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Oral Answer by Mr Zaqy Mohamad Minister of State for Manpower to PQ on Steps Taken to Ensure Work Pass Holders are Aware of COVID-19 Control Measures

Employment practices Foreign manpower Work passes and permits

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2003 OF 2020 FOR SITTING ON 18 FEBRUARY

QUESTION NO. 3494 FOR ORAL ANSWER

NMP: Assoc Prof Walter Theseira

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what steps have been taken to ensure that work pass holders are aware of the COVID-19 control measures and are empowered to report violations of such measures, particularly if violations are encouraged by errant employers; and (b) what has been done to ensure that work pass holders who face cancellation of their work passes due to violating Leave of Absence, Quarantine or other COVID-19 control measures have not done so under duress or misinformation from their employers. 

Answer

  1. MOM has been actively disseminating educational materials on COVID-19 control measures including the need to maintain good personal hygiene and on the Stay Home Notice (SHN), to employers and partners such as the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC). Many are available in the work pass holders’ native language and are available on MOM’s website. Employers have been encouraged to use these materials to do regular briefings to their workers. MOM has also asked employers to contact the work pass holders affected by the Leave of Absence (LOA)/SHN requirements and directly inform them of the measures. Dormitory operators have been displaying many of our posters in their premises. In addition, MOM has been sharing bite-size COVID-19 information to the foreign workers through our foreign worker ambassadors on a daily basis. Videos in various native languages have also been produced to explain the situation and control measures. Ground engagement with foreign workers has been further stepped up with the help of the MWC.
  2. As part of our control measures, since 9 Feb 2020, employers have to obtain MOM’s prior approval before the affected work pass holders can enter Singapore.  Employers have to send the MOM approval letter with the LOA or SHN requirements to their work pass holders before they commence their return.
  3. Work pass holders are aware they face cancellation of their work passes if they violate the COVID-19 control measures. Employers and employees have a joint duty to ensure that the employee behaves responsibly during the LOA/SHN. In cases where the work pass holders were asked to work during their LOA/SHN, they should not comply and instead report their employer to MOM. MOM will investigate and take actions against the employer. As of 22 Feb 2020, MOM has taken action against 15 employers whose workers breached the LOA/SHN requirements. These employers had their work pass privileges suspended for at least two years.  In three instances, the workers were not found culpable, and were provided the opportunity to find alternative employment in Singapore.