Employer of Record in Singapore | Payroll

Payroll in Singapore

As of 2026, in Singapore, laws governing standard working hours, payroll frequency, minimum wages, and mandatory overtime and bonus payments can be found in the Employment Act, chapter 91. (Other laws, legally binding precedents, and collective bargaining agreements may apply.)

Standard working hours in Singapore

The standard workday in Singapore is up to nine hours a day in a five-day workweek or up to eight hours a day in a six-day workweek. In most cases, a workday cannot exceed 12 hours by law. Employers may not require employees to work more than six consecutive hours without a rest break.

The standard workweek in Singapore is 44 hours. Under Singaporean law, employees are entitled to one rest day per week (without pay).

No employee may be required to work on a rest day except in cases of:

• Continuous shift work
• Urgent work that must be done to machinery or at a plant
• An unforeseeable interruption of work
• Work that is essential to the life of the community
• Work that is essential for defense or security
• Actual or threatened accident
• Work to be performed by employees in any industrial undertaking essential to the economy of Singapore or any essential services

For employees engaged in shift work, the employer may designate any continuous period of 30 hours as the day of rest.

Minimum wages in Singapore

In Singapore, there is no general minimum wage law for all workers, but there are legally binding minimum wage guidelines for employees in many industries. The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and Occupational Progressive Wages (OPW) systems, overseen by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, issue minimum thresholds based on job responsibility for the following industries: Security, cleaning, landscaping, elevator and escalator maintenance, retail, food service, waste management, administrative workers, and drivers.

Workers who are not covered by the PWM or OPW must be paid at least the Local Qualifying Salary, which is $1,600 SGD per month, effective since July 1, 2024.

Payroll frequency in Singapore

Under Singapore labor laws, employers must issue wage payments at least once per month. Payment may only be made in legal tender. Wages must be paid no later than seven days after the last day of the earning period.

At Safeguard Global, our Global Pay solution allows you to pay your entire international workforce through one platform, all backed by our experts in payroll compliance. In addition to ensuring the proper taxes are deducted and social contributions are made in Singapore, we can advise on Singaporean pay laws such as those concerning minimum wages, mandatory payroll frequency, and statutory overtime compensation and bonus payments.

As your employment partner in Singapore, we can also help you craft compensation packages that are competitive for your industry and the roles you’re hiring for. Contact us today to find out more.