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MTI statement in response to media queries on CECA

27 August 2020

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To be attributed to an MTI Spokesperson

1. Singaporeans are understandably concerned with competition from foreign Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) amidst the challenging economic and employment situation. 

2. However, it is misleading to attribute the number of Indian PMEs, especially Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT), solely or mainly to CECA.

3. It is not true that under CECA, Indian nationals can come to Singapore and become Permanent Residents (PRs) and citizens.  There is no such provision in CECA.

4. It is also not true that CECA requires Singapore to automatically grant employment passes (EPs) to PMEs from India wanting to work here.  None of our FTAs, including CECA, obliges us to automatically grant EPs to any foreign nationals.  All foreign nationals applying for EP must meet our prevailing criteria, and all companies must comply with rules on fair hiring.

5. Anyone seeking to enter Singapore as ICTs under CECA or any other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) must meet our prevailing work pass rules.  ICTs in Singapore have consistently been at below 5% of all EP holders in Singapore, and they come from a wide range of different source countries, with Indian nationals constituting only a small segment.

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