Nationality bias tops reasons for work pass privilege suspension

Nationality bias tops reasons for work pass privilege suspension

Around 60% of employers penalised for discriminatory employment practices showed nationality bias.

Minister of Manpower Gan Siow Huang said the percentage is based on the average of 400 cases per year handled by the ministry, along with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TGFEP).

"In about 50 cases each year, the employers were found to be in breach of the TGFEP and had their work pass privileges suspended. About 60% of such cases involved nationality-based discrimination, and about one-third involved gender and age discrimination, split about equally between the two," Gan said.

Other reasons for discrimination are marital status, race, and family responsibilities.

Companies with less severe breaches, such as HR lapses that result in miscommunication and potential discrimination, have been issued warnings. Gan said the Ministry issued an average of 40 warnings per year.

国籍偏见是取消工作准证特权的主要原因

因歧视性雇佣行为而受到惩罚的雇主中约有60％表现出国籍偏见。

人力资源部长甘秀黄说，该百分比是根据该部与公平和进步就业惯例三方联盟（TGFEP）每年平均处理的400例案件确定的。

“每年大约有50起案件，发现雇主违反了TGFEP，其工作准证特权被暂停。大约60％的案件涉及基于国籍的歧视，约三分之一的案件涉及性别和年龄歧视，两者之间平分秋色。”甘说。

歧视的其他原因是婚姻状况，种族和家庭责任。

违反程度较轻的公司（例如因人力资源失误导致沟通不畅和潜在歧视的公司）已发出警告。甘说，该部平均每年发布40条警告。