Looking for something else besides a short-term visit pass for live performance might be the implementation of this law.
Revised R1 Framework For Process Sectors
From January 1, 2026, skills must be enhanced for R1 status and lower levies for process sector workers.
For currently employed workers, they need to fulfill criteria that require them to pass by December 31, 2025.
New hires will have to comply with the enhancement criteria as of this moment.
This encompasses having already completed certain compulsory health and safety training like OPSOC and work-specific training programs.
The aim is to enhance the skills of the workforce system in petrochemical plants.
Age Adjustments And Durations
It was at the Retirement Age Reform Party that the age limit for work permits was adjusted.
The maximum applicable is now 61, predominantly for new applicants but perhaps from mid-2025 to become fully active in 2026.
The upper limit for working age ranks up to 63, with the possibility of being extended up to 64, considering Singapore’s new retirement age.
Endless renewals are granted for indefinite duration so long as health and skills criteria are met.
This will gradually alleviate a temporary shortage in manpower supply for the employers.
An Overview Of Levy Rates And Quotas
The categories and ascending order of three-tier levy rates are preserved across skills and sourcing countries.
Here’s a table of current monthly levy rates for the process sector:
| Source / Tier | Higher-Skilled (R1) | Basic-Skilled (R2) |
|---|---|---|
| NTS (e.g., India, Bangladesh) | $300 | $650 |
| Malaysia, NAS, PRC | $200 | $450 |
Key Approved Occupations In Process Sector
Understanding chosen jobs, an applicant would have an idea:
- Electrical and instrumentation works
- General fitting
- Machine fitting
- Metal Scaffolding
- Painting and blasting
- Plant civil works
- Plant machinery fitting
- Process piping
- Refractory
- Rigging and material handling
- Rotating equipment fitment
- Thermal insulation
- Welding
… The focus is on maintenance instead of manufacturing.
Employers And Workers Issues
On account of this, the employers could retain its experienced workers with no caps on tenures which is pretty flexible.
The length in which workers remain at a particular job is longer and the ladder of skill becomes clearer.
That said, training needs to be put in place to meet the R1 Standards.
MOM strongly recommends early submissions to prevent any possible impact on productivity.
It is to build a strong economy because these regulations are targeted primarily at that.
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