Public Policy

Since APSCo Asia was formed in 2013, we have developed strong relationships the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) – an approach we aim to replicate with stakeholders across South East Asia.

APSCo Asia is recognised as a trusted badge of quality, due to all members passing through a referencing process, and committing to a strict code of conduct. As a result, the MoM recognises the value of APSCo membership and our relationship continues to evolve, led by our APSCo Asia Representative Committee Chairs, Christina Ng and Kathryn Woof, who are in regular contact with regard to issues affecting the recruitment sector. As a result, MoM regularly seeks input from APSCo and speak at member meetings to answer questions and update us on current and upcoming legislation changes.

Tania Bowers

Global Public Policy Director

Tania is the Global Public Policy Director. She is a solicitor who has worked exclusively in the professional staffing sector since 1999, joining APSCo in 2016.

As Global Public Policy Director Tania represents our members’ interests in meetings and communications with Government departments, ministers, MPs and other interested stakeholders. She is responsible for APSCo’s public affairs activity on a global basis representing APSCo members’ views to governments and contributing to the debate on the future of the global professional labour market.

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Key Themes

Singapore has long led the way in technological innovation and change, and it’s current industrial strategy ensures it is a hub for new technologies to meet the challenges of Net Zero and AI advancements.

That brings with it a need for an expert, technically skilled workforce, and labour challenges are remarkably consistent across the world’s developed economies:

A surge in demand for talent
Skills shortages across the professional sectors supported by APSCo members, wherever they are located
Focus by Government and business on skills training, up and re-skilling and keeping workers in the labour market; and
Increased government interest in legislation to manage flexible labour and its supply chains, both to protect individuals’ worker rights and to increase taxation receipts.

Singapore is unique for a number of reasons. It has made very significant public investment in improving the skills and opportunities of Singaporean citizens, with a local first approach and specific initiatives targeting mid-life career switchers. This has been done together while introducing a new immigration system, COMPASS, to improve transparency and attract higher-level immigration.

Globally, to address challenges faced in APSCo's markets, our Public Policy approach has 4 key themes:

Promoting the benefits of a professional recruitment market and differentiating it from the traditional employment agency market with its focus on lower-skilled dependent labour.
Encouraging policies to maximise “Access to Skills and Talent” and a Global Flexible Labour Market.
Promoting compliant, efficient supply chain management, driving up productivity and providing end-clients with the technically skilled, expert workforce they require.
Promoting policies to encourage inclusive, diverse employers and workplaces, fit for the demands of the modern, evolving workforce.

Download our latest Public Policy briefing here.