Singapore

Can I file a claim at the Employment Claims Tribunal?

6 months
Time limit to file
S$20,000
Max claim amount
10 years
Age limit for claimants
All employees
Eligible persons
The Short Answer

Yes, you can file a claim at the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) in Singapore if you are an employee or former employee with a statutory or contractual employment claim.

What the Law Says

The Employment Claims Act 2016 establishes the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) and sets out who may file claims and under what conditions.

The ECT handles salary-related and wrongful dismissal claims from employees and former employees. It is part of the State Courts and offers a faster, lower-cost alternative to civil court.

You must file your claim within 6 months from the date your employment ended — or from when the dispute arose — unless the Minister extends the time. The ECT can hear claims up to S$20,000 (or S$30,000 for salary-related claims if you went through mediation first).

All employees covered under the Employment Act — including part-time, temporary, and contract workers — may file claims. There is no minimum length of service required.

Statutory Text

This Act provides for the establishment of the Employment Claims Tribunal and for matters connected therewith.

— Employment Claims Act 2016, s. 3 — Preliminary

What to Do

1

Check that your claim falls under ECT’s jurisdiction (e.g., unpaid salary, overtime, retrenchment benefits, or wrongful dismissal).

2

Attend mandatory mediation at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) before filing at the ECT.

3

File your claim online via the State Courts’ ECT e-Filing system within 6 months of your employment ending.

4

Prepare supporting documents (e.g., employment contract, payslips, termination letter, TADM mediation outcome).

5

Attend the hearing and present your case clearly — legal representation is not allowed unless permitted by the ECT.

Sources

statuteEmployment Claims Act 2016, s. 3 — Preliminary

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.