Seek advise : S'porean pregnant woman employment rights

My friend's wife (S'porean) is pregnant and works in a company as contract staff through an agency.
Her agency , in order to lower costs, started to cut down staff and assign more responsibiltiies to her. The work that was done by 2 pax are now thrown to her. And she was forced to take over all assignments within few days.

She's complaining under huge stress and depression. We think this is work exploitation against pregnant woman

Some friends said MOM won't be useful as they only provide guildelines.

Any bros/sis , who knows the law/works in MOM/woman's organization , can provide some good advise ? Pls PM me if it's more convenient to you.

TIA all !

You must be able to prove that there is deliberate exploitation and how is it an exploitation? On what grounds.

In this case.

Times are tough for businesses.

Would it be fair if your wive's bosses actually sacked her instead and gave her job to another staff? That would probably be discrimination and easier to do then to give your wife their jobs.

As a matter of fact. I feel that her boss is trying to preserve her job as much as possible. As much as I emphatise your wife's situation, there is always 2 sides to a coin.

In this situation,
we guys gotta give our wives more support and understanding, rather then look for something to blame.

Even MOM can't do anything, 1st she's a contract staff. Company now very smart, they employ only contract staff, which mean any point of time, the company can fired them. That is also why some local company outsource to 3rd party, once the find economic is bad, they cut losses! But must look at the employment contract, I guess the contract is protecting the company not the staffs! I remember few year back, my friend's wife also pregnant, she is a permanent staff, company just pay her 1 month salary and ask her to leave!

Hi mitatr, the relevant org to bring this up to would be Tripatate Aliiance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP). Their contact cut n paste from their webbie www.tafep.sg:

51 Bras Basah Road,
#04-07, Manulife Centre
Singapore 189554
Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

If you have a question or feedback, please contact us by:
Phone: +65 6838 0969
Fax: +65 6732 6849
Email: query@tafep.sg

Hope it helps.

DLWL wrote:

You must be able to prove that there is deliberate exploitation and how is it an exploitation? On what grounds.

In this case.

Times are tough for businesses.

Would it be fair if your wive's bosses actually sacked her instead and gave her job to another staff? That would probably be discrimination and easier to do then to give your wife their jobs.

As a matter of fact. I feel that her boss is trying to preserve her job as much as possible. As much as I emphatise your wife's situation, there is always 2 sides to a coin.

In this situation,
we guys gotta give our wives more support and understanding, rather then look for something to blame.

When I first heard their story, I told my friend that his wife's chances are pretty screwed because I know how companies protect themselves with those smart contracts.

The agency is run by foreigners and they are replacing staff from foreigners claiming they are cheaper than sporean. I don't wanna mention the race not to stir up any anti-FT controversy here.

I totally understand where dlwl is coming from but wanted to hear some exceptional experience from the forum here. Thanks.

Bear wrote:

Hi mitatr, the relevant org to bring this up to would be Tripatate Aliiance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP). Their contact cut n paste from their webbie www.tafep.sg:

51 Bras Basah Road,
#04-07, Manulife Centre
Singapore 189554
Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

If you have a question or feedback, please contact us by:
Phone: +65 6838 0969
Fax: +65 6732 6849
Email: query@tafep.sg

Hope it helps.

Hi, this is helpful. I'll pass the message to my friend. Hopefully things may turn out letterforms them. Thanks.

Ngn52 wrote:

Even MOM can't do anything, 1st she's a contract staff. Company now very smart, they employ only contract staff, which mean any point of time, the company can fired them. That is also why some local company outsource to 3rd party, once the find economic is bad, they cut losses! But must look at the employment contract, I guess the contract is protecting the company not the staffs! I remember few year back, my friend's wife also pregnant, she is a permanent staff, company just pay her 1 month salary and ask her to leave!

Actually I was looking for someone or org who can help Singaporean pregnant women when they encounter issues at work, such as my friend's wife case. Is there even such a thing?
We all understand all those company financial crisis employment policies.
I just feel sad to hear such stories when happen to people you know so wanted to help.
Thanks all

I think it depends on her contract, if i remember correctly, once the contract is more than 3 months, the company have to provide the same benefits as a perm staff...

But this may not be a contract issue as most contract will add in a line saying that the company can delegate any job to the employees. So i think she has to talk to the management first about the extra workload.

MOM will step in if the company sack a pregnant woman... the company has to prove that it is a valid termination and has nothing to do with the pregnancy.

If not wrong the pregnant women, it is not under the manpower act but another act... need to check with MOM. Lastly, pray hard they will do something about it.