The Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Overview, Divisions, and Key Functions

Introduction

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is best known for Employment Pass (EP), EntrePass, and other work visa applications. Beyond this, MOM oversees a broad range of responsibilities related to labour, workforce policies, and manpower development in Singapore.

The ministry plays a central role in ensuring that Singapore remains a fair, safe, and competitive place to work. It shapes policies that enhance employment standards, promote workforce upskilling, and safeguard employee welfare.

MOM also oversees three statutory boards that are vital to Singapore’s manpower system:

• Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board
• Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF)
• Workforce Singapore (WSG)

These statutory boards work together to strengthen employment resilience, support skills development, and ensure that Singapore’s workforce remains future-ready in an evolving global economy.

History of the Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower is one of Singapore’s 16 government ministries, and among the most critical in supporting the nation’s socio-economic stability. It manages labour matters, workforce development, and the implementation of manpower-related policies across both public and private sectors.

Originally established in 1963, the ministry was formerly known as the Ministry of Labour, a name it retained until 1998. The change to “Ministry of Manpower” reflected Singapore’s evolving economic priorities, shifting from basic labour administration to a more strategic focus on human capital development and workforce competitiveness.

Since its formation, MOM has played a pivotal role in raising living standards, ensuring workplace safety, and promoting fair employment practices.

Singapore’s unemployment rate consistently remains low, around 2.1%, one of the lowest globally. This is a reflection of the ministry’s effective labour policies and its strong partnership with industries, unions, and educational institutions.

The ministry’s headquarters are located at 18 Havelock Road, Singapore. As of 2018, MOM employed approximately 2,239 staff and had an estimated annual budget of about S$1.98 billion.

The current Minister for Manpower is Dr. Tan See Leng, who oversees policy direction and strategic workforce initiatives.

In recent years, MOM has intensified its focus on areas such as digital workforce transformation, foreign worker management, and retirement adequacy, ensuring Singapore’s workforce policies remain progressive and globally competitive.

Divisions under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

There are 15 divisions and 3 child agencies which MOM oversees. Each division plays a specialized role in managing employment, workforce planning, and regulation. Among the most important of MOM’s divisions are:

• Corporate Planning Department – oversees the ministry’s strategic direction and long-term workforce planning
• Human Resource Department – manages staffing, talent development, and internal workforce training within MOM
• International Manpower Division – coordinates foreign labour policies and global manpower collaborations
• Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHD) – promotes workplace safety standards and enforces occupational health regulations
• Work Pass Division – manages issuance and renewal of Employment Passes, S Passes, and other foreign work permits

Other divisions include the Fair and Progressive Employment Practices Office, which works with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) to ensure non-discriminatory hiring and equal opportunity for all workers.

The Three Statutory Boards under MOM

MOM oversees three main statutory boards, each performing a vital role in Singapore’s labour and employment ecosystem:

1. Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board
2. Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF)
3. Workforce Singapore (WSG)

Central Provident Fund Board

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board is responsible for managing Singapore’s national social security savings scheme. The CPF ensures that Singaporeans have financial security throughout their retirement years.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administers CPF savings accounts for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents
• Manages schemes such as:
  • MediSave – for medical expenses and health insurance
  • Special Account – for retirement savings and approved investments
  • Ordinary Account – for housing, education, investment, and CPF insurance
  • Workfare Income Supplement and Skills Development Levy programs

Both employers and employees contribute monthly to CPF accounts, fostering a sustainable system of retirement, healthcare, and housing funding.

Governance:

• The current Chairman of the CPF Board is Ms. Yong Ying-I.
• CPF also supports government initiatives such as Silver Support and CPF LIFE, helping Singaporeans manage long-term retirement adequacy.
• The CPF Board continues to expand digital services, enabling members to manage accounts online through the CPG Mobile App, and simplifying employer contributions via CPF EZPay.

Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF)

Established in 1977, the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) promotes the welfare and well-being of trade union members in Singapore.

Primary Roles:

• Oversees Singapore’s trade unions and ensures their proper functioning
• Works closely with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to enhance worker welfare
• Funds a range of social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities for union members
• Provides financial support and welfare schemes for lower-income members

SLF’s main funding sources include returns from investments, co-operatives, and union contributions.

Governance:

• The current Chairman is Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Gan Kim Yong in June 2018.
• SLF has also modernised its outreach by investing in digital upskilling programs for union members and supporting NTUC’s #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations initiative, which is aimed at strengthening worker representation in a changing economy.

Workforce Singapore

Workforce Singapore (WSG) is the third statutory board under MOM. It focuses on enhancing employment outcomes and career readiness among Singaporeans.

Originally established as the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in 2003, it was renamed WSG in 2016.

Core Objectives:

• Help individuals achieve career goals through training and job placement
• Support companies in talent development and manpower planning
• Improve Singapore’s overall labour productivity and employability

WSG works closely with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), which is another statutory board under the Ministry of Education, to align training and career progression initiatives.

Support Programs Include:

• Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) – helps mid-career individuals switch industries
• SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways – offers short-term attachments and job placements
• Adapt and Grow Initiative – assists worker in finding new employment after retrenchment

Governance:

• The current Chairman is Mr. Lim Ming Yan
• WSG also collaborates with employers through industry transformation maps (ITMs), ensuring manpower development aligns with Singapore’s long-term economic strategy.

Therefore, all these grants, assistance, funding, programs, and initiatives serve as major boons to those who may benefit from them, thus leading to the general improvement of Singapore’s workforce.

MOM eServices

To improve efficiency and accessibility, MOM provides a wide range of online eServices for individuals, employers, and employment agencies.

Popular MOM eServices Include:

• Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applications and renewals
• Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) – to check eligibility for EP or S Pass
• Foreign worker levy payment and tracking
• Training records verification for workers
• CorpPass registration, the mandatory login credential for all business-related transactions since September 1, 2018

These digital services simplify workforce administration, reduce paperwork, and improve processing time.

In line with Singapore’s Smart Nation drive, MOM is enhancing its digital services through AI-powered chatbots and secure digital signatures, allowing faster approvals and real-time support for employers and employees.

MOM’s Ongoing Impact on Singapore’s Workforce

Through its various departments and statutory boards, MOM continues to:

• Maintain one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates
• Promote fair and inclusive employment practices
• Support continuous skills development and training
• Uphold safe, heathy, and progressive workplaces
• Enable a sustainable balance between local and foreign manpower

MOM’s strategic initiatives contribute directly to Singapore’s vision of becoming a future-ready economy powered by skilled, adaptable, and resilient workers.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Manpower plays a vital role in maintaining Singapore’s global reputation as a fair, safe, and forward-looking place to work and do business.

From the Employment Pass to its various workforce development programmes, MOM continues to strengthen the nation’s labour landscape. Its initiatives empower both employers and employees to thrive in a competitive economy while upholding the principles of inclusivity, fairness, and growth.

As Singapore continues adapting to technological and economic changes, the MOM remains a cornerstone of the nation’s success — ensuring that every worker, local or foreign, has the opportunity to contribute to a stronger, more resilient workforce.