SATS redeploys staff to baggage handling amid MOM probe into contracted firms

Some SATS employees have taken on additional responsibilities or been temporarily redeployed to help the ground handler keep its baggage-handling operations running.

Published Nov 03, 2026, 11:45 AM

Updated Nov 03, 2026, 01:48 PM

SINGAPORE – Ground handler SATS has temporarily redeployed some employees and assigned others additional responsibilities to keep its Changi Airport operations running smoothly, amid investigations into possible work pass violations involving workers employed by its contractors and sub-contractors .

In an e-mail sent to all staff and seen by The Straits Times on Nov 3, SATS thanked its employees for helping out and supporting the company through the “operational adjustments required in recent weeks”.

“Some employees have taken on additional responsibilities or been temporarily redeployed to help ensure our operations continue to run safely and smoothly. Your dedication, flexibility and professionalism have been instrumental in maintaining service to our customers, and we thank you for your support.”

The e-mail addressed to SATS employees also outlined a broader context on actions the firm has taken to “enhance verification process controls” to make sure contractor workers are deployed according to their work passes.

“We are rectifying compliance deficiencies in accordance with MOM’s guidelines,” said the company spokesperson in the e-mail, urging employees to reach out to team leaders if they have questions or want to clarify facts after reading media reports on the investigation.

A SATS employee who did not want to be named said employees, including those from non-operations departments, were encouraged to step up on a voluntary basis to help with baggage-handling services, especially to fill slots for the upcoming Deepavali long weekend.

ST understands that employees who volunteer for additional 2½-hour block duties will receive $15 in NTUC vouchers, time off in lieu and transport allowance.

SATS said on Nov 3 that it is regular practice for the company to invite employees across the organisation to volunteer their support during peak travel periods, and that the request for volunteers did not come as a result of the probe.

The request for volunteers can include customer service and premier services ambassadors, as well as support for baggage services, added the SATS spokesperson. Vouchers or time off in lieu will typically be provided as a gesture of appreciation.

“This provides colleagues from non-operational functions with opportunities to gain first-hand experience of frontline operations, while supporting operational teams and enabling frontline employees to take well-deserved breaks.”

Responding to queries from ST, a spokesperson for Changi Airport Group (CAG) said it is working closely with SATS’ management team to “minimise the impact of the manpower situation on airport operations”.

“CAG expects SATS and other operators at Changi Airport to strengthen the oversight of companies they contract with and to ensure that these companies comply with applicable manpower laws and regulations.”

MOM said in a media statement on Nov 2 that it has identified around 270 workers, employed by SATS’ contractors and sub-contractors, whose deployment may not have been in compliance with work pass regulations.

MOM said the ministry found Employment Pass holders deployed to perform baggage-handling services during a recent inspection.

SATS’ share price fell 3.01% after market opened on Nov 3, with about four million shares worth about $14.2 million changing hands as of 10.40am.

Sharon Salim is a business correspondent at The Straits Times, with a focus on jobs, workplace culture and trends.

Ministry of Manpower

Aviation/Aerospace sector

一些 SATS 员工承担了额外的职责或被临时重新部署，以帮助地面服务商维持其行李处理业务的正常运转。

发布于 2026 年 11 月 3 日上午 11:45

更新于2026年11月3日下午1:48

新加坡——地面服务商新翔集团（SATS）已暂时重新部署部分员工，并给其他员工分配了额外职责，以确保樟宜机场的运营顺利进行。与此同时，该公司正在调查其承包商和分包商雇佣的工人可能违反工作准证规定的情况。

在11月3日《海峡时报》看到的一封发给全体员工的电子邮件中，SATS感谢员工们在“最近几周所需的运营调整”期间给予公司的帮助和支持。

“为了确保我们的运营安全顺利进行，一些员工承担了额外的职责或被临时调配到其他岗位。你们的奉献精神、灵活性和专业精神对于维持客户服务至关重要，我们感谢你们的支持。”

发给 SATS 员工的电子邮件还概述了该公司为“加强验证流程控制”而采取的行动的更广泛背景，以确保承包商工人按照其工作通行证进行部署。

公司发言人在电子邮件中表示：“我们正在按照人力部（MOM）的指导方针纠正合规缺陷。”他还敦促员工，如果在阅读有关调查的媒体报道后有任何疑问或想澄清事实，请联系团队领导。

一位不愿透露姓名的 SATS 员工表示，公司鼓励包括非运营部门员工在内的所有员工自愿参与行李搬运服务，尤其是在即将到来的屠妖节长周末期间填补空缺。

ST 了解到，自愿承担额外 2.5 小时工作时段的员工将获得 15 美元的 NTUC 代金券、补休和交通补贴。

SATS 于 11 月 3 日表示，公司通常会在出行高峰期邀请全公司员工提供志愿服务，此次招募志愿者并非调查的结果。

新翔集团发言人补充说，志愿者招募工作可能包括客户服务和尊享服务大使，以及行李服务支持。通常会以代金券或补休作为感谢。

“这为非运营部门的同事提供了亲身体验一线运营的机会，同时也为运营团队提供了支持，并使一线员工能够得到应有的休息。”

针对《海峡时报》的询问，樟宜机场集团（CAG）发言人表示，该集团正与新翔集团（SATS）的管理团队密切合作，“以尽量减少人力状况对机场运营的影响”。

“CAG希望新翔集团和樟宜机场的其他运营商加强对其签约公司的监管，并确保这些公司遵守适用的人力资源法律法规。”

人力部在 11 月 2 日的一份媒体声明中表示，已查明约有 270 名工人，他们受雇于 SATS 的承包商和分包商，其部署可能不符合工作准证规定。

人力部表示，该部门在最近的一次检查中发现，有就业准证持有者被安排从事行李搬运服务。

11月3日开盘后，SATS的股价下跌了3.01%，截至上午10点40分，约有400万股股票易手，成交额约为1420万美元。

Sharon Salim 是《海峡时报》的商业记者，主要关注就业、职场文化和趋势。

人力部

航空航天领域