Employment Law - 8 hours/day overtime!!!

[abfan6976]

My girlfriend works 15/16hr days (for a multinational), and for this she receives no overtime and no time off in lieu. She is on an S pass, and is covered by the Singapore Employment Act. She is permenant staff and is paid monthly. I believe under Simgapore law, no one is allowed to work more that 72 hours/month overtime. I believe that not only is she being taken severe advantage of, but that the company is breaking the law. Some overtime any any job is to be expected, but 8 hrs/day OT and getting no compensation for it is exploitation IMHO.

Would she have a case to bring against the company if she were to go to the MOM?

thanks

D.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes, she should go to the MOM as she would have a case provided she is actually working those kinds of hours (at the company) and not just telling you that to cover something else. (I find it very strange that an MNC would jeopardize themselves by deliberately working somebody those kinds of hours).

[abfan6976]

It's not just her, it's her entire team - I have been at their office 12am and they are still slaving away. The problem is they are severely short staffed, as they need native Japanese speakers, which are difficult to find apparently.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Is it a Japanese MNC? Are they all considered management staff? If they/she is earning over $1600/mo then she is not covered under the Employment Act in any case. So yes, they could. She can always quit though. That or hope that there will be a big bonus at the end of it for those who stuck it out over the hardship period. Her call.

sms

[jpatokal]

It's not just her, it's her entire team - I have been at their office 12am and they are still slaving away. The problem is they are severely short staffed, as they need native Japanese speakers, which are difficult to find apparently.

Not if you pay decent salaries -- the Japanese free mags are full of "job wanted" listings.

[abfan6976]

It's a American MNC - she is not considered management, just normal staff so is covered by the employment act. She has made a complaint to HR, so lets see what comes of it.

[Addadude]

It's not simply a case of her being covered by the employment act if she is not a manager. Does she have the title 'executive' anywhere in her job title? If she does, then too bad - as an "executive" earning over $1.6k a month she will ahve little or no protection.

[jpatokal]

It's not simply a case of her being covered by the employment act if she is not a manager. Does she have the title 'executive' anywhere in her job title? If she does, then too bad - as an "executive" earning over $1.6k a month she will ahve little or no protection.

Do they do this in Singapore too? I thought this was a Malaysian quirk of labor law...

[sundaymorningstaple]

JP, I'm afraid so.......