Government acknowledges accountability failures in NRIC unmasking saga; MOM announces major changes to foreign worker rules: Singapore live news

Yahoo

07-03-2025

Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. The editorial team will be curating the latest must-know local and international news.
Top of the news, the Singapore government has acknowledged accountability failures in the NRIC unmasking saga, promising corrective actions and fair consequences for those involved. Minister Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive issued apologies for the distress caused by the incident, which exposed sensitive personal data on the Bizfile portal. The government pledged to improve communication and data protection, with a public consultation planned for 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced significant changes to work permit regulations that will take effect in July 2025. These include the removal of the 14-26-year cap on foreign worker employment, allowing skilled migrant workers to stay longer in the country. Additionally, the qualifying salary for S Pass holders will increase, reaching up to $4,800 for candidates in their mid-40s, ensuring competitive wages aligned with local industry standards. The new policy also expands the list of non-traditional worker sources to include Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos. These updates aim to diversify Singapore's labour pool and enhance its economic competitiveness.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced pivotal changes to work permit regulations, extending employment durations and enhancing the S Pass salary thresholds.
These adjustments, effective from July 2025, aim to strengthen the nation's labour market, support business growth, and retain skilled foreign workers amid a dynamic economic landscape.
Starting 1 July, Singapore will no longer impose a hard cap on the duration that foreign work permit holders can stay in the country.
Previously, foreign workers could remain for 14 to 26 years, depending on their industry or nationality.
By lifting this limit, Singapore hopes to retain experienced workers, especially those in their prime working years, offering companies a more stable workforce.
Additionally, the maximum employment age for work permit holders will rise from 60 to 63 years, aligning with local retirement norms.
In an effort to diversify its labour force, Singapore is expanding the list of eligible countries for non-traditional foreign workers.
From June 2025, workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos will be able to apply for work permits.
The government is also increasing the scope of eligible occupations, such as heavy vehicle drivers and cooks, allowing a more diverse group of workers to fill these roles from September 2025.
Meanwhile, MOM is raising the qualifying salary for S Pass holders.
From September 2025, the minimum salary will increase from $3,150 to $3,300 across most sectors, with financial services setting a higher benchmark of $3,800.
This hike aims to ensure that the salaries of foreign workers are aligned with local wage standards, promoting a fair and competitive labour market.
Furthermore, the salary will increase progressively based on the worker's age, with workers in their mid-40s potentially earning up to $4,800.
In addition to these changes, Singapore is bolstering the M-SEP scheme, which supports businesses in hiring foreign workers aligned with the nation's economic priorities.
Starting May 2025, businesses can retain foreign workers for up to three years under the M-SEP scheme, up from the previous two-year limit.
This initiative will help businesses tap into foreign expertise while fostering local talent.
The Singapore government has acknowledged significant accountability failures surrounding the NRIC unmasking saga, which triggered public concern over the exposure of sensitive personal data.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean emphasised the importance of holding public servants accountable but cautioned against excessive punishment, which could undermine public sector innovation.
He stressed that while accountability is crucial, the government must strike a balance between holding individuals responsible and protecting the integrity of the public service.
In response to mounting scrutiny in Parliament, government officials have promised corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
While MPs expressed concern over the potential repercussions for civil servants, fearing a chilling effect on future decision-making, the government has assured that consequences will be measured.
This includes retraining and counselling for those involved, ensuring that staff members learn from their mistakes while maintaining public trust in the system.
The incident, which came to light in December 2024, was caused by lapses in communication and coordination between the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
The Bizfile platform, intended to facilitate business registrations, inadvertently exposed full National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers of business affiliates, sparking concerns about privacy breaches and the potential for identity theft.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive Chia-Tern Huey Min offered apologies for the distress caused to the public.
They acknowledged that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the government's plan to unmask NRIC numbers.
Despite the apology, the government continues to monitor the situation closely and will consult the public in 2025 on new measures to better protect personal data.
Read on SM Teo's statement on the NRIC unmasking saga here.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced pivotal changes to work permit regulations, extending employment durations and enhancing the S Pass salary thresholds.
These adjustments, effective from July 2025, aim to strengthen the nation's labour market, support business growth, and retain skilled foreign workers amid a dynamic economic landscape.
Starting 1 July, Singapore will no longer impose a hard cap on the duration that foreign work permit holders can stay in the country.
Previously, foreign workers could remain for 14 to 26 years, depending on their industry or nationality.
By lifting this limit, Singapore hopes to retain experienced workers, especially those in their prime working years, offering companies a more stable workforce.
Additionally, the maximum employment age for work permit holders will rise from 60 to 63 years, aligning with local retirement norms.
In an effort to diversify its labour force, Singapore is expanding the list of eligible countries for non-traditional foreign workers.
From June 2025, workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos will be able to apply for work permits.
The government is also increasing the scope of eligible occupations, such as heavy vehicle drivers and cooks, allowing a more diverse group of workers to fill these roles from September 2025.
Meanwhile, MOM is raising the qualifying salary for S Pass holders.
From September 2025, the minimum salary will increase from $3,150 to $3,300 across most sectors, with financial services setting a higher benchmark of $3,800.
This hike aims to ensure that the salaries of foreign workers are aligned with local wage standards, promoting a fair and competitive labour market.
Furthermore, the salary will increase progressively based on the worker's age, with workers in their mid-40s potentially earning up to $4,800.
In addition to these changes, Singapore is bolstering the M-SEP scheme, which supports businesses in hiring foreign workers aligned with the nation's economic priorities.
Starting May 2025, businesses can retain foreign workers for up to three years under the M-SEP scheme, up from the previous two-year limit.
This initiative will help businesses tap into foreign expertise while fostering local talent.
The Singapore government has acknowledged significant accountability failures surrounding the NRIC unmasking saga, which triggered public concern over the exposure of sensitive personal data.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean emphasised the importance of holding public servants accountable but cautioned against excessive punishment, which could undermine public sector innovation.
He stressed that while accountability is crucial, the government must strike a balance between holding individuals responsible and protecting the integrity of the public service.
In response to mounting scrutiny in Parliament, government officials have promised corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
While MPs expressed concern over the potential repercussions for civil servants, fearing a chilling effect on future decision-making, the government has assured that consequences will be measured.
This includes retraining and counselling for those involved, ensuring that staff members learn from their mistakes while maintaining public trust in the system.
The incident, which came to light in December 2024, was caused by lapses in communication and coordination between the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
The Bizfile platform, intended to facilitate business registrations, inadvertently exposed full National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers of business affiliates, sparking concerns about privacy breaches and the potential for identity theft.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive Chia-Tern Huey Min offered apologies for the distress caused to the public.
They acknowledged that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the government's plan to unmask NRIC numbers.
Despite the apology, the government continues to monitor the situation closely and will consult the public in 2025 on new measures to better protect personal data.
Read on SM Teo's statement on the NRIC unmasking saga here.