MOM is reviewing NTUC’s call for employers to give advance notice of retrenchments: Tan See Leng

[SINGAPORE] The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has proposed that employers should notify the government before retrenching workers – instead of after doing so – “in specific scenarios”, said Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday (Nov 4).

He was responding to Member of Parliament Patrick Tay, who asked if the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) would consider mandating this.

“MOM is currently reviewing the proposal with tripartite partners and will release more details when appropriate,” said Dr Tan.

Separately, Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru asked how many companies have failed to inform MOM before retrenching employees, and if “an online travel booking platform” was one.

This came in the wake of layoffs by online travel booking platform Agoda in August, including 50 employees in Singapore.

Dr Tan noted that employers are not required to notify the ministry before retrenching workers.

SEE ALSO

Agoda’s severance saga is a warning for tech employers

Agoda axes 50 Singapore staff; denies it warned affected staff against reporting to government agencies

He said Agoda had complied with the requirement that employers with 10 or more employees must notify MOM of retrenchments within five working days of informing affected employees.

The current requirements strike a balance between giving employers time to finalise decisions and collate information for submission, and allowing the prompt provision of career facilitation services and programmes to affected workers, said Dr Tan.

But he added: “Nonetheless, NTUC has proposed for the government to consider advance notification of retrenchment.”