Public Sector Agencies Sign Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices
Fifty-nine Ministries and Statutory Boards gathered to sign the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices on 12 April 2007. The pledge signing took place during the 2007 Public Sector Union and
Management Gathering. By signing the pledge, these public sector agencies join a growing list of more than 300 employers who have committed to implement fair employment practices at the workplace.
2. The pledge is an initiative by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP), launched in September last year. It lists principles of fair employment practices which include recruiting employees based on merit and treating employees fairly and with respect.
3. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Lim Swee Say, Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as the Co-Chairpersons of TAFEP, Mr Bob Tan, Vice President, Singapore National Employers Federation and Council Member, Singapore Business Federation and Mdm Halimah Yacob, who is also Assistant Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress.
Ms Lim Soo Hoon, Permanent Secretary, Public Service Division, Prime Minister's Office:
“The Public Service Division fully supports TAFEP in promoting Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices fair and non-discriminatory employment practices. We were among the first group of organisations to endorse the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices last year.
The Pledge signing reaffirms our commitment to recruit, develop and reward officers based on individual merits. This principle of fair opportunity will enable the Public Service to widen our reach to attract and retain the best candidates,” she added.
Mdm Halimah Yacob, Co-Chairperson for TAFEP:
“The Public Service has about 120,000 in its employment and is Singapore's largest employer. Private employers often look to the Public Service's employment practices as a guide when setting their own practices. It is hence, important for TAFEP to have the public sector's support for our efforts, and for the public sector to take the lead in implementing fair employment practices.”
Mr Bob Tan, Co-Chairperson for TAFEP:
“I think it is great that the public service has shown their support for the pledge in such a big way. Employers who are known to be committed fair employment practitioners will be able to attract, recruit and retain the very best in the workforce. Job seekers and employees want the assurance that they would be given fair opportunities to prove themselves, make contributions to their organisations and be rewarded accordingly.”
ANNEX A
LIST OF PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES THAT SIGNED THE EMPLOYERS' PLEDGE OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1. Ministry of Health
2. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
3. Ministry of Defence
4. Ministry of Education
5. Ministry of Finance
6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7. Ministry of Home Affairs
8. Ministry of Information, Communications & The Arts
9. Ministry of Law
10. Ministry of Manpower
11. Ministry of National Development
12. Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources
13. Ministry of Transport
14. Prime Minister's Office
15. Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
16. Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore
17. Building and Construction Authority
18. Central Provident Fund Board
19. Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
20. Civil Service College
21. Defence Science and Technology Agency
22. Economic Development Board
23. Energy Market Authority
24. Health Promotion Board
25. Health Sciences Authority
26. Housing & Development Board
27. Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
28. Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
29. Institute of Technical Education
30. Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
31. International Enterprise Singapore
32. JTC Corporation
33. Land Transport Authority
34. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
35. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
36. Media Development Authority
37. Ministry of Trade & Industry
38. Monetary Authority of Singapore
39. Nanyang Polytechnic
40. National Arts Council
41. National Environment Agency
42. National Library Board
43. National Parks Board
44. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
45. People's Association
46. Public Utilities Board
47. Republic Polytechnic
48. Science Centre Board
49. Sentosa Development Corporation
50. Singapore Examination & Assessment Board
51. Singapore Land Authority
52. Singapore Polytechnic
53. Singapore Sports Council
54. Singapore Totalisator Board
55. Singapore Tourism Board
56. Singapore Workforce Development Agency
57. Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board Spring Singapore
58. Temasek Polytechnic
59. Urban Redevelopment Authority
ANNEX B
EMPLOYERS' PLEDGE OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
Our shared vision is for Singapore to be one of the best places in the world to work; a place where every worker is given an equal opportunity for employment, rewarded according to his or her merit, treated fairly and with respect, and given the opportunity to optimise his or her unique talents; a place where businesses are able to attract, develop and retain valued employees, and create a harmonious and inclusive work environment, where employees are highly motivated and contribute to their fullest to their organisations and the economy.
With a view to achieving this vision, the Tripartite partners :- the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) , have unanimously endorsed the 5 key principles of fair employment practices for implementation:
• Recruit and select employees on the basis of merit, such as skills, experience and ability, regardless of age, race, gender, religion or family status.
• Treat employees fairly and with respect and implement progressive human resource management systems.
• Provide employees with equal opportunities for training and development based on their strengths and needs, to help them achieve their full potential.
• Reward employees fairly based on their ability, performance, contribution and experience.
• Abide by labour laws and adopt Tripartite Guidelines which promote fair employment practices.
[Name of Organisation] shares the 5 key principles of fair employment practices and is committed to adopting these principles in the management of our human resources. We believe that the effective implementation of fair employment practices will bring about a more harmonious and progressive work environment within our organisation, and contribute towards making Singapore a great place to
work.