Parliament in brief: Safeguards for workers during haze and other highlights from Nov 3

Parliament also passed a new law to rename a ministry and debated cybersecurity measures for the maritime industry.

Parliament on Nov 3, 2026.

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SINGAPORE: From questions about haze forecasts to feedback on the merger of Certificate of Entitlement categories, Members of Parliament (MPs) covered a wide range of issues on Tuesday (Nov 3).

The House also heard that Singapore would push for stronger action against haze as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair next year.

A Bill was also introduced to propose that reformative training or imprisonment should be the default sentencing options for young offenders convicted of scam or scam-enabling offences.

Here are five other things to note from parliament on Tuesday.

SAFEGUARDS FOR WORKERS DURING HAZE

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will continue to work closely with platform operators to ensure that platform delivery workers are not penalised for taking longer to complete jobs during hazy conditions, said Minister of State for Manpower Foo Cexiang, including through pay deductions or reduced job allocations. In response to questions from several MPs on safeguarding the workers' well-being amid hazy conditions – including outsourced cleaning and outdoor service contractors and essential frontline workers who work outdoors – Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said that MOM is not currently developing a sector-specific haze protocol but will continue to check on employers' haze protective measures during worksite inspections. Employers are advised to bear the cost of any short-term and ad hoc suspension of operations due to haze, and not to deduct from the pay or leave entitlements of affected workers, said Mr Dinesh. Workers may report unsafe work practices to MOM via the SnapSAFE platform, he said, adding that retaliation against workers who do so is an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will continue to work closely with platform operators to ensure that platform delivery workers are not penalised for taking longer to complete jobs during hazy conditions, said Minister of State for Manpower Foo Cexiang, including through pay deductions or reduced job allocations.

In response to questions from several MPs on safeguarding the workers' well-being amid hazy conditions – including outsourced cleaning and outdoor service contractors and essential frontline workers who work outdoors – Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said that MOM is not currently developing a sector-specific haze protocol but will continue to check on employers' haze protective measures during worksite inspections.

Employers are advised to bear the cost of any short-term and ad hoc suspension of operations due to haze, and not to deduct from the pay or leave entitlements of affected workers, said Mr Dinesh.

Workers may report unsafe work practices to MOM via the SnapSAFE platform, he said, adding that retaliation against workers who do so is an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

The Ministry of Manpower checks on employers’ haze protection measures during work site inspections, including whether they have taken into account changing air quality through the day. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said this in parliament on Tuesday (Nov 3). He detailed how workers can report unsafe practices confidentially, and what measures are in place to guard against retaliation by employers and to ensure fairness in deduction of wages when work has to be suspended for safety reasons. He was replying to an MP’s questions.

MORE THAN 113,000 VISITS UNDER HAZE SUBSIDY SCHEME

In less than two weeks after the Haze Subsidy Scheme was activated on Oct 12, polyclinics and participating private GP clinics recorded more than 113,000 visits.

In a written reply to MP Liang Eng Hwa (PAP-Bukit Panjang), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that between Oct 12 and Oct 24, there were more than 41,000 visits to polyclinics and over 72,000 visits to participating private general practitioner (GP) clinics under the scheme.

The figures are preliminary as clinics have yet to complete their claims submissions.

Between early September and mid-October, average daily attendances for conditions potentially related to haze rose from about 4,000 to 5,000 at polyclinics and from 360 to 440 at emergency departments, representing increases of about 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

The largest increase was among adults aged 18 to 64, Mr Ong said, adding that attendances fell after the scheme was activated.

In reply to a separate question from MP Joan Pereira (PAP-Tanjong Pagar GRC) on the health impact of the recent haze, Mr Ong said there was currently limited evidence of long-term health effects from periodic haze exposure in Singapore.

The Haze Subsidy Scheme was last activated in 2015, when Singapore experienced one of its worst haze episodes.

MARITIME BILL PASSED

Parliament passed amendments to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act to update Singapore's maritime regulatory framework as the sector becomes more automated and digitalised.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai said the changes would support the safe use of new technologies, such as autonomous vessels.

It would also strengthen cybersecurity requirements, update MPA’s licensing framework and enforcement powers and allow it to respond more quickly to immediate risks.

MPs called for clearer rules on responsibility when autonomous or remotely operated vessels are involved in accidents, including how human oversight should work when systems fail.

They also sought more support for workers whose jobs may be affected by automation, including retraining and pathways into new roles, particularly for older and lower-skilled workers.

For smaller maritime firms, MPs urged authorities to keep cybersecurity and regulatory requirements proportionate, with clearer guidance and support to help them comply.

Mr Pillai said every autonomous vessel would continue to have a human master with authority and command, while MPA would take a risk-based and proportionate approach to cybersecurity requirements and support operators in meeting them.

In parliament on Tuesday (Nov 3), Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai responded to clarifications sought by Members of the House on the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill. The Bill was then passed.

A Bill was passed to formalise the renaming of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI), a move that "underscores the increasingly important role of energy in Singapore's economic growth, climate goals and national resilience", said Ms Gan Siow Huang.

Ms Gan, who is minister of state for energy, trade and industry, said METI works closely with other ministries in areas such as infrastructure planning, resilience measures and carbon mitigation strategies. The ministry also takes a leading role in civil nuclear energy development, she said.

On carbon mitigation, Ms Gan said the ministry deals primarily with industry and power sector decarbonisation and carbon tax allowances, whereas the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the National Climate Change Secretariat cover national mitigation issues, including carbon tax administration and policy across all sectors.

The government will provide financial schemes to help companies become more energy efficient, as Singapore is impacted by changes in global energy prices, she added.

In parliament on Tuesday (Nov 3), Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang responded to clarifications sought by Members of the House and explained that the Bill which renames the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) into the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) underscores the critical role of energy in Singapore’s economic and climate goals without shifting existing constitutional responsibilities between MTI and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). METI will remain focused on industry and power sector decarbonisation and carbon tax allowances while MSE covers national mitigation issues including carbon tax administration and policy across all sectors. METI also shapes Singapore's overall policy direction for nuclear energy as part of Singapore's broader energy goals. To further support small- and medium-sized enterprises, the government is expanding energy-efficiency grants and measures to help businesses understand their rights in electricity retail contract transparency, renewal and termination. Reflecting this growing national priority, both METI and the Energy Market Authority have significantly increased headcount to support infrastructure planning, policy and regulatory development, international partnerships and power sector decarbonisation and carbon market development. The Bill was then passed.

NURTURING FUTURE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The government will fund a significant proportion of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies' (SCIS) non-religious components, including its social sciences modules and campus infrastructure, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad said on Tuesday (Nov 3). SCIS will take in its first cohort of students in 2028.

"SCIS cannot depend solely on community funds," said Mr Zaqy, adding that the college would also need to develop other sustainable funding sources, including fundraising, to support its long-term development.

He was speaking during the second reading of the Administration of Muslim Law (Amendment) Bill, which would also allow the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) to fund the SCIS using community funds it administers.

He assured the Muslim community that establishing the college would not affect support for mosques, madrasahs and recipients of financial assistance from Islamic charitable funds.

Mr Zaqy also outlined proposed changes to Muslim divorce proceedings aimed at reducing procedural burdens on couples while strengthening safeguards for children.

Debating the Bill on Tuesday, six MPs raised concerns about the governance and funding of SCIS, as well as proposed changes to divorce proceedings.

MPs Saktiandi Supaat (PAP-Bishan-Toa Payoh) and Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (WP-Sengkang) sought assurances on the college's academic independence, financial transparency and oversight arrangements.

Meanwhile, MPs Fadli Fawzi (WP-Aljunied) and Mariam Jaafar (PAP-Sembawang) called for improvements to the Syariah Court's operations, including better alignment with the Family Justice Courts' therapeutic approach and allocating court resources according to the complexity and urgency of cases.

The debate will resume on Wednesday, when seven other MPs are expected to speak.

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议会还通过了一项新法律，对一个部委进行更名，并讨论了海事行业的网络安全措施。

2026年11月3日，议会。

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：从有关雾霾预报的问题到对合并资格证书类别的反馈，国会议员们在周二（11 月 3 日）讨论了广泛的问题。

众议院还获悉，新加坡将在明年担任东南亚国家联盟（东盟）轮值主席国期间，推动采取更有力的措施应对雾霾问题。

一项法案也被提出，建议对被判犯有诈骗罪或协助诈骗罪的青少年罪犯，默认的量刑选择应该是改造培训或监禁。

以下是周二议会会议上需要注意的其他五件事。

烟雾期间工人的安全保障

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小谜题，脑力挑战 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 人力部政务部长符策祥表示，人力部将继续与平台运营商密切合作，确保平台配送员不会因在雾霾天气下完成工作时间延长而受到惩罚，包括扣减工资或减少工作分配。针对几位国会议员提出的关于在雾霾天气下保障工人福祉的问题——包括外包清洁和户外服务承包商以及在户外工作的基本一线工作人员——人力部政务部长迪内什·瓦苏·达什表示，人力部目前没有制定针对特定行业的雾霾应对方案，但会在工作场所检查期间继续检查雇主的雾霾防护措施。迪内什先生表示，雇主应承担因雾霾导致的任何短期和临时停工的成本，不得从受影响员工的工资或休假中扣除相关费用。他还表示，员工可以通过SnapSAFE平台向人力部举报不安全的工作行为，并补充说，根据《工作场所安全与健康法》，对举报员工进行报复属于违法行为。

人力部政务部长傅策祥表示，人力部将继续与平台运营商密切合作，确保平台送货员不会因为在雾霾天气下完成工作时间延长而受到惩罚，包括扣减工资或减少工作分配。

针对几位国会议员提出的关于在雾霾天气下如何保障工人福祉的问题——包括外包清洁和户外服务承包商以及在户外工作的基本一线工人——人力部政务部长迪内什·瓦苏·达什表示，人力部目前没有制定针对特定行业的雾霾应对方案，但会在工作场所检查期间继续检查雇主的雾霾防护措施。

迪内什先生表示，建议雇主承担因雾霾造成的任何短期和临时停工的费用，并且不要从受影响工人的工资或休假权利中扣除。

他表示，工人可以通过 SnapSAFE 平台向人力部举报不安全的工作行为，并补充说，对举报工人进行报复是违反《工作场所安全与健康法》的违法行为。

人力部在工作场所检查期间会核查雇主的雾霾防护措施，包括是否考虑到空气质量全天的变化。人力部国务部长迪内什·瓦苏·达什周二（11月3日）在国会表示，他详细阐述了工人如何匿名举报不安全行为，以及为防止雇主报复和确保因安全原因停工时工资扣减公平而采取的措施。他是在回答一位议员的提问时做出上述表述的。

超过11.3万次雾霾补贴计划下的访问

雾霾补贴计划于 10 月 12 日启动后不到两周，综合诊疗所和参与的私人全科诊所就诊人次超过 11.3 万。

卫生部长王乙康在给国会议员梁恩华（人民行动党-武吉班让）的书面答复中表示，10月12日至10月24日期间，综合诊疗所接待了超过41000人次，参与该计划的私人全科医生诊所接待了超过72000人次。

由于各诊所尚未完成理赔申请，因此这些数据为初步数据。

从 9 月初到 10 月中旬，与雾霾相关的疾病平均每日就诊量在综合诊所从约 4000 人次增加到 5000 人次，在急诊科从 360 人次增加到 440 人次，分别增长了约 25% 和 20%。

王先生表示，增幅最大的是 18 至 64 岁的成年人，并补充说，该计划启动后，参与人数有所下降。

针对议员琼·佩雷拉（人民行动党-丹戎巴葛集选区）提出的关于近期雾霾对健康影响的另一个问题，王先生表示，目前尚无充分证据表明新加坡人长期暴露于周期性雾霾会对健康造成影响。

雾霾补贴计划上一次启动是在 2015 年，当时新加坡经历了最严重的雾霾事件之一。

海事法案通过

随着新加坡海事和港务管理局法的不断完善，新加坡海事监管框架也随之更新，以适应该行业日益自动化和数字化的发展趋势。国会通过了对《新加坡海事和港务管理局法》的修正案。

交通部国务高级部长穆拉利·皮莱表示，这些改变将有助于安全使用新技术，例如无人驾驶船舶。

此举还将加强网络安全要求，更新美国电影管理局的许可框架和执法权力，并使其能够更快地应对迫在眉睫的风险。

议员们呼吁制定更明确的规则，规定当自主或远程操作的船舶发生事故时的责任归属，包括当系统出现故障时，人类监督应该如何运作。

他们还寻求为那些工作可能受到自动化影响的工人提供更多支持，包括再培训和进入新岗位的途径，特别是为年龄较大和技能较低的工人。

对于规模较小的海事公司，议员们敦促有关部门保持网络安全和监管要求的合理性，并提供更清晰的指导和支持，以帮助他们遵守规定。

皮莱先生表示，每艘自主船舶仍将由一名拥有权威和指挥权的船长驾驶，而海事及港务管理局将采取基于风险和相称的方式来满足网络安全要求，并支持运营商满足这些要求。

11月3日（星期二），交通部高级政务部长穆拉里·皮莱在国会回应了议员们就新加坡海事及港务管理局（修正）法案提出的澄清要求。该法案随后获得通过。

一项法案获得通过，正式将贸易和工业部更名为能源、贸易和工业部（METI）。颜晓芳女士表示，此举“凸显了能源在新加坡经济增长、气候目标和国家韧性方面日益重要的作用”。

兼任能源、贸易和工业部政务大臣的颜金勇女士表示，经济产业省与其他部门在基础设施规划、韧性措施和碳减排战略等领域密切合作。她还表示，经济产业省在民用核能开发方面也发挥着主导作用。

关于碳减排，颜女士表示，该部主要负责工业和电力部门的脱碳和碳税补贴，而可持续发展与环境部和国家气候变化秘书处则负责国家减排问题，包括各部门的碳税管理和政策。

她补充说，由于新加坡受到全球能源价格变化的影响，政府将提供财政支持，帮助企业提高能源效率。

周二（11月3日），能源、贸易及工业部政务部长颜晓煌在国会回应议员们的提问，解释说，将贸易及工业部（MTI）更名为能源、贸易及工业部（METI）的法案，强调了能源在新加坡经济和气候目标中的关键作用，同时并未改变贸易及工业部与永续发展及环境部（MSE）之间现有的宪法职责。METI将继续专注于工业和电力行业的脱碳以及碳税补贴，而MSE则负责包括碳税管理和政策在内的国家减排问题。METI还负责制定新加坡核能的总体政策方向，这是新加坡更广泛能源目标的一部分。为了进一步支持中小企业，政府正在扩大节能补助金和相关措施，帮助企业了解其在电力零售合同透明度、续签和终止方面的权利。为了体现这一日益增长的国家优先事项，经济产业省和能源市场管理局都大幅增加了人员编制，以支持基础设施规划、政策和监管制定、国际合作以及电力行业脱碳和碳市场发展。随后，该法案获得通过。

培养未来的宗教领袖

新加坡伊斯兰研究学院（SCIS）非宗教课程的大部分经费将由政府承担，包括社会科学模块和校园基础设施建设。负责穆斯林事务的代部长扎基·穆罕默德周二（11月3日）表示。SCIS将于2028年招收首批学生。

Zaqy 先生表示：“SCIS 不能仅仅依靠社区资金”，他还补充说，学院还需要开发其他可持续的资金来源，包括筹款，以支持其长期发展。

他在《穆斯林法律管理（修正）法案》二读期间发表了讲话，该法案还将允许新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）使用其管理的社区资金为新加坡伊斯兰学生协会（SCIS）提供资金。

他向穆斯林社区保证，建立这所学院不会影响对清真寺、伊斯兰学校和伊斯兰慈善基金财政援助接受者的支持。

扎基先生还概述了对穆斯林离婚程序的拟议改革，旨在减轻夫妇的程序负担，同时加强对儿童的保护。

周二，在对该法案进行辩论时，六名议员对 SCIS 的管理和资金提出了担忧，并提议修改离婚程序。

国会议员 Saktiandi Supaat（PAP-Bishan-Toa Payoh）和 Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik（WP-Sengkang）寻求保证学院的学术独立性、财务透明度和监督安排。

与此同时，国会议员法德利·法兹（工人党-阿裕尼）和玛丽亚姆·贾法尔（人民行动党-三巴旺）呼吁改进伊斯兰教法庭的运作，包括更好地与家庭司法法庭的治疗方法保持一致，并根据案件的复杂性和紧迫性分配法庭资源。

辩论将于周三继续进行，届时预计将有七名议员发言。

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