Written Answer by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower & Senior Minister of State, National Development, to Parliamentary Question on Preventing Employment Discrimination Against Disabled Persons

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) whether there are regulations in place to prevent employment discrimination against the disabled; (b) whether the Ministry will consider including the hiring of disabled people within the Employment Act so that they are assured of the benefits presently available to other employees; and (c) what other measures the Ministry has taken or will take with regard to implementing fair and merit-based employment practices to eliminate discrimination against persons with physical disabilities.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin:

Employment discrimination against the disabled, without consideration for their ability to perform the requirements of the job, has no place in Singapore, like other kinds of discrimination. At its core, discrimination is a mindset issue, and tackling it requires public education and awareness building among employers in particular. The tripartite partners take an active promotional approach to encourage fair and merit-based employment practices.

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (or TAFEP) is set up for this purpose and actively engages employers to educate them on what is acceptable, and how to implement fair and progressive employment practices. For example, it organises workshops where expert speakers and enlightened employers share their experience and insights on working with people with disabilities.

The efforts by TAFEP as well as the employers to extend fair employment opportunities to people with disabilities have seen results. For example, the Enabling Employers Network, which is an alliance of like-minded employers, and the Singapore National Employers Federation, has influenced over 160 companies to commit some 600 employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The tripartite partners intend to take these efforts further.

Mr Christopher De Souza also asked whether MOM will consider including people with disabilities within the Employment Act so that they are assured of the benefits presently available to other employees. I would like to emphasise that our Employment Act applies to all employees irrespective of whether they have disabilities, and those who fall under the coverage of the Act enjoy the same level of protection.