27/08/2020 MOM will take up issue with employers if workers are not paid: Lawrence Wong, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times "The Government has been providing considerable support to employers, and we do expect employers to do their part to continue to pay the workers," Mr Wong said during a multi-ministry task force virtual press conference. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong added that for pay issues, whether as a Singaporean or foreign worker, one should alert the Manpower Ministry (MOM) so it can take up the issue with the employer appropriately. "It is important to ensure that our workers get paid," said Mr Gan, regardless of whether one is a local or migrant worker. On workers being unable to return to work, Mr Wong, who co-chairs the task force with Mr Gan, said feedback from many employers was that they were very eager to have their workers resume work as soon as possible. However, he noted that there could be several reasons why this was not yet possible. One is that the work could be tied to other parts of the ecosystem of contractors, some of whom still have issues to sort out, so the projects are still suspended. Another reason that work is unable to resume could be the employer is unable to meet certain safe distancing requirements. Mr Gan added that with the general slowing of the economy, some employers may not have work for their workers. "MOM has exercised flexibility to allow some of these (migrant workers) to switch employers so that they can find jobs while in Singapore," he said. Related Story  National Wages Council to reconvene in August amid Covid-19's profound impact on jobs Related Story  AskST: Relooking pay guidelines amid Covid-19 5 things to know about the National Wages Council Related Story  Singapore sees worst-ever quarterly fall in employment in Q2 as retrenchments double: MOM data Related Story  Coronavirus microsite: Get latest updates, videos and graphics https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mom-will-take-up-issue-with-employers-if-workers-are-not-paid-minister?fbclid=IwAR2beI8M19S3WGrDgi… 2/3

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