Tripartism refers to the collaboration among unions, employers and the Government. In Singapore, tripartite guidelines and advisories are formulated by the Tripartite partners – the Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation.

Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness

The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness (the “Committee”) was formed in July 2021 to study policy options to strengthen workplace fairness. In Feb 2023, the Committee published an Interim Report on key aspects of the proposed legislative framework for public feedback.

The interim report can be found here.

On 4 August 2023, the Committee released its final report which made 22 recommendations under four key thrusts to enhance the current framework and uphold workplace fairness in the following ways:

a) Strengthen the overall framework for workplace fairness
b) Formalise mediation as the preferred approach to resolving disputes relating to workplace discrimination
c) Provide remedies for harm done
d) Provide appropriate enforcement levers against discriminatory acts by a small group of errant employers.

The final report can be found here.

Advisories on the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower Wage Workers

In October 2020, the Tripartite Partners formed a Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers (TWG-LWW) to explore measures to further uplift the wages and well-being of lower-wage workers. Over 10 months, the Tripartite partners consulted more than 1,800 individuals from Unions, Employers, members of the public and lower wage workers. In August 2021, the TWG-LWW released a report with 18 key recommendations.

You can also find SNEF’s media statement here and the Sectoral Tripartite advisories here.

SNEF President Dr Robert Yap at the TWG-LWW Press Conference in 2021 (Photo Credits: Ministry of Manpower Singapore).

Health & Safety in Workplaces

• Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-Being at Workplaces (17 Nov 2020)
• Tripartite Advisory on Managing Workplace Harassment
• Tripartite Advisory on Workplace Measures to Tackle MERS-CoV
• Tripartite Advisory on Haze-Related Workplace Measures
• Third Tripartite Advisory on Workplace Measures to Tackle Influenza A (H1N1-2009)

Responsible Employment Practices

• Recommendations of the Tripartite Cluster for Retail Industry on Introducing Progressive Wage Model for the Retail Sector (15 Aug 2022)
• UPDATED – Recommendations of the Tripartite Cluster for Waste Management Industry on Introducing Progressive Wage Model for the Waste Collection and Materials Recovery Sub-sectors (24 January 2022)
• Tripartite Advisory on Ensuring Sustainability of the Cleaning Sector in view of COVID-19 (10 Nov 2021)
• Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment(Updated 17 October 2020)
• Advisory on Retrenchment Benefit Payable to Retrenched Employees due to Business Difficulties COVID-19 (as at 20 May 2020)
• Tripartite Advisory on Provision of Rest Areas for Outsourced Workers
• Tripartite Guidelines on Issuance of Itemised Payslip
• Tripartite Guidelines on Issuance of Key Employment Terms (KETs) in Writings
• Tripartite Guidelines on Expanding the Scope of Limited Representation & Extending the Scope of Union Representation for Executives
• Tripartite Guidelines on the Job Flexibility Scheme
• Tripartite Advisory on Managing Manpower Challenges for Enhanced Competitiveness and Sustainability
• Tripartite Guidelines on the Employment of Term Contract Employees

Re-Employment and Older Workers

• Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-Employment of Older Employees (To take effect on 12 October 2020)
• Tripartite Workgroup – Strengthening Support for Older Workers Infographic
• Report of the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers – Strengthening Support for Older Workers (19 Aug 2019)

Fair Employment Practices

• Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness Interim Report_2023

Archive

• SNEF InfoGraphics on Things to Note About COVID-19 Vaccination in Employment Settings (2 Jul 2021)
• Advisory on COVID-19 Vaccination in Employment Settings & FAQs (as at 2 Jul 2021)
• Updated Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment (as at 11 Mar 2020)
• Retirement and Re-employment (Amendment) Bill 2016 & Revised Tripartite Guidelines on Re-employment of Older Employees
• New Tripartite Advisory on Mandatory Retrenchment Notifications & Revised Guidelines on Responsible Management of Excess Manpower
• Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment
• Tripartite Guidelines on Re-employment of Older Employees (Revised) & Enhanced WorkPro Scheme
• Tripartite Advisory on Re-employment of Employees from Age 65 to 67
• Enactment of the Retirement and Re-employment Act (RRA) and updated Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees
• Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees
• Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower – (Updated)
• Enhanced Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices
• Tripartite Guidelines on Wrongful Dismissal (MOM)