Denise Phua on Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill

Workplace fairness has to be made truly accessible, especially for Singapore’s most vulnerable workers. This will depend not just on the letter of the law, but on the ecosystem that supports it. MP Denise Phua said this in parliament on Tuesday (Nov 4). She called for the Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill to be a transformative tool for justice, not just a procedural formality. Ms Phua offered several suggestions, including ensuring that the grievance process is made clear and simple, particularly for vulnerable workers such as those with disabilities, who are older or less educated. She proposed legally entrenching the right for vulnerable workers to have a trained, independent advocate present during all proceedings. Medium and large employers should also be made to conduct proactive fairness audits to stop discrimination in hiring, promoting and retaining before it happens.