Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating a claim that a wheelchair assistant at Changi Airport had S$5 deducted from his pay for being 11 seconds late.
The ministry said it has contacted the worker’s employer, Aventa Services, to determine the nature and legality of the deduction.
The case came to light after a woman said the elderly worker showed her a payslip that reportedly stated “11 seconds late” as the reason for the deduction.
Under Singapore’s employment rules, salary deductions for lateness must correspond to the actual period of absence. MOM said employers cannot impose excessive deductions by describing them as a penalty or fine.
If the deduction is found to be unauthorised or excessive, the employer could face enforcement action.
