{
  "id": 14927454,
  "title": "Employers need to plan how to protect workers if haze situation worsens: MOM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/employers-need-to-plan-how-to-protect-workers-if-haze-situation",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:15:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/employers-need-to-plan-how-to-protect-workers-if-haze-situation-worsens-mom"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Employers in Singapore are being urged to prepare for worsening haze conditions, which have already led to the longest continuous period of poor air quality since the 2015 crisis. Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau suggested that employers consider flexible work arrangements, such as working from home where feasible, especially for vulnerable workers like seniors, pregnant women, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. MOM has conducted over 400 worksite inspections since September and found that most employers are taking appropriate measures to protect their employees. The ministry will continue inspections while the haze persists. If the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is forecasted to exceed 200, which is considered very unhealthy, employers should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor work. When the PSI reaches above 300, indicating hazardous air quality, outdoor work should be minimized or deferred entirely for vulnerable workers. MOM will provide further guidance on using one-hour PM2.5 readings to determine when to pause outdoor work. Employers are encouraged to consider employees' requests for flexible work arrangements, although this may not be possible for all jobs. In such cases, employees can use their annual leave or childcare leave entitlements, or employers can grant them additional paid time off.",
  "summary": "About three-quarters of those inspected have implemented measures to protect employees from the effects of the haze.",
  "key_points": [
    "Employers urged to prepare for worsening haze in Singapore.",
    "Flexible work arrangements suggested for vulnerable workers.",
    "MOM will provide guidance on outdoor work restrictions based on PSI."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}