Singapore reveals new laws vs. workplace discrimination
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore revealed new legislation to fortify the nation’s defense against workplace discrimination. The laws are set for implementation in 2024 and will target areas such as nationality, age, sex, race, and language.
The new legislation will build on the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP), reinforcing Singapore’s stand against discrimination.
Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Koh Poh Koon, shared that the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness (the Committee), which was formed in 2021 to review the workplace fairness framework in Singapore, proposed that the new legislation protect common forms of workplace discrimination mentioned above.
Their recommendations emphasized the focus on mediation rather than litigation for dispute resolution and that the legislation should complement the existing TGFEP.
Companies will be mandated to create internal grievance-handling channels for dispute resolution. If internal measures fail, mediation at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management is the next step, with adjudication at the Employment Claims Tribunals as a final option.
Experts said that employees would benefit from stronger protection, including safeguards against retaliation for making discrimination complaints. The legislation will also clarify what constitutes discrimination to eliminate any uncertainties.
