consider implementing skills certification and upgrading as a criterion for work pass renewal to raise the quality of foreign workers who already here.

He also believes more can be done to ensure that recruitment and employment practices are fair and open and to ensure job positions are offered to Singaporeans first.

Mr Yeo also urged all employers to take advantage of government grants and schemes to improve productivity, enhance the training of locals and support the Progressive Wage and Singaporean-Core programme initiated by the NTUC.