Minimum rest hours, better whistleblowing channels among MP's suggestions to boost workplace safety

SINGAPORE — Legislating a minimum number of rest hours for workers in high-risk sectors to address workplace fatigue, a factor that has driven up the number of recent workplace fatalities, was among the suggestions raised by Mr Melvin Yong, the assistant secretary-general for the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), on Monday (Aug 1). 

In an adjournment motion in Parliament, Mr Yong said: “If employers are pushing our workers to — quite literally work towards their deaths — then we must surely act to stop this.” 

His suggestions came amid a recent spate of workplace accidents. A total of 27 fatalities were recorded in the first half of the year, almost double that for the same period in 2019. 

Among the 27 deaths, 10 were in construction, of which six were from smaller firms with a total workforce of fewer than 100 workers.

In response to Mr Yong’s suggestion, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said that there are existing protections under the Employment Act on the maximum number of hours that employees can work per day and per week, as well as the maximum number of overtime hours per month.

Another suggestion raised by Mr Yong is the establishment of safe and easy-to-use reporting channels for workers to report unsafe workplace practices, and possibly using the OneService mobile application to allow members of the public to do so, too. 

He explained that NTUC had received feedback from workers that “nothing was done” despite escalating unsafe practices to their supervisors. Mr Yong added that this inaction “can lead to someone dying from a preventable accident”. 

“We must therefore provide a better whistleblowing channel — one that ensures the anonymity of whistleblowers,” said Mr Yong, who is also Member of Parliament for Radin Mas Single Member Constituency. 

In response, Mr Zaqy said that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) hotline and e-Feedback are easily accessible to everyone, with information on these channels displayed on signboards at construction worksites. 

He added that MOM is also exploring adding the MOM e-Feedback function into another whole-of-government application.

On the issue of anonymity, Mr Zaqy gave the assurance that there are existing safeguards to protect the identities of workers who come forward. He added that under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act, employers cannot dismiss or threaten to dismiss workers who have reported WSH issues. 

Mr Yong also raised the importance of having workers being “properly geared at the workplace so that their safety is not compromised” as well as being trained and certified, urging MOM to make WSH training mandatory for all workers in high-risk sectors. 

Beyond ensuring workers are well trained, Mr Yong said that supervisors and management also have to be “geared with the right WSH mindset”. 

“We can train someone to be the best lifting supervisor, but if his management does not appreciate the dangers involved, his hands could be tied if critical resources are not deployed for his safety needs,” said Mr Yong. 

He added that the Government should “seriously consider” legislating the Approved Code of Practice for Company Directors' WSH Duties so that it has legislative “teeth”.

This is to ensure that company directors are aware and act on their WSH roles and responsibilities, as “the culture at the top shapes practices on the ground”, said Mr Yong. 

In response, Mr Zaqy said that MOM will be gazetting the code of practice later this year and it will help guide corporate leaders and boards of directors on their WSH responsibilities, including conducting ground engagements. 

Using technology to detect and prevent workplace accidents was another suggestion by Mr Yong. 

“Today, workplace safety technology has matured to a level that it is possible to predict the risk of workplace accidents,” he said. 

Mr Yong added that sensors and wearables can alert the company management when a worker enters a restricted area that may be unsafe, or when a worker encounters an accident, allowing medical help to be sent quickly.

However, he noted that the cost of investing in such technologies “can be prohibitive” and may be possible only for large multinationals. More help for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should thus be provided, said Mr Yong. 

In response, Mr Zaqy said that WSH technology solutions are incorporated in the Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) developed by Infocomm Media Development Authority and sector lead agencies, and are available to firms including SMEs. 

SMEs can also tap the Productivity Solutions Grant to adopt pre-approved solutions with up to 70 per cent funding for qualifying costs, such as the e-Permit-to-Work which allows full visibility of high-risk work activities.

With regard to workplace inspections, Mr Yong suggested a partnership between MOM and labour unions to supplement routine inspections. 

“Having union leaders will add an element of moral suasion to MOM’s inspections and help convince workers and supervisors alike to pay more attention to workplace safety,” he said. 

This was acknowledged by Mr Zaqy, who said that he looks forward to partnering NTUC to supplement MOM’s inspection and engagement efforts. 

“The recent spate of accidents has been a setback, but I urge all members in this House, boards, company leaders, industry associations, union leaders and our workers to continue to play our part in keeping up workplace safety and health,” said Mr Zaqy.