SATS probes service partner after allegedly docking S$5 from wheelchair usher's pay for being 11 seconds late

[Updated on Aug. 21 at 5pm: This article has been updated with MOM's statement]

Airport service company and ground handler SATS has sought clarification from Aventa Services after claims that the service partner docked S$5 from an elderly Changi Airport wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late.

In a viral LinkedIn post, CEO of maid database Maid Without Borders, Juliet Low, said the elderly man said he earned S$7 per hour and allegedly showed her a picture of his pay slip with the deduction.

As of writing, Low's post has over 500 likes and 129 comments.

In response to Mothership's queries, a SATS spokesperson said that it is "aware of, and concerned by" the allegations and "sought clarification from Aventa on the matters raised."

SATS noted: "Aventa has informed us that it is responding directly to queries from the Ministry of Manpower."

"SATS takes such matters seriously and expects all service partners to comply with applicable employment laws and regulations.”

Responding to Mothership's queries, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said it was aware of the case and had contacted Aventa Services to establish the nature and extent of the deductions.

"If it is determined that the deduction is unauthorised or excessive, MOM will take appropriate enforcement actions accordingly."

The allegations

In the post, Low said she had a conversation with the elderly man who assisted her husband, who was nursing a fracture.

According to CNA, the couple had just returned to Singapore from their holiday in Da Nang on Aug. 7.

While chatting, the elderly man told her about the alleged pay deduction.

Low noted: "He also told us that almost all the wheelchair ushers are elderly — and that the work is physically painful. Sometimes, they do clock in 11 secs late cos of toilet breaks."

Low tagged SATS and questioned: "Do you know your vendor (Aventa Services) practice this very disturbing policy? Bullying the elderly... "

MOM laws

According to MOM's website, employers can deduct a worker's salary if they are absent from work, with salary deductions for unauthorised absence calculated by the gross rate of pay listed in the Employment Act.

However, the deduction cannot exceed the employee's salary for the period of absence; for example, if the employee was an hour late, only the salary for that hour can be deducted.

Hence, if 11 seconds cost the elderly man S$5 of his salary, at 45 cents a second, his salary would theoretically be calculated as being S$1,636 per hour, which is not the case.

MOM's website also noted that "employers should find out why an employee is late and should not unfairly penalise the employee if there is a valid reason".

The website also noted that if an employer has made excessive deductions from one's salary, the individual can file a claim for mediation at Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), linked here.

MOM's statement

In response to Mothership's queries, MOM said: "Employers may only make salary deductions for reasons authorised under the Employment Act (EA)."

"Where a deduction is made for absence from work, including when the employee is late, the deduction must be proportionate to the period of absence."

MOM added that employers cannot impose a larger salary deduction simply by characterising it as a “penalty” or “fine”.

If an offence is established, MOM noted that it will take appropriate enforcement action, taking into account the employer’s rectification measures, the severity of the offence, etc.

This could include issuing a stern warning, and in severe cases, prosecuting the employer for the offence, stated MOM.

"Additionally, if employers make such unauthorised or excessive deductions from employees’ salaries, it may amount to failure to pay salaries in accordance with the Employment Act, which is an offence. MOM will not hesitate to investigate such breaches."

MOM said that employees who have unauthorised or excessive salary deductions may file a claim with the TADM, which will help workers in their salary recovery if lapses are found.