The Employment Act is Singapore’s primary labour legislation. It sets out the basic terms and conditions of employment for employees working under a contract of service.

The Act is administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and applies to both local and foreign employees, subject to certain exclusions.

What Is the Employment Act?

The Employment Act governs minimum employment standards such as:

• Salary payment

• Hours of work and rest days

• Leave entitlements

• Termination and dismissal protections

Foreign employees holding a work pass are also covered under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which sets out employers’ obligations when hiring foreign workers.

Who Is Covered by the Employment Act?

You are covered by the Employment Act if you:

• Are an employee working under a contract of service with an employer

• Are employed on a full-time, part-time, temporary, or contract basis

• Are paid hourly, daily, monthly, or by piece rate

• Are a local or foreign employee

Employees working less than 35 hours per week are considered part-time employees and are covered under the Employment of Part-Time Employees Regulations.

Who Is Not Covered by the Employment Act?

The Act does not cover:

• Seafarers

• Domestic workers

• Statutory board employees and civil servants

For these groups, employment terms are governed by their respective contracts or separate legislation.

Coverage of Term Contract Employees

Term contract employees form an important part of the workforce. Employers are encouraged to follow the Tripartite Advisory on Employment of Term Contract Employees, which promotes fair and responsible employment practices for such workers.

Part 4 of the Employment Act: Who Is Covered?

Part 4 of the Employment Act provides additional protections relating to:

• Rest days

• Hours of work

• Overtime pay

• Other conditions of service

Part 4 applies only to:

1. Workmen earning a monthly basic salary of S$4,500 or less, and

2. Non-workmen employees earning a monthly basic salary of S$2,600 or less

Basic salary excludes overtime pay, bonuses, annual wage supplements, productivity incentives, expense reimbursements, and allowances.

Part 4 does not apply to managers or executives.

Who Is a Manager or Executive?

Managers and executives are employees with executive or supervisory responsibilities. Their duties may include:

• Hiring, disciplining, or terminating employees

• Conducting performance assessments and determining rewards

• Formulating company strategies and policies

• Managing and running business operations

Professionals with tertiary education and specialised expertise whose employment terms resemble those of managers or executives are also included, such as:

• Advocates and solicitors

• Chartered accountants

• Practising doctors and dentists

Who Is a Workman?

A workman is generally an employee whose job involves mainly manual labour. This includes individuals who:

• Perform manual work (including artisans and apprentices)

• Operate or maintain commercial vehicles carrying passengers

• Supervise manual workers while performing manual work for more than half of their working time

It also includes workers in specific occupations listed in the First Schedule of the Employment Act, such as:

• Cleaners

• Construction workers

• Labourers

• Machine operators and assemblers

• Metal and machinery workers

• Train, bus, lorry, and van drivers

• Train and bus inspectors

• Piece-rate workmen employed at the employer’s premises

Key Takeaway

The Employment Act provides broad coverage to employees in Singapore but applies different levels of protection depending on:

• Job role (workman vs manager/executive)

• Salary level

• Employment type

Employees should understand whether they are covered under Part 4 of the Act, as this determines eligibility for protections such as overtime pay and rest days.