In March 2022, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM“) announced a slew of changes relating to Singapore’s foreign workforce. Key among them was the introduction of the Complementarity Assessment (“COMPASS“) framework for Employment Pass (“EP“) applications. Under the points-based framework, EP applicants will be required to score a total of 40 points under its four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria. The COMPASS framework will take effect on 1 September 2023 for new EP applications, and on 1 September 2024 for renewal EP applications.
MOM also announced that the mandatory medical insurance (“MI“) coverage for Work Permit (including migrant domestic workers) and S Pass holders (collectively “migrant workers“) would be enhanced. As employers are responsible for the medical bills of their migrant workers, this move aimed to better protect employers from having to bear large unexpected medical bills.
On 31 March 2023, MOM provided further details on the two bonus criteria under the COMPASS framework, and further announced a phased approach to implementing the enhanced mandatory MI coverage.
In this Update, we elaborate on these two developments.
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