Manpower Minister
Lim Swee Say has announced a tougher stance by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP).
Speaking at a TAFEP award ceremony today, he said the alliance would tackle companies which he termed “triple weak”. These firms lack a Singaporean core, have no commitment to build up that core in the future, and are not contributing significantly to either the economy or society.
“I plan to reposition TAFEP to play a more proactive role both in countering the ‘triple weak’ companies and engaging the ‘triple strong’ companies.”
“Triple strong” refers to firms with a Singaporean core and plans to nurture it, which also contribute strongly to economic linkage and social impact, Lim said.
The Minister said he would elaborate on these plans in more detail when he speaks in Parliament later this afternoon.
In 2015, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) investigated 38 “double weak” firms which performed poorly in hiring and developing local workers. While these firms were not identified, Lim said that MOM was looking closely at their Employment Pass applications.
The Ministry has also previously warned that “double weak” firms which make little or no effort to strengthen their Singaporean core may have their Employment Pass privileges revoked.
