Religion, race & rights — Topics

7 Nov 2022

Take-up Rate and Use of Building and Construction Authority's Accessibility Fund

Hany Soh asked about the take-up rate of the Building and Construction Authority’s Accessibility Fund over the past three years and how many applicants used it for family-friendly facilities such as lactation rooms and diaper changing stations.
Desmond Lee responded that 25 building owners applied for the fund from 2019 to 2021, with four applications including family-friendly features.
The fund co-funds up to 80% of basic accessibility upgrades and 60% of Universal Design features, and was enhanced in August 2022 to provide up to $100,000 for buildings built between 1990 and 2014.
The enhancement aims to encourage more voluntary upgrading to improve building accessibility, including family-friendly facilities.
The response highlighted ongoing government efforts to support inclusive infrastructure through targeted funding schemes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Provision of Employment and Psychological Support for Persons with Epilepsy

Mr Christopher de Souza raised a query in Parliament about providing employment and psychological support for persons with epilepsy.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that medical social workers offer social, emotional, psychoeducational support, and employment referrals to agencies like Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.
Psychological support is available for those with cognitive or mental health issues through psychologists who assess and advise on interventions.
Support groups and community organisations provide networking and mutual support for individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, and families.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Average Waiting Time for Car Park Label Scheme for Persons with Physical Disabilities

Over the past three years, more than 90% of applicants received a parking label within 15 working days after submitting a complete application, with approvals typically granted within six working days.
Applicants can start using accessible parking lots upon approval without waiting for the physical label, but SG Enable is exploring technological solutions to replace or complement the current physical label.
SG Enable encourages the use of its eService to reduce processing time, as it guides applicants to submit complete information and requires less backend administrative work compared to email or post submissions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Studies Done on Epilepsy and Ensuring Fair Chance at Employment for Sufferers

Christopher de Souza asked whether studies have been conducted on epilepsy in Singapore, particularly regarding fair employment opportunities for sufferers.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli cited a 2018 study showing low public willingness to employ people with epilepsy, with only 43.1% willing to hire them, rising to 68.3% if seizures do not interfere with the job.
The Minister stated that jobseekers, including those with epilepsy, can seek support from Workforce Singapore and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute for employment assistance.
Employers are reminded to follow Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to treat all jobseekers and employees fairly based on merit.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Promoting Employment of Persons with Disabilities

The Open Door Programme has 2,268 registered employers as of October 2022, with 23% having hired persons with disabilities, while others may face hiring freezes or lack suitable candidates.
Key initiatives supporting employment include the Enabling Employment Credit for wage offsets, the Jobs Growth Incentive for salary support, and Place-and-Train and Attach-and-Train programmes offering customised employment and skills training.
Additional efforts feature transition-to-work programmes like School-to-Work, the Enabling Mark accreditation for inclusive employers, and a multi-stakeholder task force under the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to enhance opportunities.
The government aims to achieve 40% employment for working-age persons with disabilities by 2030, emphasising employer participation and inclusive societal vision.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Handicap-accessible Lots at HDB and URA-managed Car Parks

Seah Kian Peng asked about increasing handicap-accessible car park lots at HDB and URA car parks and the timeline for the next review of the Code on Accessibility.
The Minister of State confirmed that over 6,800 accessible lots exist and new developments must follow the Code, with the next review starting in 2023.
Seah noted resident difficulties in finding accessible lots and urged a future-focused approach in the upcoming review to address ageing trends proactively.
The Minister acknowledged the feedback and assured consideration in the review process.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Subsidies for Dedicated Transport Service Providers to Purchase Special Needs Vehicles

Dr Shahira Abdullah queried if purchases of special needs vehicles have increased and if subsidies exist for providers to buy them.
The number of new registrations of wheelchair-accessible vehicles has stayed stable at about 70 per year over the past five years, with around 1,000 such vehicles registered as of September 2022.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development administers a COE Grant Scheme to subsidize COE and Additional Registration Fee costs for commercial vehicles used to transport seniors and Persons with Disabilities who cannot use public transport unassisted.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Public Transport Commuters with Special Needs Issued with Caring SG Commuters Lanyard and Card

More than 3,200 Caring SG Commuters lanyards and cards have been distributed as of September 2022 to help commuters with invisible conditions discreetly request a seat, with positive feedback received since the initiative's launch in April 2021.
The number of commuters with disabilities using the Persons with Disabilities Concession Card has risen from 8,375 in 2014 to 14,152 in 2022, reflecting an increase in commuters with special needs.
All public transport staff receive training to assist commuters with special needs, and infrastructure has been enhanced to ensure wheelchair accessibility across buses, trains, stations, and interchanges.
The Land Transport Authority and public transport operators plan to continue collaborating to improve the Caring SG Commuters initiative.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Dependant Passes for Same-Sex Spouses or Partners of Work Pass Holders

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Manpower whether Dependant Passes have been issued to same-sex spouses or partners of work pass holders.
Tan See Leng stated that the Ministry of Manpower has not issued any Dependant Passes to same-sex spouses or partners of work pass holders.
The exchange confirms the current policy does not extend Dependant Passes to same-sex partners of work pass holders.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Affordability of Wheelchair-accessible Vehicular Services

The Ministry of Transport aims to ensure an inclusive transport system, noting that all public buses and trains, as well as many point-to-point and taxi services, are wheelchair-accessible.
Financial support is available through various schemes, including concessionary fares for public transport and subsidies for private transport services like taxis and dedicated vehicles for persons with disabilities.
The government provides a COE Grant Scheme for non-profit organisations to subsidize the cost of commercial vehicles used to transport elderly or disabled clients who cannot use public transport unassisted.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Penal Code (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Home Affairs introduced the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code 1871 and make related amendments to other laws.
The bill was presented for its first reading and scheduled for a second reading on 28 November 2022, with instructions for it to be printed.
The debate focused on decriminalizing consensual same-sex relations and aligning the Penal Code with contemporary societal values.
The amendments aimed to remove an outdated colonial-era law while ensuring no impact on other laws like the Broadcasting Act or education policies.
The repeal was framed as a balanced move to respect both LGBTQ+ communities and traditional family structures, with no changes to the legal definition of marriage.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2022

Consulting with Senior Residents on Locations for Pedestrian Crossings

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about pedestrian safety for seniors, asking about LTA’s planning norms, criteria for building overhead bridges or underpasses, and whether co-creation with senior residents is used to set up natural crossings in areas with many seniors.
The Minister for Transport explained that LTA prioritizes safety by providing signalized or zebra crossings as a default, with grade-separated crossings for wider, higher-speed roads, and has retrofitted 77 pedestrian overhead bridges with lifts, with plans to retrofit 30 more and ensure all new bridges are barrier-free.
LTA has implemented initiatives like Green Man + crossings and Silver Zones in areas with high senior populations, which include design features to slow traffic and improve safety, resulting in an 80% reduction in senior pedestrian accidents.
The Minister also highlighted community collaboration, such as repurposing roads for wider footpaths and barrier-free access, with examples like Havelock Road.
These measures collectively show LTA’s commitment to enhancing road safety for seniors through infrastructure planning, community engagement, and targeted interventions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2022

Senior Employability: Meaningful Employment and its Value for Businesses and Singapore

The debate highlighted that Singapore’s ageing population and longer life expectancy make senior employability vital, with seniors seeking meaningful work for satisfaction and economic reasons, but facing challenges like ageism and skill gaps.
Stakeholders acknowledged existing policies like the Retirement and Re-Employment Act (RRA) but noted issues such as unconscious bias in hiring seniors and the need for more flexible, multi-generational workforce support and continuous learning.
Recommendations included structural changes to learning and work models, promoting age-friendly practices and mentoring, and leveraging the Forward Singapore Movement to foster collaboration among all parties to enhance senior employment.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2022

In-house Programmes in MOE Kindergartens for Special Needs Children

Currently, about 8% of children in MOE Kindergartens, or around 600 students, have developmental needs and receive support through various in-house and external programmes, with educators trained to identify and assist diverse learners.
MOE Kindergartens collaborate with early intervention services and educational psychologists to prepare special needs children for mainstream primary schools, while also referring some to Special Education schools based on individual assessments.
The ministry acknowledges calls for more resources and trained staff to handle special needs students, emphasising a holistic ecosystem that includes other preschools and early intervention centres, though specific waitlist data for MOE Kindergartens is not immediately available.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2022

Universal Concept for HDB Flats Built before 2006

Jessica Tan asked if the Universal Design concept, applied to HDB flats built from 2006, could be incorporated into older flats built before 2006 to better support seniors and residents with mobility challenges, and whether there are plans to do so.
The Minister of State responded that universal design principles are already incorporated into older blocks during upgrading, with programmes like the Lift Upgrading Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme providing features such as ramps and resting points, while residents can also install grab bars and ramps under the Home Improvement Programme and Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) scheme.
Jessica Tan raised supplementary questions about addressing unevenness from scupper drains in older void decks and enhancing the EASE programme to include wider doorways and other features to accommodate wheelchairs more effectively.
The Minister of State acknowledged the feedback on scupper drains and noted that the EASE programme is being reviewed to explore additional items that enhance safety and mobility for seniors, considering the ageing population and future needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Oct 2022

Complaints from Singaporeans About Being Replaced by Foreign Labour in Last Five Years

Leong Mun Wai asked for the number and percentage of complaints from Singaporeans about being replaced by foreign labour over the last five years.
Tan See Leng stated that TAFEP received about 180 complaints annually related to nationality discrimination from 2017 to 2021, but does not specifically track cases of Singaporeans being replaced by foreign workers.
Overall, complaints about nationality discrimination make up less than 5% of all employment-related complaints from local employees.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Oct 2022

Complaints of Ageism in Workplace

Hazel Poa inquired whether ageism in the workplace is becoming an increasingly serious issue.
Minister Tan See Leng highlighted that senior workers are increasingly employed, with employment rates for ages 55–64 and 65–69 rising significantly and re-employment rates remaining high, while age discrimination incidents have declined according to MOM surveys.
The government continues to work with tripartite partners through TAFEP and TGFEP to educate employers and enforce fair practices, and plans to enact workplace fairness legislation to address age discrimination more broadly.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Oct 2022

Appeals on Re-employment Disputes and Instances where Conciliation Failed and where Errant Employer is a Public Sector Employer

The Ministry of Manpower receives about 80 re-employment disputes annually, with around 90% resolved through mediation and the remaining 10% escalated to the Minister or the Employment Claims Tribunals, where about 40% of escalated cases result in compensation for the employee.
There was only one case from 2016 to 2020 where an errant public sector employer was required to pay compensation for unreasonably denying re-employment.
The Ministry emphasized ongoing tripartite efforts and public education to address age discrimination and improve re-employment practices, noting that older worker employment rates have increased over the years.
Compensation for re-employment disputes is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering various factors such as employee performance and years of service, rather than a fixed formula.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Oct 2022

Extending Maximum Age of Vocational Driving Licences for Drivers Certified Medically Fit

Dr Amy Khor stated that a medical study recommended against raising the current 75-year age limit for vocational driving licences, as older drivers have significantly higher accident rates, and the LTA has decided not to increase the limit for now but will continue periodic reviews.
Ms Yeo Wan Ling highlighted that drivers want to continue working past 75 due to good health and financial needs, and suggested allowing annual medical checks for a restricted licence with limited hours or routes.
The Minister acknowledged the drivers' request, noted past extensions of the age limit, and said the LTA will consider such suggestions in future reviews while weighing safety and administrative feasibility.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Oct 2022

Definition of "Discrimination" under Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices

TAFEP investigates all reports of workplace discrimination based on the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, which require hiring, promotion, and rewards to be based on merit and job-relevant factors.
Breaches include hiring foreigners without considering similarly qualified locals or shortlisting candidates for reasons unrelated to job requirements, such as age or race, leading to referrals to MOM for enforcement.
Employers found in breach may face actions like suspension of work pass privileges, and future workplace fairness legislation will define discrimination more clearly and enable a wider range of enforcement actions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source