Dexter2020
Humble Servant of All
I am writing as a concerned Singaporean to raise urgent and growing concerns over the misuse of foreign manpower quota policies, the ineffectiveness of the COMPASS framework, and the broader failure to ensure fair employment opportunities for Singaporeans in our own country. Despite existing regulations, many companies have found ways to circumvent quota restrictions—particularly by leveraging third-party agencies after meeting initial quota requirements. These companies often hire Singaporeans temporarily to fulfill their obligations, only to dismiss them unfairly once quotas are met. Foreign workers are then hired through alternative channels, leading to workplaces where Singaporeans are a minority. This is deeply unfair and has eroded trust in our employment policies. The COMPASS framework, intended to raise the quality of Employment Pass holders, has so far proven ineffective in protecting local employment or improving job accessibility for Singaporeans. In reality, it has enabled the continued preference for foreign hires under the guise of “diversity” and “complementarity,” while ignoring the fact that many qualified Singaporeans are being overlooked and underemployed. To restore fairness, I believe it is imperative that we move away from issuing long-term Employment Passes or Work Passes under the current frameworks. Instead, foreign professionals should only be allowed into Singapore for knowledge transfer purposes—strictly limited to short stays of one to three months—and should not be issued employment or work passes. If local workers truly benefit from these transfers, companies will have no excuse not to hire them. If such issues remain unaddressed, I fear that frustration among younger Singaporeans will continue to grow. The increasing sense of marginalization and lack of employment opportunities may lead to public dissatisfaction and even civil unrest or protests against the current governance. Many already feel disillusioned, particularly when feedback submitted to MOM and TAFEP results in no meaningful action, despite numerous documented cases of workplace discrimination and abuse. Additionally, initiatives such as SkillsFuture, while promising on paper, appear more performative than impactful. Without actual job creation that prioritizes Singaporeans, these programs risk being seen as empty gestures and a poor use of taxpayers' money. I urge the government to: Reform foreign employment quotas and shut loopholes exploited through third-party agencies. Curtail the issuance of Employment Passes and Work Passes for roles that can be filled by Singaporeans. Introduce enforceable protections for local employees under the Employment Act. Conduct meaningful investigations into discrimination cases and take tangible action against errant companies. It is time to put Singaporeans first in employment, not just in rhetoric, but in real, enforceable policies. I hope your office will take these concerns seriously and act decisively. Thank you for your attention. Yours sincerely, ###