In a four-hour-long debate on the first bill in a proposed law to ensure fairness in the workplace, 14 MPs raised concerns such as documenting evidence of bias, the economic impact of ageism, and the lack of coverage of indirect discrimination, reports The Straits Times.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng told Parliament that job seekers and employees will have greater protection against discrimination on grounds like age and nationality through the proposed legislation to ensure fairness in the workplace. The Workplace Fairness legislation (WFL) will retain the flexibility for employers to hire workers based on skills that support their business needs, he added.

“Even as we take this next step in our workplace fairness journey, please also let me emphasise upfront that the WFL is not a panacea,” he said. “It is a measured approach that seeks to preserve our current workplace norms, and guard against divisions in our workplaces and society.”

Workers’ Party MPs He Ting Ru and Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) sought clarifications on the lack of coverage of indirect discrimination practices.

Chua noted that examples of indirect discrimination may include working hours that unnecessarily disadvantage employees with children, or an attire policy that unreasonably discriminates against employees of a particular racial or religious group.

The second Bill, which will be separately tabled in 2025, will pertain more specifically to how private employment claims can be made for workplace discrimination. If passed, both bills are expected to take effect concurrently in 2026 or 2027.