The list of eligible programmes will be expanded, allowing more companies to qualify
THE Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme, which provides flexibility in hiring foreign labour , will have a longer support duration and more routes for companies to qualify.
The government recognises that companies need manpower support for transformation, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, announcing the move in the Committee of Supply debate on his ministry’s budget on Thursday (Mar 6).
Currently, the M-SEP scheme allows firms to access additional foreign labour – work permit and S Pass holders – for two years, if they fulfil two conditions.
First, companies must contribute to Singapore’s economic priorities through investment, innovation or internationalisation activities – for instance, by being part of specified government programmes for those aims.
Second, they must commit to hiring and training locals. They must show this in one of three ways: an increase in their net hiring of locals; workforce training resulting in job enhancement; or being an industry leader with training excellence.
From May 1 this year, the scheme’s support duration will be extended to three years.
There will also be a fourth new way by which firms can satisfy the local workforce condition: by committing to send locals on overseas programmes for exposure or leadership.
Finally, there will be more programmes under which firms can meet the eligibility criteria.
Examples of currently qualifying programmes include the Economic Development Board’s Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies and Workforce Singapore’s Capability Transfer Programme. The new programmes have not been specified.
With these changes, firms will get a longer runway to tap the flexibilities in hiring manpower, which will better support their growth and development plans, said the Ministry of Manpower. Meanwhile, local workers will benefit from overseas training opportunities.
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