Strengthening Tripartism to Support Business Transformation and Progressive Workplaces for the Future

27 Apr 2018Press Releases

The Conference for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices 2018, organised by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), saw over 500 business leaders and HR professionals in attendance. Industry experts and academics shared insights and knowledge on developing human capital to support business transformation and fostering progressive and inclusive workplaces for the future.

2 At the event, Guest-of-Honour Second Minister for Manpower Mrs Josephine Teo also welcomed the latest batch of Human Capital Partners and launched the new Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices. She emphasised that tripartism will continue to play an important role to help businesses and workers thrive in the future economy.

New Tripartite Standard to Take Care of Older Workers of Today and Tomorrow

3 In the face of rapid digitalisation and technological disruption, employers need to ensure that workplaces remain inclusive, especially for our older workers. Jointly developed by the tripartite partners -Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), the Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices was launched today in recognition of a growing ageing workforce and the demand for age-inclusive workplaces.

4 Adopters of this Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices are committed to being age-inclusive in areas such as selection and hiring, training, job redesign, salary increments, and re-employment (Refer to Annex A for details).

5 Together with the tripartite partners, TAFEP will work with employers to help them adopt this Tripartite Standard. Besides being listed on TAFEP’s website, adopters of this Standard can use the TS logomark for recruitment and marketing efforts. Jobseekers and employees can identify these employers who have implemented specific progressive employment practices.

6 “I am glad to see that progressive employers with good age-friendly practices can now come forward and distinguish themselves with the Tripartite Standards logomark. This would allow their employees and job seekers to see that the company is committed to making their workplaces fair and age-inclusive. It would also help the company to better attract and retain their talents,” said Dr Robert Yap, President SNEF.

7 “Having age friendly practices will become more of a necessity for companies especially as our population ages. Such progressive practices will go a long way in helping our older workers stay employable where they can continue to contribute meaningfully. It is crucial for mature workers to embrace lifelong learning and upgrade their skills continuously so that they remain employable. The Labour Movement will work closely with the tripartite partners to build age-inclusive workplaces as we help mature workers keep up with technology and learn new skills,” said Ms Mary Liew, President of NTUC.

Largest batch of SMEs on board the HCP Programme

8 The Conference also unveiled 87 new employers, including Suntec Singapore, Rohde & Schwarz, and Ascenz, joining the Human Capital Partnership (HCP) Programme (refer to Annex B),bringing the total number of HCPartners to 221. The number of HCPartners has grown by about three times since the HCP Programme was launched in February 2017. In total, they employ over 190,000 locals, which constitute more than 8 per cent of our total local workforce. About half of the latest batch of companies are SMEs, the largest proportion and highest number of SMEs joining thus far.This is encouraging as it shows that SMEs too have the potential and capabilities to be exemplary progressive employers.

Creating an inclusive workplace culture

9 The other initiative shared at the Conference to help employers take stock of their employment journey was the Fair and Progressive Employment Index (see Annex C), jointly developed by TAFEP and the National University of Singapore. It aims to help organisations enhance their competitiveness by adopting a fair and progressive workplace culture, enabling them to effectively recruit, retain and engage the right workforce and become employers of choice. A unique feature of this Index is the ability of participating organisations to benchmark themselves against their industry peers and other organisations. Participating organisations will be provided with a detailed analysis of their scores, after taking the self-assessment, with a report containing useful recommendations on implementing a fair and progressive workplace.

TAFEP’s annual progress report

10 In 2017, TAFEP continued to actively champion fair and progressive employment by weighing in on workplace issues like grievance handling procedures,fair selection process and uplifting employment standards of employers. Over 5,240 employers have signed the Employers’ Pledge of Fair Employment practices, up from 4,860 the year before. In addition, TAFEP has trained over 8,350 HR practitioners, line managers and senior managers in our TAFEP workshops since 2007. In November this year, TAFEP will recognise and celebrate exemplary companies that not only havefair,responsible,and progressive employment practices but have made it a part of their organisation culture, through the new Tripartite Alliance Award.Over 200nominations for the TA Award have been received.

For more information on the Conference for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices 2018, kindly refer to www.tafep.sg/conference.