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MOM Calls for Public Feedback on Employment Claims Tribunal

Employment practices
  1. The Ministry of Manpower invites members of the public to give feedback on the proposed Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT).

    Background
  2. Currently, the Labour Court1 provides adjudication services to resolve salary-related claims between employers and employees covered under the Employment Act2. However, those who are not covered by the Employment Act (including Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) earning more than $4,500/month) would have to file their claims with the civil courts. The process of filing claims with the civil courts can be lengthy and costly.
  3. To provide a more accessible system that can resolve salary-related claims more quickly for all employees, MOM announced plans in 2014 to set up an ECT. In consultation with the Ministry of Law, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the State Courts and the tripartite partners (the National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation), we propose that the ECT be established as a Tribunal under the State Courts, similar to the Small Claims Tribunal. The ECT will take over the work of the current Labour Court in adjudicating salary-related claims.

    Call for Public Feedback
  4. Details of the proposal can be found in the public consultation document on the REACH website over the next four weeks (25 February to 23 March 2016).
  5. MOM welcomes all feedback related to the establishment of the ECT. You can send your feedback to:

    Employment Claims Tribunal Public Consultation
    Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
    18 Havelock Road, #06-02
    Singapore 059764
    mom_consultations@mom.gov.sg

FOOTNOTE

  1. For employees covered by the Employment Act, the Commissioner for Labour can inquire into and decide on a salary-related claim, and may then make an order to pay a certain sum of money. This dispute resolution structure is colloquially referred to as the Labour Court.
  2. The Employment Act stipulates the rights and obligations of employers and employees. It provides for basic employment benefits such as salary protection, minimum employment terms and dispute resolution. All employees on a contract of service are covered by the Act except PMEs earning above $4,500/month, domestic workers, public servants and seafarers.