Oral Answer to PQ on Anonymous reports of workplace discrimination

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2575 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON 16 FEBRUARY 2024
QUESTION NO. 5742 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the reporting mechanisms under the new workplace discrimination laws will allow employees to provide anonymous reports to the Ministry or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices against errant employers; and (b) if not, whether the Ministry has undertaken a study of such a reporting mechanism.

Answer:

1.The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) will follow up on anonymous reports under the planned Workplace Fairness Legislation on a best-efforts basis, similar to all other complaints of workplace discrimination today. TAFEP does not disclose the employee’s identity to the employer. To further reassure employees, the proposed legislation will require employers to implement processes to handle grievances by employees and protect the employees’ identity. It will also prohibit employers from retaliating against employees.