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Written Answer by Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, to PQ on Adequate Breaks for Retail and Frontline Workers in Ageing Workforce

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 790 of 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 1 NOVEMBER 2021 

QUESTION NO. 1227 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 

MP: Mr Don Wee

To ask the Minister for Manpower what measures are in place to ensure adequate breaks for retail and other frontline workers who are on their feet for hours during their shifts especially in consideration of our ageing workforce.

Answer

  1. The Employment Act establishes some rules on working hours to protect employee well-being. For example, workmen or employees covered under Part IV of the Act should have at least one rest break for every six consecutive hours of work.
  2. Besides legislation, the Government also promotes the provision of proper rest areas for employees. The tripartite partners have also issued an advisory on the Provision of Rest Areas for Outsourced Workers, and there is a Workcare grant for early adopters of this advisory. Tripartite partners will also soon introduce a Tripartite Standard to recognise employers who advance the well-being of lower-wage workers, including by providing them with adequate rest areas.
  3. In a tight labour market, workers will also not be attracted to jobs which are unnecessarily onerous or burdensome. We encourage employers to redesign jobs to better support the needs of their employees. This includes improving the physical work environment, adopting technology and implementing more efficient work processes. Potential benefits to employees include shorter shifts, reduced physical exertion and improved well-being. This in turn boosts productivity and benefits employers. The Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices recognises progressive employers who adopt such age-friendly workplace practices. As at 30 September 2021, close to 4,000 employers collectively employing more than 500,000 workers have adopted this Tripartite Standard.
  4. Senior workers are not less capable than younger workers. Our focus on improving working conditions is to benefit all workers, and not just on account of an ageing workforce.