Singapore passes key bill to tackle workplace discrimination: ST

Bloomberg

9 January 2025 at 1:18 am·1-min read

The Workplace Fairness Bill safeguards workers against biases based on factors such as age and nationality (Photographer: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg).

By Abhishek Vishnoi

(Bloomberg) – Singapore’s parliament on Wednesday passed a landmark bill to safeguard workers against biases based on factors such as age and nationality, the Straits Times reported.

During the eight-hour debate on the Workplace Fairness Bill spread over two days, some members of the parliament said the bill excludes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Some also highlighted the challenges faced by platform workers, smaller businesses and the cost of racial and religious discrimination.

Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng responded to those queries and comments, saying the government will continue to work on the bill and enhance it over time.

The bill states that employment choices, such as hiring, dismissing, and assessments, based on five categories of traits are illegal. These encompass age, nationality, sex, marriage status, pregnancy, care-giving duties, race, religion, language, disability and mental health issues.

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