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Singapore tops in 2015 U.N. Public Service Awards

Xinhua, June 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore has for the first time won the first place in the 2015 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) in the category of "Promoting Whole-of Government Approaches in the Information Age" for the Asia-Pacific region, said the country's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) in a joint press release on Tuesday.

This award recognizes MOM and CPFB's achievements in raising national awareness of and compliance with employment laws through the WorkRight initiative. Launched in September 2012, WorkRight aims to ensure that workers, particularly the more economically vulnerable groups as low-wage workers, enjoy their basic employment rights under the law. This is achieved through a two- pronged approach covering education and enforcement.

The Initiative has benefited more than 42,000 Singaporeans up to April 1. More than half of them were low-wage workers. These workers currently enjoy their statutory entitlements such as timely payment of salary, CPF contributions or payment of overtime allowance, according to the news release.

WorkRight has also helped employers better understand their rights and obligations. Nine out of 10 employers from sectors in which non-compliance tend to be higher are found to be complying with employment laws, an increase from seven out of 10 in 2013.

The United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.

MOM and CPFB will receive the award at the 2015 United Nations Public Service Forum, Day and Awards Ceremony in Colombia from June 23 to 26. Endi