Written Answer by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on Review of Industrial Relations Act

1. The Industrial Relations Act regulates employer-employee relations and provides a framework for preventing and settling trade disputes. Since its introduction in 1968, the Act has provided for a list of management prerogatives (e.g. hiring, firing, promotion and transfer of employees). Unions can negotiate on most industrial matters except for issues on this list. Notwithstanding this, the Act also provides for safeguards to protect the rights of employees.
2. This is a balanced approach which allows unions and employers to work together to improve the economic and social status of workers, while reducing disputes over which issues the unions can enter into negotiations with management. Over the years, this has served us well in promoting industrial harmony. The Ministry of Manpower will continue to monitor the ground to ensure that this provision and the relevant safeguards provide the necessary framework for a stable working relationship between employers and unions.