Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Number of Cases Reported on Employers Acting Unfairly towards NSmen with Reservist Obligations on 7 Feb 2023

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for Defence in each year since 2017 (a) how many reports have been received regarding employers acting unfairly towards NSmen with reservist obligations; (b) what actions have been taken against such employers; and (c) what measures are in place to recognise employers who actively support NSmen.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

Under the Enlistment Act, MINDEF compensates employers for the salaries due to their NSmen employees, whenever the NSmen employees need to absent themselves from work to perform their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) duties. On their part, employers are required to grant their NSmen employees leave of absence and keep the latter in employment during these periods. Employers who fail to do so are liable for custodial sentences and fines.

Today, public support for NS is strong and the vast majority of employers understand the critical need for NS and fully support their NSmen employees with ORNS obligations. MINDEF takes a serious view of any unfair treatment by employers. Most cases of feedback and complaints MINDEF receives on possible unfair treatment by employers turn out to be a matter of misunderstanding that can be resolved through clarifications.

Since 2017, there have been four cases received by MINDEF which had further follow-up by MINDEF, the Ministry of Manpower or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP). One case resulted in the employer reimbursing their NSman staff's overtime allowances, while another was resolved through advice on how the employer and NSman can better work out mutually acceptable arrangements in advance of his ORNS duty period. For the remaining two cases, agencies advised the complainants on their options for recourse, but the complainants did not follow-up on the cases.

MINDEF engages employers regularly to encourage them to support their NSmen employees. We also accord recognition to exemplary employers. For example, the NS Mark accreditation is awarded to organisations that have adopted good practices to help NSmen employees balance their personal and ORNS commitments, and the NS Advocate Award to those amongst them who lend exemplary support.