Number of Work Permit Holders Not Issued with Key Employment Terms from 2016 to 2019
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang’s inquiry regarding the number of work permit holders not issued Key Employment Terms (KETs) from 2016 to 2019. Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo stated that a 2019 survey found 98% of employees received written KETs, noting that non-compliant employers face administrative fines of up to $400. She highlighted that work permit holders remain protected by salaries declared in In-Principle Approval letters and statutory benefits under the Employment Act. Furthermore, tribunals draw adverse inferences against employers failing to issue KETs, and the Ministry continues to strengthen enforcement through the WorkRight initiative. Legislative requirements are also promoted via mass media and targeted outreach to ensure that both employers and workers understand their employment rights.
Transcript
5 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many work permit holders have not been issued with Key Employment Terms in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively; and (b) whether the Ministry will start collecting such data if it does not currently do so.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Under the Employment Act, employers are required to issue Key Employment Terms (KETs) in writing to all employees within 14 days from the start of employment. Employers who fail to issue KETs or issue an incomplete set of KETs may be subject to an administrative penalty of a fine up to $400 for each breach. Uncooperative employers will also be directed to rectify the breaches and failure to abide by the direction will be a criminal offence.
A 2019 survey by MOM found that 98% of employees worked in private establishments that issued written KETs. This is consistent with our enforcement findings.
The Ministry also ensures that the employment rights of workers are protected even if they are not given KETs by their employers. For work permit holders, employers will be required to pay minimally the salary that was declared in the In-Principle Approval letter and provide the statutory benefits as prescribed under the Employment Act. In resolving disputes, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management and the Employment Claims Tribunals will draw adverse inference against employers who do not comply with our employment laws, such as failing to issue complete KETs in writing. MOM will continue to strengthen our enforcement and education of legislative requirements for KETs through mass media, WorkRight initiatives and targeted outreach to employers and workers.