MOM suspends 6 employers' WP privileges, in breach of leave-of-absence requirements

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has revoked the work passes of four individuals and suspended the work pass privileges of six employers in Singapore, it announced yesterday (9 February).

These individuals were found to be breaching the leave of absence (LOA) requirements put in place by the government, in managing the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

For the six employers, the ministry has imposed a two-year suspension on their work pass privileges, while the four individuals who had theirs revoked were repatriated within 24 hours and banned from working in Singapore permanently.

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In light of this, the Ministry has reinforced the rule that all work pass holders with recent travel history to mainland China are required to serve a mandatory 14-LOA upon arrival in Singapore.

Apart from these workers, employers should also place any other workers with recent travel history to mainland China on a 14-day LOA.

The Ministry stated: "Employers and employees have a joint duty to ensure that the employee behaves responsibly during the leave of absence. MOM will not hesitate to revoke the work passes and withdraw work pass privileges against errant employers or employees."

Additionally, the Ministry highlighted that with effect from 11:59pm on 8 February 2020, employees must obtain MOM's approval for all work pass holders with travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days, before they can enter or return to Singapore.

[ALSO READ: Orange alert on coronavirus: Employers urged to conduct regular temperature taking]

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