Opening address by President Halimah Yacob at Human Capital Singapore-SG Enable Masterclass event

Mr Richard Magnus, Chairman, Human Capital Singapore

Ms Ho Geok Choo, CEO, Human Capital Singapore

Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG Enable

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning. I am happy to join everyone at this important Masterclass on Disability-Inclusive Hiring as a Strategic Competitive Advantage. I am glad that many employers, professionals, managers, and executives are joining us today to learn about the latest best practices in disability- inclusive hiring, and how it adds a strategic advantage to businesses. In particular, I extend a warm welcome to the representatives from organisations that have signed the President’s Challenge (PC) Enabling Employment Pledge.

As Singapore progresses and grows, it is important that we do not leave anyone behind. Employers play a pivotal role in our society’s ongoing efforts to empower persons with disabilities. At today’s Masterclass, you will learn from one another how other organisations have benefitted from inclusive hiring.

Over the years, we have made strides to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Inclusive hiring has slowly become a reality, due to the collective effort of many companies like all those present today.

In March 2020, I launched the PC Enabling Employment Pledge to call on organisations to adopt an inclusive mindset, create barrier-free workplace environments and implement supportive employment policies for employees with disabilities. To date, 148 organisations from the private, people and public sector have signed the pledge, affirming their commitment to inclusive hiring.

The Pledge is a first step for employers to affirm their commitment to disability-inclusive hiring. Employers who sign the Pledge can look forward to building up capabilities and receiving support like today’s Masterclass, in their efforts to hire, train and integrate persons with disabilities. Those who are ready can also take the next step of applying for the Enabling Mark – a national accreditation by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for their best practices and outcomes in disability- inclusive employment.

I am glad that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many companies who put their commitment to inclusive hiring into action. At the inaugural Enabling Mark Awards in August this year, I was delighted to present 88 organisations with the Enabling Mark. The Enabling Mark takes into account how organisations can provide persons with disabilities with opportunities and support through their recruitment processes, workplace environments and company culture.

Today’s Masterclass is a continuation of the inclusive hiring journey, as we will get to hear from organisations that demonstrate innovation in their inclusive hiring practices.

One of these organisations is UOB Group, who will be sharing about The Unlimited. Through this social capital initiative, UOB reaches out to SMEs in the consumer banking arena to generate interest in tapping persons with disabilities to meet their workforce needs. One of the SMEs under UOB’s The Unlimited is Seoul Garden – a long-established chain of restaurants in Singapore and Malaysia. Seoul Garden stepped forward and hired persons with disabilities through the initiative. With 10 percent of its employees being persons with disabilities, it has found that inclusive hiring contributed to a more engaged workforce and inclusive organisational culture.

We also hear from Deutsche Bank and how they launched dbEnable Singapore in 2014 as part of Deutsche Bank’s global initiative to foster an inclusive working environment. Through this programme, Deutsche Bank aims to create an environment that increases the presence, participation, and contribution of people with disabilities in the workplace.

I am happy to hear about the HR Shared Services initiative mentioned by Mr Richard Magnus just now. I am glad that SG Enable will support up to 30 training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities to take on roles in this HR Shared Services. I would like to thank the partners of HCS involved in this initiative – such as Microsoft Singapore, Alibaba Cloud, e2i and SG Enable – and look forward to the commissioning of the project in the first quarter of 2022.

I trust that organisations who are new to disability-inclusive hiring will also see the strategic advantage of having a diverse and inclusive workforce. By employing persons with disabilities, it will help in their overall well-being and organisational culture. With the right support, persons with disabilities can contribute to businesses, just like any of us.

In closing, I would like to thank SG Enable and Human Capital Singapore for organising today’s Masterclass, and the panelists for contributing to this sharing. Inclusive hiring is an ongoing journey. I hope that we can continue to empower persons with disabilities to achieve their fullest potential at the workplaces. Let us continue to work together and build a more inclusive Singapore.

Thank you.