LGBTQ+ workers left behind again in new legislation: Forum

The Workplace Fairness Legislation (WFL) passed on Jan 8 marks an important step against work-related discrimination in Singapore. Yet, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community were conspicuously shunted to the margins.

Several MPs, including Mr Louis Ng and Ms He Ting Ru, and NMP Usha Chandradas questioned the explicit exclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) from the law’s protected characteristics, pointing to studies showing widespread SOGI-based discrimination in Singapore. Pink Dot’s own research with Milieu Insight found that seven in 10 LGBTQ+ Singaporeans face work-related discrimination.

The MPs noted that the WFL’s exclusions perpetuate further discrimination, sending the wrong signals to errant workplaces. Also, LGBTQ+ workers, already distrustful of a system that has repeatedly marginalised them, may lose hope in seeking redress, fuelling a vicious cycle of severe underreporting.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng stated that the Government does not tolerate “any forms of workplace discrimination, including towards LGBT individuals”, and that such cases of discrimination can be heard through the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (Tafep). We also note ongoing efforts to establish reporting channels through community groups.

While Dr Tan’s words were reassuring, they regrettably do not carry the force of law; nor do Tafep’s guidelines and decisions. They also ring as deeply ironic: the new anti-discrimination law itself discriminates, by offering protections to other marginalised groups but leaving LGBTQ+ Singaporeans behind.

When Parliament repealed Section 377A of the Penal Code, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said that “(gay people) deserve dignity, respect, acceptance. They do not deserve to be stigmatised because of their sexual orientation”. Yet the exclusions in the latest legislation seem to contradict those words, as Mr Ng and Ms He noted. Why are we undoing hard-earned progress by passing new laws that entrench discrimination as the status quo?

Dr Tan replied that the Bill was “just the start” and the Government would seek improvements. We certainly hope so. Minimally, he should take up Mr Ng’s suggestion that LGBTQ+ individuals be explicitly mentioned on Tafep’s website – but that is far from sufficient. We strongly urge the Government to review its decision to exclude SOGI within the WFL. There is still time to show it truly stands for a Singapore where all workers are treated fairly.

Clement Tan
Spokesperson, Pink Dot SG

Source: Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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