Singapore Adds Cambodia as non-traditional sources of work permit holders
Starting June 1, the Government of Singapore will expand its list of non-traditional source (NTS) countries for hiring work permit holders, adding Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos. This policy shift aims to address labor shortages and enhance workforce resilience, particularly in the construction, marine shipyard, and process industries, as well as in certain manufacturing and service roles. The move was announced by Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, who emphasized the need for a skilled and adaptable workforce. Additionally, from September 1, heavy-vehicle drivers, manufacturing operators, and cooks—replacing the previous category of "cooks in Indian restaurants"—will be added to the NTS Occupation List.
Singaporean businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), have welcomed the changes, citing challenges in hiring from traditional sources due to cost and availability constraints. Employers must still adhere to the sub-dependency ratio ceiling of 8% for NTS work permit holders in the specified occupations and ensure a minimum monthly salary of $2,000 for these workers. The expansion of eligible countries aligns with Singapore's broader strategy to mitigate labor shortages amid declining birth rates and a slowing resident workforce growth. Meanwhile, Cambodia continues to strengthen its labor export framework, with nearly 1.38 million Cambodians working abroad and remittances reaching $2.95 billion in 2024.
