Highlighted updates

• Requirements for Safe Management Measures at the Workplace [New 24 Mar]

• From working from home to be more flexible, hybrid way of working 

• 75% of employees can be at workplace
• Social and recreational gatherings of up to 8 persons may resume
• Split team arrangements and time limit for employees at workplaces lifted

• Employers to remain vigilant 

• Continue to implement SMMs
• Adhere to safe distancing and capacity limits for events; avoid holding events over mealtimes

• Updated measures take effect 5 Apr, enforcement action will be taken against non-compliant employers.

[For more details: https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/requirements-for-safe-management-measures]

• First SGUnited Jobs and Skills Placement Partner appointed to provide specialised assistance to local jobseekers [New 22 Mar]

• Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd, an employment agency (EA) is appointed as the first SGUnited Jobs and Skills Placement Partner
• Local jobseekers will now have an additional avenue to access professional career matching services and opportunities
• Initiative complements the Government’s existing job matching efforts and augments overall placement capacity

• Selected EAs that have demonstrated the ability to hire fairly will be appointed as Placement Partners
• Appointed Placement Partners will receive fees for the placement of mature jobseekers, long-term unemployed jobseekers, or persons with disabilities into qualifying jobs, traineeships, and attachments.

[For more details: https://www.sgpc.gov.sg/media_releases/mom/press_release/P-20210322-1?authkey=a53f2292-01d2-4803-9dbf-24685b0d194b]

• Greater Vigilance Needed with Workplace Injury Rate Returning to Pre-COVID Levels in Late 2020 [New 19 Mar]

• Total number of workplace injuries for 2020 fell by 18% and workplace fatalities reduced

• Lower number of injuries in 2020 due to Covid-19 work stoppages
• However, the number of workplace injuries reverted to pre-COVID levels by the fourth quarter of 2020

• Fatal injuries

• Leading causes continue to be ‘Falls From Height’ and ‘Vehicular incidents’ 
• Contributed to 40% of all fatal workplace accidents last year

• Major and minor injuries

• Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) and Machinery Incidents remained the leading causes of non-fatal injuries
• Contributing to nearly 50% of all major injuries last year

• Construction remains top contributor despite work stoppages, Manufacturing a growing area of concern
• MOM urges companies not to neglect WSH while balancing project schedules and manpower constraints. 

[For more details: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2021/0319-wsh-report-2020]

[WSH Report 2020: https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/press-releases/2021/0319-annex-a—workplace-safety-and-health-report-2020.pdf]

• Queries on Covid-related matters

• Refer to MOM’s FAQs: www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/frequently-asked-questions
• For advice on further queries, contact MOM through online form here: www.mom.gov.sg/feedback

AmCham CARES is back again! The annual AmCham CARES program is a platform to benchmark, and share best practices, as well as encourage member companies to improve their current corporate social responsibility programs. It requires companies to meet certain criteria with their pre-existing CSR programs, assessed on four main factors – communications, measurement, strategy, and sustainability.  

Showcase the exceptional work that your company is doing in demonstrating the link between responsible business operations and society, and conducting business in a sustainable way that creates both long-term economic and social value for Singapore. 

For large companies (more than 200 employees in Singapore), submit your application here.   Find the questionnaire here.

For small companies (less than 200 employees in Singapore), submit your application here.  Find the questionnaire here.

Please contact the External Affairs Team for any queries. We look forward to receiving your application!  

The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore seeks a strong slate of candidates to fill the six seats on the Board of Governors that are up for election this year. The Nominating Committee is delighted to announce that AmCham is now receiving nominations and invites AmCham members to submit the names of willing and qualified nominees.

The Nominating Committee consists of:

• Mr. Dwight Hutchins, Chair of the Nominating Committee, Former Chairman; AmCham Singapore; and Managing Director, Strategy-Consulting, Asia Pacific, Accenture
• Mr. David Katz, AmCham Governor; Director-Public Affairs, Asia Pacific, KKR
• Ms. Priya Mahajan, Head of Asia Pacific Public Policy & Regulatory Counsel, Verizon Communications and Co-Chair of the Cybersecurity Committee

Criteria for nomination:

Each candidate is required to meet the following criteria:

• is an employee of a “Corporate” member company (if you are not sure of your membership category, please email election@amcham.com.sg to inquire)
• has been resident of Singapore for at least 12 months or longer
• is an experienced, senior member of his/her company
• has a strong interest in American business in Singapore and the region
• has been a member of AmCham for at least 12 months or longer
• has demonstrated commitment to AmCham through consistent participation and other forms of support
• is willing and able to commit time, experience, and resources to AmCham initiatives
• is willing to attend bi-monthly Board of Governors meetings and other Chamber events and activities

The Nominating Committee will be happy to provide an overview of the Governors’ responsibilities. Interested parties may request it by emailing election@amcham.com.sg.

The nominations process:

Nominations must be made in writing by an AmCham member. Please note you cannot nominate yourself. The nomination must come from another member and seconded by an additional second member.

1. the person being nominated (signifying consent to the nomination),
2. the proposer (the person making the nomination), and
3. the seconder (the second person making the nomination).

Signatures may be electronic through email. The Nominating Committee may also make nominations with the prior written approval of the nominee.

If you are interested in running or wish to nominate someone, please email the following documents to election@amcham.com.sg no later than March 14, 2021:

1. the candidate’s resume
2. a high-resolution photograph (head shot)
3. a brief biographic statement; and
4. an explanation of candidacy addressed to the Nominating Committee

The biographic statement must be no longer than 150 words, of which two-thirds may relate to the nominee’s job and background and at least one-third must be AmCham-related, such as the candidate’s current involvement with AmCham Singapore, why he or she wants to serve on the Board, and what he or she could bring to the Board as a Governor. Please write the statement in the third person (“she is CEO” rather than “I am CEO”). The 150-word limit is a strict requirement to ensure fairness for all candidates. This statement will be included in the ballot materials should the candidate appear on the ballot.

The explanation of candidacy should be between 250-500 words and should provide a somewhat fuller explanation of why the candidate wishes to join the board and what he or she will be able to contribute. This explanation will be the basis for evaluation by the Nominating Committee.

Upon receipt of the above listed items, AmCham staff will provide a Statement of Responsibility that each candidate must sign to complete the application package. This statement summarizes AmCham Governors’ roles and responsibilities, as well as the role of the candidates.

Once your nomination has been submitted, a member of the Nominating Committee will arrange an interview with you to learn more about you and determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Voting will take place from March 24 until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 23, 2021, at which time the final tally will be announced.

Rules on Campaigning:

Per AmCham’s Constitution Article VI, Section B(1)(n), please note that campaigning by the nominees or their supporters is not allowed. Campaigning is defined as a public communication that seeks or promotes for support of a candidate in an election. This includes but is not limited to emails, communications in social media platforms and other online platforms, websites, and any other influence by means of word, sound, writing or image. Violation of this provision may result in disqualification from the election.

If you have any questions or observe any violations or potential violations of this provision, please contact the Nominating Committee Chair at election@amcham.com.sg.