Dear Members and Friends

The Chamber applauds the publication on 16 April of the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) Requests which have been accepted by the Singapore government and which will come into effect on 1 December 2024. While the word “guidelines” is used, it is important to understand they are mandatory.

The other key word to note is “requests.” This is important to clearly set expectations and norms. FWAs are not a right. They can, with effect from 1 December, be formally requested by employees and must be fairly considered by employers. However, employers remain the deciding authority based on the type and requirements of each business and each job. Not every job is capable of a FWA.

FWAs do not and should not mean less work is done. On the contrary, FWAs mean the same amount of work gets done more flexibly but still within business deadlines.

The Chamber was one of the organizations consulted by the Tripartite Workgroup on FWAs and will be hosting an event early next quarter with MOM to help you fully prepare for the implementation of the Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests.

More information on the Workgroup’s recommendations and on the mandatory Guidelines themselves can be found at go.gov.sg/twgreport and go.gov.sg/tgfwar respectively. We think you will agree the Guidelines are well considered, fair and practical for both employees and employers. They are yet another example of Singapore’s uniquely designed, fit for purpose Tripartism which is why Tripartism in Singapore is consistently beneficial and successful.