Data on Workers Performing Night or Rotating Shift Work, and Those Affected By Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has data on the proportion of resident and migrant workforce who perform night shift or rotating shift work since 2021; (b) if so, what proportions of such workers are impacted by Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD); (c) whether the Ministry has recourse for an employer's lack of prevention measures to protect such workers from SWSD; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider tracking and intervening where poor workplace practices leading to SWSD are found.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) surveys in 2022 and 2024 found that around 8% of full-time resident and non-resident employees performed shift work 1 . However, as Shift Work Sleep Disorder is not listed in the International Labour Organization's guidelines and not legislated in most jurisdictions, including Singapore, we do not track the numbers.

There are several factors that affect sleep, with varying impact across individuals. These factors include prolonged work shifts without adequate breaks and rest, as well as non-work factors, such as lifestyle choices 2 . Hence, both employers and employees should do their part to prevent Shift Work Sleep Disorder. Employers should mitigate risk factors in their work processes, such as scheduling shifts, to allow for sufficient rest between shifts. Employees can also adopt general good sleep practices, such as planning their caffeine intake and using heavy curtains to block daytime light when sleeping.

MOM supports employers in introducing measures to mitigate the safety and health risks of shift work. For example, MOM has worked with tripartite and industry partners to develop the Fitness for Work Tripartite Guide for Process and Terminal Operations Shift Personnel in the Oil, Petrochemical and Chemical Industries. Its recommendations, such as how to implement fatigue risk management systems, provide job accommodations and design work environments to enhance worker alertness, can be applied to other industries with shift work.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 51:

1 Source: Conditions of Employment Survey, Manpower Research and Statistics Department, MOM.

2 Including non-work-related factors, such as obesity, excessive dietary caffeine intake, obstructive sleep apnoea and environmental noise.