In Parliament
Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Permanent Residents Hired as Drivers by Private Hire Car Operators
4 November 2019
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Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Transport
a. how many private hire car operators currently employ permanent residents (PRs) as private hire drivers;
b. what is the total number of PRs hired as such drivers with these operators; and
c. whether the companies are required to post job vacancies on the national Jobs Bank or with other recruitment entities to secure local drivers for the jobs.
Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:
1. Today, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) are eligible for a Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL). PRs are only eligible for a PDVL if they are employed by businesses offering chauffeured services. As of August 2019, the percentage of PDVL holders who are permanent residents is just over 5%.
2. The Ministry for Manpower (MOM) requires companies to post job vacancies on the national Jobs Bank before hiring Employment Pass holders. PRs do not need a work pass to work in Singapore.