June 15, 2022

An important step in safeguarding workers against unfair and unlawful employment practices is for them to be aware of their rights under the Employment Act. Yet, in ‘New approach needed to protect young workers from exploitation’ (The Straits Times, June 2022), Dr Ong Qiyan (NUS Social Service Research Centre), Ms Evelyn Kok (NUS Social Service Research Centre), Associate Professor Irene Ng (NUS Department of Social Work and Social Service Research Centre), and Ms Sandy Chen (NUS Social Service Research Centre) found that many workers remain unaware of their rights.

The Employment Act covers leave entitlements, timely payment of salary, and statutory protection against most wrongful dismissal for most employees in Singapore. It also provides additional protection for lower-wage workers in terms of hours of work, rest, and overtime pay. In addition, The Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices sets standard guidelines which employers must follow.

However, in a study by the NUS Social Service Research Centre conducted using a mobile application called the Work-Life Tracker, the research team found that some workers were offered contracts that do not meet minimum standards under the Employment Act. Although the Employment Act entitles them to 14 days of sick leave a year, most were only given eight or fewer days.

In the study, around 180 participants with an average age of 29, answered weekly surveys for nine months. The team found that despite campaigns to raise awareness by the Ministry of Manpower since 2012, there is low awareness of the Employment Act among young, lower-wage workers. This is problematic since younger, lower-wage workers are more likely to be subject to exploitation. Therefore, organisations should do more to support the Employment Act by helping incoming employees understand their contracts and the associated terms before they sign up. Employment laws could also benefit from clearer language to reduce confusion.

Read the article here.