SME Committee urges government to scrap “unnecessary” levy for S Pass holders

This levy is too burdensome for local firms.

The Singapore Business Federation’s SME Committee urged the government to remove hiring restrictions for S Pass holders, arguing that the levy is unnecessary and adversely affects local firms.

According to the SME Committee, employers of S Pass holders already have to satisfy the Dependency Ratio Quota and a minimum qualifying wage of $2,200. The SME Committee argues that these regulations already meet the objective of regulating the number of foreign workers while providing wage-parity between foreign workers and locals.

“Thus, the levy for S Pass holders is unnecessary and leads to higher cost of doing business,” stated the SME Committee.