The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) issued a joint statement on 17 September 2025 condemning Agoda Company Pte Ltd for its handling of a recent retrenchment exercise involving 50 local employees.

The unions said Agoda allegedly warned workers in their severance letters not to report the retrenchment to the Government or trade unions, and not to pursue mediation or claims, with the risk of losing their severance pay and possibly facing legal claims.

NTUC and SISEU called for Agoda to clarify its position and to do what is right for its workers immediately, and urged the Ministry of Manpower to investigate the allegation as it affects workers’ rights to protection at the workplace.

The layoffs, announced at a virtual town hall on 4 August 2025, affected the Customer Experience Group in Singapore, Shanghai, and Budapest, with staff ranging from customer service specialists to regional managers, and Agoda cited cost and recruitment challenges.

NTUC and SISEU said they stand ready to assist all affected workers, including by connecting them to Labor Movement resources for job matching and financial support.

Agoda, which is not unionized, has faced concerns from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore and Japan Tourism Agency over its business practices.

🔗 Source: NTUC UPortal

Recent Agoda developments