Singapore Eases Employment Rules for Indian Workers
Singapore is rolling out major changes to its foreign workforce policies that aim to facilitate skilled Indian workers and professionals in securing jobs and extending their stay in the city-state. According to the recent announcement by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), these updates involve lifting employment caps, increasing salary thresholds, and broadening job prospects across various sectors.
Longer Employment, Higher Age Limits
Effective from July 1, the restrictions on the maximum employment duration for work permit holders will be abolished. Previously, foreign workers could only stay from 14 to 26 years, depending on their industry and nationality. The MOM indicated that this change allows Indian workers in fields like construction and manufacturing to remain in Singapore indefinitely if they meet employer criteria.
Additionally, the maximum employment age has been elevated. Workers may now continue to work until the age of 63, up from 60, while new applicants can submit their applications until the age of 61 instead of the preceding cap of 50.
Higher Wages and Expanded Job Sectors
Furthermore, Singapore plans to increase the minimum salary requirement for S Pass holders, who occupy mid-skilled jobs, to SGD 3,300 (approximately Rs 2.04 lakh) starting September 2025. For professionals in their 40s, salaries may climb to SGD 4,800 (around Rs 3 lakh), while the threshold in the financial sector will start at SGD 3,800, adjusting for experience.
There will also be a wider array of job roles opening up to Indian workers. Positions such as cooks, heavy vehicle drivers, and manufacturing operators will be added to the list of eligible occupations from September 2025. Employers seeking to hire foreign workers in these fields will need to offer a minimum salary of SGD 2,000 per month.
More Hiring Sources and Eased Restrictions
The Non-Traditional Source (NTS) list, which currently comprises countries like India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, will now include Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos starting June 1, 2025. This expansion is anticipated to enhance hiring flexibility for businesses.
Tan See Leng, the Minister of Manpower in Singapore, emphasized the necessity of foreign workers for sustaining business growth while safeguarding local job opportunities. ‘Restricting foreign workers would hurt businesses and limit opportunities for Singaporeans,’ he stated in a press release.
Official data reveals that over the past decade, the number of local professionals, managers, and executives in Singapore has surged by 382,000, while foreign employment rose by 38,000.
Stronger Ties with India
With approximately 650,000 individuals of Indian descent residing in Singapore—accounting for around 10% of the population—these amendments may solidify economic ties between both nations. Skilled professionals and laborers from India will benefit from enhanced job stability in Singapore, boosting individual careers and fostering broader business relationships.
