Safeguards for Migrant Workers involved in Wrongful Dismissal Claims

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether foreign workers who have filed wrongful dismissal claims with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management are allowed to remain in Singapore while their claims are being adjudicated, even when the employers have cancelled their work passes; (b) if not, why not; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider allowing such foreign workers to remain in Singapore so as to strengthen the safeguards in preventing unfair treatments of migrant workers.

Foreign workers are allowed to remain in Singapore if there are wrongful dismissal claims that have yet to be resolved, even if their work passes have been cancelled by their employers. The Ministry of Manpower will issue special passes for them to stay in Singapore until their claims are resolved through mediation at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management or after adjudication by the Employment Claims Tribunals.