Written Answer to PQ on Fixed-Term Contract Trends

NOTICE PAPER NO. 850 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON 05 MAY 2026
QUESTION NO. 2258 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari

To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of the 2025 data showing a rise in the share of fixed-term contracts of less than one year (a) whether the Ministry has studied the industries driving this trend; and (b) whether this shift reflects a move toward 'just-in-time' hiring that may undermine workers' CPF contributions, housing loan eligibility, and career advancement.

Answer:

The Ministry has observed only a slight increase in fixed term contracts of less than one year among resident employees from 1.6% in 2024 to 1.7% in 2025. This was largely driven by sectors such as Accommodation and Food Services, where short-term and seasonal hiring is common.

2. Over the past decade, the share of such contracts has remained low and on a general downward trend, with permanent employment continuing to account for over nine in ten resident employees. Taken together, the data do not point to a broad shift towards ‘just-in-time’ hiring that would undermine workers’ longer-term employment outcomes.