SINGAPORE – Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) did not discriminate against its Singaporean employees during the recent retrenchment exercise that laid off 400 workers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told TODAY after its probe into the integrated resort operator.

The MOM had launched investigations in July and scrutinized RWS’ workforce records after complaints and appeals were filed by retrenched employees against the company, alleging discriminatory practices and unfair dismissals.

“From our investigation, MOM found that the assessment criteria (e.g. overall work performance, past records of counselling sessions and warnings) for retrenchment to be consistently applied. There was no evidence of any bias against Singaporean employees. Relative to the workforce of RWS, a significantly smaller proportion of Singaporeans were affected,” a spokesperson at the MOM told TODAY. Of the retrenched employees, 16 per cent were Singaporeans, the MOM said. About 60 per cent of RWS employees are Singaporeans, the integrated resort operator said.

“Our investigations did not find any evidence of discriminatory practices by RWS. However, RWS could have done better in the following areas for the recent retrenchment exercise: 1) Explaining the business situation resulting in the need for retrenchment; 2) Clarifying the reasons for giving affected employees short notice period; and 3) Elaborating on the factors that were considered in its assessment criteria for retrenchment,” the MOM spokesperson said. The MOM has informed RWS to review and make improvements in these areas.

“While we are not entirely satisfied, we will have to accept MOM’s response to our complaints,” said a former RWS worker who had complained to the ministry.

The MOM was particularly looking into complaints from former RWS employees paid below S$4,500 per month and covered under the Employment Act. In May, the 12,000-strong RWS began laying off workers at its casino operations as turnover from Chinese high-rollers continued to slump amid a corruption crackdown in China and a slowdown in the Asia’s largest economy. About 150 croupiers, 200 supervisors and two dozen pit managers have been let go since.

Some of the former employees alleged that Singaporeans were unfairly retrenched by RWS and claimed that foreigners were retained and even sought after, pointing to an advertisement the company had placed in Malaysia for casino staff with pay offered in Singapore dollar terms.

The MOM said it checked RWS’ workforce records and found that the retrenched positions were not being replaced and that the job advertisement highlighted by some retrenched workers was put up by Resorts World Genting for employment in Resorts World Genting and not intended for any positions in RWS.

On the short notice period, the MOM said RWS had explained that it arose from security concerns, especially the need to protect the integrity of its customers’ database. MOM noted that RWS had paid the affected retrenched workers salary in lieu of notice.

A spokesperson at RWS told Today the company had engaged closely with the MOM and facilitated the necessary clarifications. Meanwhile, the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU) reiterated that RWS management had held multiple discussions with the union.

“The union is glad that management had heeded advice to recognise the years of service of the staff in the quantum of compensation instead of a common ex-gratia across the board,” said Mr Desmond Choo, Executive Secretary of AREU.

In May, the tripartite partners - MOM, National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation - updated and issued the “Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment”. The MOM urged companies to refer to the guidelines to help them implement their retrenchment exercise responsibly and sensitively.

They should also notify the MOM and/or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices of any impending retrenchment exercise as soon as possible. Doing so will enable the tripartite partners and relevant agencies to work with companies to help affected local employees to find alternative employment and/or identify relevant training to enhance their employability, the MOM said.