DEV Community: lumen.insights.sg

Singapore SMEs: New Workforce Grants and Job Redesign Funding Available in 2026

lumen.insights.sg — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:24:36 +0000

Singapore SMEs: New Workforce Grants and Job Redesign Funding Available in 2026

Singapore SMEs should take advantage of expanded workforce development grants and job redesign funding now available under the Government's latest labour market initiatives, particularly as hiring and wage expectations continue to strengthen across the economy.

SMEs eligible for the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) can claim up to 70% funding for workforce transformation and job redesign project costs, capped at $150,000 per enterprise, with higher support levels provided specifically for Small and Medium Enterprises
Employers can also access the Career Conversion Programmes and Mid-Career Pathways Programme to reskill and upskill their existing workforce at subsidised rates, with application windows opening on an ongoing basis through the SkillsFuture portal

SMEs that operate in outward-oriented or restructuring-affected sectors may face higher retrenchment pressures — the 2Q 2026 data showed retrenchments rising to 4,500 (1.9 per 1,000 employees) — but the Government's support programmes are designed to help them absorb shocks through workforce transformation rather than layoffs.

Tip: Register your job redesign project through the SkillsFuture portal as early as possible; funding approval is project-specific and not automatic, and early registration improves your chances of securing the higher SME support tier before quota limits are reached.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0731-labour-market-advance-release-2q-2026

Government Raises Leave Entitlements for Outsourced PWM Workers from 7 to 10 Days

lumen.insights.sg — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:49:17 +0000

Government Raises Leave Entitlements for Outsourced PWM Workers from 7 to 10 Days

Employers in cleaning, security, landscape, lift/escalator, and waste management sectors must ensure outsourced Progressive Wage Model (PWM) workers receive enhanced annual leave as mandated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Provide minimum 10 days annual leave to resident outsourced PWM workers — phased implementation begins from 2029, with specific timelines to be announced by sectoral Tripartite Clusters.
Maintain leave accrual continuity when service contracts change hands — workers transitioning between service providers must not have accumulated leave reset to the previous 7-day minimum.

Workers who already receive annual leave benefits above the new 10-day minimum under existing employment terms or the Employment Act are entitled to continue receiving those higher benefits.

Tip: Employers should review and update outsourcing contracts with service providers ahead of 2029 to ensure compliance with the phased implementation of enhanced leave entitlements.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/1907-government-to-raise-leave-entitlement-for-outsourced-progressive-wage-model-workers

Singapore Construction SMEs: New Scaffold Fire Safety Rules Take Effect 1 January 2027

lumen.insights.sg — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:38:31 +0000

Singapore Construction SMEs: New Scaffold Fire Safety Rules Take Effect 1 January 2027

Construction companies and scaffold contractors operating in Singapore must comply with updated scaffold fire safety requirements introduced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), effective 1 January 2027.

Timber scaffolds may now be used for a maximum duration of 3 months from erection, down from the previous 9-month allowance — any extension beyond this limit requires case-by-case approval based on documented technical constraints.
Scaffold netting enveloping structures outside buildings will soon be subject to new fire performance requirements, with compliance obligations potentially falling on scaffold contractors, netting manufacturers, netting suppliers, and other relevant parties in the industry; further implementation details will be shared ahead of the deadline.

Timber scaffolds already erected before 1 January 2027 are grandfathered and may continue to be used for up to 9 months from their original setup date, but any new timber scaffold installed at those same sites from the effective date will be subject to the stricter 3-month limit.

Tip: Inventory your current timber scaffold installations now and plan replacements with steel or aluminium modular systems well before the January 2027 deadline to avoid compliance gaps and supply chain delays.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0702-factsheet-on-updated-scaffold-fire-safety-requirements

Singapore SMEs: Enhanced Workplace Safety Penalties and Mandatory Safety Time-Outs Take Effect

lumen.insights.sg — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 02:45:40 +0000

Singapore SMEs: Enhanced Workplace Safety Penalties and Mandatory Safety Time-Outs Take Effect

All Singapore employers must comply with enhanced workplace safety enforcement measures announced by MOM on 26 June 2026, following seven worker fatalities in five incidents over the past four weeks.

Conduct a Safety Time-Out review between 26 June and 9 July 2026 — employers must review work processes, reinforce risk controls, engage workers and supervisors on workplace risks, and address safety gaps, with particular attention to vehicle-related activities and post-accident emergency response.
Prepare for stricter penalties: increased composition fines for workplace safety offences, extended Stop-Work Order minimum duration from five to eight weeks, and potential debarment from hiring new migrant workers for three months in egregious cases involving fatal or serious accidents.

SMEs in construction, manufacturing, and logistics face the highest risk exposure. The enhanced measures run through 31 July 2026 and will be extended if safety outcomes do not improve.

Tip: Conduct an immediate workplace safety audit focusing on equipment maintenance logs, worker training records, and emergency response procedures before MOM's stepped-up inspections begin.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0626-mom-factsheet-on-nationwide-voluntary-safety-time-out-among-enhanced-workplace-safety-measures

What Singapore SMEs Must Know About EFMA Compliance After Recent Enforcement Action

lumen.insights.sg — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 02:16:45 +0000

What Singapore SMEs Must Know About EFMA Compliance After Recent Enforcement Action

Employment agencies and employers engaging foreign workers in Singapore must ensure all work pass applications contain accurate, truthful declarations — a recent enforcement action underscores the consequences of non-compliance.

Accurate declarations required — Employers and employment agency personnel must declare correct worker occupations, salaries, and deployment details in every work pass application submitted to the Controller of Work Passes. False declarations carry a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, per charge.
No kickbacks permitted — Collecting or offering kickbacks as a condition for employment is a separate offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, punishable by a fine of up to $30,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Convicted entities will also be barred from employing foreign workers.

SMEs deploying workers through non-traditional source schemes must ensure occupation and salary declarations match actual employment terms — misrepresenting a worker's role to qualify under different schemes is itself a false declaration.

Tip: Maintain a checklist of all work pass application fields and verify that declared occupations, salaries, and deployment locations match the signed employment contract before submission.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0528-2-singaporeans-and-an-employment-agency-charged-for-efma-offences

ILO-Singapore Workforce Partnership Renewed for 2026-2030

lumen.insights.sg — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:29:59 +0000

ILO-Singapore Workforce Partnership Renewed for 2026-2030

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Singapore have renewed their partnership to strengthen regional cooperation on AI, skills development, and workforce transformation, with implications for local SMEs.

AI & Workforce Integration - The partnership focuses on artificial intelligence impact, including skills development programs to help workers adapt to AI-driven changes in the labour market.
Regional Skills Cooperation - Singapore will lead ASEAN-wide initiatives on demographic transitions, platform work, and non-standard employment forms, supporting regional SMEs in workforce planning.
Edge Case - While the partnership emphasizes skills development and cooperation, SMEs must proactively upskill their workforce to remain competitive in an AI-integrated regional economy.
Tip: Singapore-based SMEs should review their workforce development strategies in light of regional AI and skills initiatives, considering training investments aligned with emerging industry needs.

Source: MOM - ILO and Singapore Renew Partnership

MOM Charges Agency and Individuals for False Work Pass Declarations

lumen.insights.sg — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:57:58 +0000

MOM Charges Agency and Individuals for False Work Pass Declarations

All employment agencies and employers in Singapore must ensure that work pass applications contain truthful declarations regarding worker roles and salaries.

Employers must accurately declare the specific occupation of migrant workers; falsely declaring a worker as a "food processing worker" while deploying them to a massage parlour can lead to charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
Making false declarations in work pass applications carries a fine of up to $20,000 and/or up to two years of imprisonment per charge.

While specific salary declarations are required, collecting kickbacks (e.g., $500) from workers as a condition for employment is also a punishable offence under the EFMA.

Tip: Conduct regular internal audits of work pass applications to ensure that the declared occupation matches the actual work site and activities of all migrant workers.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0528-2-singaporeans-and-an-employment-agency-charged-for-efma-offences

Accurate Work Pass Declarations Required Under EFMA

lumen.insights.sg — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:49:12 +0000

Accurate Work Pass Declarations Required Under EFMA

All employment agencies and employers hiring foreign workers must ensure accurate, complete, and truthful declarations in work pass applications.

Accurate declarations – Declare the correct occupation and salary for each foreign worker. False statements attract a fine up to $20,000 per charge and up to two years imprisonment.
Compliance enforcement – Convicted persons or entities are barred from employing foreign workers, reinforcing the integrity of MOM’s work pass framework.

Edge case: Even a single false declaration can trigger a ban on future employment of foreign workers.

Tip: Report suspicious employment practices via MOM’s eService “Report an infringement” to help protect workers.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0528-2-singaporeans-and-an-employment-agency-charged-for-efma-offences

Tripartite Jobs Council: Up to $150,000 in Job Redesign Grants for Singapore SMEs Adopting AI

lumen.insights.sg — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:43:37 +0000

Tripartite Jobs Council: Up to $150,000 in Job Redesign Grants for Singapore SMEs Adopting AI

Singapore companies adopting AI can now access up to $150,000 per company through the new SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+), as part of the Government's Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package (EWTP) announced alongside the formation of the Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC).

EWTP Job Redesign+ Grant — SMEs can receive funding support for job redesign project costs capped at $150,000 per company, covering reskilling, AI adoption, and capability building. SNEF serves as the appointed anchor programme partner with in-house business advisors to guide employers through AI adoption planning.
Free 6-Month Premium AI Tools for Workers — The Government will provide six months of complimentary access to premium AI tools for Singaporeans who take up selected SkillsFuture AI courses. SSG will also introduce a self-diagnostic tool to help workers assess their AI-readiness and identify suitable courses.

SMEs without dedicated HR or digital transformation teams may find the application process for EWTP grants complex; SNEF business advisors can assist with analysis of operational processes and identification of AI integration opportunities.

Tip: Contact SNEF's EWTP business advisors early to plan your AI adoption roadmap — the $150,000 grant cap requires a thorough job redesign proposal covering reskilling and capability building.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0430-formation-of-tripartite-jobs-council

New MOM Report: AI Adoption Among Singapore Firms — What SMEs Need to Know

lumen.insights.sg — Sun, 24 May 2026 04:06:18 +0000

New MOM Report: AI Adoption Among Singapore Firms — What SMEs Need to Know

MOM's inaugural report examines AI adoption by firms in Singapore, with key takeaways for SMEs navigating the early stages of workplace AI integration.

Most Singapore firms have not adopted AI — 71.5% of firms have yet to adopt AI. Among the 28.5% that have started, only 3.8% have progressed to integrating AI into core processes, with the majority still at the planning (7.4%) or piloting (6.0%) stages.
Barriers to AI adoption differ by firm size — SMEs face high implementation costs (44.9%), a lack of in-house expertise (42.4%), and additional constraints such as absence of strategy (32.4%) and low trust in AI (30.8%). Larger firms instead cite integration complexity (56.1%) and data security concerns (55.4%).

A firm with fewer than 25 employees is three times less likely to have adopted AI (23.9%) compared to a firm with over 500 employees (76.4%), indicating a widening adoption gap that smaller businesses must address.

Tip: SMEs can tap on the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package (EWTP) for job redesign and reskilling support, and encourage staff to take up subsidised AI courses — the Government provides six months of complimentary premium AI tool access for those who complete selected courses.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0430-adoption-of-ai-among-firms

SWDA Bill Introduced: What Singapore SMEs Need to Know About the New Skills and Workforce Development Agency

lumen.insights.sg — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:01:51 +0000

SWDA Bill Introduced: What Singapore SMEs Need to Know About the New Skills and Workforce Development Agency

All Singapore employers — from SMEs to large enterprises — should take note of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) Bill introduced in Parliament on 8 April 2026, which establishes a single agency merging SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore to deliver integrated jobs and skills support.

Employers gain a single touchpoint for workforce development — SWDA will combine skills intelligence with labour market data, giving businesses clearer insights to adapt faster to changing needs. The agency will support job redesign, workforce transformation, and capability development as business models continue to shift.
Enhanced partnership with the training and employment ecosystem — SWDA will raise quality standards among training and career service providers, spur innovation, and foster collaboration. Employers can expect more relevant, timely training programmes to groom and access the talent they need.

For senior workers whom SMEs may wish to retain, SWDA will develop and scale solutions supporting longer, multi-stage careers — including fractional and flexible work arrangements.

Tip: Review your company's training and workforce development plans now — SWDA's integrated approach means your SME may benefit from consolidated career guidance, skills training, and job matching support under one roof, making it easier to upskill existing staff rather than hire externally.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0505-factsheet-on-swda

Singapore SMEs: SWDA Now Your Single Touchpoint for Workforce Training and Support

lumen.insights.sg — Thu, 21 May 2026 08:36:54 +0000

Singapore SMEs: SWDA Now Your Single Touchpoint for Workforce Training and Support

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) is now the central agency for Singapore SMEs seeking training support, job matching, and workforce transformation assistance.

SMEs must register for Multinational Enterprise Top-up Tax and Domestic Top-up Tax compliance if applicable, using SWDA's enhanced data services to identify skills gaps in their workforce before onboarding government training subsidies.
SMEs accessing workforce transformation support must engage SWDA's job redesign programmes and submit workforce plans through the single touchpoint, replacing the previous dual-channel process via SSG and WSG.

Newly incorporated SMEs or those with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from the top-up tax registration requirement but remain eligible for SWDA's career guidance and training subsidies designed to help small teams upskill without disrupting operations.

Tip: Register your company's skills inventory on the SWDA portal before applying for training grants — the combined SSG-WSG data matching can surface subsidised courses your employees qualify for automatically.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0505-factsheet-on-swda