Changes to the Employment Act will see better protection of more workers, including Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), and heighten employment standards while allowing room for flexibility for employers.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) made the announcement on 14 March 2013, and the changes will form Phase 1 of the Employment Act Review consultation.
The changes were a result of feedback gathered through various platforms which included an eight-week public consultation exercise where a total of 81 written comments were received from stakeholders. A Townhall session chaired by Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin on 21 November 2012 also obtained feedback in a public consultation exercise.
“I would like to thank all stakeholders and members of the public who had taken the time and effort to share your valuable views with us,” said Acting Minister Tan. He added that the views and comments have helped MOM to improve policy changes which “ultimately strike a balance between protecting workers and addressing employer’s concerns.”
The MOM will introduce the Employment Act Amendment Bill in Parliament in the second half of 2013. When it is passed, the changes will come into effect in the first half of 2014.
