Unpaid or short salary? How to file a claim

Your rights · Salary & TADM claims · Checked against mom.gov.sg and tal.sg/tadm, July 2026

Not being paid — or being paid less or later than agreed — is stressful, but Singapore has a straightforward, free system to help you fix it. This guide walks through what to do first, and the two official channels that exist if talking to your employer does not solve the problem: the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) and the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT).

Step 1: Keep your records and payslips

Before you do anything else, gather and keep safe copies of anything that shows what you were promised and what you were actually paid. Good evidence makes every later step faster.

• Your employment contract or In-Principle Approval (IPA), showing your agreed salary and job.
• Itemised payslips. Since 1 April 2016, employers covered by the Employment Act must give employees an itemised payslip with every payment, showing basic pay, overtime, allowances and deductions. If you have not been getting payslips, that is itself worth reporting.
• Bank statements or records showing what was actually credited to your account (or not credited).
• Messages or emails with your employer about your salary, hours or any promises made.
• Timesheets or attendance records, if you keep your own.
• Your Work Permit / pass details and CPF statements if applicable.

Take photos or make copies you keep somewhere safe outside your workplace, such as with a friend, family member, or in cloud storage — not only on a work phone or device your employer could take back.

Step 2: Approach your employer first, if it feels safe to do so

Many salary problems are genuine mistakes or cash-flow delays that get sorted out once you raise them. If you feel safe doing so, ask your employer or HR in writing (a text message or email is fine) what happened and when you will be paid. Keep a copy of what you sent and any reply.

If you do not feel safe raising it directly, or your employer does not respond or refuses to pay, move on to the next step — you do not need your employer's agreement to get help.

Step 3: Get free advice, or report the problem to MOM

You do not have to figure this out alone. Two free places to start:

• Ask TADM — an online chatbot on the TADM website that gives free advice on your situation and can help you book an appointment.
• Report an Employment Act violation to MOM — an online form for reporting problems such as unpaid salary, missing payslips, or unpaid overtime. Reports are confidential.

Whatever happens with your salary claim, remember: your employer must not hold onto your passport, and MOM officers will never ask you to transfer money or share your bank login over the phone or by message. If someone calls claiming to be a government officer and asks for money or your bank details, hang up and report it (see the hotlines below).

Step 4: File a claim for mediation at TADM

If the issue is still not resolved, you can file a salary claim for mediation with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM). This step is required before a salary dispute can go to the Employment Claims Tribunals.

Who can file, and when

• Most employees covered by the Employment Act can file directly through TADM's online EmPOWER e-service using Singpass. (Foreign domestic workers, seafarers, statutory board employees and civil servants are handled differently — check the TADM site or ask MOM.)
• Union members should contact NTUC's Workplace Advisory for help filing a claim.
• Time limit if you are still employed: generally within 1 year from the first date your salary was owed.
• Time limit if you have already left the job: generally within 6 months of your last day of employment.

These time limits can change, so always confirm the current limit on the official TADM mediation guide before you file.

How to file

You file online through TADM's EmPOWER e-service using Singpass. You will need your employer's company name and UEN, your employment dates and salary, and to upload supporting documents such as your contract, payslips or salary records, and any messages with your employer. There is a small filing fee (currently $10 for claims up to $10,000, or $20 for claims above that, inclusive of GST) which must be paid within a few days of filing or the claim is not processed — check the current fee on the TADM site.

What happens at TADM mediation

A TADM mediator will help you and your employer try to reach a fair agreement — this is not a court hearing, and it is free once your claim is accepted. Sessions can be done online or in person and typically take up to a few hours; more than one session is sometimes needed. If you and your employer agree, you sign a settlement agreement, which is legally binding.

Step 5: If mediation does not resolve it — the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT)

If mediation does not lead to an agreement, TADM will issue you a Claim Referral Certificate (CRC). This lets you take your unresolved claim to the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT), a subordinate court set up specifically for low-cost, speedy salary and wrongful-dismissal claims.

• You must file with the ECT within 4 weeks of receiving your Claim Referral Certificate.
• Salary-related claims are generally capped at $20,000 for non-union members and $30,000 for union members, per claim — check current limits with TADM or the State Courts, as these can be revised.
• You do not need a lawyer to file or appear at the ECT.

Filing at the ECT is done through the State Courts / Community Justice and Tribunals System — see the official links below.

Common questions

Is it free to make a salary claim?

Getting advice from TADM and reporting a problem to MOM are free. Filing a claim for mediation through TADM's e-service has a small filing fee (currently $10 or $20 depending on the claim amount, inclusive of GST) — confirm the current fee on the TADM site before you file.

Can my employer punish me or send me home for filing a claim?

Your employer must not withhold your passport at any time. If you are worried about reprisal or your pass status while your claim is in progress, raise it with TADM or MOM directly rather than relying on what your employer or agent tells you informally.

What if I have already left Singapore or my Work Permit is cancelled?

You may still be able to file, but the time limit is shorter — generally 6 months from your last day of employment, versus 1 year if you are still employed. Check the exact current limits on the TADM mediation guide, since these rules can change.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. Both TADM mediation and the Employment Claims Tribunals are designed so you can represent yourself without a lawyer. Union members can get help from their union.