Workplace Fairness Bill

Debate resumed.

Mr Speaker: Dr Tan, you may proceed.

6.33 pm

Dr Tan See Leng: Thank you. Mr Speaker, Sir, given the significance of this Bill, please allow me to attempt to say a few words in Malay. To my Malay speaking colleagues and friends, please pardon my errors in delivery and pronunciation.

(In Malay): The Workplace Fairness legislation will help preserve and enhance the fair and harmonious norms that have worked well thus far. After studying the experiences in other countries, we recognise the complexities in introducing such laws. We want to preserve our hard-earned harmony in the workplace and in society.

We also do not want to make the workplace a litigious environment. So, this WFL is not a panacea. Instead, it is an additional layer of measured protection that helps to ensure workers are evaluated and hired based on their abilities and not discriminatory biases. For employees and jobseekers, this Bill sends a strong message – everyone has an opportunity to fulfil their potential at work.

It will ensure that there is recourse available and no worker should have to suffer in silence – such as in cases where they face racial or religious discrimination at work. This law also ensures that employers retain the flexibility to make decisions based on genuine business needs.

At the same time, we will afford religious groups some flexibility to make employment decisions based on religion. Meanwhile, we will preserve the common space for secular jobs. We recognise that most employers have adopted fair employment practices and want to do the right thing. Notwithstanding this new legislation, we will take an education-first approach. We will only take action against employers that blatantly flout the rules.

( In English ): To conclude, while this Bill is not a silver bullet for upholding workplace fairness, it will enhance our current model of promoting fair and harmonious workplaces in a way that is tailored to our local context. It will encourage an atmosphere of trust and openness where issues on workplace discrimination can be raised safely and resolved amicably. In doing so, we aim to preserve, we aim to reinforce and to improve our existing workplace norms on fair and harmonious workplaces.

Beyond the WFL and TGFEP, we need to cultivate the right mindsets and a shared understanding that everyone benefits from a fairer workplace. The tripartite partners are committed to continuing our efforts at nurturing these mindsets and norms in the workplaces and beyond.

We welcome everyone to join us in this whole-of-society effort to build fairer and more harmonious workplaces together. Mr Speaker, Sir, I seek to move. [ Applause. ]

Question proposed.

Mr Speaker: Before I call the first speaker to kick off the debate, Deputy Leader, would you like to move the Motion on Exempted Business?