Take care of your workers, and they will take care of your business. From low-wage workers to working parents, no matter their work, everyone’s wellbeing at the workplace needs to be looked after.
We hear what the Ministries had to say in response to Labour Members of Parliament.
Supporting Working Parents
Compared to five years ago, there is a shorter waiting time for new flats, greater support for child-raising costs, ease of enrolling children in affordable and good quality preschools, and stronger support for working parents to manage work and family responsibilities.
These were examples Manpower Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo gave when NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Desmond Choo asked about the progress of current measures to support working parents.
Mrs Teo assists Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on population matters.
Despite the improvements, Mrs Teo said she is aware of other concerns that young Singaporeans may have, such as pre-school fees.
On this, she said that the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is currently reviewing the preschool subsidy framework to make quality preschools more affordable for parents.
Mr Choo also asked for legislation of flexible work arrangements (FWA). In reply, Mrs Teo said that a balance must be struck between the needs of businesses and workers.
Protection from Harassment Act
The Law Ministry will work with the state courts to look into the tracking of the types of cases filed under the Protection from Harassment Act, said Senior Minister of State for Law Edwin Tong.
He was responding to a suggestion made by NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay.
Between November 2014 and December 2018, some 535 protection cases were submitted. Of these, 213 protection orders and 193 expedited protection orders were granted. This included applications by victims of workplace harassment.
Ministry of Manpower on managing workplace harassment – The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) will now be a help and resource centre for workplace harassment issues for both employers and employees, announced Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Low Yen Ling.
Besides providing advice, TAFEP will offer resources on its website that include an introductory video on managing workplace harassment, a sample workplace harassment prevention policy that companies can adopt, and a list of training providers on managing workplace harassment.
She was responding to NTUC Assistant Secretaries-General Patrick Tay and Desmond Choo on workplace harassment.
Additionally, employees facing workplace harassment can call 6838 0696 or write to TAFEP for assistance.
TAFEP will also work with relevant government agencies and partners to set up a referral process so that it can have sight of all workplace harassment cases.
Intellectual Property for Creatives
On Intellectual Property, the Ministry of Law will be amending the Copyright Act to better support creative professionals in the digital age. This includes proper acknowledgement of works by creators, and a default ownership of some commissioned works.
This came in response to Mr Tay’s question on how the Ministry can further strengthen the copyright regime.
There are more than 30,000 workers in Singapore’s creative sector, many of whom are freelancers and self-employed.
Employers on Fair Consideration Framework Watchlist
The Manpower Ministry currently has 350 companies on its Fair Consideration Framework Watchlist, announced Manpower Minister Josephine Teo. Companies on the watchlist are those who have been found to have discriminated against hiring Singaporeans.
These companies come mainly from the administrative and support services, education, infocomm, professional services and wholesale trade.
Companies on the watchlist will have their Employment Pass (EP) applications closely scrutinised.
Since 2016, a total of 2,300 EP applications have been rejected or withheld by the Manpower Ministry, or withdrawn by employers.
Improving Working Conditions for Low-Wage Workers
The Manpower Ministry will look into companies’ practices in providing proper rest areas for their low-wage workers, and it will start with the cleaning sector, said Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.
In his speech, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari had asked about the Ministry’s plans to further improve working conditions for low-wage workers.
Mr Zaqy encouraged all service buyers and employers to provide their low-wage workers with proper rest areas.
Improving Workplace Safety and Health
To improve workplace safety and health (WSH) further, companies need to commit to the cause, there should be greater emphasis on workplace health and technology should be used, according to Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.
In his speech, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong said that the Labour Movement is ready to work with tripartite partners to raise WSH standards in Singapore.
Agreeing to this, Mr Zaqy called on the Labour Movement to partner the Manpower Ministry to get more companies to adopt Total WSH.
Total WSH refers to injury and occupational disease prevention, along with occupational health promotion, and adjustments in work processes so that workers with chronic conditions can continue working safely.
The Government will also consider how to improve WSH training together with tripartite partners.
Helping Migrant Workers
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will work closely with the Labour Movement, Migrant Workers’ Centre and Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) to assist foreign workers involved in disputes, said Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.
In his speech, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong said he hoped to see greater assistance for foreign workers involved in disputes with their employers.
According to MOM, about nine out of 10 dispute cases in 2018 came from the construction sector.
Mr Zaqy said that about 34,000 workers in the construction and process sectors were successfully transferred to other employers in 2018.
About 900 workers with valid claims successfully found new employers and continued to work in Singapore after their claims were resolved.
Update on Trial for On Demand Public Buses
The Government is currently doing an On Demand Public Buses trial that allows commuters to request pick-ups and drop-offs at any bus stop within defined areas, using a mobile application.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Janil Puthucheary said that while the technology is still evolving, the trial looks promising. Public bus operator mileage has reduced by more than 25 per cent in some areas while giving commuters a journey-time comparable to regular buses.
Dr Puthucheary was responding to NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong who requested for an update to the trial.
The Ministry will look to improve the technology by monitoring commuter feedback and improving the system’s algorithm, adding that this will help operators adjust to the way they roster bus captains to ensure they have enough rest.
New Tripartite Workgroup for Point to Point Sector
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will set up a Private Hire Car Tripartite Committee to complement the existing Taxi Tripartite Committee, announced Senior Minister of State for Transport Janil Puthucheary.
Together, the committees will be used as platforms for LTA, drivers and operators to discuss issues in the point to point sector.
He was responding to NTUC Assistant Director-General Ang Hin Kee’s proposal that the Ministry form tripartite workgroups.
Dr Puthucheary added that the Ministry will continue working closely with tripartite partners to manage disruptions and consider feedback while keeping in mind the needs of both commuters and drivers.
[Read More: The full compilation of Committee of Supply Debates]
