Singapore: Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (“TAFEP”) guidelines turning into law

The Guidelines provide guidance on fair employment practices, such as how employers are to recruit and select employees based on merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability. 

Whilst all employers are expected to abide by TAFEP’s Guidelines, the Guidelines currently do not have any legal teeth and are routinely flouted. The penalty for flouting the Guidelines may be the curtailment of work passes for a determined period. 

The move will empower TAFEP when dealing with unfair recruitment practices and ensuring employees get fair treatment at the workplace. A tribunal similar to the existing Employment Claims Tribunal (which deals with disputes over salaries and wrongful dismissal) will be set up to deal with workplace discrimination.

Employers may consider assessing their compliance with the Guidelines and take the necessary steps to prepare for the new law.