NTUC, SISEU condemns Agoda retrenchment

The two urged the Ministry of Manpower to investigate the situation.

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) have issued a joint statement on 17 September 2025 condemning online travel agency Agoda Company Pte Ltd (Agoda) for the way it allegedly conducted the retrenchment of 50 local employees.

The two organisations said in a joint statement that they were ‘appalled’ that Agoda had allegedly warned the retrenched workers, through their severance letters, against making any reports to the Government or the trade unions.

NTUC and SISEU also condemned the alleged news that workers were told not to bring any mediation requests, claims or proceedings against Agoda, and doing so would result in a forfeiture of their severance pay and possibly legal claims.

According to the statement, NTUC and SISEU said they are “deeply concerned” that Agoda has allegedly sought to deny its workers access to grievance handling and dispute resolution at a time when they need it the most.

The two urged the Ministry of Manpower to investigate the allegations.

“Workers must never be made to feel threatened or silenced when exercising their rights. NTUC calls on Agoda to clarify its position, and to do what is right for its workers immediately. We also urge the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to investigate this allegation against Agoda as it deeply affects workers’ rights to protection at the workplace,” they said.

Although Agoda is not a unionised company, NTUC and SISEU said they stand ready to assist both union and non-union members affected by this retrenchment.