Restricting foreign labour further could damage Singapore's reputation as an open economy, several foreign chambers of commerce said last Thursday in an open letter to Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan Jin.

"Singapore's openness to foreign labour has enabled it to attract, retain and absorb the best of foreign talent providing it with a clear competitive advantage over its neighbours," said Mr Graham Lee, president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

"While Singapore continues to attract significant foreign investment we nevertheless fear current implementation of revised labour policy risks negatively impacting Singapore's economy and reputation as an open economy."

Mr Lee was also speaking on behalf of several national chambers of commerce in Singapore, including the American Chamber of Commerce, British Chamber of Commerce and EuroCham.