The Ministry of Manpower have announced that there will be an additional public holiday on 1 September 2023.
This public holiday has been announced in accordance with section 17 of the Presidential Elections Act and it is to allow for citizens to vote on polling day.
The Ministry of Manpower has informed employers that this should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday. An employee who is covered by the Employment Act is entitled to be paid for a public holiday. Where an employee is required to work on this day, they will be entitled to an extra day's salary.
A further option for employers is to grant time off in lieu, which would be based on a mutually agreed number of hours, for the following group of employees when they work on a public holiday:
- Workmen earning more than SGD 4,500 a month;
- Non-workmen earning more than SGD 2,600 a month; and
- All managers and executives.
These rules apply to all public holidays, as well as the 1 September 2023 polling day.
