Singapore Expats

Hello all,

I run an F&B business in Singapore.
Just today, I received a letter from MOM telling me that they will conduct workright inspection to make sure entities comply with Employment Act.

Things I want to ask is;
- Govt officers look into what things mostly? and how detailed? Like will they go through all employees one by one including those not working on the day of their visit(maybe make a call?) and check how much they got paid & if paid on time...etc
- Would they focus on picking things up and want to fine us? or rather coming to educate us to do a business in compliance with employment act?
- How many days in advance will I get the notice of their visit? since the letter only states they will come between Nov to Dec.

Thanks guys in advance!

Someone has dobbed you in.

Hi Fujishuusakeg,

May I check with you on the inspection process? I also received the letter today stating that it will take place within 12 months from the letter. Were there checks on every single staffs or they selected randomly themselves or we can pick any 2 employees?
Please share your experience
Thanks in advance

They will probably start with random spot checks and interviews of random staffs. They may inspect your payroll records, employee contracts, look at any injury claims, etc. If they find any discrepancies they will probably expand their inspection depth & breadth and more interviews.

You will not get any notice from their inspection teams and they will possibly used a 3 man team. While you are running an F&B you probably do not have field staff working away from the establishment (unless you do your own deliveries) but if you do, you will be instructed to call them in asap to the establishment where they will be interviewed on the spot. If you have any foreign workers, woe be to you if they are not living where they are registered. Also, if you are found to be taking kickbacks from them, you are up the creek without the proverbial paddle.

If you are running a dirty house, I would suggest you start hardcore housekeeping in the morning as they could show up in a day or two. You cannot do anything except follow their orders. They will tell YOU what to do and will not entertain your suggestions.

Been there, done that. Fortunately I was only the HR & Finance Mgr but my house was in order except for two foreign employees who were taken with them when they left because of forged documents (18 months after they joined the company). It was a MOM snafu because they issued the S passes before the in-country teams hadn't yet managed to verify the validity of the degrees, but they took them with them when they left, locked them up for a week and then repatriated them to their country and banned for life from Singapore.

MOM are not to be trifled with. Good Luck.