Work conditions in Singapore

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

8 hours per day and 40 hours per week with one-hour lunch break.

Retirement Age

62 years

Working Contracts

The nature of the contract depends on the type of contract, which could include the following: annual hours contract, casual workers contract, fixed-term contract, home-workers contract, job sharing contract, flexi-time contract, part-timers contract, self-employed workers contract.

Labour Laws

Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labour regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

As a matter of national policy, the Ministry of Manpower does not prescribe minimum wages.

Average Wage

According to data from the Ministry of Manpower, the average monthly wage for full-time resident employees was SGD 4,680 in 2021.

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: Employers contribute up to 17%, capped at a maximum average monthly salary of SGD 6,000 (contributions are payable by Singapore citizens and permanent residents only).
Reduced rates apply for employees who are earning less than SGD 750 per month as well as for those above 55 years of age.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: Only employees who are Singaporean citizens or permanent residents must contribute 20% income to the CPF, with graduated rates available for the first three years of an employee's permanent residency.

Social Partners

Employer Associations

SNEF - Singapore National Employers Federation
SICC - Singapore International Chamber of Commerce 
SNEF - Singapore National Employers Federation
SBF - Singapore Business Federation

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

Trade Union Act does not allow the unionisation of government employees and uniformed personnel. The act also restricts the Trade Unions' right to select the leader and whom to employ.

Most of the Trade Unions are part of National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) which is closely associated with the government. The government grants renewable licences to trade unions on a yearly basis and strictly controls them.

Labour Unions

National Trade Union Congress (NTUC)

Unionisation Rate

24%

Labour Regulation Bodies

Ministry of Manpower
Singapore National Employers' Federation (SNEF)