CODE OF CONDUCT ON EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Column: 1539

CODE OF CONDUCT ON EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: 12.

Mr Sin Boon Ann asked the Minister for Manpower in light of what the Prime Minister had said recently about not discriminating against older workers looking for employment, whether his Ministry will consider developing a new Code of Conduct on Employment Practices which, while not having the effect of the force of law, will set minimum benchmarks for the conduct of employers.

Column: 1540

The Minister of State for Manpower (Mr Gan Kim Yong) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, indeed employers should hire workers based on their skills and ability to perform the job. Workers should not be discriminated against in terms of age, race or gender. The Ministry of Manpower, together with the Singapore National Employers' Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), have jointly formulated the Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job Advertisements to provide clear guidelines to employers not to adopt discriminatory practices in the recruitment process but to adopt a fair approach based on merit, such as qualifications, skills, experience and other attributes relevant to the job.

The Tripartite Guidelines have been useful. Since their release in 1999, the incidence of discriminatory job advertisements in the major newspapers has dropped drastically from 30% to less than 1% today.

The Code of Responsible Employment Practices, which was jointly issued by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), SNEF and NTUC in 2002, provides further guidelines on what constitute objective, fair and responsible employment practices. This includes not discriminating against any employee on the basis of age.

The Ministry of Manpower takes a serious view on age discrimination. We investigate complaints of such discrimination thoroughly. If employers are found to have adopted discriminatory practices, we will take appropriate actions, including counselling, warning and administrative measures against them. Most employers have been responsive to our advice and have made necessary changes after counselling.

The Tripartite Guidelines and the Code of Practices remain relevant and useful.

Column: 1541

There is therefore no need for a new Code of Conduct for Employment Practices, as suggested by Mr Sin. Instead, we should periodically emphasise and promote the practices outlined in the existing guidelines and code. We will continue to work with our tripartite partners to promote fair employment practices through education and consultation.

What is more important is to create job opportunities for the older workers and to equip them with the necessary skills for these jobs. Equally important is to make positive changes to the mindsets of both the employers and the employees towards the employment of the older workers. The Ministry of Manpower has set up a Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers to study these issues. As part of the Committee's work, the tripartite partners are reviewing whether the existing guidelines and code need to be updated. The Committee is expected to wrap up its work by the end of the year and details of its recommendations will be announced at the appropriate time.

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Sir, the Minister says the guidelines have been effective. Why are there so many middle-aged workers complaining all the time at my meet-the-people sessions about discrimination at work?

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Mr Speaker, I would like to explain to the Member that some of these complaints are experiences faced by older workers when their applications have been rejected, and sometimes they feel that they have been discriminated against. But upon investigation, many of these complaints were unfounded because there were genuine requirements for younger people who are stronger for certain jobs that require the physical strength. But, obviously, for employees or applicants whose applications have been rejected,

Column: 1542

they would feel that they have been discriminated against.

3.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 22, Written Answers to Question Nos. 14, 19-20, 30-31, 35-36 and 40 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix*. Question Nos. 13, 15-18, 21-29, 32-34, 37-39 and 41-45 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 18 October 2005.]

• Will be reproduced in the printed copy of the Singapore Parliament Report.

Column: 1542

BILLS INTRODUCED: