Agoda sorry for ‘inappropriate’ language in Singapore lay-off notices
The online travel booking platform told affected workers that they would lose severance benefits if they reported the issue to labour groups
Agoda met Singapore’s labour bodies and the Ministry of Manpower to “discuss and address the concerns raised over our severance agreements”, it said in a statement on Friday.
“We acknowledge that it is inappropriate for employers to include provisions that discourage or inhibit employees from approaching the authorities for all situations,” Agoda said, arguing the clauses were intended to settle all matters relating to employment. “This regretfully led to a negative impact on some of our employees, and for that we apologise.”
The Singapore-based company was criticised by the country’s umbrella labour group, the National Trades Union Congress, which, together with a services union, called the move “irresponsible and regrettable”.
The Business Times reported that documents given to affected workers said they would lose severance benefits if they reported the matter to bodies including government agencies and unions. Agoda had earlier denied cautioning staff against doing so.
About 50 employees in Singapore were laid off, according to the report. Agoda, which has over 7,000 staff worldwide, confirmed it had phased out customer support roles in Singapore, Budapest and Shanghai as part of a restructuring. The company is owned by the US-listed Booking Holdings, which also operates Booking.com and Kayak.