Effective July 1, 2016, S Pass holders across all industries and Work Permit holders (R2 category) in the services and construction industries will be subject to higher levy.

New Levy Rates

The new levy rates are as follows:

• S Pass holders in the basic tier: To increase to SGD 330 from SGD 315;
• S Pass holders in the second tier: To increase to SGD 650 from SGD 550;
• Work Permit holders (R2 category) in the basic tier of the services sector: To increase to SGD 450 from SGD 420;
• Work Permit holders (R2 category) in Tier 2 of the services sector: To increase to SGD 600 from SGD 550;
• Work Permit holders (R2 category) in Tier 3 of the services sector: To increase to SGD 800 from SGD 700; and
• Work Permit holders (R2 category) in the basic tier of the construction sector: To increase to SGD 650 from SGD 550, and to SGD 700 on July 1, 2017.

Work Permit holders in the marine, processes and manufacturing industries will be exempt from the increased levy until July 2017 due to a low number of foreign workers in these industries.

What This Means for Employers

Employers in the affected industries should plan for the increased levy in their budgets.

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