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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on Singaporeans working in embassies in Singapore

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1282 OF 2018 FOR THE SITTING ON 6 AUGUST

QUESTION NO. 942 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: MS TIN PEI LING

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether Singaporeans working in foreign diplomatic missions or embassies in Singapore are covered by the Employment Act; (b) whether Singaporeans working in such a setting can access the Employment Claims Tribunal; and (c) what support may be available to them when there are employment-related grievances.

Answer

  1. Singaporeans working in foreign diplomatic missions or embassies in Singapore continue to be covered under the Employment Act and have access to the Employment Claims Tribunals.
  2. We expect all employers to act in accordance with Singapore laws and regulations, and will take firm action to enforce compliance where there are breaches. While Singapore’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations may not allow us to apply the same range of measures to foreign diplomatic missions and embassies here, we will not hesitate to seek compliance through diplomatic efforts.
  3. Singaporeans working in such organizations can also approach the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management for assistance, such as mediation and advisory services, for employment-related disputes.