Remember the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) that was launched in 2014? It’s meant to make companies consider locals first before hiring foreigners.

Companies who want to submit Employment Pass (EP) applications must advertise the job positions on the National Jobs Bank for 14 days before applying for the EP.

Basically, they have to show they’re not able to hire Singaporeans and have no choice but to hire foreigners for the jobs.

Some Singaporeans have complained that these measures not effective enough because foreigners are still taking away their jobs.

You might have heard about “Changalore” – a term coined for Changi Business Park for its higher-than-average foreign workforce.

It’s understood that foreigners have been dominating the infocomm technology (ICT) jobs in Singapore.

For Singaporeans trained in IT, the frustrations are real.

But it appears that big brother Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been watching this issue very closely. 

Love to hire foreigners? Big brother will make life difficult for you

MOM Minister Lim Swee Say revealed in Parliament today that 500 companies are placed on a Government watch list for not doing enough to hire Singaporeans.

This was double the number of companies on the list this time last year.

He said these companies have “pre-conceived ideas” that locals are “either unable or unwilling to do the job”.

So when companies write Singaporeans off without considering them fairly, their EP applications will be scrutinised very closely.

The ministry has either withheld or rejected 1,900 EP applications made by the 500 companies on the watch list while some of these EP applications were withdrawn by the companies themselves. 

If we breakdown the figure, that’s on average four EP applications request made by each company.

MOM will not allow these companies to apply for new EP applications and renew existing EPs until they adopt fair HR practices.

Minister Lim said 150 out of the 500 companies have improved their HR practices and have been removed from the watch list. However, 60 out of the remaining 350 companies are still not cooperating with the ministry.

Last year, Minister Lim said the 250 companies on the watch list were from several industries including the information and communication technology (ICT).

Companies that are pro-foreigners, beware…

MP Patrick Tay, who has been advocating for better protection and progression for local PMEs, called for the FCF to be strengthened to make sure Singaporeans have fair access to more jobs and better jobs.

From 1st July this year, FCF requirements for advertisements for new jobs will be revised.

Companies with at least 10 employees as well as for job positions with a fixed monthly salary of up to $15,000 (up from $12,000 currently), must advertise job vacancies on the National Jobs Bank. 

Previously, firms with less than 25 employees were exempted from complying with the framework.

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