Launch of '30 Minutes to Work' Initiative to encourage non-working women to enter and re-enter the workforce
30 November 2007
Meida Release
1 The Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women (Workgroup) has launched a ’30 Minutes to Work’ initiative in partnership with the Community Development Councils (CDCs) to match non-working women with jobs that are within close vicinity of their homes. This initiative was launched at a job fair held at the Jurong Entertainment Centre organised in collaboration with the South West CDC today.
2 The Workgroup has identified from women’s feedback that close proximity between their workplaces and homes is one of the key motivators that would encourage non-working women to enter and re-enter the workforce. Jobs at workplaces that are nearer their homes cut down on travelling costs and time, and would allow working women with family care responsibilities to return home quickly should they need to tend to their families’ needs or emergencies. By offering jobs closer to their homes, the ’30 Minutes to Work’ initiative hopes to attract non-working women to work.
3 Given the current tight labour market, employers should seriously consider tapping on the available pool of women who are willing to work either through full-time work or implementing part-time work and/or flexi-work arrangements. For companies that wish to recruit local part-time workers or workers on a flexible work arrangement, they can tap on the recently announced Flexi-Works! programme.
4 Today’s job fair comprised 30 booths from partners such as the Singapore National Employers Federation, National Trades Union Congress, the South West CDC, Workforce Development Agency, Ministry of Manpower, and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports as well as employers represented by several multinational corporations and local companies. More than 300 jobs are available within the South West CDC District.
5 A briefing session to educate non-working female residents on the benefits of working and on retirement adequacy, as well as workshops to help prepare the women to enter and re-enter the workforce were conducted prior to the job fair, attracting a total of 200 participants.
6 With an increasing life expectancy, there is a need to encourage Singaporeans to work till an older age to more adequately prepare for their retirement. This is especially true for women, a significant number of which leave the workforce in their thirties to care for their young children and subsequently finding it difficult to return to work. The ‘30 Minutes to Work’ initiative, to be managed by NTUC, has the potential to have a significant impact in encouraging more women to work and increase their opportunities to find work that are nearer their homes. There are also synergies to be gained for the Workgroup and the CDCs to work together on this initiative to better reach out to the non-working female residents, and to help prepare them to enter and re-enter the workforce.
7 Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, says, "Many work-capable Singaporean women who have left the workforce to take care of their young children, if given the right opportunity, would want to return to the labour force after their children have grown up to supplement the family income or simply be gainfully employed. ‘30 Minutes to Work’ is one such initiative that aims to make it easier for these women to step out again into the workforce. The labour force participation rate of women would also be increased further if more companies adopt family friendly practices and make it easier for women to join the labour force."
8 By helping women enter and re-enter the workforce more easily, they not only can achieve financial independence, they will also be able to save for their future retirement and achieve a better quality of life while contributing to the nation. For employers and jobseekers who are interested to find out more about ’30 Minutes to Work’, please contact NTUC Women’s Programme at 6213 8573 or email ntucwc@ntuc.org.sg.
Mdm Halimah Yacob
Chairperson, Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women
Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC
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About the Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women
The Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women was formed in July 2007. It is chaired by Mdm Halimah Yacob, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and comprises representatives from the unions, employers and the Government (see Annex for the composition).
The formation of the Tripartite Workgroup was one of the recommendations in the final report of the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers, which was released in May 2007. The Committee had recommended that the NTUC’s “Women Back to Work” Committee be elevated to a Tripartite Workgroup, led by NTUC, with participation and support of employers and the Government. The Workgroup would consolidate the various efforts of the tripartite partners to facilitate and encourage women to return to the workforce.
The terms of reference of the Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women are to:
a. Formulate and recommend measures to help women remain in the workforce and to facilitate non-working women enter or return to the workforce.
b. Pilot good practices such as flexible and part-time work and other supportive arrangements with a view to enhancing employment choices for women.
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Annex
Composition of the Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women
Chairperson
1. Mdm Halimah Yacob, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC
Members
Employers
2. Mr Koh Juan Kiat, Executive Director, SNEF/ SBF
3. Ms Angela Lum, Executive Director, Human Resources, UBS
4. Ms Cynthia Tan, Executive Vice President, Group Human Resources, OCBC
5. Ms Ang Poh Inn, Snr IR Consultant, SNEF
Unions
6. Ms Noor Shyma AL, Deputy General Secretary, AUPE
7. Ms Suseela A Singaram, Deputy General Secretary, UPAGE
8. Ms Ho Shiong Yee, Assistant General Secretary, UWPI
9. Ms Cham Hui Fong, Director, Industrial Relations, NTUC
10. Ms Irene Ng, Director, Special Projects, NTUC
11. Ms Theresa Wong, Assistant Director, Employability Enhancement Dept, NTUC
Government
12. Mr Ong Yen Her, Director, Labour Relations and Workplaces Division, MOM
13. Mrs Tan Hwee Seh, Coordinating Director, Corporate Management, MCYS
14. Ms Amy BC Tan, Director, People Matters Department, MOM
15. Ms Jane Lim, Deputy Director, Manpower Planning and Policy Division, MOM
16. Ms Angela Chew, Deputy Director, Employment Facilitation Division, WDA
