Can I pay my migrant workers less than the salary declared in the Work Permit application if they have worked less e.g. because they are paid on a piece rate?

No.

As an employer, you must pay your migrant workers the salary amount declared in the Work Permit application. This is to ensure that employers only bring in migrant workers when there is work, and that the welfare of workers is not compromised during periods of little or no work.

Not paying workers their salaries when there is little or no work may also lead to downstream social problems, as workers could turn to illegal employment or crime to make up for the loss in salary.

Any changes to a worker’s salary must only be done with written agreement and after informing MOM.