Religion, race & rights — Topics

6 May 2019

Study on Gender Pay Gap

Louis Ng asked whether the government has studied the gender pay gap using fixed parameters like occupation and years of service and, if so, what the results are or if not, whether it plans to conduct such a study.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that pay differences can arise from various factors, such as women being more likely to exit the workforce or have intermittent work patterns due to caregiving responsibilities, which may affect pay rather than gender itself.
She stated that the Ministry of Manpower is conducting further analysis on pay differences between men and women, controlling for factors like educational qualifications and years in service.
Teo mentioned that more findings will be shared once the analysis is ready.
The debate highlights the government's ongoing efforts to understand and address potential gender pay disparities through controlled studies.

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6 May 2019

Singaporeans or PRs Involved in Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka

Minister K Shanmugam confirmed there were no Singaporeans or Permanent Residents among the casualties in the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, though a Singapore-based British lawyer and her children were killed.
The minister outlined key lessons, including the need for international intelligence cooperation, swift security responses, and enhanced security measures for public and religious venues.
He emphasised the importance of community preparedness through SGSecure, strict action against radicalisation and hate speech, and safeguarding Singapore’s racial and religious harmony.

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6 May 2019

Enhancing Measures to Prevent Sexual Harassment in Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning

Ministers Indranee Rajah and Ong Ye Kung outlined current measures in schools and institutes of higher learning, including disciplinary frameworks, counselling support, campus security enhancements like CCTV and improved hostel locks, and education on respect and consent.
Parliamentarians raised concerns about the adequacy of past responses, the need for tougher penalties, publicising punishments, and whether infrastructural changes and support for victims should have been implemented earlier, especially after high-profile cases like the NUS voyeurism incident.
The government emphasised that while autonomous universities have autonomy, moral suasion and policy guidance are used to ensure consistent standards, and all institutions are reviewing their approaches to prevent sexual harassment and support victims holistically.

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1 Apr 2019

Complaints of Gender-related Discrimination Reported in Last Three Years

Over the past three years, there were approximately 50 gender-related discrimination complaints reported annually to TAFEP and MOM, with about half substantiated and leading to sanctions such as work pass curtailment.
TAFEP received about 10 workplace harassment complaints each year, all of which were handled internally by employers following guidance, resulting in no sanctions needed for non-compliance.
MOM handled around 70 pregnancy-related dismissal appeals annually, with about 50 cases substantiated and resulting in compensation, while the remaining cases were dismissed or withdrawn.
MOM emphasized serious enforcement against discrimination, urging individuals to report issues and vowing strong actions against non-compliant employers.

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1 Apr 2019

CPF Members with and without Basic Retirement Sum in their Retirement Accounts on Reaching 55 in Last Three Years

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira requested data on CPF members turning 55 in 2016–2018 who set aside the Basic Retirement Sum, disaggregated by gender and housing type as a proxy for household income.
Ms Anthea Ong asked for the number and percentage of inactive CPF members broken down by gender, the percentage without the Basic Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in the last three years, and the difference in CPF balances between inactive men and women.
Mrs Josephine Teo noted that Basic Retirement Sum attainment has improved over time, narrowed the gap between men and women, and varies by housing type, with private property owners having the highest attainment and owners of smaller HDB flats the lowest.
She added that drawing conclusions from economically inactive members is difficult as they may have other means of support, but they can use voluntary top-ups or CPF transfers from family to save through the CPF system.

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1 Apr 2019

Statistics on Women Not in Labour Force Due to Care-giving Duties to Family or Relatives

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Manpower for statistics on women out of the labour force due to caregiving duties, including their numbers, duration out of work, re-entry outcomes, and income changes.
Based on the 2018 survey, about one in four women not in the labour force cited caregiving as the main reason, with those caring for family or relatives generally older and childcare providers mostly aged 30–49.
The survey does not track individuals over time to measure re-entry outcomes, but the government supports women's return through programs like Adapt and Grow and enhanced Career Trial with part-time options.

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1 Apr 2019

Priority for Senior Citizens Applying for Two-room Flexi Flats with Peers as Group Application

Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to senior citizens applying for two-room Flexi flats in group applications so they can be neighbours with peers.
Lawrence Wong noted HDB already sets aside a high proportion of two-room Flexi flats for elderly applicants aged 55 and above, with stable application rates and most seniors invited to book flats.
He explained that seniors can use the Senior Priority Scheme to improve chances of living near their current home or married child, enabling them to be neighbours with one another in new projects.

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1 Apr 2019

Ethnicity of Singapore Residents Listed under "Others" in Ethnic Category

Anthea Ong asked for the number of Singapore residents listed under “Others” in 2017 and 2018, a breakdown of the ethnicities and numbers that make up “Others,” and the percentage for each category in the CMIO model.
Teo Chee Hean, representing the Prime Minister, provided tables showing the ethnic composition of the Singapore citizen population in 2017 and 2018, the number of citizens under “Others,” and a breakdown of the six prevalent ethnicities within “Others” based on 2015 survey data.
The response addressed the query by presenting statistical tables rather than a direct textual summary, offering specific figures for the requested years and categories.

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1 Apr 2019

Flexibility in Imposing Household Income Ceiling on Singaporeans who Need to Care for Mentally Disabled Persons

Murali Pillai proposed reviewing the BTO flat income ceiling to allow flexibility for households with higher expenses due to caring for mentally disabled family members.
Lawrence Wong affirmed that the $12,000 income ceiling prioritizes subsidies for those most in need but noted HDB reviews cases with exceptional financial commitments.
He added that households exceeding the ceiling can still buy resale flats without income restrictions.

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1 Apr 2019

Restricting Hate Speech to Maintain Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore

Multiple speakers emphasized that hate speech poses a severe threat to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony, arguing that laws must be applied firmly and preemptively to deter offensive and hateful expressions that could incite division or violence.
There was broad consensus that while free speech is valued, it carries responsibility; a case-by-case assessment of context and harm is necessary, and education alongside legislation is vital to foster understanding and respect.
Speakers highlighted the need for a unified, impartial approach to enforcement, urging the public to report hate speech and avoid spreading unverified claims, while also leveraging community and cultural initiatives to build trust and resilience against intolerance.

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1 Apr 2019

Restricting Hate Speech to Maintain Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore

The Minister for Home Affairs outlined Singapore’s strict approach to restricting hate speech and offensive content to preserve racial and religious harmony, citing global examples like the Christchurch attack and the cancellation of the Watain concert.
Several MPs supported the government’s balanced framework, emphasizing that free speech must be weighed against social stability, while some raised concerns about last-minute decision-making and the need for clearer public education on what constitutes offensive speech.
The debate highlighted the importance of proactive community engagement, interfaith dialogue, and stronger online regulation to counter hate speech, especially among youth, to maintain Singapore’s fragile social cohesion.

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1 Apr 2019

Lessons from Recent Shooting Incidents in Amsterdam and Christchurch

The debate highlighted lessons from the shootings in Utrecht and Christchurch, emphasizing the need to reject extremist ideologies through firm action, such as working with groups like the Religious Rehabilitation Group to counter radical teachings.
It underscored the importance of strict firearms controls, noting Singapore's existing severe penalties for unlawful possession and use, and pointed to New Zealand's move to ban military-style weapons after Christchurch.
The government outlined enhanced preparedness measures, including deploying In-Situ Reaction Teams island-wide and conducting community drills, to ensure swift response and resilience during attacks.
The community was urged to stay vigilant, report suspicious behavior, and know how to respond during incidents, with the SGSecure movement strengthening individual and national readiness.
The response highlighted the power of unity, citing how New Zealanders of various faiths stood together after the Christchurch attack, and stressed that Singapore must similarly stand united to thwart terrorists' goals of division.

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8 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply – Head X (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth)

The debate highlighted the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s efforts in fostering citizen engagement, community building, and national identity, with members questioning how to move beyond top-down approaches to more inclusive, ground-up participation, especially among youths and diverse communities.
Key topics included support for madrasahs and the Malay/Muslim community (e.g., M3 initiative, asatizah development), with calls for updates on programs, funding, and inter-agency collaboration to address educational and social needs.
Members also discussed enhancing arts, sports, and heritage sectors, emphasizing inclusivity, accessibility for persons with disabilities, overseas exposure for talents, and the need for systemic changes to support athletes and artists.

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6 Mar 2019

Employment Rate of Differently-abled in Public Service

The Public Service employs more than 300 persons with special needs and partners with SG Enable to provide hiring, training, workplace modifications, and career development opportunities, with over 70% of these employees promoted at least once.
Minister Chan Chun Sing opposed setting a numerical target for hiring persons with disabilities, arguing it could lead to tokenism and instead emphasized the current incentive of hiring them outside standard manpower quotas to focus on job fit and abilities.
Parliament members urged the Public Service to set ambitious targets and recognise leading agencies to model inclusive employment, while the Minister agreed to do more to promote best practices and share success stories.
The discussion highlighted concerns about the low employment rate, the need for job redesign, and assurance that medical history declarations are confidential and meant to support employees rather than hinder career progression.

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6 Mar 2019

Female Representation in Statutory Boards

Ms Anthea Ong questioned the government’s progress on the 20% female representation target in statutory boards and listed companies by 2020, steps to close the 20% gender salary gap, and existing gender imbalances under the #BalanceforBetter theme.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim noted overlapping issues with other members’ questions and sought permission to address them during the upcoming Ministry of Social and Family Development Committee of Supply debate, with Ms Ong’s agreement.
The Speaker approved the arrangement for a combined reply during the Committee of Supply, allowing the debate to proceed with a consolidated response from the ministry.

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5 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply – Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

MP Patrick Tay highlighted concerns for five vulnerable worker groups (PMEs, discriminated, harassed, special needs, and ex-offenders), calling for stronger support, updated job-matching portals, and review of union representation laws.
Ministers Josephine Teo and Zaqy Mohamad outlined government measures, including expanding the Adapt and Grow initiative, enhancing the Work-Life Grant, and extending support for persons with special needs and self-employed persons.
Discussions emphasized raising retirement and re-employment ages, improving workplace safety, and promoting flexible work arrangements to support an ageing workforce and inclusive employment.

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1 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply – Head P (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Members raised concerns about foreign interference in domestic politics, the spread of online falsehoods and hate speech, and the need for tighter legislation and public education to safeguard Singapore's social fabric and democratic processes.
The Ministry announced the establishment of a new Home Team Science and Technology Agency to enhance capabilities in areas like biometrics, surveillance, forensics, and cybersecurity, with a focus on developing in-house expertise and ensuring data security.
Discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining religious harmony, combating drug abuse, and rehabilitating offenders, with updates on community campaigns, employment support for ex-offenders, and plans to address emerging trends like drug liberalisation abroad.
Road and fire safety were addressed, with plans to amend laws to impose stiffer penalties for irresponsible driving and require fire safety upgrades for older buildings, alongside community education efforts.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to counter-terrorism through community partnerships, SGSecure initiatives, and detecting self-radicalisation, while noting the ongoing need for vigilance and resilience.

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18 Feb 2019

Recruiting More Preschool Teachers by 2020

The Minister outlined multiple measures to recruit 3,000 preschool teachers by 2020, including expanding training through NIEC, offering training awards, and implementing career conversion programmes for mid-career entrants.
To attract more men, who currently make up less than 1% of educators, efforts include showcasing specializations like Outdoor Learning, addressing cultural misconceptions via a national campaign, and improving career progression pathways.
Challenges in recruitment include public perception of the sector as less suitable for men, parental discomfort with male teachers, and efforts to enhance salary growth, professional development, and reduce administrative workload to make the career more attractive.

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18 Feb 2019

Integrating Unemployed but Employable Persons with Disabilities into Singapore Core

The Minister outlined existing government programmes such as the Open Door Programme and Career Trial, which have placed over 1,600 persons with special needs in jobs over the past three years and provide grants and support to employers for job redesign and training.
Anthea Ong expressed concern that the employment rate for persons with disabilities remains low at about 5%, and asked whether there is a national target or future plans to prevent further marginalization and prepare this group for the changing economy.
The Minister responded that the government is collecting more comprehensive employment data and will release updated figures later in the year, while highlighting wage subsidies and grants available to employers to encourage inclusive hiring.
Both the Minister and Anthea Ong emphasized the need for greater employer engagement and more enlightened practices to create inclusive workplaces and ensure persons with disabilities are adequately supported for future work.
The debate underscored collaboration between government agencies and social sector partners to improve education, training, and job placement for persons with special needs in Singapore.

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13 Feb 2019

Ageing with Purpose; Support for Care-givers

The debate called for a whole-of-society effort to enable Singaporeans to age with purpose, dignity, and financial stability, focusing on creating flexible work opportunities for seniors, strengthening retirement adequacy, and enhancing community-based support systems.
It emphasized the critical role of caregivers, proposing stronger support through measures like enhanced financial grants, flexible work arrangements, better access to respite care, and improved information and training resources.
Members highlighted the need for policy adjustments, such as reviewing CPF contribution rates for older workers, broadening family definitions in support schemes, and investing in age-friendly infrastructure and digital literacy to keep seniors connected and engaged.

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