Statistics on Enforcement Actions against Employers for Compelling Work Permit Holders to Work on Rest Days without Prior Written Agreement between 2016 and 2020

3 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower for each year between 2016 and 2020, how many and what percentage of employers of work permit holders have been (i) investigated (ii) issued with warnings (iii) issued with composition fines (iv) charged or (v) convicted, for compelling their workers to work on their rest days without prior written agreement.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Member should be aware that there is no legal requirement that consent for work on rest day must be given in writing. However, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) advises that if work on a rest day is routinely scheduled, such agreement should be captured in writing to avoid disputes. Workers are entitled to withdraw consent any time.

Between 2016 and 2021, MOM received an average of 20 complaints each year involving work permit holders against employers for not providing one rest day a week. Employers were issued with advisories, warnings or composition fines in most instances and follow up inspections were conducted if necessary. All employers, many of whom were first time SME employers, rectified their employment practices promptly after MOM intervened.