The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) has released an interim update on stakeholder consultations. It follows Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s call at the National Day Rally on 14 August 2011 for tripartite partners to develop guidelines on fair employment opportunities for Singaporeans. It is likely to be released by the fourth quarter of this year.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) have been actively conducting consultation sessions on the guidelines with their stakeholders, partners and respective communities at large. TAFEP has also been receiving feedback from the public.
In statements issued on 14 October 2011 on their respective consultation processes, both NTUC and SNEF agree that Singaporeans must remain the core of the Singapore workforce. Both agree that a diversified workforce not only complements, but is essential to ensure Singapore’s long-term competitiveness. Both also agree that every effort must be put in to widen the scope of jobs and training for Singaporeans at all levels.
But there were also different views. For instance, SNEF is concerned that additional control measures for foreign workers may undermine labour market flexibility and competitiveness while NTUC’s position is that there are still loopholes for errant employers to circumvent the measures.
Highlights of the various feedback received to date are indicated below:
■ Employer Feedback:
Employer representatives were unanimous in supporting the principle of Singaporeans as the core of the workforce, and voiced strong support for giving Singaporeans more opportunities for training and development.
However, they also raised concerns around the need to comply with additional control measures (such as additional administrative hurdles and tests before a Work Pass is approved), and stressed the importance of striking the correct balance between Singaporeans vis-àvis foreign employees.
■ Employee Feedback:
Union leaders are supportive of developing guidelines for fair employment and responsible recruitment practices, so that Singaporeans have even better opportunities in recruitment and career development.
They also stressed the importance of not letting cheaper foreigners undercut and lower the wages of locals, and the need to nurture a Singaporean core at all levels.
In addition, union leaders viewed it important that the revised guidelines recognise and incentivise companies that hire Singaporeans first, so as to encourage more employers to make the reasonable efforts needed to provide fair employment opportunities for Singaporeans.
■ Public Feedback:
TAFEP has been receiving feedback from the public, employers and job intermediaries (e.g. job boards, staffi ng agencies). Some of the feedback includes:
• Employer to show that considerable amount of effort and time has been spent (e.g. advertisement, interviews) before hiring a foreigner.
• Employer to demonstrate that no eligible Singaporean has applied for that position, e.g. centralise hiring requests to a single website.
• Requirement of HR personnel to be Singaporean.
• Plans for `skills transfer to locals’.
• Plans for orientation/integration of new foreign arrivals.
TAFEP and its partners monitor feedback received and consider those that are reasonable and practical to frame the guidelines. Feedback not directly relevant to the guidelines is also shared with relevant authorities.
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"We will take up the feedback we receive from employers and try to strike a balance between employer and employee interests in developing the guidelines."
SNEF Executive Director Koh Juan Kiat
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"The feedback from union leaders reflects how employees see the picture. They want to ensure fairness and prospects for Singaporeans, even as they know that foreigners will always be needed to help meet the needs of our economy.”
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong
