Detecting Salary Non-payment Risks Early and Introducing Scalable Penalty Frameworks for Wage Offences under Employment Act

85 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what mechanisms does the Ministry have to detect early indicators of salary non-payment risk, including through electronic salary payment records for Work Permit holders; and (b) whether the Government will consider a scalable penalty structure for salary payment offences under Part III of the Employment Act, calibrated to total arrears, number of employees affected and extent of delay before restitution.

Ms Jasmin Lau: The Member may refer to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos 21 and 22 for the Sitting on 7 July 2026, which sets out the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) approach to detecting and following up on early indicators of salary non-payment risk. [Please refer to ​"Assessing Employment Practices and Financial Health of Related Entities as a Group and Identifying Warning Indicators Preceding Large-scale Unpaid Salary Cases", Official Report, 7 July 2026, Vol 96, Issue 32, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]

MOM adopts a calibrated enforcement framework where the penalty meted for unpaid salary will depend on the facts of each case and take into consideration factors, such as the number of employees affected, total quantum owed and aggravating factors, if any.