Overview

• Severance documents given to about 50 retrenched Singapore staff warned they could lose benefits if they contacted government agencies, statutory bodies or trade unions or pursued claims.
• Following engagement with MOM, NTUC and SISEU, Agoda acknowledged the language was wrong, issued an apology and said it supports Singapore’s fair employment practices.
• MOM called the clauses inappropriate and said it was encouraged by the company’s discussions with the labour movement and its commitment to support affected workers.
• NTUC and SISEU said retrenchment benefits were in line with industry guidelines, and SISEU is reaching out to guide retrenched employees through the transition.
• Lawyers noted the Employment Claims Act preserves access to TADM and the Employment Claims Tribunals and highlighted standard carve‑outs in separation agreements, with the Workplace Fairness Act set to add anti‑retaliation protections.