Nueva Singapur port faces federal labour audit

The Federal Civic Affairs Ministry launched a formal audit of the Port Authority of Nueva Singapur on Monday, examining labour practices, wage compliance, and working conditions across the terminal's stevedoring, maintenance, and administrative divisions. The review was triggered by a complaint filed in June by the Nueva Singapur Dock Workers' Association, which alleged that subcontracted loading crews were working extended shifts without overtime compensation and that safety protocols had been relaxed to meet throughput targets.

The port, which handles roughly 2.8 million containers annually and serves as the Republic's primary gateway for east-west shipping, operates under a mixed model: the Port Authority manages infrastructure and scheduling, while three major stevedoring firms hold contracts to load, unload, and move cargo. The audit will examine whether the Authority has adequately monitored contractor compliance with federal labour standards.

The Port Authority has not admitted wrongdoing but acknowledged the audit in a brief statement released Tuesday. "We are cooperating fully with the Ministry," a spokesperson said. "The port's growth has been rapid, and we are committed to ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of worker safety or fair compensation." The audit is expected to conclude by 30 September 2026.