{
  "id": 18067825,
  "title": "Work permit holders increase by 10,900, but S Pass, EP holders decline by 900 each in Q2: Jasmin Lau",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/work-permit-holders-increase-by-10-900-but-s-pass-ep-holders-decline",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-04T04:44:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Singapore",
    "slug": "the-business-times-singapore",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/work-permit-holders-increase-10900-s-pass-ep-holders-decline-900-each-q2-jasmin-lau"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Q2 2026, Singapore saw a 10,900 increase in work permit holders, excluding migrant domestic workers, while S Pass and Employment Pass holders each experienced a decline of 900, according to Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau. The declines in S Pass and EP holders were primarily observed in professional services, financial services, and information and communications sectors. However, resident employment in these sectors saw an increase, particularly in administrative and support services, which includes security, cleaning, recruitment, and office support services.\n\nConversely, resident employment fell in the broader administrative and support services sector, but this decline was mainly due to employment placement and recruitment services. Lau clarified that since the movements of residents and non-residents were concentrated in different subsectors, the data from the second quarter does not indicate that S Pass and EP holders were displacing residents.",
  "summary": "Current data does not suggest that S Pass and Employment Pass holders are displacing residents, she says",
  "key_points": [
    "Work permit holders increased by 10,900 in Q2 2026.",
    "S Pass and EP holders each declined by 900 in Q2 2026.",
    "Resident employment in administrative services increased."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}