The amendments of the Employment Act enables employees to better understand how their salary is calculated and their employment terms and benefits. This also helps employers prevent misunderstandings and minimise disputes at the workplace.

Employers can read more about the requirements for:

• Itemised payslips
• Key employment terms (KETs)
• Keeping employment records

In addition, from 1 April 2016, MOM will set up a framework to treat less severe breaches of the EA as “civil breaches” which attract administrative penalties. For a start, the breaches are:

1. Failure to issue itemised payslips.
2. Failure to issue KETs in writing.
3. Failure to maintain detailed employment records.
4. Provision of inaccurate information to the Commissioner for Labour or inspecting officers without the intent to defraud and mislead.

How the changes came about

The changes highlighted here are the result of a review of the Employment Act. Feedback was obtained through several platforms, including public consultations conducted in July to October 2013. Proposals were evaluated by employers, unions and the Government.

Assistance package

Employers can tap on the assistance package for the following:

• Blank payslips and KETs that can be filled in by hand.
• Software for generating itemised payslips.
• One-to-one assistance for SMEs.
• Funding.

More information

For more information on Employment Act changes, you can refer to:

• Second Reading Speech for Employment (Amendment) Bill 2015 by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower, 17 August 2015.
• Press release on Employment (Amendment) Bill on 17 August 2015.