MOM reveals new rules for recruiters

The ministry is imposing new conditions to promote fair hiring

BY Nurhuda Syed 22 Jun 2020

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed today (22 June) that recruitment agencies must abide by new licence conditions starting October 2020.

The move is part of efforts to clamp down on discriminatory practices in the workplace.

From October 1, agencies licensed by MOM must comply with the fair hiring requirements set out in the tripartite guidelines on fair employment practices when recruiting on behalf of their clients.

In addition to helping their clients fulfil job advertising requirements, agencies must also:

Brief their clients on the fair recruitment requirements in the tripartite guidelines
Make reasonable efforts to attract Singaporeans for vacancies that they are trying to fill
Consider all candidates based on merit

“Agencies must not in any way abet discriminatory hiring by their clients, for example, by withholding applications on the basis of age, race, nationality, gender and disability,” said MOM.

“Agencies must also turn down requests or instructions from clients to carry out discriminatory hiring. Agencies that fail to comply with licence conditions may be issued with demerit points, have their licence suspended or revoked, or face prosecution.”