New Recommendations From National Tripartite Committee

New recommendations from National Tripartite Committee on Workplace Health set to benefit both employers and employees through National Initiatives and Industry-Oriented Approaches
Recognising the importance that workplace health programmes have in enhancing productivity, efficiency as well as corporate environment and culture, the National Tripartite Committee on Workplace Health (Tricom) has identified three key focus areas and articulated 12 new recommendations to address current challenges faced in workplace health promotion (WHP).

National Tripartite Committee on Workplace Health
2 The Tricom was inaugurated in December 2008 comprising representatives from various government agencies, the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), business associations, private sector companies and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). (Refer to Annex A for the organisation chart of Tricom).

3 Formed to tap on inter-agency synergies to review current WHP, the Tricom identified three key areas of focus, with recommendations to promote and increase the prevalence of WHP.

4 The Tricom s recommendations underscore the importance of strengthening tripartite partnership between the government, private sector and the people sector in promoting workplace health. At a national level, this includes integrating and aligning WHP with various relevant national initiatives and frameworks, and adopting a more holistic approach to create a conducive and supportive health culture in workplaces.

5 Employer participation, especially from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and selected industries, formed the second focus of the Tricom. Recognising the limited resources that SMEs have and the challenges which several industries face, the suggested recommendations aim to increase the ease of uptake of WHP programmes.

6 The third focus and recommendation pertains to the people sector, focusing on creating a greater sense of ownership among employees to take responsibility for their health.

Key focus area 1: 
Integration and alignment of WHP with relevant national initiatives

7 One of the Tricom s key recommendation is to develop more defined guidelines and measurements for WHP programmes in the Business Excellence (BE) Standard framework. The Tricom also recommends for the development of a Code of Practice on WHP to help employers understand and implement WHP consistently and effectively.

8 Another recommendation addresses the nation s call for the re-employment of older workers through incorporating WHP into the supplementary document of the Guidelines for Re-Employment of Older Workers.

Key focus area 2: 
Increasing uptake of WHP among Employers

9 A holistic approach is also recommended for assisting SMEs in their implementation and adoption of WHP programmes. Through an Enhanced WHP Grant for SMEs, SMEs can now receive funding of up to 90% for the implementation of WHP programmes for their employees. Employers can also tap on this fund for a comprehensive off-the-shelf WHP package that is delivered on-site by pre-selected vendors.

10 Customised WHP programmes are also recommended for selected industries which typically have low prevalence rates of WHP. Industries that will be reached out to, include the Hospitality, Wholesale and Retail, Transport and Logistic, IT and Communications and Finance industries.

Key focus area 3:
Increasing uptake of WHP amongst employees

11 To cultivate the mindset of personal ownership and responsibility for their health, the Tricom recommends intensifying publicity and education efforts to raise the employees awareness of the importance of participating in WHP programmes.

12 A key recommendation is to extend the provision of WHP programmes for employees by working towards the incorporation of WHP into the Memorandum of Understanding of the Collective Agreements between employers and unionised employees.

13 Please refer to Annex C for a summary of all the Tricom s recommendations.

14 Through HPB s role as a facilitator for the dialogues and discussions between the Tricom, various government agencies, and private companies, it is gratifying to see that we all share a common vision and belief on workplace health promotion. The clearly defined and relevant recommendations raised by the Tricom stand testament to the synergy achieved from all parties, says Mr Lam Pin Woon, CEO, Health Promotion Board.

15 The recommendations made by the Tricom will be announced by Mr Lucas Chow, Co-Chair, National Tripartite Committee on Workplace Health, and Chairman, Health Promotion Board, at the 9th National Conference on Workplace Health. We would like extend our warmest invitation to all media representatives to join us for the unveiling of the recommendations, as well as for the keynote address on emerging health challenges of the workforce by the leading expert on workplace health, Professor Dee W Edington, PhD, Director, Health Management Research Centre, Professor, Division of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, US (Refer to Annex D for an short introduction on Professor Dee W Edington).

Annex B - WHP on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)