EMPLOYMENT OF EX-INMATES

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin asked the Prime Minister how many ex-inmates have been employed in the civil service or statutory boards since the Government announced the easing of restrictions on the employment of such inmates.

The Deputy Prime Minister (BG Lee Hsien Loong) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1st August 2000, Ministries have been given the discretion to selectively employ candidates with criminal records on contract or temporary terms for two years. If the candidates subsequently meet the criteria for appointment as permanent officers, they can be offered permanent appointments. Since then, 11 persons with criminal charges have been employed by eight public sector organisations.

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin (Nominated Member): Sir, I am enlightened to hear the response from the Deputy Prime Minister. But I seem to have gathered some feedback that as and when people say that they have a criminal record, they do not even get an interview. I would like to ask, for some jobs, whether the declaration can be exempted, so that they have at least half a chance of getting a job.

BG Lee Hsien Loong: Sir, I do not think we can do that. You have to be transparent. We have to know what the position is. Our policy is for some jobs, we will take you. It is a two-year arrangement. At the end, we will review. If you do not tell me and I find out later on, then where do we stand? Things become very complicated.

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin: My own personal experience, as a Board member of the Singapore Cooperative of Rehabilitative Enterprises, shows that for job placement, most of the participating companies are from Singapore's smaller private companies. And the Government being a large employer, would the Deputy Prime Minister consider asking GLCs and Government companies to play a more active role and engage more ex-inmates?

BG Lee Hsien Loong: I think we have to leave the GLCs to look after themselves. It is not our business to tell GLCs whom to employ, whether people with criminal records or otherwise. For the Government proper, we have stated our position. The policy was laid down last year. So far, a small number have been taken in. But it has only been a few months. I think we should let the policy run for a while and see how it works out.