3 May Polling Day!
The upcoming General Election in Singapore, set to take place on May 3, has been declared a public holiday by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
In a press statement released on April 15, the MOM emphasized that May 3 should be treated as any other public holiday, granting certain entitlements to employees covered by the Employment Act.
According to the statement, employees who have Polling Day as a non-working day are entitled to either a day off or salary in lieu, with the specific day off to be mutually agreed upon by employers and employees — not necessarily the following Monday, May 5 by default.
The MOM’s statement also outlined the compensation provisions for employees required to work on a public holiday. Such employees are entitled to either an extra day’s salary for their work on Polling Day or a compensatory day off.
Furthermore, employers have the option of granting time off in lieu for employees who work on public holidays. This policy applies to specific categories of workers, including workmen earning more than $4,500 a month, non-workmen earning over $2,600 a month, and all managers and executives.
In line with these arrangements, workers and companies are encouraged to visit MOM’s website for detailed information on public holiday provisions under the Employment Act. By ensuring compliance with these regulations, both employees and employers can navigate the implications of Polling Day falling on a public holiday transparently and equitably.
