Written Answer to PQ on Ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2203 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON 19 SEPTEMBER 2023
QUESTION NO. 5162 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Ms He Ting Ru

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Government intends to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) which commits states to pursuing a national policy to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation, with a view to eliminating any discrimination, and which has been ratified by more than 90% of ILO member states, as of January 2023.

Answer:

1. Singapore agrees with the spirit and intent of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, also known as the C111, which requires ratifying member states to, quote, “pursue a national policy designed to promote, by methods appropriate to national conditions and practice, equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation, with a view to eliminating any discrimination in respect thereof”, unquote. Even though we have not ratified C111, our policies and measures are already aligned with the spirit of the Convention.

2. Our national policy position is clear – all forms of workplace discrimination are not tolerated. Jobseekers and employees are to be treated fairly and based on merit as set out in the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP). The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) conducts education and outreach to employers so that employers can take ownership of fairness in their work environment. When there are breaches of the TGFEP, TAFEP looks into every complaint of discriminatory practices and asks the company to correct deficient practices. MOM stands ready to take enforcement action where needed.

3. The Government will be enacting Workplace Fairness Legislation. This is a significant step forward in our continued efforts to enhance workplace fairness in Singapore and is a further strong signal that workplace discrimination is not acceptable.

4. Singapore takes its international commitments seriously. Of the ten ILO Fundamental Conventions, we have already ratified seven. We will continue to take our tripartite approach to enhance our workplace fairness framework in Singapore, and keep the issue of ratification of C111 in review.