HRSINGAPORE^® Community Report

April - May 2008

Keeping Foreign Workers' Identification Documents

Can Singapore companies "safe keep" the work permits and passports of their foreign employees?

HR practitioners in the HRSINGAPORE^® Forum have different opinions on this matter.

Some felt that they can keep the passports as a safeguard. This was done to prevent them from moonlighting or disappearing.

And when they do, the foreign worker signs a letter of consent authorising the company to keep the document. The passport is returned to them when they cease employment or when they return to their home country.

Other HR professionals were of the view that it was not legal to keep the passports or work permits. They suggested that a copy of the passports be given to the employee for identification.

Moreover, all of them agreed that HR departments should have clear procedures on how to handle passports and work permits.

In Singapore there are about 900,000 foreign employees presently.

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