I'm a foreign worker. Does the Employment Act cover me?

What the Law Says

The Employment Act applies to all employees in Singapore — including foreign workers — unless they fall under specific exclusions set out in section 2.

The Employment Act 1968 is Singapore’s main law governing employment relationships. It sets minimum standards for working conditions, such as rest days, overtime pay, annual leave, and termination notice.

Importantly, the Act does not exclude foreign workers based on nationality or work pass type (e.g., Work Permit, S Pass, or Employment Pass). Coverage depends instead on the nature of the job and whether it falls within the statutory exclusions.

Section 2 of the Act lists categories of employees who are *not* covered — for example, domestic workers, seafarers, and certain managers or executives earning above a specified threshold. But these exclusions apply equally to Singaporeans and foreigners.

Statutory Text

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “employee” means any person who has entered into or works under a contract of service with an employer...

— Employment Act 1968, s. 2 — Interpretation

What to Do

Sources