Latest news with #ManpowerMinistry
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: July 18, 2025
The Corruption Eradication Commission on Thursday announced the detention of four suspects in an alleged bribery and extortion scheme involving foreign worker permit services at the Manpower Ministry. The four suspects are all current or former senior officials at the ministry, accused of delaying work permit approvals for foreign nationals until payments were made through intermediaries. Political parties have welcomed a recent Home Ministry proposal to increase state financial assistance for them, in the hope of reducing their dependence on business interests, but analysts warn stronger oversight and systemic reform are needed to prevent taxpayer's money going down the drain. 2. PARTIES LOOK FORWARD TO TRIPLING OF STATE FUNDING -- THE JAKARTA POST A flood preparedness drill was held at the Ang Nam Houm Reservoir in Vientiane on Tuesday amid flood threats. The exercise focused on underwater rescue, evacuating people in high-risk areas and the timely coordination of assistance. 2. LAOS-BELARUS EXPAND BILATERAL TIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES Laos and Belarus firmed up their diplomatic ties established in 1994 by promoting key areas — trade, investment and tourism. Both governments have waived visas to promote tourism and ease travel of official delegations. MYANMAR 1. POSITIONING TANINTHAYI AS PREMIER TOURIST SPOT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Authorities approved licences to build 17 new hotels and high-standard guesthouses in Taninthayi Region to promote tourism. Thirty new travel agency licences and 55 new local tour guide permits were approved to promote the southern state, which is popular for its marine tourism. 2. MYANMAR-RUSSIA TIGER CONSERVATION STAMPS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Myanma Post will release commemorative stamps featuring tigers to mark Myanmar-Russia cooperation in tiger conservation on July 20. The stamps are part of Myanmar's contribution to the International Forum for Tiger Conservation. SINGAPORE 1. TRUMP DIAGNOSED WITH VEIN CONDITION CAUSING LEG SWELLING, WHITE HOUSE SAYS -- THE STRAITS TIMES/REUTERS The White House said on July 17 that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Mr Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand. 2. 'THERE'S NO MOVING ON': 8 MONTHS ON, PARENTS OF TEEN WHO DIED IN MALDIVES STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS -- CNA Eight months after their daughter's death on a school trip to the Maldives, the parents of 15-year-old Jenna Chan say they are still waiting for answers. THAILAND 1. THAI PROPERTY SECTOR FACES CRISIS AS DEBT BURDEN SOARS -- THE NATION Experts warn of potential collapse as household debt reaches 90% of GDP amid cash flow crunch. 2. DOZENS OF ILLEGAL BORDER-CROSSERS ARRESTED IN ARANYAPRATHET -- BANGKOK POST Soldiers have arrested 38 people for illegally crossing the Thai-Cambodian border in this eastern province, most of them are Cambodian migrants returning to Thailand because they could find no jobs at home. VIETNAM 1. ONLY VALID BANK ACCOUNTS TO AVOID FRAUDS -- VIETNAMPLUS The State Bank of Vietnam announced that over 86 million bank accounts that do not have biometric authentication or have been dormant for a long time will be deleted starting September 1. The move is to prevent fraud and cybercrime. 2. RISING DENGUE CASES DEMAND COMMUNITY HELP -- VIETNAMPLUS Health officials are encouraging community participation to control the rising dengue fever cases in Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces. The Cu Chi Regional General Hospital has admitted 20-30 dengue patients per day in the last two months. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Employers must act fairly and reasonably under the Employment Act and according to Manpower Ministry guidelines. Journalist Megan Wee offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times' Headstart newsletter. Q: The recent saga over Certis Cisco's medical leave policy raised questions about the boundaries employers should not cross with regard to the privacy of staff. How can employees judge if a boss' requests are reasonable, and what can they do if faced with intrusive demands? A: While employers have the right to manage absenteeism and maintain operational readiness – particularly in critical sectors like security – employees are not without recourse, says Mr Raunak Bhandari of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals. Employers must act fairly and reasonably under the Employment Act and according to Manpower Ministry guidelines, he adds. Mr Bhandari cites Certis Cisco and its now-overturned medical leave policy , noting that while there is no law explicitly prohibiting an employer from checking on staff on medical leave, intrusive monitoring – such as home surveillance – could be seen as unreasonable, especially if it is not part of the employment contract. Bosses can also overstep by demanding access to personal social media accounts, expecting 24/7 availability without compensation or requiring tracking apps on personal phones, he adds. They might even ask for detailed medical histories beyond what is necessary and force attendance at work events during off-hours. 'While some of these may not be outright illegal, they may go against best practices and data protection norms, particularly under the Personal Data Protection Act,' Mr Bhandari says. He adds that employees facing unconventional or overly demanding practices that are not explicitly illegal can take several steps. They should first document the request and the context in which it was made, and then ask for written clarification from the human resources (HR) department or management. Employees should express their concerns politely, citing privacy, discomfort or ambiguity in the policy. They should also propose alternatives, such as providing a doctor's certificate or checking in with HR at set times. Staff worried about retaliation should try to stay compliant while seeking advice, but also make it clear that they are doing so under protest or uncertainty. They can also ask external sources for help and seek clarity on their rights if there are possible privacy violations. These sources could include union representatives, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management for mediation, the Manpower Ministry for legal interpretation or complaints, or pro bono legal clinics. Ultimately, Mr Bhandari notes that intrusive policies can backfire and bring repercussions for both parties. Employees may feel distrusted, over-surveilled and pressured not to take medical leave even when unwell, undermining their recovery and overall well-being. The risk for bosses is that such practices may lead to reputational damage, legal disputes or reduced staff engagement. Moreover, such measures could create a slippery slope, where managers feel emboldened to monitor other aspects of an employee's personal life, further eroding boundaries between work and home, Mr Bhandari adds. 'Employees should stay informed of their rights and know when – and how – to push back against unreasonable demands,' he notes. 'Ultimately, a fair and respectful workplace depends on trust, transparency and mutual understanding.'
CNA
27-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Unemployment in Singapore inches up in Q1 as labour market grows at slower pace
Singapore's labour market growth slowed in Q1 2025, according to the Manpower Ministry's latest report. Total employment rose by 2,400, down from 7,700 in the previous quarter. Unemployment inched up to 2% overall. Meanwhile, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said a task force set up to support businesses and workers affected by US tariffs is reviewing further measures to help them navigate the uncertainty. Caitlin Ng reports.
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Attempted misuse of work pass for foreign students or trainees ongoing for years: Industry insiders
The Manpower Ministry revealed on June 19 that it has received 120 reports related to the abuse of the Training Employment Pass in 2025. PHOTO: ST FILE Attempted misuse of work pass for foreign students or trainees ongoing for years: Industry insiders SINGAPORE – Errant employers and agents have for years attempted to illegally bring in foreign workers for rank-and-file roles such as dishwashers under a pass intended for foreigners to undergo short-term professional training here, said industry insiders. They told The Straits Times that the Training Employment Pass (TEP) attracts misuse in this manner because it does not impose a levy or quota on workers, unlike the work permit or S Pass, which are meant for lower-skilled or semi-skilled roles. The TEP has come under scrutiny of late, following allegations of such misuse. This included a blog post by advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) in May flagging the issue, citing accounts from a rising number of low-wage workers holding the TEP who have approached it for help since December 2024. The affected TEP holders had come forward with claims of being paid below the stated salary for their pass, asked to work before receiving their passes, as well as registered as 'management executives' despite actually working in menial roles. Responding to queries from ST, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed on June 19 that it has received 120 reports related to TEP abuse in 2025, but did not provide for comparison the number of reports received in past years. An MOM spokesperson also said an average of around 6,800 TEPs were approved each year over the last 10 years, with the majority of approvals for jobs in the services sector. The ministry has stepped up enforcement efforts against employers who misuse the TEP scheme to circumvent the work pass framework, said the spokesperson. The TEP allows foreign students or trainees from a company's overseas office or subsidiary to undergo practical training for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs here for up to three months. Trainees must earn a minimum fixed salary of $3,000 a month. The work attachment for student applicants must be tied to their studies. They must either be studying in an 'acceptable institution' or earning at least $3,000 a month. Trainee lawyers who are not permanent residents or Singaporeans are one group who have been approved to work here under TEPs, ST understands. Another group, mentioned in a written parliamentary answer by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in 2023 , are those in clinical fellowship training programmes. But Dr David Leong, managing director of human resources firm PeopleWorldwide Consulting, said some agents use the TEP to supply a steady stream of labour to employers grappling with acute manpower shortages, particularly in industries struggling to fill low-wage or undesirable roles. 'Some employers, unaware of the full extent of the agents' misconduct, are unwittingly drawn into these schemes, believing they are addressing legitimate staffing needs. 'Others, however, knowingly collaborate with agents, taking advantage of the lax oversight to exploit workers for cheap labour, often in grueling or irrelevant roles.' Dr Leong added he has consistently warned his clients against taking on workers brought in under a TEP, particularly for rank-and-file roles. He added that private education institutions may also sometimes act as fronts for channelling workers into low-wage, temporary jobs under the pretext of training. Speaking in his personal capacity , former MOM prosecutor Jason Chua noted that the non-renewable nature and short duration of the TEP makes it a relatively niche pass intended for skilled roles, compared to Employment Passes, work permits and S Passes. 'Also, the TEP is meant for foreign trainees to learn skills and apply it back to their home country.' In contrast, the fundamental purpose of more mainstream work passes lies more in allowing the foreign worker to contribute economically, rather than learn, here, he said. Reinforcing the intended scope of the TEP as being for skilled roles, Mr Chua said the TEP often gets confused with the Training Work Permit, which is reserved for eligible unskilled or semi-skilled foreign trainees or students to undergo practical training in Singapore. However, these are subject to a levy, and still count towards an employer's quota for work permit holders. The short duration of a TEP limits the type of roles that errant employers can practicably assign TEP holders. These are typically labour-intensive roles where high staff turnover does not matter as much. Mr Ethan Guo, TWC2's executive director, told ST the TEP holders who approached it for help often were forced by employers to sign pay slips indicating they received their full pay, but actually paid them less. 'We even saw one instance where the pay slips were not even issued to or signed by the workers, but instead doctored digitally. 'There are also those who were not given work and therefore didn't get any pay at all.' Still, attempts to bring in low-wage workers under this pass have continued. A TikTok video first uploaded earlier in 2025 and subsequently deleted soon after media reports surfaced on the TEP, re-emerged in June. In a voiceover, a male can be heard touting the 'advantages' of the TEP, including savings from not needing a levy, as well as 'more obedient' workers. 'The third (advantage) is that you don't need to keep on your payroll 'phantom workers', so you wouldn't need to live in fear of being caught, fined and have your finances frozen,' he said, adding that agents are able to help employers handle flights and accommodation as well. Even though he acknowledged the short duration of the pass can be disruptive, the man added: 'A lot of workers will be willing to come here.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Declare Friday a public holiday when holidays fall on Saturday
Forum: Declare Friday a public holiday when holidays fall on Saturday When a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the Government should declare the preceding Friday a public holiday instead of leaving it to companies to offer a day off in lieu. While many employers comply, some SMEs do not. Employees may hesitate to lodge a complaint with the Manpower Ministry, fearing retaliation. To ensure fairness and avoid ambiguity, the Government should standardise the practice by declaring Friday a public holiday in such cases. Low Weiming More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
