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Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on COVID-19 Tripartite Advisories

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1026 OF 2022 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 9 MARCH 2022

QUESTION NO. 1637 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether and, if so, what penalties will be imposed on employers who fail to comply with the Ministry’s “Advisory on work and leave arrangements for employees who test positive for COVID-19 but are mildly symptomatic or physically well” updated on 5 January 2022, such as requiring employees under this category to submit a medical certificate or going on unpaid leave; and (b) what remedies are available to such employees.

Answer

  1. Tripartite advisories are issued by the tripartite partners to guide employers on implementing employment practices in a fair and responsible manner. They are issued after careful consideration of the interests of both employers and employees.
  2. Employers are expected to follow the positions set out in the advisories. If any employer deviates from the advisory without good reason, employees may approach the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for assistance. MOM will verify the facts with the employers and advise them to follow the advisory. Thus far, MOM has not encountered any employer who wilfully refuses to conform after being told of the advisory. Should this happen, MOM will suspend the work pass privileges of the employer.