Law criticised for excluding LGBTQ+ employees
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) defended on Wednesday the newly passed Workplace Fairness Law (WFL) amid criticism that it left behind LGBTQ+ workers.
MOM said in a press reply that the legislation builds on the existing Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
"The legislation is tightly scoped for now, because we want to preserve and evolve our workplace norms over time, rather than disrupt them too suddenly," MOM said in a statement.
The Workplace Fairness Law (WFL) aims to protect individuals from discrimination by employers on the ground of the following categories:
The ministry underscored in its press reply that no workplace discrimination should be accepted, including discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).
"Anyone who believes he has been unfairly treated at the workplace should contact the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices for advice and assistance," MOM said.
The ministry's reply came after a discussion on The Straits Times pointed out that the WFL left behind LGBTQ+ employees.
Clement Tan, spokesperson for non-profit group Pink Dot SG, said the LGBTQ+ community were "conspicuously shunted to the margins" in the new legislation.
"They also ring as deeply ironic: the new anti-discrimination law itself discriminates, by offering protections to other marginalised groups but leaving LGBTQ+ Singaporeans behind," Tan said in the article.
The spokesperson also cited a study from Pink Dot last year, which found that 69% of LGBTQ+ people have encountered discrimination or harassment during hiring or in the workplace due to their SOGI.
A separate study from the National University in Singapore, as further cited by Tan, also found that 50.85% of LGBTQ+ participants experienced at least one form of workplace discrimination or harassment in their lifetime.
Louis Ng, member of Parliament, also pointed out in Parliament the lack of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the WFL, noting that it "excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from the definition of 'sex.'"
"Are we telling LGBTQ people that they are not protected from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?" Ng said. "Are we telling employers that it is okay to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation and gender identity?"
Tan said the government should take up Ng's suggestion of explicitly mentioning LGBTQ+ individuals on the Tafep's website.
"But that is far from sufficient," he said. "We strongly urge the government to review its decision to exclude SOGI within the WFL. There is still time to show it truly stands for a Singapore where all workers are treated fairly."
In its reply, MOM said the government is committed to fair and harmonious workplaces in Singapore.
"The Bill has taken on board many of the key concerns articulated through engagements and consultations," the ministry said. "We will continue to listen to feedback, build up our experience and capabilities and review the legislation regularly."
