Foreign Workers Still Prefer Working in Singapore and Were in General Happy and Satisfied With the Working Conditions They Had
Singapore continues to rank favourably among foreign workers as among the best places to work and live.
Thanks in large part to the government’s consistent efforts at fostering ideal working condition in Singapore to attract foreign talent, Singapore has always presented a welcoming environment for foreign workers. The government works closely with its stakeholders, which include non-governmental organisations as well as employers, to ensure that these foreign workers have their interests and wellbeing safeguarded throughout their appointment in the country.
Reasons Foreign Workers Prefer to Work and Live in Singapore
Among the top reasons cited included the sense of security and safety, Singapore’s favourable living conditions and wages being just some of the many reasons why foreigners continue to choose Singapore over other Asian countries. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Singapore, foreigners were in general happy and satisfied with the working conditions they had here. Many would even recommend coming to work in Singapore to their family and friends.
It is also easy for foreign workers to obtain the necessary information that they need regarding about their rights as employees in Singapore directly from MOM’s website itself for added convenience. MOM has made every effort to ensure that foreign workers find it easy to approach the department should they have any work related issues that need to be addressed.
In-Principle Approval (IPA) Documentation
Efforts are also made to ensure foreign workers experience a smooth transition into the country by ensuring that they receive their In-Principle Approval (IPA) letters before their arrival in Singapore. It is required by law that all employers, as well as employment agencies, based in Singapore send the foreign workers the complete set of their IPA documentation, including the letters. This must be done prior to their arrival in the country.
In October 2018, the Settling-In Programme (SIP) was introduced. All foreign workers must have their IPA letters prior to attending the programme. If, in the event the foreign workers did not receive their IPA letters on time, they were provided with a copy of these letters during the SIP. The copies are provided by the Migrant Workers Centre. MOM takes this matter seriously, and any employer who fails to send their foreign candidates an IPA letter is considered infringing the Employment of Foreign Manpower Regulations. This carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 if found guilty.