Napier Healthcare Solutions under investigation for unpaid salaries

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has launched an investigation into Napier Healthcare Solutions Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based software company, following allegations from employees regarding unpaid salaries.

According to a report by The Straits Times, former employees have claimed that they have not received full monthly salaries since as early as November 2023.

In a joint media statement, MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) confirmed that they are assisting 12 employees from the company in their claims for unpaid wages.

The authorities stated that Napier Healthcare Solutions is being investigated for potential violations of the Employment Act and assured that support will continue to be provided to the affected staff.

Despite its financial difficulties, Napier Healthcare Solutions was previously awarded a significant government contract.

According to GeBIZ records, the company secured a S$17,387,104 contract from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September 2021. The contract was for the provision, implementation, and maintenance of the Home Team Medical Information System.

Established in 2008, Napier Healthcare Solutions specializes in providing technology products to healthcare institutions, including information systems that display patient data and artificial intelligence tools.

It should also be pointed out that the company website shows one of Napier Healthcare Solutions' directors is Lau Ping Sum, who served as Singapore’s Political Secretary for Health from May 1981 to 1985 and as an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC until 1996. According to his LinkedIn page, he has been a director since 2017.

While headquartered in Singapore, the company's LinkedIn profile indicates that the majority of its workforce is based in Hyderabad, India, where its Global Development Centre is located.

A spokesperson for Napier Healthcare Solutions addressed the salary issues in a statement to The Straits Times on 24 January 2025.

The spokesperson denied any disputes with current or former employees regarding salaries but acknowledged delays in payments due to "cash flow challenges" faced by the organization.

They expressed intentions to clear all outstanding dues to both former and current employees by the following week.

Despite these assurances, subsequent communications suggest that the issues remain unresolved.

On 4 February 2025, the spokesperson indicated that payments would be settled in the coming days.

By 17 February 2025, they noted that while payments had not yet been made, "the funds are expected."

Three former employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared their experiences with The Straits Times.

One individual, who joined the company in October 2023 and departed in July 2024, reported receiving timely payment only for the first month of employment.

Subsequent salary delays were met with repeated assurances of imminent payment, which were not fulfilled. This employee claimed to be owed approximately S$90,000 upon resignation and has since engaged legal counsel to pursue the outstanding amount.

Another former staff member disclosed that their last full salary was received in October 2023. A partial payment was made in February 2024, but it did not cover the total amount owed.

Frustrated by the lack of transparency and repeated unfulfilled promises regarding payment, this individual chose to resign from the company.

Employee reviews on platforms such as Glassdoor reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the company's handling of salary payments.

As of February 2025, Napier Healthcare Solutions holds an overall rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars based on 233 reviews, with only 17% of employees indicating they would recommend working at the company.

One review from December 2024 described the company as "teetering on the edge of bankruptcy," criticizing management for providing "false assurances" and highlighting the "lack of transparency and accountability" that has left employees in "financial and emotional distress."

The reviewer further alleged that management prioritized "short-term survival over the well-being of their workforce," with partial salaries paid only to select employees critical to projects, while others remained unpaid.

Additionally, employees who resigned were reportedly denied their rightful salaries.

Another review from November 2024 labeled Napier Healthcare Solutions as the "worst company," citing "no salaries paid for months" and urging the Ministry of Manpower to "close this company down asap to prevent more people from getting cheated out of their hard-earned salaries."

These reviews underscore a pattern of delayed payments and unfulfilled promises, contributing to a deteriorating work environment and eroding employee trust.

The ongoing investigation by MOM aims to address these grievances and ensure compliance with employment laws. As the situation develops, affected employees are encouraged to seek legal advice and report any further discrepancies to the relevant authorities.