Latest news with #ManpowerMinistry


CNA
01-08-2025
- Business
- CNA
Medical expenses paid by Sumo Salad fully reimbursed, but process not over: MOM
The Manpower Ministry says that medical expenses paid by Sumo Salad have been fully reimbursed, but investigations are ongoing, with the claims process not yet concluded. On top of medical reimbursements, insured employees can also get lump-sum compensation paid out by the insurer if assessed to have physical incapacity. Ray Louis, Managing Director at Ray Louis Law, talks about what is covered and what is not covered under Workmen's Compensation. He also looks at what happens if a business fails to provide proper coverage.


CNA
29-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
MOM investigating company, employer for hiring women with forged university certificates
SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry (MOM) is in the latter stages of investigating a company and an employer for hiring two Filipino women who used forged university certificates in their Employment Pass (EP) applications, it said on Tuesday (Jul 29). "MOM is completing its investigations into the company and employer and will decide on the enforcement action to take against them," a spokesperson for the ministry said. The two women – Conol Almira Joy Torres and Torres Alyssa Riva Fernan, both 29 – were handed jail sentences on Jul 17. Their offences were only uncovered after MOM conducted "a random inspection' on the company that had employed them, CL Enterprise. Following their sentencing, CNA asked MOM why this was the case, and if their employer was under investigation. The spokesperson for the ministry on Tuesday added that, prior to the introduction of the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) in September 2023, "employers were primarily responsible for verifying the authenticity of candidates' qualifications submitted in their Employment Pass applications". "The Ministry of Manpower conducts additional random checks on authenticity of the qualifications for selected applications, during the application stage and throughout the employment of the EP holder," the spokesperson said. "Since September 2023, employers who declare qualifications to earn points under the COMPASS framework are required to submit verification proof for the qualifications declared in their EP applications." The two women were employed based on their fraudulent credentials between 2020 and 2022. CL Enterprise operates Mr Fix retail outlets that sell kitchenware and hand soap.

Barnama
18-07-2025
- 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.