Survey finds that workers in Singapore put in longest hours

The report showed data for 2007 and compared it with that of 2008 and the first quarter of last year, when the global recession was at its worst. The ILO report did not specify the exact numbers but a check with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) put working hours here at 45.9 hours a week for 2008 and the first quarter of last year. In 2007, the figure was 46.3 hours.

Under the Employment Act, the limit on working hours is 44 hours a week or eight hours a day. Beyond this, workers are entitled to 1.5 times their hourly rate of pay. The working hours do not include a tea break or lunchtime. This applies only to workmen earning less than S$4,500 (US$3,239), or other employees drawing less than S$2,000 a month.

The MOM said workers here did an average of about three hours of overtime a week in the beginning of last year. This increased progressively to 3.6 hours towards the end of September, as the economy began to pick up.

Dhirendra Shantilal, senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific at Kelly Services, a human resource firm, attributes the long hours to Singapore's financial hub status.

“Many international organizations here are working beyond their official office hours and operate at different time zones ... Employees will clock in longer hours as they work with their business partners across the regions,” he said.

Annabel Ang, senior consultant at recruitment firm Robert Walters, put it down to more traveling for business.

“Individuals have to spend longer hours in the office to catch up on their work upon returning from these business trips,” she suggested.

Despite Singapore's higher figure, the downturn might have forced companies further afield to trim working hours.

Average working hours among the 13 economies surveyed dropped from 39 in 2007 to 38.2 hours a week in 2008 and the first quarter of last year, said the ILO. But it has not dampened the work ethic here.

A study by Kelly Services found that more than three in four Singapore workers surveyed in December 2008 take pride in their work, which raises their self-confidence both in and out of the workplace.

In other cultures, however, Ang said, there tends to be “more emphasis on elements of success in one's personal life, and perhaps an increasing focus on having more work-life balance.”

Going by the ILO figures, the Taiwanese worker seems to have been hit hardest by the downturn. Their average working hours a week dropped below 40.

Some employees in Singapore admit that working longer or keeping up the appearance of being busy in these bad times is important to them given that bosses may be looking to cut head count.

“If you don't want to be made redundant, you should not look redundant,” said a banking executive who wanted to be identified only as Lee. She officially finishes work at 6 p.m., but usually stays on 30 minutes to an hour longer.

Others, however, have become more occupied because of the downturn.

Legal executive Jerry Koh, who works for an international law firm, had to put in more hours after his colleagues were laid off in 2008. “I handled files that they would have handled. I think this held me back pretty late,” he said.

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