Work Permit holders up 10,900 in Q2 while S Pass and EP numbers each fall by 900

Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau told Parliament on 4 November that non-resident employment rose by a net 9,200 in the second quarter of 2026, driven by 10,900 more Work Permit holders (excluding migrant domestic workers), while S Pass and Employment Pass holders each fell by 900. She said the S Pass and EP declines were mostly in professional services, finance and infocomm, where resident employment grew, and that the Q2 data does not suggest residents are being displaced by these pass holders.