Singapore, 20 September 2025 — Agoda, the online travel-booking platform, has issued a public apology after it was found that severance agreements given to laid-off staff in Singapore included clauses discouraging them from contacting labour unions or government authorities. The notices were flagged as containing “inappropriate” language, drawing criticism from both workers and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.
In response, Agoda met with local labour bodies and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower to address concerns over these severance agreements. Among the contentious clauses were provisions that could potentially revoke severance benefits if staff attempted to consult unions or escalate their grievances to authorities. Critics said these clauses ran counter to employees’ basic employment rights.
Agoda has clarified that it is reviewing its severance documentation to remove or amend such clauses. The company expressed regret for the oversight and affirmed its commitment to ensuring that its practices uphold fair labour standards.
Industry watchers see this incident as part of a broader pattern, where global firms operating in Southeast Asia are under increasing scrutiny for employment practices, especially in how they handle layoffs and severance. It underlines the importance of transparency, proper legal compliance, and respecting employee rights.
