At the beginning of 2022, at the beginning of the 9EveryWorkerMattersConversations of the National Employee Federation, the project was responsible for discussing the achievements of the workers and how to better listen to the voice of the workers, and here is here.The foundation is even higher.
As a worker of labor -funded relations, our habitual approach is to raise this problem from the perspective of workers: the rapid economic changes bring a lot of uncertainty. If ordinary workers feel difficult to deal with, let alone those who have low starting points in society in society are relatively low.People.
In the end, we chose to contact the former prisoners and prisoners.Mainly for two reasons: first, in the process of contact with the company with a union, we found that the company sincerely hopes to hire a prisoner before and contribute to the tolerance. Second, the dialogue with other workers' groups cannot showThe special needs faced by former prisoners and prisoners.
contact with the community
After several months of planning, we started this job in 2023.In January of this year, we cooperated with Yellow Ribbon Singapore to organize its flagship exchange activity YR Connects to make like -minded and happy companies with "second opportunities".In February and March, we had a dialogue with more than 50 prisoners (both men and women) in Zhangyi Prison. This is the first time that the Workers' Transport is in contact with the employees of employment and employment capabilities.
Before the employment and employment dialogue, we asked the prisoners to draw an emoji to express their feelings that morning.
Statistics show that the chances of re -criminals of former prisoners are still relatively high.According to the annual statistics of the Singapore Prison Department in 2022, Singapore's two -year re -crime rate was 20.4%, and the five -year reinforcement rate increased to nearly 40%(the annual statistics of the Singapore Prison Agency 2022, 20123).In addition to the outstanding work made by the yellow ribbon Singapore, the Prison Department and its community partners after being released from prison, we can also take more measures to strengthen the support of the whole society and help the former prisoners staying away from crimes.
Workplace is an important factor in reducing the possible promotion.The vocational general hopes to cultivate a group of tolerant employers through their own abilities, improve the retaining rate and ensure occupational development, so that former prisoners can enhance confidence and purpose through work.
For example, the NTUC ’s E2i-Employment and Employability Institute has been cooperating with the yellow ribbon Singapore to provide former prisoners with related support, such as professional counseling and work matching services.Ntuc LearningHub has been a close partner of the yellow ribbon Singapore since 2007. It launched a digital citizen and encoding basic course in July 2022 to prepare for the former prisoners for future employment.
Social companies with vocational generals are also active supporters of the yellow ribbon movement.In April 2023, the Total Prescription Group announced that it would cooperate with the yellow ribbon Singapore to provide employment and training opportunities for former prisoners.The Pingedian Foundation also promised to donate 200,000 yuan to the Yellow Ribbon Foundation to promote the career development of the former prisoners and give them economic support.
Looking forward to the future, I want to propose a method of three "Intitation, Integrate, INTRODUCE) to promote labor and government partners and communities.
1. Start the workplace mentor plan
In the process of transition from prisoner from prison from prison to career, the instructor in the workplace can provide key support.The instructor is an example. Former prisoners can use this to understand the workplace, gain valuable experience, and improve their employment opportunities.The routine workplace instructor can be used as one of the paths of creating more tolerance and empathy workplace.
2. After the prisoner is released
Former prisoners faced unique challenges and obstacles during employment.Combining occupational consulting and treatment intervention can help change negative thinking inertia and improve self -esteem.In my opinion, having the opportunity to receive treatment intervention will help pre -prisoners to maintain employment.This is also a help to improve the career of the prisoners and help them achieve financial stability.
Three, introduce the caring community and establish a social ecosystem that supports former prisoners
Former prisoners must re -integrate into the mainstream society, the support and acceptance of the community are essential.As far as I know, the Prison Department and the Ministry of the Interior have penetrated into various constituencies and communities to solicit volunteers who are willing to make friends with their former prisoners.At the same time, we also need the comprehensive support of volunteers and social service groups, so that the former prisoners can be re -integrated into the family and society.
To solve the employment challenges faced by the former prisoners, the active participation of the stakeholders of the whole society is required.The workers have been prepared to support former prisoners' re -integration into the workplace and society.Continue to build a more fair and inclusive labor team is part of the new contract reached by us and workers, and we will work unremittingly.
The author is the General Assistant Secretary -General
