![[Singapore] MP proposes formalised labour laws to safeguard locals](http://globalpayrollassociation.com/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Singapore--February------308133739_1200x.jpg?v=1614850131)
Labour MP Patrick Tay has said Singapore is in need of more formal labour laws rather than mere advisories and guidelines to protect local workers, HRM Asia reports.
Patrick Tay is an assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). He spoke with reference to public concerns that the country’s reliance on foreign professionals has led to unnecessary competition in the local job market.
“To safeguard the Singaporean core and curb discriminatory hiring, we must ensure that Singaporean professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) have access to a level playing field for jobs while balancing companies’ manpower needs in the immediate and longer-term,” he said.
To address the issue, Tay proposes formalising labour laws to tackle hiring bias, whether by nationality, age, gender, disability or race.
“Perhaps it is time for us to seriously deep dive and consider, beyond mere tripartite advisories, guidelines and standards, to promulgate anti-discrimination legislation to give a stronger set of teeth to existing institutions like the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP),” he said.
Formal legislation would be more effective than the existing advisories and guidelines which employers can choose not to follow. It can also serve as a clear deterrent to companies, provide TAFEP with more effective legal clout and stamp out any discrimination at workplaces by employers or agencies, Tay said. HRM Asia has further details of the MP’s comments.Labour MP Patrick Tay has said Singapore is in need of more formal labour laws rather than mere advisories and guidelines to protect local workers, HRM Asia reports.
Patrick Tay is an assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). He spoke with reference to public concerns that the country’s reliance on foreign professionals has led to unnecessary competition in the local job market.
“To safeguard the Singaporean core and curb discriminatory hiring, we must ensure that Singaporean professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) have access to a level playing field for jobs while balancing companies’ manpower needs in the immediate and longer-term,” he said.
To address the issue, Tay proposes formalising labour laws to tackle hiring bias, whether by nationality, age, gender, disability or race.
“Perhaps it is time for us to seriously deep dive and consider, beyond mere tripartite advisories, guidelines and standards, to promulgate anti-discrimination legislation to give a stronger set of teeth to existing institutions like the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP),” he said.
Formal legislation would be more effective than the existing advisories and guidelines which employers can choose not to follow. It can also serve as a clear deterrent to companies, provide TAFEP with more effective legal clout and stamp out any discrimination at workplaces by employers or agencies, Tay said. HRM Asia has further details of the MP’s comments.