Singapore Employment Laws

In this section you will find an overview of the employment laws in Singapore as well as web resources for easy reference and training courses for practical application.

• General Employment Laws
• Employment of Foreigners
• Industrial Relations and Trade Unions
• Workplace and Occupational Safety

1. General Employment Laws

The Employment Act

Sets out the rights and conditions of employment for all employees excluding except managerial, executive and confidential employees, domestic workers, seamen and Government employees.

• Virtual HR: Employment Act Training In this class you will learn how to practically interpret and apply the act in real life employment conflicts from one of its pioneers.
• Ministry of Manpower: Employment Rights & Conditions Here you can find a simple explanation of the different sections of the Employment Act.
• Ministry of Manpower: Employment Legislation Here you can find the actual statues of the various Employment laws. Besides, the main body of the Employment Act, you can also read the acts governing Part-Time Employees, Children and Young Persons, as well as Female Workmen.
• The Law Society of Singapore: Employment Law Here is a summary of the entire Employment Act

Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 1996

Sets out the rights and conditions of employment for part-timers i.e. employees who work less than 30 hours a week.

• Ministry of Manpower: Part-time Employment This page covers the sections of the Part-Time Regulations. Importantly, it describes how to statutorily pro-rate benefits for Part-Timers.

Retirement and Re-employment Act (RRA)

Replaces the original Retirement Act . The original act sets out the terms of mandatory retirement at age 62. The new act requires employers to rehire employees older than 62 but younger than 65 who are able and willing to continue working. It also sets out the conditions of this re-employment.

• Minister for Manpower’s Speech Outlining the RRA Here is the rationale behind and content of the Retirement and Re-employment Act.
• Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees Here you will find the official employers, national union and labour ministry joint guidelines on application of the RRA.

Central Provident Fund Act

This sets out the regulations governing contribution to and use of the Central Provident Fund (CPF).

• CPF Board: Employers’ Guide to CPF This lays out your CPF obligations as an employer.
• CPF Board: Other CPF Schemes & Services Here is a description of the different ways an employee can use his CPF and the different CPF services for employees.
• CPF Board: CPF Contribution This outlines the various CPF contribution rates.

Skills Development Levy Act

This sets out regulations governing contributions to and use of the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

• SDF EasyNet: Skills Development Fund This is a short and simple explanation of the Skill Development Levy and the SDF.
• Workforce Development Authority: Skills Development Levy FAQs Here are the FAQs on the SDF from the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), which administers the fund.

2. Employment of Foreigners

Employment of Foreign Manpower Act / Immigration Act

These regulations govern the issuance of work passes for the employment of foreigners.

• Virtual HR: Immigration Service We can help to advise your employees on immigration requirements, apply for work passes and facilitate collection. 
• Ministry of Manpower: Passes & Visas This section of the Ministry of Manpower site is entirely devoted to the different classes of work passes including their eligibility criteria.
• Ministry of Manpower: Employment Pass Forms Here are the various official forms for employment pass applications.

Employment of Foreign Workers (Levy Order) / Employment of Foreign Workers (Fees) Regulation

These regulations governs the criteria and rates of the Foreign Worker Levy (FWL).

• Ministry of Manpower: Levies & quotas for hiring Foreign Workers This section of the Ministry of Manpower site lays out the levy rates for foreign workers.
• Ministry of Manpower: Calculation of Foreign Worker Quotas This sets out how the foreign worker quota is calculated and includes a link to a quota calculator.
• Ministry of Manpower: Employment of Foreign Workers (Levy Order) A copy of the legislation setting out the FWL.

3. Industrial Relations and Trade Unions

Industrial Relations Act / Trade Unions Act / Trade Disputes Act / Singapore Labour Foundation Act

These regulations govern trade union activity in Singapore, including but not limited to the scope of trade union activity, the conditions for the carrying out of collective bargaining and strikes as well as the settlement of labour disputes.

• Virtual HR: Industrial Relations Act and Related Laws This workshop will train you on understanding the industrial relations laws in Singapore as well as practical handling of trade unions at your company. The course is taught by Mr Chia Boon Cher a former Registrar of Trade Unions.
• International Labour Organization: Industrial Relations Legislation Singapore A listing and brief description of the various industrial relations statutes in Singapore.
• Industrial Arbitration Court: Industrial Relations Act Forms The various legal filings and official forms relating to collective bargaining as set out in the Industrial Relations Act.
• Ministry of Manpower: Employee Trade Unions A listing of the existing employee labour organizations in Singapore.
• Ministry of Manpower: Trade Union Forms The official forms for trade union administration.

4. Workplace and Occupational Safety

Workplace Safety and Health Act

This provides the legal framework for occupational safety and health. Unlike its predecessor the Factories Act, the Workplace Safety and Health Act applies to all workplaces in Singapore including corporate offices.

• Ministry of Manpower: The Workplace Safety & Health Act: What it covers This offers a brief summary of the Workplace Safety and Health Act including the industries covered and the responsibilities of employers and employees.
• Workplace Safety and Health Council: Guidelines Here are the various guidelines for application of the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA)

This provides the legal framework for the assessment and procedures of compensation for workplace injuries and occupational diseases. WICA replaced the Workmen’s Compensation Act on 1 April 2008 and covers all incidents in the course of duty that occurred after it came into effect. Unlike its predecessor, WICA covers all workers including professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs).

• Virtual HR: Work Injury Compensation Act & its Application This workshop lays out in terms of practical policies and actions your rights as an employee and responsibilities as employer in terms of Work Injury Compensation. Actual case studies will be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the various measures, drawing upon Mr Chia Boon Cher’s experience as a former Labour Inspectorate Enforcement Officer.
• The Law Society of Singapore: Work Injury Compensation Act Here is an abridged version of WICA.
• Ministry of Manpower: A guide to the Work Injury Compensation Benefits and Claims Process MOM’s guide with FAQs on WICA and outlines on how to assess the benefits payable and the procedures for claiming compensation under WICA.
• Ministry of Manpower: Incident Reporting This section outlines the steps for reporting workplace incidents.
   

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