SINGAPORE: Companies that discriminate against Singaporeans during hiring will face harsher penalties as part of the latest update to the Fair Consideration Framework .
“What's left we feel are some of the cases where there is discriminatory intent and that education anymore, but we also need to have more penalties.”In her speech at Salesforce, Mrs Teo said stiffening the penalties highlight the point that “if employers want to continue their operations in Singapore, they would have to hire locals”.
The FCF job advertising guidelines require employers who are submitting EP applications to post vacancies on national jobs bank MyCareersFuture.sg and look at all candidates fairly before they can hire from abroad. Four of the cases were detected through MOM’s checks using data analytics, while the case involving Meow Services surfaced due to a complaint made to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices , a spokesperson added. Investigations into each case took between three and six months to complete.
These employers are given six months to improve their HR practices with TAFEP’s help, MOM said in its factsheet. Two hundred and sixty of them were removed from the watchlist after they reduced the proportion of foreigners in their headcount. MOM is also planning to step up measures against employment agencies with discriminatory practice, its spokesperson said, and more details will be given at the upcoming committee of supply debate.
There are still companies risking the penalties to get their desired foreign talents. Just scrutinise their manpower and you will know the facts. It’s not rocket science to do this.