Employers' Pledge for Fair Employment Practices

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Manpower (a) how does the Ministry intend to tighten governance to ensure public sector employers who have signed the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices adhere to fair employment practices; (b) how many complaints of age discrimination against both public and private sector employers have been received since 2007; and (c) how have these complaints been addressed to ensure fair and just outcomes.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: The Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices is an initiative by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) to reach out to both private and public sector establishments in its promotion of fair employment, including age-friendly practices. To date, over 1,800 establishments have signed the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices. This includes all the Ministries and major Statutory Boards. While signing the pledge does not involve a legal obligation, it is a significant affirmation by an establishment of its commitment to the principles of fair employment. Pledge signers are expected to abide by the guidelines in good faith, and implement fair employment practices, including fair treatment of older workers.

TAFEP has been effective in tackling discriminatory practices, including age-related discrimination. For example, TAFEP has been successful in advising companies to remove age-discriminatory criteria in recruitment. Since its inception in 2006, TAFEP has received 140 complaints on age discrimination. Seven complaints (or 5%) involved public sector agencies, with the remainder from the private sector. So far, all employers approached by TAFEP following a complaint have heeded TAFEP's advice by changing their employment practices.

Recruitment into the Public Service is based solely on individual merit, through fair and open competition. The most suitable candidate is recruited regardless of age, gender, marital status, race or religion. Similarly for in-service officers, training and development opportunities are available to all, and the rewards and recognition framework is based on rewarding for performance regardless of age, gender, marital status, race or religion as well. Where PSD is aware of an irregular practice, including recruitment which is not in line with the principles of fair employment, on the part of public sector agencies, Public Service Division will remind the agencies involved to adhere to the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.

Any employee, including an older worker, who encounters discriminatory practices during recruitment or at the workplace, should approach TAFEP, or their union if they are union members, for advice and assistance.

Page: 770