The following is a repost from ST Today Online:

Letter from Farah Abdul Rahim Director, Corporate
Communications, Ministry Of Manpower

05:55 AM Jun 08, 2010

We thank Mr Melvin Toh and Ms Devi Maradan for their letters, “Are Interns being taken advantage of?” (May 26) and “Employers shouldn’t exploit ‘cheap’ labour”, (May 27).

The Employment Act covers every employee who is engaged under a contract of service. This includes interns. An employer should accord statutory benefits prescribed under the law to an intern if he is performing work and has work arrangements similar to that of a regular employee in the organisation.

Under the Employment Act, an employee should not be required to work for more than eight hours in one day or more than 44 hours in a week. However, he may be required to work overtime if he consents to do so, subject to the limit of 12 hours per day and totalling 72 hours per month.

Under the Act, the employer must pay the employee for the extra hours of work or for working on his rest days or public holidays. The rate for overtime work should be no less than one-and-a-half times his hourly basic rate of pay.

An employer must grant the employee one rest day (which is not paid) in a week, which may be on a Sunday, or any other day.

Prospective employers through education institutions should inform students clearly of their working arrangements such as their job scope, working hours, remuneration and benefits.

Interns who encounter employment issues should approach their employers or their education institutions for clarification to avoid misunderstanding.

Alternatively, they may approach the Ministry of Manpower for advice and assistance. More information on employment provisions in the law can be found at www.mom.gov.sg.

Source: TODAYonline

=====================================================

This post goes out to all my working buddies out there (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE). If you OT too much, know your rights. Well, if you want a life and you’re not afraid of breaking your rice bowl, you can stand up for yourself :D