SINGAPORE - Enshrining flexible work arrangements into law and giving all workers the right to such arrangements were some of the proposals Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua made in an adjournment motion on Wednesday.
He highlighted the trend of some employers insisting on employees returning to the office after Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted despite the popularity of flexi-work. He pointed to the burden of caregivers of ageing parents. A 2023 study has found that the average caregiver holds a full-time job, and spends 6.7 hours per day on caregiving, he said.
For persons with disabilities , the right to flexible work arrangements would help to advance their careers while encouraging more of the 65.7 per cent of PWDs who are not working to do so, he said. She said a broader view of FWAs could be taken to include options such as staggered hours, flexible shifts and part-time work.PAP Women’s Wing conference discusses flexible work arrangements, other ways to support families
Ms Gan noted that FWAs, if implemented well, can help companies retain and attract workers amid a tight labour market. Turning flexible work arrangements into something rigid, however, could be detrimental to businesses and even to workers themselves.