ONG, Benjamin Joshua

English

Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University 
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 
Research Collection School Of Law School of Law 
6-2020 
Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work 
passes 
Benjamin Joshua ONG 
Singapore Management University, benjaminjong@smu.edu.sg 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research 
 Part of the Public Law and Legal Theory Commons, and the Workers' Compensation Law Commons 
Citation 
ONG, Benjamin Joshua. Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes. (2020). 
Straits Times. 1-1. Research Collection School Of Law. 
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/3182 
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Law at Institutional Knowledge at 
Singapore Management University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Research Collection School Of Law by an 
authorized administrator of Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. For more information, 
please email cherylds@smu.edu.sg. 
 
 1 
Forum: Some misconceptions about 
the revocation of work passes 
 
Benjamin Joshua Ong 
JUN 28, 2020 
 
Several work pass holders, including both blue- and white-collar 
workers, have recently had their work passes revoked after they 
breached safe distancing rules. 
In online forums, I have seen several misconceptions about the 
revocation of work passes. In response, I would like to make three 
points about what the law is. 
First, there is no law requiring that those who breach safe distancing 
rules must have their work passes revoked. 
A criminal sentence (of a fine and/or jail term) is mandated by law if a 
court finds a person guilty of breaching the rules, or if the person 
pleads guilty. The decision to revoke a work pass is made at the 
discretion of an officer appointed by the Minister for Manpower 
(known as the Controller, Deputy Controller or Assistant Controller of 
Work Passes). 
Second, revoking a work pass is not the only option available to 
ministry officers. 
Instead of revocation, additional conditions can be attached to the 
work pass, such as requiring the employee to put up a bond that will 
be forfeited in the event of future reoffending. It is also possible for a 
work pass to be suspended instead of revoked. 
Third, avenues of recourse are available to an employee who feels that 
a decision to revoke his work pass is unjustified. 
The employee can appeal to the Minister for Manpower. If that fails, 
the employee can apply to court for judicial review of the decision to 
revoke the work pass. A lawyer may assist in taking these steps. 
Judicial review is a process by which the courts determine the legality 
of government action. 


Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes

Singapore Management University Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Research Collection School Of Law School of Law 6-2020 Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes Benjamin Joshua ONG Singapore Management University, benjaminjong@smu.edu.sg Follow this and additional works at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research  Part of the Public Law and Legal Theory Commons, and the Workers' Compensation Law Commons Citation ONG, Benjamin Joshua. Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes. (2020). Straits Times. 1-1. Research Collection School Of Law. Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/3182 This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Law at Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Research Collection School Of Law by an authorized administrator of Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University. For more information, please email cherylds@smu.edu.sg.   1 Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes  Benjamin Joshua Ong JUN 28, 2020  Several work pass holders, including both blue- and white-collar workers, have recently had their work passes revoked after they breached safe distancing rules. In online forums, I have seen several misconceptions about the revocation of work passes. In response, I would like to make three points about what the law is. First, there is no law requiring that those who breach safe distancing rules must have their work passes revoked. A criminal sentence (of a fine and/or jail term) is mandated by law if a court finds a person guilty of breaching the rules, or if the person pleads guilty. The decision to revoke a work pass is made at the discretion of an officer appointed by the Minister for Manpower (known as the Controller, Deputy Controller or Assistant Controller of Work Passes). Second, revoking a work pass is not the only option available to ministry officers. Instead of revocation, additional conditions can be attached to the work pass, such as requiring the employee to put up a bond that will be forfeited in the event of future reoffending. It is also possible for a work pass to be suspended instead of revoked. Third, avenues of recourse are available to an employee who feels that a decision to revoke his work pass is unjustified. The employee can appeal to the Minister for Manpower. If that fails, the employee can apply to court for judicial review of the decision to revoke the work pass. A lawyer may assist in taking these steps. Judicial review is a process by which the courts determine the legality of government action. 

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Forum: Some misconceptions about the revocation of work passes

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Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University

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