The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill, was debated in Parliament. It sets out the crucial mechanism for workers to seek redress when facing discrimination is the second bill following the passing of the Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) on 8 January 2025..
The WFA framework, which was built through the efforts of the NTUC and its tripartite partners, aims to uphold and strengthen Singapore’s commitment to fair and harmonious workplaces, ensuring employment practices are strictly merit-based.
The NTUC has long championed stronger protections for all workers, especially for Professionals, Managers, and Executives (PMEs). Through extensive engagements, including the SNEF-NTUC PME Taskforce where over 10,000 PMEs, employers, and stakeholders were engaged, the NTUC heard many stories, particularly from mature PMEs over 40, about being passed over due to their age or nationality, which “chipped away their self-confidence”.
All You Need To Know About The Dispute Resolution Bill
The second piece of legislation, the Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill, sets out the crucial mechanism for workers to seek redress. The Bill aims to make the claims process fair, accessible, and quick, while preserving trust and harmony.
Key Changes in Dispute Resolution:
- Higher Claim Limit: For workplace fairness claims, the limit for the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) will be raised to $250,000, about ten times more than current employment claims—all without hiring a lawyer. This significant increase allows unions to support and represent even more members, especially PMEs, in the claims process.
- Mediation-First, Judge-Led Approach: The NTUC supports the mediation-first, judge-led approach. This approach encourages amicable settlement and helps workers navigate the process without needing costly legal representation, which often places workers at a disadvantage vis-à-vis employers.
If you are a union member, you will not have to face this alone. NTUC and our Unions are here to guide you every step of the way – from the moment a dispute arises, through mediation, and if needed, all the way to the ECT.
Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
A Recap of the First Bill: Stronger Protections and Processes to Tackle Workplace Discrimination
The first step in this statutory development was the passing of the Workplace Fairness Act in January 2025. This Act strengthens protection against the most common forms of discrimination faced by workers. It prohibits discrimination based on 11 protected characteristics: Age, Nationality, Sex, Marital Status, and Pregnancy Status, Caregiving Responsibilities, Race, Religion, Language, Disability, and Mental Health Condition.
The Act provides workers who face discrimination—whether in hiring, promotion, or dismissal—the ability to obtain individual recourse, including compensation for losses suffered. The WFA was developed through the long-standing efforts of the NTUC and its tripartite partners.
Unions Play A Vital Role In Resolving Disputes
Even within this clear system, many workers may still feel anxious about facing the process alone. The NTUC and its affiliated unions stand ready to assist:
- Representation: If a worker is a union member, the NTUC and its Unions are positioned to guide them every step of the way — from the dispute’s start, through mediation, and to the Employment Claims Tribunal. The Bill recognises and affirms the vital role played by Unions.
- Support for Members in Non-Unionised: the staff team of industrial relations experts and Tripartite Mediation Advisors at NTUC stand ready to support and advise on claims.
Looking forward, the labour movement is focused on future challenges. Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng noted:
“Finally, as workplaces evolve, new challenges will emerge. AI-based hiring tools could be used for efficiency, but could also unintentionally favour certain groups over others. I hope that together with tripartite partners, we can study how to ensure that such AI systems are fairly used, transparent, and accountable – so that the technology can help workers, rather than hinder them.”
While laws alone cannot create fairness, the WFA is a crucial tool. NTUC and the unions will continue to work steadfastly with employers and Government to make fairness a lived reality, where every worker is valued for their contribution and treated with dignity.
