Religion, race & rights — Topics

3 Oct 2023

Singapore's Stance on International Labour Organization's Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No 111)

Singapore has not ratified the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (C111), but aligns its national policies with the convention's spirit by enforcing fair employment practices through tripartite guidelines and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.
The government emphasizes that all forms of workplace discrimination are not tolerated, with mechanisms for education, complaint resolution, and potential enforcement by the Ministry of Manpower, and it plans to enact Workplace Fairness Legislation to further enhance protections.
Singapore has ratified seven of the ten ILO Fundamental Conventions and will continue to review the ratification of C111 while maintaining its tripartite approach to improve workplace fairness.

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3 Oct 2023

Data on Employment of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with Disabilities

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked for the number of employed Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with disabilities and the percentage working as PMETs and non-PMETs.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that the Ministry of Manpower’s survey cannot accurately estimate the total number of employed persons with disabilities due to their low prevalence in the sample.
The survey estimates that among employed persons with disabilities aged 15–64 in 2021–2022, about four in 10 were PMETs and the rest were non-PMETs.
The share of employed persons with disabilities in PMET roles has risen over the years, mirroring the overall trend for employed residents.

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3 Oct 2023

Strengthening Accessibility to Mental Healthcare

Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi highlighted that while mental healthcare in Singapore has improved, significant barriers remain, such as long waiting times (up to 45 days for a psychiatrist) and a lack of alternatives when public resources are stretched, which hinders true accessibility.
The debate emphasized the need for better integration of mental healthcare across primary, community, and hospital settings, as well as greater cultural and social sensitivity to address stigma and ensure care is effective for diverse groups, including the Malay/Muslim community.
Concerns were raised about insurance coverage for mental health conditions, with calls for a review of private insurers' practices to ensure fair treatment and reduce barriers to seeking care.
The government outlined its ongoing efforts, including the Inter-Agency Task Force on Mental Health and Well-being and the upcoming National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which aim to promote prevention, early intervention, and cross-sector collaboration to improve mental health outcomes.
Workplace support and anti-discrimination measures were also discussed, with the Ministry of Manpower planning to enhance protections and opportunities for individuals with mental health conditions.

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3 Oct 2023

Adults with Special Needs who are Financially-dependent on Retired Parents

The Ministry does not track how many adults with special needs are financially dependent on retired parents, but employment rates for persons with disabilities have increased steadily, with support programs like the Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit aiding job placement and retention.
Future plans include launching Enabling Business Hubs to bring employment services closer to communities and expanding into new sectors like logistics, while aiming for a 40% employment rate by 2030 through a whole-of-society approach.
Parliament members emphasized the need for better data tracking on financial dependency, segmentation of adults with disabilities by work capability, and accelerated investments to ensure long-term self-sufficiency and integration.

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19 Sep 2023

Plans to Include Platform Workers in Workplace Fairness Legislation

Hazel Poa asked whether platform workers will be included in workplace fairness legislation.
Tan See Leng stated that discrimination against platform workers breaches existing tripartite guidelines and that more clarity will be added through additional guidelines.
Platform workers facing discrimination can seek help from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices.
The current proposed legislation covers employment relationships, and the government will consider including platform workers in the future.

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19 Sep 2023

Persons with Disabilities Employed by Small and Medium Enterprises

Ong Hua Han asked for data on persons with disabilities employed by small enterprises with fewer than 25 employees under the Enabling Employment Credit, including numbers from 2020 to 2022, average employment length, and disability group breakdown.
Tan See Leng stated that about 3,000 persons with disabilities were supported annually in 2021 and 2022 by enterprises with fewer than 25 employees under the EEC, representing one-third of all EEC-supported individuals.
The majority of these employees had intellectual or sensory impairments, with others including physical disabilities and autism.
The Ministry does not track the average length of employment for these employees.
The EEC was introduced in 2021, so 2020 data was not available under this scheme.

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19 Sep 2023

Formal Channels of Support for Employees Seeking Help on Workplace Discrimination

The upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation will require employers to establish confidential grievance handling processes and prohibit retaliation against employees who report discrimination, including wrongful dismissal and harassment.
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices will collaborate with unions and industry partners to educate employees on available support channels and the new legal protections.
The Ministry aims to address common barriers like fear of marginalization and career repercussions by ensuring confidentiality and anti-retaliation measures are embedded in company procedures.

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19 Sep 2023

Insurance Coverage Discrimination against Persons with Pre-existing Conditions

Dr Tan Wu Meng inquired whether the Ministry of Health collaborates with insurers, including Integrated Shield Plan providers, to ensure that exclusion criteria for pre-existing conditions are medically and actuarially justified and non-discriminatory.
He also asked about appeal mechanisms for individuals who believe an insurer's decision to deny coverage is unreasonable.
Minister Ong Ye Kung directed the questioner to a prior reply given on 19 September 2023 regarding insurance coverage for mental health conditions, implying similar principles apply to pre-existing conditions.

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19 Sep 2023

Expanding Definition of Disability to Include Those with Certifiable Mental Health Conditions

The MP asked when the definition of disability for access to programmes like Open Door will be expanded to include those with certifiable mental health conditions, to align with the workplace fairness legislation.
The Minister explained that both disability and mental health conditions are protected characteristics in the upcoming workplace fairness legislation due to being common forms of workplace discrimination.
The Minister noted that persons with disabilities and those with mental health conditions receive different types of employment support tailored to their distinct needs.
The Minister stated that support for mental health conditions focuses on recovery and coping, with MOH leading a comprehensive approach involving early detection, intervention, and expanded community services.
The Minister highlighted that employment assistance for mental health conditions is available through specific organizations like the Job Club under IMH, SAMH, and SACS, which provide job placement and training.

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19 Sep 2023

Increasing Range of Early Identification, Intervention and Support Programmes for Families with Special Needs Children

The Ministry has strengthened early identification through developmental screenings, subsidized services, and Inclusion Coordinators in all preschools by end-2023.
A variety of early intervention programmes exist for different age groups and support levels, and caregiver engagement is provided to equip parents with skills to support their children at home.
Support resources like the Parents’ Guide and Step One programme have been launched to help caregivers access information and connect with support networks.
The Ministry of Education collaborates with healthcare and special education providers to align assessments and offers forums and festivals to educate parents on school options.
The government aims to continue engaging stakeholders to ensure robust early identification, intervention, and caregiver education, while encouraging community support for families with special needs children.

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19 Sep 2023

Support for Social Service Agencies to Increase Number of Special Student Care Centres

The Ministry of Social and Family Development has plans to support Social Service Agencies in increasing the number of Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) to meet growing demand, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Two new SSCCs with 100 places for children with autism were launched in July this year, and more SSCCs will be set up in tandem with the Ministry of Education’s plans to build more Special Education schools.
The Ministry will continue to engage stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, to improve the accessibility and placement of SSCCs across diverse locations in Singapore.

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19 Sep 2023

Gender Pay Gap for Finance-related Roles and Steps to Close the Gap

The gender pay gap in Singapore’s finance and insurance sector narrowed from 27.1% in 2012 to 15.6% in 2022, with the gap partly due to more men in higher-paying roles like managing directors and fund managers.
The government is addressing the gap by promoting work-life balance through flexible work arrangements and enhanced parental leave schemes to share caregiving responsibilities.
New workplace fairness legislation will strengthen protections against sex, pregnancy, and caregiving discrimination, while mentorship programs like the Advancing Women in Finance Mentoring Programme support women’s career advancement.
Tripartite partners and agencies continue to build a supportive ecosystem to help women enter, remain, and progress in the finance workforce.

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19 Sep 2023

Insurance Coverage for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions

Dr. Tan Wu Meng and Ms. He Ting Ru raised concerns about Singaporeans with mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, being denied insurance coverage or facing stigma from insurers.
Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary responded that all Singaporeans are covered by MediShield Life regardless of pre-existing conditions and that insurers must conduct fair, objective underwriting, with appeals possible through insurers or the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
The Ministry of Health and MAS are collaborating to regulate the insurance industry, and the Minister is considering a suggestion for a public portal to share experiences with insurers, while noting that updated mental health survey data will be released in the future.

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19 Sep 2023

Singapore Sign Language Interpretation Services for Significant Government Live TV Broadcasts

The Ministry of Communications and Information already requires SgSL interpretation for significant national broadcasts like the National Day Rally and Budget speeches, and will continue working to enhance accessibility features on TV.
The Ministry of Education provides SgSL support in schools for deaf students, and institutes of higher learning have funds for sign language interpretation services.
Community support includes funding for the Singapore Association for the Deaf to promote SgSL and provide access services, as well as lifelong learning funds to help cover class fees.
The government is studying official recognition of SgSL in consultation with the Deaf community but is focusing on improving tangible access services first.

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19 Sep 2023

Proposal for Age-based Only Benefits Irrespective of Income and Housing Type in Majulah Package

Edward Chia and Denise Phua proposed that the Majulah Package include benefits based solely on age, without considering income or housing type, and the Ministry of Finance will consider these suggestions as it finalizes the package details.
The Majulah Package is designed to support Singapore Citizens born on or before 31 December 1973, focusing on younger seniors with lower incomes and less wealth to boost retirement and healthcare adequacy.
Denise Phua suggested learning from the inclusive design of the Merdeka and Pioneer Packages, which offered broad benefits like cash payouts and health screenings, to make the Majulah Package more comprehensive and age-focused.

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18 Sep 2023

Applications to Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit Providing Employment-related Support to Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry of Manpower reported that all applications to the Open Door Programme from January 2022 to August 2023 were successful, with around 500 persons with disabilities placed into jobs annually from 2020 to 2022.
The Enabling Employment Credit, which is automatically disbursed, supported about 10,300 persons with disabilities in 2022, an increase from 9,700 in 2021.
Both schemes have been enhanced, with the Open Door Programme improved in 2020 for better training support and the Enabling Employment Credit enhanced in 2023 to strengthen wage support, particularly for those not working for at least six months prior to hire.
The average employment rate for persons with disabilities aged 15 to 64 rose from 29% in 2020-2021 to 31.4% in 2021-2022, and the government will continue reviewing employment support schemes to ensure effectiveness under the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

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18 Sep 2023

Policies to Allow and Enable Persons with Disabilities to Work from Home

Christopher de Souza proposed policies to enable persons with disabilities to work from home, including rights, software and hardware support, and digital literacy training.
Tan See Leng emphasized that flexible work arrangements should be voluntary to avoid affecting employability, but committed to a Tripartite Advisory for workplace accommodations.
Support for remote work includes assistance from SG Enable, a grant covering up to 90% of telecommuting setup costs, and subsidised digital literacy programs.

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18 Sep 2023

Formal Procedures to Manage Workplace Discrimination

The Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices require employers to implement proper grievance handling processes to manage workplace discrimination, and the upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation will mandate this for companies with more than 25 employees.
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices collaborates with tripartite partners and industry groups to assist employers in establishing these processes through guides, briefings, training, and workshops.
Companies are encouraged to adopt formal procedures to manage grievances amicably and maintain a harmonious workplace, with the government and tripartite partners providing support and guidelines for implementation.

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18 Sep 2023

Complaints of Workplace Discrimination to Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices

Pritam Singh asked how many of the annual workplace discrimination complaints to TAFEP and MOM over the last five years came from employees at companies with under 25 staff.
Tan See Leng stated that employees at small firms with fewer than 25 employees are not initially covered by the Workplace Fairness Legislation but remain covered by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
From 2018 to 2022, about 35% of annual workplace discrimination complaints were from employees at firms with fewer than 25 employees.
TAFEP can advise these employees, require small firms to correct breaches, and suspend work pass privileges in serious cases, while also educating and building compliance capabilities.
The Workplace Fairness Legislation and Tripartite Guidelines together aim to provide strong protection against all forms of workplace discrimination.

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18 Sep 2023

Measures to Ensure Sufficient Assistance Provided to Elderly Haj Pilgrims during Haj

The Singapore Pilgrims’ Affairs Office provides medical services and facilities in Saudi Arabia, appointing 19 medical personnel for Haj 2023 and coordinating emergency services to support elderly pilgrims.
MUIS offers 30 Haj packages priced between S$8,400 and S$22,600, monitors costs with service providers and travel agents, and advises early preparations like health programs to ensure affordability and readiness.
MUIS works with Haj travel agents, the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore, and Saudi authorities to manage manpower and resources for elderly pilgrims’ safety and welfare.

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