With the goal of addressing workforce shortages in its hospitality sector, Singapore has taken steps to enhance its recruitment avenues. As part of this initiative, Indian cooks have been added to the list of eligible candidates for hiring. The objective behind this expansion is to diversify the available skilled workforce for targeted positions within the services and manufacturing sectors.
Historically, the services and manufacturing sectors in Singapore have primarily recruited their work permit holders from nations like China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The Ministry of Manpower has freshly launched the application process for Indian restaurant cooks in the urban hub. Enterprises keen on hiring work permit holders from Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) can initiate the submission of their applications via the ministry’s official website, commencing from September 1st.
Nations such as Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are categorized as Non-Traditional Source (NTS) countries.
With this advancement, Indian cooks are now included alongside housekeepers and porters in the roster of qualified candidates for work permit holders.
The ministry has detailed that a committee comprised of industry and government specialists specializing in Indian cuisine will be responsible for evaluating the applications.
This initiative not only facilitates the recruitment of Indian cooks by restaurants but also broadens the hiring possibilities to encompass candidates from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Singapore’s objective is to enrich its already diverse culinary scene by embracing these supplementary recruitment channels in addition to the existing ones, which consist of Malaysia, China, and North Asian nations.
S Mahenthiran, Chief Executive of Catering Solutions and Honorary Secretary of the Indian Restaurants Association (Singapore), praised this decision, emphasizing its potential to empower Indian restaurants in showcasing authentic cuisine while upholding the rich Indian heritage.
Apart from Indian restaurant cooks, the revised NTS Occupation List, which was introduced during the 2022 Budget debate, includes positions such as welders and specific food processing workers, as reported by The Straits Times newspaper.
Employers are required to furnish these workers with a minimum fixed monthly wage of SGD 2,000. Moreover, the proportion of these workers in the employer’s total headcount, excluding Employment Pass holders, should not surpass 8 percent.
Margaret Heng, Executive Director of the Singapore Hotel Association, welcomed the government’s decision and highlighted the significance of addressing workforce shortages within the hospitality industry. This sector is vital for maintaining Singapore’s reputation as a preferred travel destination.
Sim Gim Guan, Executive Director of the Singapore National Employers Federation, highlighted the importance of cautiously permitting workers from NTS countries for specific job roles, which could effectively alleviate employers’ workforce challenges.
“This step is essential to ensure that Singapore continues to be an appealing choice for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and tourism,” Sim noted.
