Written Answer to PQ on Work Permits cancellations with breakdown

NOTICE PAPER NO. 577 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON 3 MARCH 2026
QUESTION NO. 1171 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Dr Hamid Razak

To ask the Minister for Manpower in each of the last five years (a) how many work permit holders have been terminated by their employers within six months of commencement of employment, with a breakdown by sector and primary reason for termination; and (b) whether the Ministry tracks patterns indicative of premature attrition.

Answer:

The proportion of Work Permits (WPs), excluding migrant domestic workers, that were cancelled within the first six months of WP issuance or renewal between 2021 and 2025 and broken down by sector, is shown in the table below. The primary reason for WP cancellation is the termination of employment. We do not collect data on specific reasons for termination of employment, although commonly cited reasons include unsuitability of workers or the need to return home for personal reasons.