Government Takes NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce’s Recommendations into Consideration to Strengthen Support for PMEs

The Government will be taking into consideration, the nine recommendations drawn up by the NTUC-Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) PME Taskforce to strengthen PMEs’ employment and employability.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued a press release on 22 October 2021 in response to the bipartite partners' recommendations earlier this week.

MOM said that it will study the recommendations put forward by the taskforce as it works to strengthen the framework for workplace fairness, review its support measures for local workers, and further refine the Employment Pass framework to achieve a strong Singaporean core, one that is complemented by a diverse foreign workforce.

“The Government will continue to work closely with our tripartite partners to support PMEs in Singapore, in line with our priority to secure the well-being and livelihoods of all workers,” said the ministry.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay shared that he was glad to receive an email, addressed to his taskforce co-chair Sim Gim Guan and himself, from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng thanking them for the comprehensive report and extensive work done.

“I am glad to know that his team at MOM and himself will be looking into our deck of recommendations and considering the various recommendations and suggestions in MOM’s policy and legislative formulation and refinements. 

“This will include the Employment Pass framework to better achieve our objectives of a building a strong Singaporean core, complemented by a diverse foreign workforce.”

The joint NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce consulted over 10,000 PMEs, including union leaders and business leaders, to develop the recommendations, which were designed to strengthen PMEs’ employment and employability.

Beyond ensuring that PMEs can compete fairly and effectively in a dynamic labour landscape, the recommendations aim to address PMEs’ top concerns, such as job security and support in employment and training opportunities.

The nine recommendations cover four key areas of support for PMEs such as enhancing workplace fairness, providing unemployment support and benefits, ensuring more hiring opportunities for mature PMEs, and supporting PMEs in career progression and skills upgrading.

The taskforce revealed the recommendations at a press conference on 20 October 2021.