Singapore raises foreign professional work requirements amid local job concerns
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has implemented a series of policy changes to manage foreign professional workers, particularly those in PMET roles—professionals, managers, executives, and technicians. From 2025 onwards, minimum qualifying salaries for Employment Pass holders increased from 5,600 to 6,000 Singapore dollars, with further increases expected by 2027. The government introduced a points-based assessment system called COMPASS that evaluates foreign professionals on salary competitiveness, qualifications, diversity, and sector contribution. Officials say these measures ensure foreign workers complement rather than replace local talent, as resident PMET employment has grown by 357,000 over the past decade. However, critics question whether safeguards adequately protect mid-career local workers facing job displacement and wage pressures, particularly in tech and financial services. Public opinion remains divided on whether Singapore struck the right balance between economic openness and local employment protection.
Key facts
- Employment Pass minimum salary increased from S$5,000 to S$5,600 from January 2025; will rise further to S$6,000 by January 2027
- COMPASS points-based system evaluates foreign professionals on salary, qualifications, diversity, and sector contribution starting September 2023
- Over past 10 years, resident PMET employment grew by 357,000 while EP and S Pass holders increased by 24,000
- In 2025, roughly 4 in 5 new Singapore jobs went to non-resident workers, with PMET retrenchments reaching 10.1 per 1,000 resident employees
- Work Permit employment duration cap removed from July 2025; maximum employment age raised from 60 to 63 years
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning critics and opposition parties argue that foreign PMETs take away jobs from locals and depress wages for mid-level Singaporeans. They point to 2025 employment data showing roughly four in five new jobs went to non-resident workers, note rising PMET retrenchments in key sectors, and question whether government safeguards are truly effective. Some advocate for much stricter salary thresholds—potentially S$10,000—to exclude foreigners from junior and mid-level positions entirely.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning business advocates and multinational employers worry that tighter restrictions may harm Singapore's global competitiveness and deter regional headquarters establishment. They caution that rising salary requirements increase operational costs without solving underlying talent shortages in high-skill fields. Some note that most current visa holders pass the new criteria and argue Singapore must remain open to attract top talent, particularly in emerging sectors like AI and technology, to sustain economic growth.
Limits of this briefing
Government employment data aggregates Singapore citizens and permanent residents as one category, potentially obscuring the share of foreign professionals who have obtained residency. Recent employment statistics suggest ongoing employment challenges for locals despite policy tightening, but causation remains contested between government and critics.
Sources
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower (Official Government): Factsheet on Foreign Workforce Policy Announcements at COS 2025 Centre
- Al Jazeera: Singapore tightens rules for expat workers with eye on locals gripes Centre
- The Online Citizen: Foreign workers take four in five Singapore jobs in 2025 as internal indicators signal a turning cycle Left
- Progress Singapore Party (Opposition): Local PMETs face systemic challenges Left
- TOSS-EX (Business/Compliance Advisory): Singapore's 2026 Foreign Workforce Policy Updates: Building a Future Ready Talent Framework Centre