Progress for Tripartite Advisory on Reasonable Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the progress of the Tripartite Advisory on reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities; (b) what is the target date for the advisory to be ready; (c) whether the Ministry will consider including the advisory's guidelines as part of the Workplace Fairness Legislation; and (d) how will the Ministry measure whether a reasonable accommodation has been implemented effectively.

The tripartite partners are working on an advisory which will provide guidance to employers and employees on the provision of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. We will be engaging community groups in developing this advisory and aim to release this advisory around the same time as the introduction of the Workplace Fairness Legislation.

The most direct way of measuring the effectiveness of a workplace accommodation for employees with disabilities is by considering the employment outcome for the supported employee. In reality, however, it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of single initiatives as it often takes the collective effort of the individual, co-workers, employer and family for successful placement and continued employment. Following the release of the advisory, we will engage employers and employees to gather feedback, reviewing and updating the advisory to strengthen its effectiveness where needed.

The contents of the advisory will not be a part of the Workplace Fairness Legislation. Instead, the advisory will complement the new law, which will prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of disability. Both the advisory and upcoming law will work alongside the Enabling Masterplan to strengthen employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.