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Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Singapore (RATIFICATION: 2010)

Other comments on C144

Direct Request

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Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to continue to provide information on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on each of the matters covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention, particularly in connection with the re-examination of unratified fundamental Conventions and the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), a governance Convention (Article 5(1)(c)). The Government reports that the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) continues to consult extensively and regularly with the tripartite partners. The Government indicates that, during the period 2014-18, in the context of the annual review of Singapore’s baselines concerning the promotion and realisation of ILO fundamental principles and rights at work, the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the Singapore National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) were consulted in relation to the fundamental Conventions not yet ratified by Singapore, and their comments were reflected in the reports submitted to the ILO (Article 5 (1) (c)). The SNEF and the NTUC were also consulted on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the International Labour Conference and government comments on proposed texts to be discussed by the Conference (such as those relating to the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) and the Violence at Work Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206), 2019 (Article 5 (1) (a)), as well as in relation to Article 19 and 22 reports (Article 5(1)(b) and (d)); and on proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1) (e)). The Committee notes that, in 2018, the tripartite partners met twice to discuss the matters specified under Article 5 of the Convention. With regard to the re-examination of unratified Conventions, the Government indicates that in 2018 the tripartite partners discussed the possibility of re-ratifying the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105). The Government indicates that progress had been made in addressing forced labour as illustrated by the 2014 amendments to the Prisons Act, but that it would take some time to bring its entire legislative framework into full compliance with Convention No. 105. The Government reports that the NTUC expressed the view that Singapore should work toward the re-ratification of Convention No. 105 as soon as possible. Regarding Convention No. 122, the Government indicates that it has active labour market policies in place and provides information on a series of initiatives aimed at job creation and skills upgrading; however, it does not provide specific information on tripartite consultations relating to Convention No. 122. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed and precise information on the content, frequency and outcome of tripartite consultations held on all matters relating to international labour standards covered by the Convention and other activities of the ILO, including consultations on the re-examination of unratified fundamental Conventions, as well as on Convention No. 122, a priority governance Convention (Article 5(1)(c)).

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. It encourages the Government to engage in tripartite consultation and social dialogue more broadly as a solid foundation for developing and implementing effective responses to the profound socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide updated information in its next report on the impact of the measures taken in this respect, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention and Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Recommendation No. 152, including with regard to steps taken to reinforce the capacity of the tripartite constituents and strengthen mechanisms and procedures, as well as challenges and good practices identified.