Written Answer by Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, to PQ on Measures to Improve Non-Discrimination in Employment

QUESTION NO. 939 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Ms Raeesah Khan

To ask the Minister for Manpower in light of efforts to improve non-discrimination in employment by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) (a) what are the measures being considered to improve existing corrective and signalling instruments; and (b) whether there will be a review of changes to such instruments and, if so, how and when will it occur and be publicly reported.

Answer:

• MOM takes a serious view of all forms of discrimination at the workplace. We have put in place education and enforcement measures to tackle it. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) has been supporting employers with advisory services and resources to adopt fair employment practices. In addition, TAFEP works with employers to correct any gaps in their HR processes, including through clinics to help employers better understand their obligations under the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices and implement the right practices. Where MOM finds that employers have been discriminatory, we also take firm enforcement action against them.

• These measures have been progressively enhanced over the years. Just last year, we introduced stiffer penalties for all forms of workplace discrimination. This sends a clear deterrent signal that the Government does not tolerate such behaviour.

• As stated in the Ministerial Statement on 6 July 2021, we will do more to clamp down on egregious employers with discriminatory employment practices, and alongside our tripartite partners, study various options to strengthen our efforts.