Obtaining a License
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) takes a “calibrated approach” when issuing a Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL) to ex-offenders. Doing so ensures a balance is struck between giving opportunities to ex-offenders while ensuring the safety of passengers, said Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament.
The LTA considers appeals from rejected applicants on a case-by-case basis. Out of the 35 appeals LTA has received so far, nine have been accepted.
This was in response to NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari’s parliamentary question on whether the authorities can reassess applications to make a more compassionate assessment without compromising the safety and security of commuters.
According to Minister Khaw, the LTA considers the nature of the offence when assessing applications from ex-offenders for a PDVL and only those who have committed extremely serious offences are barred from obtaining a licence.
Progressive Work-Life Practices
Not including companies who offer flexible work arrangements (FWAs) on an ad hoc basis, about 67 per cent of workers in Singapore work in companies that offer FWAs in 2016 – up from 56 per cent in 2011.
Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say revealed this following a question raised by Labour Nominated Member of Parliament K Thanaletchimi.
“MOM [Ministry of Manpower] is committed to helping Singaporeans fulfil their aspirations for career and family. Through the concerted efforts of our tripartite partners, we have seen improvements as more workplaces adopt family-friendly practices,” he said.
He added that MOM will continue to work with NTUC and employers to get more companies to improve the workplace practices.
Ensuring Safety
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has started a third review of the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) and aims to complete it by the end of 2017. Since its enactment in 2006, the act has been amended in 2008 and 2011.
Minister of State (MOS) for Manpower Sam Tan said this in response to NTUC Industry Transformation and Productivity Director Desmond Choo’s question on whether MOM will review the current liabilities and penalties under WSHA.
MOS Tan added that workplace safety is a collective responsibility and urged everyone to play an active role to report any unsafe work practices to MOM.
