By Ramesh Subbaraman
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced new measures on 30 October 2014 to raise the quality and productivity of the construction workforce so as to boost the nation’s competitiveness.
Here’s a quick look at the new measures
Firms are required to have a minimum portion of higher skilled workers or those in the R1* work permit category. This number will be 10% of their workforce from 1 January 2015.
Firms can upgrade their R2* workers to R1 category via three pathways – CoreTrade and Multi-skilling scheme, the market-based skills Recognition Framework and the new direct R1 pathway.
Construction companies will be required to upgrade up to 10% of basic skilled or R2 category workers between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016.
Experienced construction workers with work permits to be retained and firms allowed to hire them at the end of their work permit period without having to leave Singapore – effective from 1 June 2015.
Migrant Workers' Centre Chairman and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General, Yeo Guat Kwang emphasised,
"We are encouraged by DPM Tharman’s announcements to improve the skills profile of the construction workforce. We are especially happy that measures will be introduced to bring in skilled new migrant workers and retain only skilled and experienced migrant workers through the prospect of staying on under a different employer.”
* There are no unskilled construction workers in Singapore. It is mandatory for all construction Work Permit Holders (WPHs) to pass a test before they are allowed to work in Singapore. This is to ensure that they at least meet the basic construction trade skill standards. Construction WPHs are classified into “Higher Skilled” R1 and “Basic Skilled” R2 workers. R1 workers are more experienced, skilful, and are generally paid higher salaries compared to R2 workers. – Building & Construction Authority
Source: NTUC This Week
