Casual and Contract Workers Earning Less Than $1,500 a Month

Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) how many casual workers and workers on short-term contract currently earn S$1,500 or less a month; and (b) how many of them are deemed "self-employed" or "independent contractors" who are not covered by the Work Injury Compensation Act.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: As of June last year, 91,200 resident employees (or 4.7% of the resident workforce) earning $1,500 or less a month were on casual employment or term contracts of less than one year. 4 These workers are considered to be employed under a contract of service. There were another 110,700 self- employed residents (or 5.7% of the resident workforce) earning $1,500 or less a month. This group is not considered employed under a contract of service, and includes independent contractors or freelancers.

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