Early layoff notices may speed up job cuts, skip negotiations: Tan See Leng

Tan noted businesses worry about confidential, market-sensitive info being leaked.

Mandating advance notices for retrenchments could push companies to finalise them faster, potentially discouraging negotiations, according to Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng.

“Retrenchment is often, in fact, I will say always, a difficult process for all parties involved and is often a last resort for companies,” he said during the Committee of Supply debate.

Tan also noted that businesses have expressed concerns over the risk of confidential, market-sensitive information being disclosed.

The proposal was raised by Members of Parliament Patrick Tay and Ng Chee Meng, who asked whether Mandatory Retrenchment Notifications could be brought forward.

“We are not ruling out any option. We are consulting tripartite partners on these issues, and will update in due course,” Tan added.