The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) supports the Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill passed earlier today in Parliament. Developed through months of rigorous discussion among the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and SNEF, this legislation reflects the tripartite partners’ commitment to upholding fair employment practices while preserving the flexibility and harmony that define our labour landscape.
2 Taken in totality, the Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) sends a balanced message to both employers and employees – while workplace discrimination will not be tolerated, there must be safeguards against abuse of the claims process and that the penalty for any breach of WFA should be proportional to its severity. In Singapore, employers are generally responsible and committed to fair and inclusive workplaces. This is evident from the low number of discrimination-related complaints each year. As such, the passing and eventual implementation of the WFA should not result in undue burdens to employers.
3 Importantly, the Bill also reflects the tripartite partners’ shared belief that even as we strengthen regulations about workplace fairness, we should not inadvertently foster a more litigious culture in the workplace. Therefore, SNEF has been supportive of establishing clear internal policies and processes so that any workplace concerns can be effectively addressed within the company. If disputes are not resolved internally, then mediation must be the first step before cases proceed to the Employment Claims Tribunals. By prioritising resolution at the firm level and mediation before adjudication, it would help to build a fair and harmonious workplace.
4 To support employers that encounter WFA claims, SNEF is actively building capacity, including developing in-house legal expertise, to complement our decades of experience in industrial and workplace relations. In addition, SNEF will also expand our advisory team to offer consultation services, helping members better understand the law and resolve issues with the assistance of our industrial and workplace relations consultants. By the time the WFA is implemented, SNEF will be fully equipped to represent members directly for claims exceeding $30,000 and up to $250,000, as well as provide advisory support for other claims.
5 SNEF will also do our part to support our members and the broader employer community more holistically to prepare for the WFA. This includes training courses and in-depth briefings, including direct dialogues with the policymakers. MOM, NTUC and SNEF will also work together to develop guidance materials focused on practical scenarios to help both employers and employees better understand the legislation. This will help ensure that the WFA is implemented smoothly and achieves its objectives of improving protections against workplace discrimination, while preserving Singapore’s fair and harmonious workplace norms.
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About Singapore National Employers Federation
The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) is a trade union of employers. Our mission is to advance tripartism and enhance labour market flexibility to enable employers to implement responsible employment practices for sustainable growth. SNEF has a membership of more than 3,900 companies with around 870,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.snef.org.sg.
