Employers Manipulate Training Passes for Cheaper Labor

In a shocking revelation, industry insiders have exposed a longstanding issue in Singapore where unscrupulous employers and agents are misusing the Training Employment Pass (TEP) to illegally recruit foreign workers for basic jobs like dishwashers. This controversial scheme has flourished due to its lack of levies or quotas, contrasting starkly with the more regulated work permits or S Passes meant for lower-skilled roles.

Alarming Reports of Abuse Surface

The TEP has recently come under fire, especially after a blog post by the advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) highlighted alarming testimonies from low-wage workers. Since December 2024, an increasing number of TEP holders have reported being paid less than promised, being forced to work before their passes were issued, and even misclassified as 'management executives' while performing menial tasks.

Ministry of Manpower Steps In

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has acknowledged receiving 120 reports of TEP abuse in 2025 alone, signaling a significant uptick in this problematic trend. While the ministry noted that around 6,800 TEPs have been approved annually over the past decade, it has intensified enforcement against employers circumventing regulations.

What Is the TEP Really For?

The TEP is designed for foreign students or trainees to obtain professional training for up to three months, with a minimum salary requirement of $3,000. This scheme primarily caters to students of recognized institutions or those earning in excess of this threshold.

Industry Experts Raise Concerns

Dr. David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, warns that some reliance on TEPs showcases the desperation of employers facing staffing shortages. While some may be unwittingly pulled into these schemes, others are blatantly exploiting the system for cheap labor. A concerning trend has emerged where private education institutions may serve as fronts for funneling workers into exploitative roles under the guise of training.

Misclassification and Manipulation Exposed

Former MOM prosecutor Jason Chua emphasizes the TEP’s intent for skilled roles, clarifying that it should not be confused with the Training Work Permit reserved for less skilled positions. This distinction further highlights the inappropriate use of the TEP for low-wage jobs that often lead to high turnover.

Voices of Victims

Ethan Guo, TWC2’s executive director, sheds light on the grim reality faced by TEP holders, who have reported being coerced into falsifying payslips or, in some instances, receiving no pay at all. Disturbingly, claims suggest workers have even been manipulated into signing pay documents they never saw!

Social Media Spotlights the Issue

The clandestine tactics used by those looking to exploit the TEP were thrust back into the limelight when a TikTok video resurfaced, promoting the supposed 'benefits' of this faulty scheme, including cost savings and the allure of subservient workers—an affront to labor rights.

The Call for Action

As the TEP continues to be manipulated for illicit gain, the conversation surrounding the treatment and rights of foreign workers in Singapore ignites urgent calls for reform. Awareness must be raised, not only to protect these vulnerable workers but to hold accountable those who profit from their exploitation.