Late by 11 seconds, lighter by S$5: Changi worker’s pay claim under probe

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower is investigating Aventa Services after it docked a Changi Airport wheelchair assistant’s pay S$5 for being late by 11 seconds. — Unsplash pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 22 Aug 2026 10:20 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Aug 22 — A reported S$5 (RM15.50) pay deduction over an 11-second delay has prompted Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to investigate a wheelchair assistant working at Changi Airport.

The ministry said it had contacted the worker’s employer, Aventa Services, to determine why the deduction was made and whether it was lawful, Singapore-based news outlet CNA reported.

“We are aware of this case and have contacted Aventa Services, the employer of the affected employee, to establish the nature and extent of the deductions,” MOM was quoted as saying.

The allegation came to light after Maid Without Borders chief executive officer Juliet Low said she spoke to the elderly worker while he was assisting her husband at the airport on August 7.

Low said she asked to see his payslip, which he showed her on his phone, and found a reference to an 11-second delay and a deduction.

“His payslip literally wrote ‘11 seconds late’,” she told CNA.

The ground-handling company SATS, which works with Aventa Services, said last week it was checking the claim and had asked the service provider for an explanation.

Singapore’s employment rules allow employers to deduct wages for time an employee is absent, but the amount must correspond to the period of absence.

MOM said employers cannot get around that rule by describing an excessive deduction as a penalty or fine.

“If it is determined that the deduction is unauthorised or excessive, MOM will take appropriate enforcement actions accordingly,” the ministry said.

Employers found to have made unlawful deductions could face enforcement action, including prosecution in serious cases.

Workers who believe their wages have been wrongly deducted can also seek help from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management to recover the money if an infringement is established.