Written Answer to PQ on Protections for Fixed Term Contract Workers

NOTICE PAPER NO. 205 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 5 NOVEMBER 2025
QUESTION NO. 753 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will review existing manpower policies to better protect workers who are employed full-time under fixed-term service contracts rather than as freelancers.

Answer:

1. Employees under a contract of service, including those on fixed-term contracts, have set working conditions as agreed with their employers in their employment contract. They are also protected under employment legislation such as the Employment Act, CPF Act, and Work Injury Compensation Act. The Ministry of Manpower regularly reviews these protections, such as the ongoing tripartite review of the Employment Act. Conversely, freelancers under a contract for service have greater autonomy in determining their working conditions, but are not accorded the same legislative protections.

2. In reviewing our employment protections, MOM works with tripartite partners to study the needs of different groups of workers including those on fixed-term contracts. MOM will continue to monitor the needs of our workforce to ensure that workers receive the support that they need.