Parliamentary Questions I filed for {3,4,12} February 2026: The Answers
15 questions across two sittings (3-4 Feb and 12 Feb) - 9 oral, 6 written. Here are the full answers from Ministers, plus my supplementary interventions during Question Time.
Sustainability & Environment (MSE) - 1 Question
1. Affordability Impact of Beverage Container Return Scheme ⭐ ORAL
Question: Given that the Beverage Container Return Scheme is projected to add 25 to 60 cents to prices of bottled and canned drinks of which only 10 cents is refundable, what assessment was made of the affordability impact on lower-income households before confirming the April 2026 launch.
SMS Dr Janil Puthucheary’s Answer (grouped reply to 5 oral and 1 written question on BCRS):
The scheme was first proposed by a Recycle Right Citizens’ Workgroup in 2019 to increase household recycling rates and reduce contamination in the recycling bins. The BCRS aims to increase the recycling of beverage containers using an Extended Producer Responsibility concept. This is the second such scheme to be introduced in Singapore, building on our experience with the e-waste recycling programme. The scheme features a deposit paid at the point of purchase to incentivise consumers to return their containers.
In designing the scheme, we studied the experiences of other jurisdictions. Schemes in Norway, Denmark and Lithuania have achieved high collection rates, and one common factor was having an industry-led, not-for-profit entity run the scheme. The scheme operator, BCRS Ltd, was formed by the industry and is governed by a Board that has both large and small producer representatives, comprising Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages, F&N Foods, Pokka, Wanin Industries and Chia Khim Lee Food Industries. Licensed by NEA, they are required to report the amount of 10-cent deposits collected from producers and refunded to consumers in their annual report for public accountability.
All regulated beverage containers will attract a 10-cent deposit, which is fully refundable. Such containers will bear a deposit mark for easy identification. All producers will also need to pay a producer fee of three to four cents per container to BCRS Ltd. This fee covers the logistics to collect and recycle the containers and is comparable to fees in other jurisdictions.
From our engagements with stakeholders, producers of about 80% of beverage containers can incorporate the deposit mark and barcode requirements directly on their containers. Beyond the once-off implementation cost, these producers should see costs per container close to the producer fee of three to four cents, which should keep compliance costs low for most drinks sold.
Some producers may need to, or may choose to, place a sticker on their containers instead of changing the design. The cost of stickering will vary, depending on the quantity and how supply chains are organised. Some can do so for about three cents per container if done at source overseas and at scale. For small quantities done locally, the cost to the producer would be higher.
We appreciate that some producers may find the transition more challenging. NEA and BCRS Ltd have been engaging both large and small producers regularly and providing practical support. Responding to feedback from producers that they needed more time, we extended the transition period from three months to six months. We also introduced a transition grant of $2,500 to help smaller businesses.
Consumer pricing of beverages is a complex and commercial decision. Consumer demand patterns and marketing strategies will also affect the price. We have designed the scheme to be run as efficiently as possible, with a low cost to producers. Any cost pass-through to consumers will likely be further moderated by price competition among industry players, as consumers have a wide variety of choices. This has been the experience in some jurisdictions, where studies found that the introduction of deposit return schemes did not have a significant direct impact on beverage prices or beverage sales.
At launch in April, the public can return empty plastic and metal beverage containers bearing the deposit mark at over 1,000 Reverse Vending Machines located across Singapore to obtain a 10-cent refund. These RVMs will be located at larger supermarkets and other publicly accessible locations with high footfall, such as void decks of HDB blocks and some hawker centres. 90% of residents in HDB housing estates will live within a five-minute walk to one of these return points. BCRS Ltd will provide more details on the RVM locations in the coming weeks.
We aim to double the number of return points to 2,000 RVMs within the first year. At launch, we will deploy ambassadors on the ground to guide the public on how to use the RVMs. We recognise that some seniors and vulnerable members of the community may require additional assistance to adapt to the scheme. NEA and BCRS Ltd, together with our community partners, are committed to providing additional support to better address their needs.
My Supplementary Questions:
The deposit rate is fully refundable at 10 cents, but media reports have put the projected price increase at 25 to 60 cents. So the difference is about 15 to 50 cents of permanent compliance costs, which the vending machine will not return. What assessment has been made of this non-refundable portion as a share of income for lower-income households?
Second, the only current confirmed refund method is EZ-Link. Can the Senior Minister of State confirm that a cash refund or cash voucher option will be available at all return points from Day 1?
Third, a lot of parallel importers face $40,000 a month of fees under the scheme. With the transition grant at $2,500, that is quite disproportionate. These parallel importers are the companies that bring the cheapest drinks onto the market. Has the Ministry assessed the risk that this scheme eliminates the discount beverage segment entirely?
And finally, the Senior Minister of State has said they will monitor to see if price increases go beyond three to four cents. But as we all know, price increases are sticky. What will the Government do if the price increases go beyond three to four cents?
SMS Puthucheary’s Response:
On the first point, the 25 to 60 cents was a media report from a handful of producers. Our assessment is that 80% of the market will have a three to four cent increase. [SMS Puthucheary later issued a clarification correcting one instance where he misstated this as “3% to 4%” — all instances should read “three to four cents per container.”]
Indeed, there will be smaller producers who, because of their supply chain or the size of their operations, will have higher challenges and we are prepared to be flexible and supportive. The grant that we sized already covers about one-quarter of the producers and especially those that have put to market of less than 50,000 units.
For the refund methodology, EZ-Link SimplyGo is available as a refund methodology and there will be further refund methodologies. We are not, at this point, planning for cash or cash voucher as forms of refund. We are hoping to use digital means and BCRS Ltd will be announcing the other means for refund in the future.
We have indeed engaged with a variety of importers, including some of the smallest. The smallest producer that we have directly engaged has a put to market of 1,000 units. We are trying to understand their challenges, and we are trying to find ways to help them participate in this scheme while remaining viable as a business.
Was there a fourth question?
My follow-up: What will the Government do if price increases —
SMS Puthucheary: We will monitor. It depends on what is the behaviour. If there is evidence of collusion or profiteering, there are mechanisms for that to be reported and dealt with. We will look to see what are the factors that have led to that.
Education (MOE) - 3 Questions
2. Central Kitchen Meal Model and Food Safety ⭐ ORAL
Question: (a) How many days after adopting the Central Kitchen Meal Model did the River Valley Primary School gastroenteritis outbreak occur; (b) whether central kitchen operators must meet Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards and the three-zone hygiene system as required in Japan; and (c) whether the Ministry will publish food safety audit results for all such operators.
MOS Jasmin Lau’s Answer (grouped reply to Q14-20 on school canteens and food safety):
As parents and Members of this House, we all understand how important school meals are for our children’s growth and well-being. MOE is fully committed to ensuring that every student has access to affordable, nutritious and balanced meals.
Today, 95% of our schools continue with the traditional stallholder approach. However, we face a real challenge. An increasing number of schools are struggling to fill their vacant canteen stalls, leaving students, especially those with dietary needs, very limited options. In some cases, these students may have to eat the same dish for weeks.
MOE provides substantial support to stallholders. Stallholders pay very low rentals of between $5 and $15 per month, and we waive these during school holidays. We also seek preferential electricity tariffs through demand aggregation and pass these savings directly to stallholders. But the challenges go deeper than just costs. School canteens have a small customer base and limited business hours.
We did not start the Central Kitchen Meal Model to replace the traditional canteen model. We wanted to explore alternative models to help schools that were struggling to attract stallholders and had severe shortages. We started with a pilot at Yusof Ishak Secondary School, which relocated from Bukit Batok to Punggol and did not have existing stallholders. After seeing positive results, we tried out a range of Central Kitchen Meal Models in 13 additional schools. We have no intention to scale this to all schools, nor do we have a target in mind.
We are taking an open and flexible approach. Some schools are using hybrid models, where operators both deliver pre-ordered meals and prepare fresh food onsite. In several schools, students can still choose and watch their meals being prepared at live cooking stations, alongside pre-ordered options.
Food prepared by central kitchens is not inherently unsafe or less safe. Central kitchens are licensed by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). They are subjected to more frequent inspections, as they have a larger scale of food processing or preparation. Central kitchens are graded under the Safety Assurance for Food Establishment framework. In the event of a major food lapse, they will be downgraded and inspected even more frequently.
MOE will continue to work with SFA, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) and the operators to strengthen food safety management systems. This covers everything from preparation at the central kitchens to transportation, storage and eventually, when the food is served to the students.
The number of gastroenteritis incidents in schools have averaged six cases a year in the past three years across all food service models. SFA, CDA and MOE are still investigating the causes for both the River Valley Primary School and North View Primary School incidents. River Valley Primary School currently uses one of our Central Kitchen Meal Model operators, while North View Primary School has traditional stallholders.
Where food safety breaches are detected, whether at central kitchens or individual stalls, SFA takes immediate enforcement action and requires rectifications. Operations may be suspended or terminated for severe food safety breaches or ongoing disease transmission. We have taken a cautious approach by limiting each operator to serving just four or five schools. This helps to contain the impact of any operational issues and allows us to observe different operators’ performance and have back-up options ready.
[Note: The Leader of the House moved a motion to extend Question Time to allow this topic to be completed — a procedural rarity reflecting the level of public interest.]
My Supplementary Questions:
First, since 2005, Japan has employed diet and nutrition teachers — professionals who hold both a nutritionist qualification and teaching licence — in schools to create menus, oversee food safety and teach nutrition in the classroom. Will the Government consider making similar nutrition and safety roles accredited professionals?
Second, I quote The Straits Times on the River Valley Primary case: “Some parents told ST that their children had noticed the chicken on the pizza tasting a bit strange. A few parents said their children were fine after consuming the pizza as they had picked the chicken off. A pupil told his mother that the chicken did not smell good but he ate it anyway and had diarrhoea the next day.” So, what is the status of the investigation into the chicken? If it was the chicken, how did it make it past the food hygiene officer?
MOS Lau’s Response:
On dietary teachers, in Singapore, we work closely with the Health Promotion Board to ensure that the food we provide to students from preschool to secondary school has good nutritional value and meets the needs of our students. We also have food hygiene officers in our schools with the Central Kitchen Meal Models, and they do make checks on the way that the food is handled to make sure that the food is safe.
On the second question, I would suggest that the Member wait for the investigation results before talking more about the River Valley Primary case.
Social & Family Development (MSF) - 2 Questions
3. ComCare Denials for Non-Compliance with Employment Action Plans ⭐ ORAL
Question: In the past three years, how many ComCare applications were denied citing non-compliance with employment action plans; whether applicants are given the opportunity to provide evidence of their engagement with partner agencies before such denials; and whether the Ministry will ensure applicants are heard before being denied on such grounds.
MOS Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim’s Answer:
ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) helps clients with their basic living expenses as they work on improving their financial situation. Our Social Service Office (SSO) officers work closely with clients to develop suitable action plans to achieve this.
Clients are informed from the very outset that they must adhere to these action plans. However, should they face genuine difficulties meeting them or if they need more time, the action plans can be reviewed.
Based on the household’s adherence to action plans and progress towards self-reliance, the amount and duration of the SMTA may be adjusted while ensuring dependants’ basic needs are being met. The MSF family coaches will also get them help from the community, for example, with the provision of milk and diapers, if necessary.
We do not track the number of applicants who were not given ComCare because they did not comply with their action plans.
My Supplementary Question:
It has been represented to me — and these are the facts, as I understand them — that a young married constituent with young children, unemployed and living in a rental flat, was denied ComCare because he did not follow up with e2i. But he has WhatsApp records that e2i messaged him on 15 December, asking him if he was still looking for work and he replied “yes” on the same day. He followed up on 24 December, asking about jobs with hours compatible with sending his children to school. And as far as I can tell, e2i did not respond to either message. The SSO rejection letter arrived before anyone asked him for evidence of his engagement.
So, without pre-judging things, my question is, does SSO take e2i’s word, or other employment partner agencies’ word, unconditionally, before rejecting an applicant for non-engagement? Is the applicant given a chance to present their side?
MOS Zhulkarnain’s Response:
For each family and each applicant, they face various unique circumstances and challenges. For this particular case, SSO is aware and is currently considering the appeal. And actually, for this particular family, it is a known family and the family coach has helped the family in other ways as well, including provision of food rations, infant milk powder and diapers.
Having said that, this cessation of financial assistance or tapering off of it, is not something that SSO takes very lightly. SSO reviews it with the help of the Social Assistance Officer (SAO), who has embarked and partnered with the applicant family on the action plan. The SAO will contact the applicants for an interview and at the stage of assessment of the SMTA, the SAO will also get information from the family coach, from other sources of information as well, to ensure that they look at the entire assistance required by the family.
Rest assured that every applicant for SMTA will be able to get financial assistance by SSOs and we will look at how to help them meet their basic living needs and journey with them on this journey for self-reliance so that they can improve their financial situation.
4. Enabling Employment Credit Uptake and Barriers (Written)
Question: Of the employers eligible for the Enabling Employment Credit, what proportion have utilised it; what are the main barriers preventing greater uptake; and given the target of 40% employment rate for persons with disabilities by 2030 versus the current 32.7%, what additional measures are planned to close this gap.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli’s Answer:
Employers who hire resident persons with disabilities earning less than $4,000 per month are eligible for the Enabling Employment Credit, and will be automatically enrolled in the scheme based on their Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to these employees.
The Member may refer to the written reply we had given on 14 October 2025 on addressing challenges that prevent special needs young adults from securing and retaining employment, which mentions the barriers faced by employers in hiring persons with disabilities and measures put in place to support them and persons with disabilities.
The Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities, announced in December 2025, will also study and develop recommendations to further strengthen support for employers and build resilience for persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Taken together, these measures will support our continued efforts to raise the employment rate of resident persons with disabilities aged 15 to 64 to 40% by 2030, from 34.7% for the period of 2024 to 2025.
For reference, the October 2025 written reply the Minister refers to (to a question by Dr Charlene Chen) outlined barriers including employers’ limited awareness of inclusive hiring benefits and lack of in-house capabilities for job accommodations, and persons with disabilities needing additional training and job coaching. Measures cited included the Open Door Programme (customised job coach support and job redesign grants), the Enabling Employment Credit (wage offsets), a new Employer Development Grant from 2025, and SG Enable’s Enabling Business Hub. SG Enable is taking a sectoral approach across six key sectors: F&B, retail, ICT, health and social services, transport and storage, and financial services.
Finance (MOF) - 4 Questions
5. Exposure of Singapore’s Reserves to Section 892 of US Tax Code ⭐ ORAL
Question: Whether the Ministry has assessed the exposure of Singapore’s reserves to the proposed changes to section 892 of the US tax code; whether Singapore has made representations to the US Treasury before the 13 February 2026 comment deadline; and whether the Ministry retains confidence that GIC’s and Temasek’s US investments are adequately protected from this regulatory change.
Mr Jeffrey Siow’s Answer:
The Government expects our investment entities to operate on a commercial basis and to fully comply with the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions they invest in. We also expect them to closely monitor regulatory changes in overseas jurisdictions, and to adjust their portfolios accordingly should these affect our investment returns or risks.
As with other investors and interested parties, GIC and Temasek may provide feedback or comments on proposed regulatory or tax changes introduced by the United States or other foreign governments, where relevant.
Separately, the Singapore Government maintains regular and constructive engagement with the US Treasury on a broad range of issues, including developments in financial and tax regulations.
The Government retains confidence that our investment entities have the capabilities and risk-management frameworks to assess and manage the implications of regulatory changes, and to take appropriate steps to protect Singapore’s investment interests.
6. Reference Data for Determining Baby Bonus Quantum ⭐ ORAL
Question: Whether the Ministry publishes official estimates of child-raising expenditures by age band, as the United States has since 1960; what reference data determines Baby Bonus quantum; and whether Baby Bonus cashflow fit has been evaluated against cost peaks in the first 36 months, particularly for lower-income households facing immediate infant care expenses.
Ms Indranee Rajah’s Answer:
The Government is strongly committed to supporting Singaporeans to realise their marriage and parenthood aspirations. We provide a suite of generous financial support for families with children, in the form of cash and cash-like payouts, grants, education and healthcare subsidies, and tax benefits.
We do not publish estimates of child-raising expenditure. Such standalone estimates would not be useful as child-raising expenditure varies greatly depending on a family’s needs, parents’ expectations and choices.
Instead, in determining the quantum and cashflow for the Baby Bonus Scheme, we consider data such as household income and expenditure, including child-related expenditure, as well as feedback from parents. For example, in 2023, in response to parents’ feedback, we enhanced the Baby Bonus quantum and adjusted the payout structure to provide parents with sustained financial support until their child enters primary school.
We recognise that the costs incurred by parents is higher when the child is younger. Hence, a larger portion of the Baby Bonus Cash Gift is paid to parents upfront to support the higher initial costs at birth and infancy, with regular payouts thereafter until the child turns 6.5 years old.
Over and above the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, other support is provided within the first 36 months of a child’s birth. Families also receive support through the Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant given at the child’s birth, as well as Government co-matching of parents’ savings into the CDA. CDA moneys can be used for approved child-related expenses such as infant care, preschool and medical fees.
The Government has also kept preschools affordable by providing subsidies to parents of Singapore Citizen children and imposing fee caps at Government-supported Anchor Operator (AOP) and Partner Operator (POP) preschools.
Currently, all Singapore Citizen children enrolled in a licensed preschool are eligible for a Basic Subsidy of up to $300 per month for childcare and up to $600 per month for infant care. To further lower costs, eligible families receive additional means-tested subsidies, with more for lower-income. We enhanced these additional subsidies in 2020, by raising the income ceiling from $7,500 to $12,000, and increasing subsidy amounts across all eligible income tiers.
We have also progressively reduced fee caps in AOP and POPs. Fee caps were lowered for both full-day infant care and full-day childcare in 2023. They were further reduced for full-day childcare last year and at the start of this year.
In addition, lower-income families benefit from further support through other targeted schemes such as Child Care Financial Assistance and Start-Up Grant. All these help defray the costs of the child at a younger age.
We will continue to review our measures to strengthen support for parents in managing the costs of raising children.
7. Higher Income Tax from Working Mother’s Child Relief Change ⭐ ORAL
Question: Based on the Year of Assessment (YA) 2025 data, how many working mothers with children born from 2024 paid higher income tax following change from percentage-based to fixed-dollar Working Mother’s Child Relief; what is the projected additional tax revenue over the next decade as the affected cohort grows; and whether this projected revenue is consistent with the objective of encouraging higher-order births.
Ms Indranee Rajah’s Answer:
The Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR) is part of a broader package to support Singaporeans in their marriage and parenthood journey. We have over the years significantly increased financial support such as the Baby Bonus Cash Gift and the Child Development Account First Step Grant, and enhanced parental leave provisions. We also introduced the new Shared Parental Leave scheme and the Large Families Scheme last year. All in, we expect these initiatives to cost the Government close to $7 billion in FY2026, up from over $4 billion in FY2020.
About 9,500 working mothers paid higher income tax in YA 2025 than they would have under the old WMCR basis. The change in basis of the WMCR to a fixed dollar relief was to provide equal support for children of the same child order regardless of the mother’s income, which improves the progressivity of our support. We are unable to project the additional tax revenue from the WMCR change over the next 10 years, as this is dependent on many variables that could change over time, such as the working mother’s income, the other qualifying reliefs, and number of children she may eventually have.
However, we expect the cost of the marriage and parenthood initiatives to far exceed any additional tax revenue from the WMCR change.
8. Commercial Viability of RIE-funded Deep Tech Projects (Written)
Question: What proportion of Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) funded deep tech projects achieve commercial viability; whether the Ministry has studied Israel’s model where innovation grants are repaid only upon commercialisation success; and whether RIE2030 will introduce similar outcome-linked funding mechanisms.
Mr Gan Kim Yong’s Answer (for the Prime Minister):
Investing in deep tech is a complex endeavour that takes years. There is no single or simple metric of commercial viability that applies. The Government uses a range of indicators for RIE-funded projects such as Intellectual Property (IP) licensing, capability and knowledge building, growing start-ups, and catalysing private sector investment. For example, in RIE2025, of the Corporate Laboratories that support partnerships between public researchers and companies to co-develop technologies for industry, about 80% are expected to generate licensing revenue from jointly-created IP.
Singapore keeps abreast of good practices in deep tech commercialisation from other countries, including Israel. The objectives behind our support schemes and mechanisms for deep tech commercialisation have broad similarities to those of other countries, but the governance and funding structures have been adapted to meet the needs of our RIE ecosystem.
We capture value from RIE through various means, including licensing revenue generated when commercial partners license IP from research institutions, or returns from equity stakes when startups built around these technologies achieve commercial success. In addition, research collaborations with both global and local industry partners help anchor them in Singapore, thereby contributing to a more dynamic and competitive economy.
9. Employment Outcomes for SPED Graduates (Written)
Question: What proportion of Special Education (SPED) school graduates in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were placed into employment within one year of graduation; of these graduates, what proportion remained in employment as of end 2025; and whether the Ministry will publish annual SPED graduate employment data comparable to the Graduate Employment Survey for universities.
Mr Desmond Lee’s Answer:
Students in Special Education (SPED) schools have moderate-to-severe Special Educational Needs and require specialised support and curriculum customisation to cater to their diverse needs. As the range of needs is broad and diverse in SPED, students in SPED learn essential knowledge, skills and attributes that can help them live independently to the best of their ability.
Of the approximately 500 SPED graduates each year from 2022 to 2024, about half were placed into employment in open or supported settings, enrolled in internship programmes, or progressed to institutes of higher learning within six months of graduation. Those employed found jobs in sectors such as retail, horticulture and hospitality. SPED graduates with higher needs may proceed to services such as sheltered workshops and day activity centres to develop skills for community living.
The Ministry of Education works with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable to study the outcomes and experiences of persons with disabilities, which are reported through publications such as the Disability Trends Report 2024, which reports holistically on a range of outcomes, including employment.
The recently launched inter-agency Taskforce on Assurance for Families with persons with disabilities will study how to better support persons with disabilities, including SPED graduates, to achieve positive and sustained employment outcomes. More information on the Taskforce’s findings and recommendations will be shared in due course.
10. Findings from 2020 Pilot to Remove CCA Selection Trials ⭐ ORAL
Question: What have been the findings of the 2020 pilot to remove CCA selection trials; how many schools have adopted the no-trial model; and whether the Ministry will require schools to offer both recreational and competitive CCA tiers so that students wishing to participate for leisure and development are not excluded by selection.
Mr Desmond Lee’s Answer:
Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) are an integral part of a holistic education aimed at developing our students’ character, skills and values.
The Primary Schools in the pilot study were able to allocate students to their CCA choices without selection trials.
Today, about two-thirds of primary schools do not conduct CCA selection trials. Most of the remaining schools conduct trials only for a few CCAs that are oversubscribed, keeping the enrolment manageable to ensure a quality learning experience for students.
Schools customise their CCA offerings to best fit their student profiles and available resources. Many already provide recreational options. Schools also work with SportSG to provide additional recreational sports opportunities such as the Sports Education Programme and the recently launched School Sports Fiesta as enrichment beyond regular CCAs. Students also have many opportunities to learn and play a range of sports during Physical Education classes and during unstructured play at recess.
We will continue to strengthen our CCA system, to ensure meaningful development opportunities for all students.
Manpower (MOM) - 1 Question
11. Definition and Measurable Indicators for “Good Jobs” under Economic Strategy Review ⭐ ORAL
Question: (a) What is the Ministry’s operational definition of a “good job” as used in the Economic Strategy Review; (b) what measurable indicators will the Ministry use to track whether the strategy is creating such jobs; and (c) whether the Ministry will adopt a multi-dimensional job quality framework comparable to that published by the OECD.
SMS Dr Koh Poh Koon’s Answer:
We use wages as a key operational measure to track if proposed investments create good jobs, since this is the most objective indicator of job quality. This enables comparisons across sectors, firms, occupations and workers.
Having said that, the notion of a “good job” varies across individuals, shaped by their circumstances and aspirations. It often includes factors such as wage growth, opportunities for career development, fair and safe workplaces and personal fulfilment.
There are multiple dimensions to good jobs, and no single, universally accepted framework for measuring job quality. Hence, we chose to measure a range of more objectively measurable labour market indicators and regularly benchmark our labour market performance internationally across key dimensions that cover job creation and job quality, such as: (1) labour market participation; (2) labour underutilisation; and (3) earnings.
These are broadly aligned with the OECD framework and across these domains, Singapore generally ranks favourably relative to OECD economies.
Local workers have experienced sustained and inclusive wage growth. From 2021 to 2025, real gross monthly income at the median grew by 7.4%. At the 20th percentile, income grew even faster, by 10.1% over the same period.
Two-thirds of private sector establishments provided structured training to employees. Fewer employees experienced discrimination at work, decreasing from 8.5% in 2021 to 6% in 2023. Our Workplace Safety and Health performance ranked amongst top performing countries, with a five-year average workplace fatality rate of 1.1 per 100,000 workers in 2024.
My Supplementary Questions:
The ESR mid-term update factsheet uses the phrase “good jobs” six times without defining it. What is the issue with creating a job quality framework like the OECD has done?
Second, our wage share of GDP remains lower than many OECD countries — I believe it is in the mid-40s, where OECD countries are in the 50s. Will the Government track this as part of the definition of a “good job”?
Third, the ESR says it will uplift and transform roles like electricians and care workers. But a commitment that cannot be proven true or false is not really an accountable commitment. Would the Ministry set clear benchmarks in terms of pay, progression and working conditions, so that Parliament can actually determine if uplift has occurred?
SMS Koh’s Response:
On job quality, we do track multiple parameters and dimensions across our workforce and the labour market. But fundamentally, workers want to see their wages go up from year to year. Well-paying jobs are those that pay above the median wage of the resident workforce. By creating more of such jobs and helping more Singaporeans to upskill to take them on, we will grow the median wage of our workforce over time.
On wage share, there are multiple dimensions to track and we will continue to measure multiple dimensions of job quality, that could include looking at wage share over time. We will consider relevant dimensions included in other international frameworks, including the OECD’s job quality framework.
On trades and skilled roles, this is an area still under deliberation by the ESR, so I would not jump the gun. When the ESR releases its final report, there will be a better treatment of the questions regarding trades and skilled roles.
Home Affairs (MHA) - 1 Question
12. OCHA Directive on Moneylending Ads Targeting Migrant Domestic Workers ⭐ ORAL
Question: Whether the Ministry has considered issuing an Implementation Directive under the Online Criminal Harms Act requiring social media platforms to detect and remove unlicensed moneylending advertisements targeting migrant domestic workers; and why the approach taken for impersonation scams has not been extended to illegal moneylending advertisements that facilitate harassment of workers and their employers.
Mr K Shanmugam’s Answer:
The Police work with online platforms like Meta and TikTok to strengthen upstream measures to prevent unlicensed moneylending through pre-emptive detection and blocking of accounts. Between 2023 and 2025, the Police flagged more than 10,900 online accounts and advertisements involved in unlicensed moneylending to online platforms for termination.
Implementation Directives under the Online Criminal Harms Act are issued when there is an urgent need to put in place a specific measure to address the proliferation of an offence or possible immediate impact. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Implementation Directives when there was limited cooperation from the platforms involved. In the context of unlicensed moneylending, the existing collaboration between the Police and online platforms is assessed to be adequate to deal with the issues.
Defence (MINDEF) - 1 Question
13. NSF Enlistment Numbers Breakdown (Written)
Question: How many Full-time National Servicemen were enlisted in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the SAF, SPF, and SCDF; and in each of those years, how many Full-time National Servicemen were serving in their second year of national service.
Mr Chan Chun Sing’s Answer:
As the enlistment numbers vary from year-to-year, it is more meaningful to compare the annual average enlistment numbers over longer time periods, as follows.
(Rounded to the nearest 100) Annual Average (2016 to 2020) Annual Average (2021 to 2025) Full-Time National Servicemen Enlisted to the SAF 19,100 17,300 Full-Time National Servicemen Enlisted to the SPF 2,400 2,200 Full-Time National Servicemen Enlisted to the SCDF 1,900 1,800
The percentage of enlistees who progress to complete their two-year term has consistently exceeded 95%. The small numbers who are unable to complete the two-year term are mostly due to medical reasons.
National Development (MND) - 1 Question
14. Residential Noise Thresholds Review (Written)
Question: What is the status of the review on quantitative noise thresholds for residential boundary noise, which the Community Advisory Panel recommended in 2022; whether the review has considered WHO guidelines of 50 to 55 decibels and lower thresholds in Germany, Korea and Japan; and whether the Ministry will clarify that NEA’s industrial noise standards do not apply to household disputes.
Mr Chee Hong Tat’s Answer:
We had completed the review in May 2024 and replied to a similar Parliamentary Question in October 2024. The Member may also refer to the Municipal Services Office’s website, as well as the Second Reading of the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill in 2024, for more details.
The National Environment Agency’s industrial noise standards are set for a different purpose, and do not apply to neighbour noise disputes.
For reference, the October 2024 PQ the Minister refers to was Assoc Prof Jamus Lim’s question on implementing distinct quantitative noise thresholds for the evening period (7pm-10pm). In that exchange, Minister Desmond Lee confirmed that the Ministry had accepted most of the Community Advisory Panel’s six recommendations but had no plans to set quantitative noise thresholds — following consultations with external experts who cited operational challenges with absolute, across-the-board thresholds, as residents respond to noise differently and neighbourhoods have different perceptions of acceptable ambient noise levels.
Transport (MOT) - 1 Question
15. Bus ETA Accuracy Standards and January 2026 Failure (Written)
Question: What accuracy standards apply to the bus Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system; what has been the measured accuracy rate over the past three years; whether the Ministry is satisfied with the ETA system contractor’s performance, given inaccuracies reported well before the January 2026 failure; and what monitoring measures will prevent recurrence.
Mr Jeffrey Siow’s Answer:
The Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system is expected to predict actual bus arrival times within a three-minute range, at least 95% of the time. There is some inherent variation in bus arrival times, due to variable dwell times at preceding bus stops, and traffic speeds due to congestion, accidents or roadworks.
In the past three years the actual performance of the system has met the prescribed performance target. The ETA failure in January was due to a defect in the software on the buses that was triggered by a server failure. The defect has since been fixed, and the system’s performance is stabilising.
Since 2024, we have begun to upgrade the ETA system to improve arrival time predictions, and provide more real time information to commuters. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is closely monitoring the reliability and accuracy of the ETA system and has taken remedial actions to prevent a recurrence.