SATS looking into claims service partner docked S$5 from airport wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late

The Singapore Aviation Services (SATS) is investigating allegations that a wheelchair assistant at Singapore's Changi Airport had S$5 (US$3.90) deducted from their pay for being just 11 seconds late. The ground-handling company is cooperating with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and service partner Aventa Services in clarifying the matter.

The wheelchair assistant, who is an elderly worker, revealed that the deduction appeared on his payslip, which stated the reason as a penalty for tardiness. CEO of maid database Maid Without Borders, Ms Juliet Low, brought the issue to light after speaking with the worker after their return from Da Nang. The man's payslip clearly indicated the 11-second lateness and the corresponding deduction.

MOM guidelines state that salary deductions for absence cannot exceed the employee's salary for the period of absence. In this case, if 11 seconds equated to S$5, it would imply the worker was earning roughly S$1,636 per hour or S$13,091 for an eight-hour day. This case has sparked outrage among netizens, who expressed indignation over what they perceive as exploitation of vulnerable workers.