Workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos to Join Singapore’s Labour Market from June, with More Occupations Added in September
Starting from 1 June, Singaporean employers will be able to recruit work permit holders from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos for roles in construction, marine shipyard, and process industries, as well as selected positions in manufacturing and services under the non-traditional source (NTS) Occupation List.
At present, NTS-approved countries include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Additionally, from 1 September, new job categories such as heavy-vehicle drivers, manufacturing operators, and cooks—expanding beyond the previous restriction to Indian restaurants—will be included in the NTS list.
Speaking during the Committee of Supply debate on 6 March, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng stated that these changes aim to enhance workforce resilience and improve access to skilled labour.
Business Reactions and Industry Impact
Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME), described the decision as a “positive step,” pointing out that relying solely on traditional labour sources can be expensive and sometimes impractical due to workforce shortages.
Lennon Tan, president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, noted that manufacturers have long advocated for adding manufacturing operators to the list, given persistent staffing difficulties in fields such as precision engineering, electronics, and aerospace.
Similarly, Restaurant Association of Singapore president Benjamin Boh welcomed the expanded recruitment pool, emphasising the flexibility it would offer businesses.
However, Lee Kay Chai, president of the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd, cautioned that firms must ensure workers from these new source countries can adapt to Singapore’s workplace conditions, safety regulations, and cultural environment. He suggested that structured onboarding, translation tools, and employer support would be essential for smooth integration.
Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association executive director Ang Wee Seng highlighted that workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos have not yet been tested in the semiconductor industry, stressing the need to verify whether they meet sector-specific standards.
Changes to Work Permit Duration and Age Limits
From 1 July, work permit holders will no longer have a fixed maximum employment period, which currently ranges from 14 to 26 years depending on skills and industry.
However, the maximum employment age will be increased from 60 to 63 to align with Singapore’s retirement age. The maximum age for new work permit applicants will also be raised—from 50 to 61 for non-Malaysians and from 58 to 61 for Malaysians.
ASME’s Mr Ang noted that this adjustment could help businesses reduce training costs by allowing experienced workers to remain employed for longer periods.
