Cases of Wrongful Dismissal Lodged by Work Permit Holders in Past Five Years

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower for each year in the past five years (a) how many cases of wrongful dismissal were lodged by work permit holders; and (b) how many of such cases have been (i) resolved at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (ii) referred to the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) but eventually dismissed (iii) referred to ECT and resulted in the reinstatement of employees' former job and payment of any income loss due to the wrongful dismissal and (iv) referred to ECT and resulted in money orders in favour of the employees, respectively.

There were 42 wrongful dismissal claims lodged by Work Permit Holders in 2020, out of a total of 1,319 such claims lodged by all employees. About 60% (26) of these claims were resolved at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, while the remaining 16 were referred to the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT). Of the cases referred to the ECT, 11 were dismissed or withdrawn, one did not lodge the claim, and another was adjourned. The remaining three cases resulted in money orders for the claimant.