Workplace Harassment Complaints Without Independent Employer Investigations and Empowering TAFEP to Compel or Audit Investigations

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) of the workplace harassment complaints received by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) in 2025, what proportion of employers did not carry out an independent investigation into the complaints; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider amending the relevant legislation to empower TAFEP to compel or audit such investigations.

Ms Jasmin Lau: In 2025, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) received 59 workplace harassment complaints. Upon receiving a complaint, TAFEP will engage the employers to request that they carry out independent investigations, in accordance with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Workplace Harassment. The vast majority of employers had complied, less than 5% of employers did not do so and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and TAFEP have issued advisories to these employers to remind them.

To strengthen protections for employees against workplace harassment and discrimination, we had enacted the new Workplace Fairness Act (WFA), which will be implemented in end-2027. Under the WFA, employers will be required to put in place internal grievance handling processes and conduct investigations into workplace harassment and discrimination grievances raised. MOM will be empowered to take enforcement actions against employers who do not comply.