SATS looking into claims service partner docked S$5 from airport wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late
A ground-handling company in Singapore, SATS, is investigating claims that a service partner, Aventa Services, docked S$5 from a wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late. The issue came to light through a conversation between Ms Juliet Low, CEO of Maids Without Borders, and an elderly wheelchair service worker who shared his experience of wage deduction. According to the worker, his payslip explicitly noted '11 seconds late' as a reason for the deduction. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) states that while salary deductions for lateness are allowed under the Employment Act, they must not exceed the proportion of the employee's salary corresponding to the time missed. The worker, part of a group of elderly employees, expressed concern over the treatment, suggesting it reflects a broader trend of prioritizing profit over people. Ms Low highlighted the vulnerability of these workers and called the situation deplorable.
A woman who was previously jailed for abusing a domestic worker has been sentenced again for illegally hiring another helper to care for 40 cats. Maselly Ab Aziz, 55, received a seven-week jail term after pleading guilty to violating the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. She conspired with another woman, Nur Afidah Abdul Gafar, to mislead the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) by falsely declaring that the helper would be employed by Afidah in Ang Mo Kio. In reality, the helper worked for Maselly at her home in Sembawang. This illegal action violated existing rules, as Maselly was permanently barred from employing foreign domestic workers following a severe abuse case in 2009. In that earlier case, Maselly and her family subjected an Indonesian domestic worker to extreme cruelty, including pouring wax and boiling water on her, assaulting her with a metal rod, and pulling out two of her front teeth with pliers. The victim eventually escaped by jumping from a second-floor window and seeking help at a nearby hotel. Maselly was sentenced to three years in prison for her role in the abuse, deemed the most culpable party. Her daughter, who was also imprisoned for her involvement, claimed in an interview in 2012 that the family had learned from their mistakes and aimed to become better people. Despite these past convictions, Maselly managed to circumvent legal restrictions by working around the system with Afidah. The charge sheet against her did not include further details about Afidah, raising questions about the nature of their collaboration. Under the law, Maselly could have faced up to two years in jail and a fine of $20,000 for conspiring to deceive MOM during the work pass application process. Separately, concerns have emerged over alleged unfair wage deductions at Changi Airport. A wheelchair assistant reportedly had $5 docked from his pay for being 11 seconds late, according to a LinkedIn post by Juliet Low, founder of Maid Without Borders Singapore. The post described how the worker showed her a payslip indicating the unusual deduction, which Low called "almost an hour of his pay, just for 11 seconds." The incident sparked public outrage, with the post receiving over 500 reactions and 100 comments within days. SATS, the airport’s ground-handling company, responded to the allegations, expressing concern and seeking clarification from its service partner, Aventa Services. A SATS spokesperson confirmed that the company is investigating the matter and expects all service providers to adhere to employment laws. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reiterated that employers must determine the cause of lateness before making deductions and emphasized that penalties should not be excessive. According to MOM guidelines, deductions should not exceed the duration of the absence, meaning a 30-minute delay would result in a 30-minute salary reduction. The wheelchair assistant, who is among the elderly workers in the sector, expressed frustration over the perceived exploitation. Low criticized the situation, calling it a reflection of a growing trend where profit appears to outweigh human dignity. She noted that many of the wheelchair assistants are older individuals who may lack alternative employment options, making them particularly vulnerable to such treatment. Changi Airport and SATS recently introduced autonomous wheelchairs to improve the travel experience for passengers with reduced mobility. Despite these efforts, demand for wheelchair assistance has increased significantly, with a 20 percent rise in requests between 2023 and 2025. Airlines at Changi handle approximately 2,300 wheelchair assistance requests daily, with four out of five originating from transfer passengers. These figures highlight the ongoing need for reliable and ethical support services in the region.
3 reports
The Straits TimesParty-aligned🔒CenterFactual 88Objective 889 days ago
A LinkedIn post by Juliet Low, founder of Maid Without Borders Singapore, alleges that a wheelchair assistant at Changi Airport had $5 deducted from his pay for being 11 seconds late, calling the penalty 'completely disproportionate.' The incident, which gained over 500 reactions and 100 comments, led Singapore Airlines' ground services provider SATS to express concern and seek clarification from their service partner Aventa Services. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) responded by stating that employers should not unfairly penalize employees for minor delays and that deductions should not exceed the duration of the absence. MOM provided an example where a 30-minute delay would result in a 30-minute salary deduction. SATS emphasized compliance with employment laws and is awaiting responses from Aventa and other authorities.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the issue neutrally, citing both the allegation from the wheelchair assistant and the response from the Ministry of Manpower. It does not take a clear ideological stance but reports on the controversy surrounding wage deductions and labor standards. The focus is on factual clarf
Why factuality (88): This article provides a clear account of the situation, citing SATS' response and quoting Juliet Low's LinkedIn post. It aligns closely with the information presented in the first article, though it omits some specific details like the exact wording of the payslip. Still, it remains largely accurate
Why objectivity (88): The article presents the information objectively, reporting on the situation without taking sides. It includes quotes from both SATS and Juliet Low, offering a balanced perspective. However, it uses slightly more emotive language when describing the 'disproportionate' nature of the deduction, which
A ground-handling company in Singapore, SATS, is investigating claims that a service partner, Aventa Services, docked S$5 from a wheelchair assistant's pay for being 11 seconds late. The issue came to light through a conversation between Ms Juliet Low, CEO of Maids Without Borders, and an elderly wheelchair service worker who shared his experience of wage deduction. According to the worker, his payslip explicitly noted '11 seconds late' as a reason for the deduction. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) states that while salary deductions for lateness are allowed under the Employment Act, they must not exceed the proportion of the employee's salary corresponding to the time missed. The worker, part of a group of elderly employees, expressed concern over the treatment, suggesting it reflects a broader trend of prioritizing profit over people. Ms Low highlighted the vulnerability of these workers and called the situation deplorable.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a systemic problem affecting vulnerable workers, emphasizing exploitation and ethical concerns. It highlights the disparity between corporate practices and labor rights, aligning with left-leaning perspectives on social justice and worker protection. While the article
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the situation involving SATS investigating a potential pay deduction from a wheelchair assistant for being 11 seconds late. It includes direct quotes from SATS and details from the individual's experience as shared by Juliet Low. However, it stops mid-sentence in the l
Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts without overt bias. It includes statements from multiple sources including SATS, Juliet Low, and references to MOM guidelines, providing a balanced view.
The Straits TimesParty-aligned🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 7012 days ago
A Singaporean woman named Maselly Ab Aziz, who was previously convicted for abusing a domestic worker in 2009, has been sentenced to seven weeks in jail for conspiring to deceive the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). She lied on a work pass application, claiming the helper would be employed by another woman, while in reality, the helper worked for Maselly. This violation occurred despite her permanent ban from hiring foreign workers due to past abuse. In 2009, she was jailed for three years after being found responsible for severe physical abuse against an Indonesian helper, including pouring hot wax and boiling water on her, using a metal rod, and pulling out her teeth. Her daughter had previously stated they had learned their lesson and aimed to become 'better people.'
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual legal outcome without overt ideological slant. While the subject involves law enforcement and immigration regulations, which can be politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal consequences rather than advocating for any particular policy.
Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about Maselly Ab Aziz's conviction for illegally hiring a domestic worker, including the specific charges, dates, and previous convictions. It accurately reports the legal consequences and the history of abuse from 2009. However, it does not provide a primar
Why objectivity (70): The article presents the facts in a straightforward manner but includes emotionally charged descriptions of the past abuse, such as 'pouring wax and boiling water on her' and 'pulling out two of her front teeth with pliers.' These vivid accounts may influence readers' perceptions and lack neutrality
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