Foreign worker numbers to stay controlled despite business pressure

Work Permit holders are already the largest group of foreign pass holders, PM Wong said.

The government will continue to keep foreign worker policies controlled despite calls from businesses, particularly in the services sector, to ease restrictions, Prime Minister Lawrence announced.

“We will always ensure that Singaporeans remain the majority in our own country,” Wong said at the National Day Rally.

He noted that work permit holders are already the largest foreign pass holders in Singapore. “Even a modest easing of our policies could lead to a significant increase in numbers. And that is not the path we want to take.”

Wong said Singapore will continue to welcome foreign manpower to complement the local workforce and support the economy, but will manage their size “in a careful and controlled way”.

He added that the country’s overall population and labour force are expected to grow more slowly in the coming years.

“Going forward, more of our growth must come from technology and productivity – and from enabling every Singaporean to realise their full potential,” Wong said.

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