Sectors with High Non-compliance Rates for Orders Made by Claims Tribunals in Favour of Freelancers and Workers

Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Manpower with regard to errant company owners who fail to comply with orders made by the Small Claims Tribunal or Employment Claims Tribunal in favour of freelancers and workers (a) which are the sectors that currently have higher percentages of firms that do not comply with such orders; (b) whether steps are taken by the Ministry and the relevant public sector agencies to stem the proliferation of such non-compliances; and (c) if so, what are they.

The Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) and Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) do not track compliance with their orders. We, therefore, cannot identify the sectors that have higher percentages of firms that do not comply with orders that were made in favour of freelancers or workers.

Under existing law, any person who intentionally disobeys or breaches an order of Court, including orders by SCT and ECT, may be subject to committal proceedings under the Rules of Court. If found to have committed contempt of Court, the person is liable to be punished with a fine or imprisonment under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016. Employers who fail to comply with ECT orders may also face punishment, including warnings, fines, debarment from applying for work passes and prosecution in Court.