Employment Laws - who is protected?

Another bothering issue on my mind recently - the employment laws in Singapore. By practice, I'm a HR personnel but a small one 'lah'! However, I am attending modules and completing my HR degree soon. One module that I took an extreme interest in is the Employment Laws. Employment Laws cover certain employees earning a certain salary in certain positions. Basically, it usually covered those paid below 2k in Singapore.

But, few knows that laws exists to protect them. One of the few is my parents. Basically, my dad works 365days a year, his only rest day is the 1st day of Chinese New Year. He does have annual leave entitlement but his boss never allowed him to take it. He's a gas delivery man. He belongs to the workmen category and is covered by the employment act in Singapore.

In fact, he should not be overworked and if overtime is required, he needs to be paid overtime payment. But, none of these (overtime payment and annual leave) was given to him at all. He earns just a basic $1,800 / month.

For the baby boomers and some older Gen X people, they tend to be uneducated. The lucky ones get to study all the way to unversity but most people stopped at primary or secondary education, like my parents.

As such, most of them are unsure and unaware of what are certain laws in placed to protect them.

The reach out from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is very limited. They have websites, call centres and even use social media to reach to employees and employers alike.

However, these new technology are alien to most baby boomers or older Gen X. I feel that MOM should do even more reach out to such people. A flyer, in 4 different languages, or seminars should be given and conducted regularly at community centres respectively.

Another good way is to spread the word by mouth. Educate 1 worker and the worker can then transfer the knowledge to another person.

Even the younger ones like the Gen Z group should be edcated on this. I started working as an admin at the age of 19 and was paid only $1,400 with a diploma. In the event if OT is required, I was not compensated. But according to the employment act then, anyone who earns $1,600 and below should be compensated if overtime has been done (>44 hours).

I was not taught of this employment act module in polytechnic and am not aware of this.

As such, I was more or less 'conned' of hours worked.

Therefore, in view of this, I realise that many people needs to know how much and how are they being protected by the government of Singapore. I hope that every young adult can try their best to understand the law and in return, educate their parents on their rights.

Right now, I'm doing my part to help my own parents :)