The Complementarity Assessment (COMPASS) Framework: Everything You Need To Know About It

The Ministry of Manpower has announced a new point-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) to assess foreign candidates’ eligibility for the Singapore Employment Pass (EP). The transparent points-based system provides businesses with greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning. It also enables employers to select high-quality foreign professionals, while improving workforce diversity and building a strong local core.

From 1 September 2023 onwards , candidates will need to pass a 2-stage eligibility framework EP Qualifying Salary and Compass Framework.

What is the Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS)?

The Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is a point-based framework that will take into consideration the quality of foreign professionals and the workforce diversity in the applied company. Through this framework, MOM aims to enhance the quality of foreign professionals hired in Singapore, improve workforce diversity, and build a strong Singaporean core.

Currently, MOM assesses new EP applicants in Singapore based on their hired salary, the company’s business activity, and the applicant’s background, including experience and education qualifications. Once implemented, COMPASS will require new and renewing applicants to meet the existing EP criteria and score at least 40 points in the COMPASS point-based assessment to qualify for an EP.

How to pass COMPASS?

In order to pass COMPASS your application will need to earn 40 Points. There are 2 types of criterias to earn 40 points, they are Foundation Criteria and Bonus Criteria.

Foundation Criteria can earn up to 20 points per criterion and Bonus Criteria can earn up to 20 points for Skill Bonus & 10 points respectively for Economic Priorities bonus.

How can I calculate my organisation percentile and local PMET share?

The higher the percentage of local PMET employees, the higher the organization’s percentile will be. To calculate your organisation’s local PMET share, take the number of local PMET employees and divide it by the total number of PMET employees.

FOUNDATION CRITERIA

C1: Salary

This criterion benchmarks your salary against the local PMET salaries in your sector. So, It is different from the EP qualifying salary, which is the minimum bar that candidates need to pass to obtain an EP.

You can earn up to 20 points from achieving this criteria.

How can I earn points?

You can find out more about updated salary benchmarks through this MOM portal.

C2: Qualifications

C3: Diversity

This criterion awards more points to applications where the candidate’s nationality forms a small share of the firm’s PMET employees.
If your organization employs:

• Less than 25 PMETs, your application will score 10 points by default.
• At least 25 PMETs, your points will depend on the share of your candidate’s nationality among your organization’s PMETs.

This criterion recognises organizations that create opportunities for the local workforce and build complementary teams comprising both local and foreign professionals.

C4: Support for Local Employment

This criterion recognises organizations that create opportunities for the local workforce and build complementary teams comprising both local and foreign professionals.

BONUS CRITERIA

C1: Skills Bonus (Short Occupation List)

This bonus recognises jobs that require highly specialized skills, which are in shortage in the local workforce. The Short Occupation List (SOL) is determined by a robust evaluation process that takes into account industry needs and local workforce development efforts.

To obtain the C5. Skills bonus:

• Your candidate needs to perform the job duties listed for the specific shortage occupation.
• You need to select one of the eligible job titles in your EP application.
• Your candidate needs to meet checks on additional job requirements if they fall into either of these categories:
• They need the SOL bonus points to pass COMPASS.
• They are applying for a 5-year duration EP for a specific tech occupation on the SOL.

Redeployment to another occupation

Candidates who need SOL bonus points to pass COMPASS or obtain a longer duration EP can only be employed in the specific shortage occupation. This will be clearly stated in the in-principle approval (IPA) letter’s “Important” note.

If they need to be redeployed to a different job, we will need to reassess if the candidate qualifies for an EP in the new job. You should notify MOM first, and we will then advise you on the next steps.

Candidates who did not need SOL bonus points to pass COMPASS are not subjected to this restriction, but will still need to notify MOM.

C2: Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) Bonus

This bonus recognises organizations that are either:

• Undertaking ambitious investment, innovation and internationalization activities in partnership with economic agencies
• Endorsed by National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as strong partners on company and workforce transformation activities

MOM will notify your organization if it has been awarded the SEP bonus and the points will be reflected in the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). You can get up to 10 points for this criteria.

Here’s the infographic detailing the COMPASS Employment Pass Eligibility Criteria in Singapore.

Exemptions from COMPASS

Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions:

• Have a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising exemption from 1 September 2023)
• Are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
• Are filling the role for 1 month or less

How To Be Prepared For Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS)?

While COMPASS may present challenges for applicants seeking an EP in Singapore, the point-based system aims to enhance the quality of foreign talent entering the country and strengthen Singapore’s aspiration to become Asia’s talent hub.

If you would like to know more about COMPASS or other information regarding the Singapore Employment Pass, do not hesitate to contact us at Paul Hype Page & Co and we would be more than happy to help you out with any information you need.