SATS looking into claims service partner docked S$5 from airport wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late
Under manpower regulations, pay deductions for absence from work cannot exceed the employee’s salary for the period they were absent.
Singapore's ground-handling company SATS is investigating allegations that a wheelchair assistance service partner docked S$5 (US$3.90) from a worker's pay for being 11 seconds late to work. SATS expressed concern over the matter and has sought clarification from Aventa Services, the alleged offender. The incident came to light after Ms Juliet Low, CEO of maid database Maid Without Borders, shared a conversation she had with the elderly worker, who claimed he was upset about the deduction on his payslip.
The payslip reportedly stated "11 seconds late" and "deduction and penalty." The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows for salary deductions for absence from work, but these deductions cannot exceed the employee's salary for the period of their absence. If the worker were earning S$1,636 per hour, the deduction could be seen as excessively harsh, given the short period of tardiness.
Ms Low expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the potential exploitation of vulnerable elderly workers.
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