Agoda apologises for ‘inappropriate’ severance clauses, will work with labour movement to support retrenched employees

[the_dog]

Apologize only when caught.

first they deny doing it

then when cornered, guai guai apologize

very sincere

 

[johnsonheng]

SINGAPORE: Agoda on Friday (Sep 19) apologised for including "inappropriate" clauses in its severance agreements that discouraged retrenched employees from approaching trade unions, government agencies and statutory bodies.
This comes following discussions between the online travel platform and the Ministry of Manpower, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the NTUC-affiliated Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU).

“We acknowledge that it is inappropriate for employers to include provisions that discourage or inhibit employees from approaching the authorities for all situations,” Agoda said in a statement.

“This runs counter to the spirit of fair and responsible employment practices in Singapore, and Agoda apologises for any language in our agreements that gave the impression employees could not approach government agencies, statutory bodies or trade unions for additional support and advice. This is their statutory right.”

Agoda also apologised for the “negative impact” the matter had on some of its employees, and said that it is “fully supportive of the spirit of the tripartite employment practices Singapore is known for”.

In a separate statement, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and SISEU executive secretary Desmond Tan said: “We appreciate the management of Agoda for taking a proactive approach in engaging NTUC, SISEU and the government, and for its transparency in sharing information regarding the exercise.

“The union has also ascertained that the retrenchment benefit provided to the affected workers are aligned with industry guidelines.”


Mr Ng and Mr Tan added that Agoda management had agreed to work with the labour movement to support the affected workers through their transition.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...enchment-severance-package-discussion-5358296

no choice, force to make this statement, if not it will be the government against agoda.

 

[Yuripa]

Agoda from which country?

 

[Preacher1010]

Confirm + chop , they're r exiting Singapore.

 

[Preacher1010]

Agoda from which country?

founded in Thailand, by 2 angmo.

To add, their reputation has gone down the drain elsewhere in Asia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoda

 

[Yuripa]

founded in Thailand, by 2 angmo

I thought usually ang mo who likes Thailand are more free spirited open minded and dislike oppression?

Why their severance clause like that man?

 

[AlmightyOnes]

Well done NCM

Going hard on Agoda like what LKY did to SIA pilots

Next GE full minister for NCM!

Power lah Bro Ng!

Bro Ng still hold some weight.

 

[Medicated Oil]

JK Meng told them to say sorry so he can close the episode ?
If you are them, why not ?
They already completed their retrenchment.
The workers are still jobless.

 

[buttbERry]

so many threads about this

 

[zetraw]

"My auntie work inside Agoda drafting the initial retrenchment letter, she says the objective was to use monetary fear as she says SG very obedient and won't dare to do much, no such thing as civil law case.

After the thing blow up, her mentor wanted to shut us up by saying we can do what we want but the letter already say what they will do if we do what we want.

Latest is the head decide to come out to lip service our government, but letter is binding and they can choose to do the ultimate if they decide."


All the above are fake but it probably makes you think who is the auntie, who is her mentor and who is the head. All we know is all hiding behind Agoda. It could really be your friend, relative or family members and we wonder why they behave this way?

 

[standarture]

Anyway these kind of booking website useless one la. Most of the time is not cheaper. Just give you more flexibility only.

 

[Suporter]

It can't be so naive not to know it will be caught...

 

[Dudick]

Let's all boycott AGODA!

Why? U see MY Gov implement bumi policy that treat all non-malay unfairly but u see sinkies got boycott MY?

 

[sseasea]

What’s the difference before and after say sorry?

 

[PrinceY]

Wouldnt give the govt or even NCM too much credit for this.. Since obviously if its inappropriate, then why add in such clause even? Entire management team nobody find it amiss? But then there's many collecting millions but zbl also..

Now the cat out of the bag and all eyes on them.. Its as if someone literally pointing a gun on ur head liao, naturally Agoda got to react per the next best course of action.. I mean they dont stand to benefit much by going against govt either and im sure there's plenty of ways govt can deal with them in a legit and legal way even thru other means.. Just like old days ah long got 101 ways to pressure debtors and even innocent neighbours to turn them out, sama sama..

 

[zetraw]

"My auntie work inside Agoda drafting the initial retrenchment letter, she says the objective was to use monetary fear as she says SG very obedient and won't dare to do much, no such thing as civil law case.

After the thing blow up, her mentor wanted to shut us up by saying we can do what we want but the letter already say what they will do if we do what we want.

Latest is the head decide to come out to lip service our government, but letter is binding and they can choose to do the ultimate if they decide."


All the above are fake but it probably makes you think who is the auntie, who is her mentor and who is the head. All we know is all hiding behind Agoda. It could really be your friend, relative or family members and we wonder why they behave this way?

"My auntie still believe she did the right thing. So are her mentor and head.

They say if things turn south, Agoda is to be blamed. They can just switch to another company."

Above is also fake, but to bring out a point that there are real people behind a company and these people must be educated.

 

[wulu1_69]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoda

HQ in Singapore wor

To enjoy the political stability and to earn tax breaks nia

 

[woshihock]

support retrenched employee

by introducing them to booking.com?

 

[byfun]

first they deny doing it

then when cornered, guai guai apologize

very sincere

All companies will do that.. this mean give face to the gov and show the gov interventions are working.

End of the day, the companies achieved what they wanna do without being heavily penalised ok liao.. win win for corporate and gov.

Only sinkies think this is about fighting for their rights .. .

 

[Joseph12]

In other words,
"Sorry that you stupid employees misunderstand that we're saying you can't approach government agencies etc. You CAN do so, just that we'll revoke your severance if you do so. NOTE AH, YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN report to authorities, but DO SO AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. NOTE AH, we'll withdraw your severance package if you're caught doing so. You want report? REPORT LA IF YOU DARE."

I've not seen any statement from Agoda withdrawing the clause that they'll revoke the severance package for employees who reach out to government agencies etc.

Reminds of that clause from hawker centre which minister said wasn't compulsory but later on lawyers said was compulsory