Singapore tightens PMET foreign worker criteria amid local job concerns
Singapore's government has unveiled sweeping changes to its foreign worker policies affecting professionals, managers, executives and technicians—known as PMETs. Starting from 2025, the Employment Pass qualifying salary is rising from five thousand to five thousand six hundred Singapore dollars monthly, progressively increasing with age. Work permit duration caps that previously limited employment to fourteen to twenty-six years are being removed, while the retirement age for foreign workers rises to sixty-three. The policy aims to balance two competing needs: attracting high-caliber talent for economic growth while addressing persistent public concern that foreign professionals displace local job opportunities. Government data shows local PMET employment grew by three hundred fifty-seven thousand over ten years while foreign PMET holders increased by just twenty-four thousand. Yet surveys reveal sixty to seventy percent of Singaporeans want stricter limits on foreign workers, citing competition for jobs and pressure on housing and infrastructure.
Key facts
- Employment Pass qualifying salary increased from SGD 5,000 to SGD 5,600 per month, with age-based progression up to SGD 11,800, starting January 2025
- Work permit maximum employment duration cap (previously 14-26 years) removed from July 1, 2025
- Over past 10 years, resident PMET employment grew 357,000 while EP and S Pass holders increased 24,000
- 70 percent of Singapore residents surveyed want strict limits on foreign worker entry, per Institute of Policy Studies
- EP salary benchmarked to top one-third of local PMET wages; COMPASS assessment framework evaluates candidates' salary, qualifications, skills bonus, and diversity contribution
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Opposition and worker-advocacy voices argue that higher-salary thresholds do not truly protect local jobs, and question whether salary benchmarking adequately prevents unfair competition. Critics highlight that government safeguards have not prevented high foreign worker concentrations in some sectors, and point to employment gaps faced by older job seekers despite policy tightening.
Limits of this briefing
Most sources are government-aligned or centrist business media; distinctly right-wing and far-left political perspectives are underrepresented. Long-term impact data on wage growth and local hiring outcomes from these policy changes remains limited, as most changes are recent (2025-2026). Sources do not capture comprehensive views of all stakeholder groups, including smaller SMEs or lower-wage local workers.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower Singapore: Factsheet on Foreign Workforce Policy Announcements at COS 2025 Centre
- Al Jazeera: Singapore tightens rules for expat workers with an eye on local discontent Centre
- The Online Citizen: Tan See Leng's defense of foreign worker reliance faces backlash, urged to experience jobseeker struggles Left
- People Matters Global: Singapore overhauls work permit rules for foreign talent: What employers need to know Centre
- The Print (India): In Singapore, backlash against foreign workers is becoming a hot political issue Left