Employment & labour — Topics

5 Oct 2021

Current Protection against Retaliation and Dismissal for Employees Who File Complaints on Workplace Discrimination

The Employment Act protects employees from dismissal without just cause, including cases where dismissal is due to reporting workplace discrimination, and employees can seek assistance from MOM or TAFEP if they face retaliation.
The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness is examining potential legislation and whistle-blower protections, with a focus on ensuring a safe environment for employees to speak up without fear of victimization.
If employees experience retaliation, they can approach MOM or TAFEP for guidance and investigation, with enforcement actions considered against employers who target whistle-blowers.
The discussion also highlighted the need to consider workplace harassment in the review process, with suggestions to update advisory guidelines to better protect employees.

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5 Oct 2021

Actions against Employers Accused of Workplace Discrimination Based on Age and Race

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and TAFEP take workplace discrimination seriously, using corrective workshops, HR process advice, and enforcement actions like curtailed work pass privileges in serious cases.
MOM is considering suggestions to enhance employer awareness, including training frameworks similar to BizSafe and linking such training to government tender eligibility, but prefers an educational approach over naming-and-shaming.
Officials emphasized engaging HR practitioners and employment agencies to promote fair hiring practices, while noting that persistent discriminatory behavior will lead to enforcement actions.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Inspection of Workplaces for Breach of Safe Management Measures and Breaches Discovered

Since March 2020, the Ministry of Manpower conducted nearly 45,000 inspections of workplaces for breaches of safe management measures, with 21,000 during the Circuit Breaker period and 24,000 from June 2020 to September 2021.
The Ministry issued 140 Stop Work Orders, 247 Remedial Orders, and 399 Composition Fines to 776 companies, with common breaches including failure to implement work-from-home arrangements, not wearing masks, and not maintaining safe distancing.
The Ministry does not notify companies or workplaces in advance of inspections.

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4 Oct 2021

Workers and Companies Assisted by Waiver of Foreign Work Levies Due to Workers on Stay-Home Notice

From January to August 2021, a monthly average of 6,900 workers from 2,700 companies were assisted by the waiver of foreign worker levies during their Stay-Home Notice after entering Singapore.
The Ministry of Manpower announced on 20 September 2021 that the levy waiver would be extended up to December 2021 to help employers adjust to costs as borders gradually reopen.
A review on whether to further extend the waiver will be conducted at end-2021, depending on the COVID-19 situation and border measures then.

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4 Oct 2021

Proposal to Extend Household Services Scheme to Cleaning Businesses Providing Non-residential Cleaning Services

Mohd Fahmi Aliman proposed extending the Household Services Scheme’s female worker sourcing from India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia to cleaning businesses providing non-residential services.
The Ministry of Manpower stated that extending this scheme would be carefully studied due to concerns about increased job competition and downward wage pressure on locals.
The ministry emphasized the need to avoid over-reliance on lower-wage migrant workers, encouraging cleaning firms to invest in automation and job redesign to retain local workers.
Licensed cleaning firms are already covered by the Cleaning Progressive Wage Model, which provides clear progression pathways and scheduled wage increases to attract local workers.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Percentage of Work Permit Holders Who Have Done Work Involving Skills That Matched Skills under Skills Evaluation Certificate Schemes They Obtained

Louis Ng asked about the percentage of work permit holders whose work matches their Skills Evaluation Certificate (SEC) or SEC(K) over the past five years, and whether this data would be tracked if unavailable.
Desmond Lee responded that construction work permit holders must obtain SEC(K) or equivalent to ensure basic skills, but BCA does not track work alignment percentages due to varied job assignments and administrative burden.
The Ministry encourages upskilling to meet diverse industry needs without mandating detailed tracking of skill-match percentages.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Bus Routes and Passengers Affected by COVID-19 Clusters at Public Bus Interchanges and Availability of Scheme to Recruit and Retrain Private Bus Drivers who Ferry Tourists and Office Workers

Four express and city direct bus services were suspended, with alternative rail or bus options provided for affected commuters, while most services maintained waiting times without major impact.
COVID-19 clusters at bus interchanges tightened manpower, leading LTA and operators to adjust bus frequency from early September 2021 to ensure sufficient rest for bus captains.
Public transport operators are actively recruiting and training new bus captains, including former private bus and point-to-point drivers, through LTA and operator-led programs.

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4 Oct 2021

Review and Enhance Measures to Mentally Support Bus Drivers Due to Enhanced Control Measures

The Minister for Transport acknowledged the strain placed on bus drivers by enhanced COVID-19 safe management measures and affirmed that the well-being of public transport workers is a key priority for the government, operators, and unions.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Public Transport Operators (PTOs) are working with the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to provide mental well-being programs, including workshops, coaching, and training for over 4,000 workers and staff.
PTO supervisors regularly engage with drivers to listen to concerns, refer stressed workers to psychological support and counselling, and provide access to internal hotlines and public resources like Mindline.sg.
The government and operators will continue to monitor the situation and collaborate with NTWU and PTOs to support bus drivers through the challenges of the pandemic.

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4 Oct 2021

Extending Current Childcare Leave Entitlement to Those with Primary School-going Children

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether childcare leave could be extended to parents with primary school children due to home-based learning.
Indranee Rajah, representing the Prime Minister, stated that parents already receive two days of paid Extended Childcare Leave and schools remain open during HBL for those needing care.
The government declined to extend leave for all HBL days, citing feasibility concerns and the need to protect employability.
It emphasized promoting flexible work arrangements as a sustainable solution for balancing work and family commitments.

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4 Oct 2021

Additional Support for Families with Young Children in Childcare when Parents have Consumed Eligible Leave for Care of Children at Home

The Government highlighted that working parents of young children are already entitled to up to six days of paid childcare leave and that most employees have more than 14 days of annual leave, which together are generally sufficient for childcare needs.
In response to increased care needs during the pandemic, the Government encourages employers to adopt Flexible Work Arrangements and has promoted progressive workplace practices through Tripartite Standards and an Alliance for Action on Work-Life Harmony.
The Government supports family care networks through measures like the Proximity Housing Grant, which helps Singaporeans live with or near their parents or married child for mutual care and support.

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4 Oct 2021

Current Wage for Singaporeans to Acquire a Decent Living for Themselves

The government is committed to supporting Singaporeans' ability to achieve a decent living through a targeted and holistic approach, including enhanced social safety nets and subsidies in housing, healthcare, and education.
Key strategies to uplift lower-wage workers include extending the Progressive Wage Model to more sectors, enhancing the Workfare Income Supplement, and enforcing the Local Qualifying Salary to ensure a minimum monthly income.
Comprehensive family support is provided through enhanced Marriage and Parenthood packages, including increased Baby Bonus and Child Development Account benefits, as well as affordable preschool access for low-income families.
The government regularly reviews assistance criteria, such as ComCare, based on statistical data and stakeholder input, and encourages community outreach to connect those in need with available support.

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4 Oct 2021

Update on Investigation into Fair Employment Complaints Lodged against Hillview Heights Condominium Property Management Company

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) confirmed that TAFEP received four complaints about Hillview Heights’ property management company for age and language discrimination in tender documents, with the fourth complaint leading to an ongoing MOM investigation.
For the first three complaints, TAFEP engaged the company, which made rectifications, but TAFEP later advised a systemic review after identifying non-isolated issues; the fourth complaint indicated this advice was not followed.
MOM and TAFEP take workplace discrimination seriously, may require corrective workshops, and can enforce actions like curtailing work passes, though no increase in complaints has been observed since the case was publicized.

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4 Oct 2021

Measures to Help Older Workers Stay Employed and Find New Jobs Despite COVID-19 Impact

The Minister reported that the six-month re-entry rate for senior retrenched residents improved from 39.3% in Q3 2020 to 43.8% in Q2 2021, and employment for those aged 60 and above slightly increased from 38.5% in 2019 to 39.0% in 2020.
Senior workers are being placed in a wide range of sectors, with seven in ten finding jobs in Administrative & Support Services, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Accommodation & F&B Services, and Community, Social & Personal Services.
The government introduced the $1.5 billion Senior Worker Support Package in 2020, which includes wage offsets, grants for higher retirement and re-employment ages, part-time re-employment support, and CPF transition offsets to help employers retain and hire older workers.
The measures are designed to support both job retention and new job placement for older workers aged 60 and above during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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4 Oct 2021

Workers Displaced from Closure of SMEs since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic

Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of workers displaced from SME closures since March 2020 and how many have found new jobs.
The Minister responded that retrenchments peaked at about 26,000 in 2020 but have since improved, with 2,340 in Q2 2021, and the six-month re-entry rate for retrenched residents rose to 64.4% in Q2 2021, comparable to pre-COVID levels.
The government supports displaced workers through the tripartite Retrenchment Taskforce, which provides proactive outreach, employment assistance, career resources, and coaching from Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.

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4 Oct 2021

Recourse for Employers against False Accusations by Migrant Domestic Workers

Joan Pereira asked for an update on recourse for employers against false accusations by migrant domestic workers.
MOM takes a firm stance against MDWs who file false employment complaints or claims.
MOM investigates all complaints thoroughly and fairly, interviewing both parties and reviewing evidence.
Actions have been taken against MDWs found to have provided false information, including fines, imprisonment, or both.
MDWs found guilty of false allegations have been barred from working in Singapore.

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4 Oct 2021

Retirement and Re-employment (Amendment) Bill

The Retirement and Re-employment (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the Retirement and Re-employment Act, with the Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, presenting it for the first reading and ordering it to be printed and scheduled for a second reading.

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4 Oct 2021

Challenges and Support Plans for Students Graduating from Hospitality, Aviation and Aerospace Courses in 2021

Miss Rachel Ong questioned the Minister for Education on the number of students graduating from hospitality, aviation, and aerospace courses in 2021 and the government's support plans for their employment amid pandemic challenges.
The Minister of State for Education stated that around 5,000 graduates from these sectors completed full-time courses between December 2020 and September 2021, and highlighted support measures like the extended SGUnited Traineeships Programme, career guidance from IHLs, WSG, and NTUC, and access to career fairs and free training modules.
These interventions have helped maintain a 90% employment rate for graduates in these sectors, similar to pre-pandemic levels, with 10% of employed graduates participating in traineeships, and the government will continue monitoring the situation as the economy recovers.

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14 Sep 2021

Outcome of Complaints of Discrimination Received by Ministry or Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices

Between 2014 and the first half of 2021, TAFEP received an average of 379 workplace discrimination complaints annually, investigated all of them, and found about two-thirds unsubstantiated due to misunderstandings.
The remaining one-third of cases led to referrals to MOM, with an average of 41 employers per year found in breach of fair employment guidelines and facing work pass suspension.
The data covers complaints received, investigated, mediated, resolved, and prosecuted by TAFEP and MOM, with most resolved through clarification and mediation without further action.

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14 Sep 2021

Regulations Governing Use of Number of Days of Sick Leave

The Minister for Manpower clarified that paid sick leave is a basic protection under the Employment Act and employers must excuse employees who are certified unfit for work.
Employers should use fair and objective performance systems that consider overall ability and contributions, not sick leave usage as a key performance indicator.
Tripartite partners agree that using paid sick leave consumption as a yearly KPI is inappropriate and employees can seek help from unions or MOM if issues arise.

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14 Sep 2021

Incidences of Pregnant Employees Leaving Workforce over Fears of Contracting COVID-19 and Initiatives to Protect Their Rights before Vaccination

The Minister confirmed there have been no complaints lodged by pregnant employees against employers for ignoring workplace safety concerns regarding COVID-19, with queries generally resolved through MOM's clarifications and advice.
Employers are encouraged to accommodate pregnant employees' requests for alternative work arrangements, such as redeployment to lower-risk settings or work from home, as part of safe management measures.
The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has advised that pregnant women can be vaccinated, with no evidence suggesting harm from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and they may consult doctors for concerns.
The Multi-Ministry Task Force has announced initiatives like ramping up workplace testing to detect infections early, aiming to ensure a safe environment for all employees.
Pregnant employees are advised to raise safety concerns with their employers and approach MOM if mutually agreeable work arrangements cannot be reached.

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