US-Vietnam trade deal marks shift in Washington's strategy in Southeast Asia: Analyst
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Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
S'porean worker earning S$2.4k claims company does not reimburse transport expenses for work-related deliveries
SINGAPORE: One Singaporean employee took to social media to share that his company has not been reimbursing him for transportation costs he paid out of pocket while delivering items for work. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, the employee revealed that he graduated with a degree in Business Management and currently works as a Business Operations/Project Coordinator. However, his role has since expanded to include admin work, procurement, accounting, coordination, and even courier duties. 'On days when I'm tasked to collect or deliver items from clients and vendors, I use public transport, which I don't get reimbursed for even when the location is out of the way or involves multiple stops,' he explained, adding that this has been going on for a year. He also shared that although his company has a four-day workweek, he is expected to do overtime twice a week and remain contactable even on his days off and medical leave. To make matters worse, his gross monthly salary is only S$2,400. This year, he said, there was no salary increment, no annual wage supplement (AWS), and no bonus. All he received was a $10 Chinese New Year ang pao and one additional day added to his already limited seven-day annual leave entitlement. Fed up with the arrangement, he asked the community: 'Is this normal or too toxic for an SME? Is it time to jump? What if the grass isn't actually greener on the other side? Would appreciate any advice, especially from anyone who's been through something like this or even worse.' 'You are being exploited.' Shocked by the extreme working conditions and low pay, many urged the employee to leave his job. One Singaporean Redditor said, 'At this point, any patch of grass anywhere else is greener than yours…. You already know what to do!' Another commented, 'Just leave, dude… You are underpaid and doing multiple roles. You are being exploited. And you only have 7 days AL?' A third shared, 'I'm also working in an SME, and my starting pay is at least S$1k more. Mine is considered a 5-day workweek, but I don't have to work OT, and my AL is twice yours. Your company is offering too little, but try to find another job before resigning. Don't leave without having another offer secured.' See also Lana Cake Shop sees hope as son steps in Do employers need to cover transport expenses? Yes, if the travel is work-related. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), an employee's basic salary does not include travel allowances or reimbursements for expenses incurred while carrying out official duties, such as making deliveries or attending off-site meetings. These costs are considered separate and should be borne by the employer. Read more: 'It feels kind of late': Woman says she feels behind in life for only starting to travel in her 30s Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Singapore Tonight - Wed 9 Jul 2025
Singapore Tonight From business to politics, health to technology, we bring you up-to-date with the latest news on Singapore and analyze how these events may affect you tomorrow.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Trump names Transportation Secretary Duffy as interim NASA administrator
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday tapped Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to serve as the interim administrator of NASA, a role that has remained vacant since Trump withdrew his initial nominee. Duffy will temporarily take over the post that has been in the spotlight due to Trump's feud with billionaire Elon Musk, who wanted his close ally Jared Isaacman to lead the space agency. "Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country's Transportation Affairs ... He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump named Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut, to be the NASA administrator in December, before abruptly withdrawing his nomination in May, in a decision that angered SpaceX-owner Musk. While at the time the White House did not provide an explanation for pulling Isaacman's nomination, Trump has since said it was "inappropriate" to have named Isaacman as NASA administrator, considering Musk's business with the space agency. After Trump's announcement on Wednesday, Isaacman called it "a great move" and wished Duffy well. "NASA needs political leadership from someone the President trusts and has confidence in," Isaacman said on X. Trump's announcement came as Politico reported that more than 2,100 senior-ranking NASA employees are set to leave their jobs under a push by the administration to shed staff through early retirement, buyouts and deferred resignations. Under Trump's administration, the U.S. space industry and NASA's workforce of 18,000 have been whipsawed by looming layoffs and proposed budget cuts that would cancel dozens of science programs.
