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SINGAPORE - May 3, when Singaporeans will vote in the general election, has been declared a public holiday.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a press statement on April 15 that the day should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday.

This means that all employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to paid public holidays, it said.

If Polling Day is a non-working day for the employee, he is entitled to either a day off or salary in lieu. The day off should be discussed between employers and employees and is not the next Monday (May 5) by default.

If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, he is entitled to an extra day’s salary for the day’s work, or be given a day off.

Employers also have the additional option of granting time off in lieu, should employees work on the public holiday. This applies to the following groups of workers:

• Workmen, or manual labourers, earning more than $4,500 a month
• Non-workmen earning more than $2,600 a month
• All managers and executives.

Workers and companies can visit MOM’s website for more information on public holiday provisions under the Employment Act.

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