With regards to the recent discriminatory hiring policy by Daiso Singapore, I sent them an email today, enquiring further on their employment practices. Hope to get a satisfactory reply from them.
Such organizations that implement discriminatory hiring policies often times went unpunished as we have weak labour laws to protect job seekers from such incidents. We hope this will change soon so that businesses understand the kinds of social harm it creates when it discriminates.
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To the Officer-in-charge
RE: DISCRIMINATORY HIRING POLICIES
I would like to bring your attention to a recruitment exercise that was conducted by Daiso Industries Co Ltd Singapore Branch. The interview was conducted at IMM Building. I was informed by an applicant, Ms Normalis Bte Jais that she had responded to a job advertisement posted on JobsCentral requiring applicants to go for a walk-in-interview. I attached photos of the advertisement in this email for your reference.
The applicant went down on 25th September 2015 @2pm for the interview and she was received by your HR personnel who proceeded to interview her.
During the interview, the applicant was told by your HR personnel that Daiso employees are not allowed to wear the headgear on the sales-floor. The applicant was then asked whether she would still proceed with the interview. Ms Normalis then declined and left the interview room feeling extremely upset and disappointed for not being given equal opportunity for employment because of what she wears.
I would therefore like to seek clarifications from your goodself on a few matters;
1) Can you confirm your organization’s policy regarding the recruitment of women wearing the headgear in Singapore particularly at the sales-floor area?
2) I understand that you also have several Daiso chains across Asia including Malaysia and Indonesia. I assume that the Malaysian and Indonesian employees are allowed to wear their headgears at sales-floor. Why is Singapore the chosen destination for your organization to apply discriminatory policies such as denying Singaporeans wearing the headgear, employment opportunities at your organization?
3) The advertisement on JobsCentral did not indicate that applicant wearing the headgear is not welcomed to apply. If your organization has such policy, why is it not indicated on the job advertisement so that applicants need not waste their time, effort and money attending the interview only to get discriminated on?
4) What is the rationale behind the policy of not allowing employees wearing the headgear to work on sales-floor but having no qualms accepting sales from your customers wearing the headgears and also allowing them entry to your sales-floor?
I would like to highlight that Singapore has in place guidelines for fair employment practices. One of the recommendations is that employers who advertise a position requiring a specific attribute which may be viewed as discriminatory should ensure it is indeed a requirement of the job and state the reason for the requirement in the advertisement.
This can be found on page 8 of the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
https://www.tafep.sg/…/Publications%20-%20Tripartite%20Guid…
As a global organization that seeks to provide a unique experience and enjoyment for millions of people, surely this kind of archaic hiring policies should not have existed if any.
To make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of people is unacceptable. Discrimination has no place in any society. It creates an ill will between people and has a negative effect on the victim. It makes them feel isolated, humiliated and angry. They may also develop low self-esteem and depression in the long run. Most importantly, it denies someone their human rights to be able to participate fully in the society.
It is in the interest of the community that Daiso Singapore makes known of its employment policies with regards to employees wearing the headgear. This will indicate its corporate social responsibility towards creating an inclusive workforce, in-line with global standards.
I look forward to your reply on the above enquires.
Thank you.
Regards,
Osman Sulaiman
Source: Osman Sulaiman
