By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 9 March 2015]
The Fair Consideration Framework is an important tool to ensure that Singaporeans are fairly considered for jobs. In parliament last year, Minister informed the house that MoM has a set of internal triggers to determine if employers will be identified for additional scrutiny based on a broad range of factors. I would like to ask what the scope of the Ministry’s internal triggers are, and what are the broad range of factors that the Ministry employs in determining whether companies are staying true to the ethos of the Fair Consideration Framework.
I would also like to ask Minister how many companies have been advised or investigated by the Ministry thus far, and how many have been deemed to be in breach of the framework. In addition, which industries have most to do in adhering to the Fair Consideration Framework. Does the Ministry plan to increase the penalties under this framework and what does the Ministry’s plan to do to engage firms that are not doing enough to hire and develop Singaporean PMEs.
Thirdly and in step with the Ministry’s active role to engage firms to address this problem, does the Ministry plan to tie firms up with the SkillsFuture Council to address shortage of Singaporean staff, by promoting certain courses among Singaporeans for consideration.
Finally, as part of the Fair Consideration Framework, would the Ministry consider highlighting and promoting companies that go out of their way to hire, retain and establish dedicated senior appointment career tracks for Singaporeans, and to highlight such companies as industry champions.