Salary-related Claims Filed with TADM Involving Workers Paid in Cash

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) how many salary-related claims were filed with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) in each of the past three years, and what proportion involved workers paid in cash; (b) whether the Ministry has assessed that mandatory electronic salary payment would strengthen documentary trail and aid early detection of non-payment risk; and (c) whether the Ministry will mandate electronic salary payment for migrant workers.

The number of salary claims filed at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) and the proportion involving workers who were paid in cash is as follows: (a) in 2023, about 28% of 8,125 claims; (b) in 2024, about 33% of 9,948 claims; and (c) in 2025, about 36% of 10,801 claims.

The upward trend in the proportion of claims involving cash-paid workers underscores the risks associated with cash salary arrangements.

Protecting all workers and ensuring that they are paid their salaries in full and on time is a priority for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Electronic salary payment strengthens the documentary trail and helps prevent salary disputes by leaving a verifiable digital record. This facilitates timely investigation and enforcement action against errant employers.

As part of the ongoing review of the Employment Act, MOM and our tripartite partners are studying whether to mandate electronic salary payment for all workers, including migrant workers. We will provide an update in due course.

Mr Cai.

I thank the Acting Minister for the assurances.

My first supplementary question is regarding the swift support of meals, financial assistance and job matching that was provided to the recent 400 unpaid workers. Will it now be institutionalised as the protocol for all future cases of non-payment?

My second supplementary question concerns how electronic salary payments have long been championed by several predecessors, including former Member Louis Ng. How can we ensure digital salary payments are viable for all permit holders, and reduce the friction points for setting up bank accounts expeditiously?

Firstly, the Work Permit Online currently only offers POSB accounts. And in the whole of Singapore, there is only one Work Permit Service Centre at Kaki Bukit. Workers share with me how difficult it is to get a queue number for resolution for simple banking services like lost automated teller machine (ATM) cards or accounts verifications, especially when many travel there during their days off. Are we looking to provide more banking options or for POSB to have more service centres for work permit holders?

I thank the Member for his questions and his care for migrant workers.

On his first question, we will continue to support all workers who are affected by situations like unpaid salaries, not just in terms of basic needs, but also smoothening the transition into jobs. We will use our Short-Term Relief Fund for local workers and the Migrant Workers Assistance Fund for migrant workers. MOM will also facilitate special passes and certificate of employment letters for valid claims.

On the second question, we thank the Member for his suggestions and we will look into how to improve the services for our migrant workers. For employers who are not aware, the bank account opening can be done online and the bank cards can be mailed to the employers. But there are many other services that our migrant workers may need and we will look into how to improve the services for them.