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The new partnership aims to help dialysis patients, caregivers, and persons with disabilities find flexible and meaningful work, as part of Singapore’s efforts to build a more inclusive workforce.
Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower delivered his remarks at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and GoodJobs All-Inclusive Job Fair and MOU Signing, where he commended both organisations for their dedication to building a society where everyone can contribute meaningfully through work.
He noted that the MOU signing marks the culmination of ongoing efforts to support diverse jobseekers. Since 2015, NKF has been helping patients secure employment while managing their dialysis schedules, medical appointments and hospitalisations caused by other conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Under its Renal Rehabilitation initiative, NKF’s EMPower programme works with employers to create flexible job opportunities that meet patients’ needs.
GoodJobs, founded in 2021, shares the same commitment to inclusion, through job postings that welcome persons with disabilities, caregivers, seniors and other groups who face barriers to employment.
Enabling atypical jobseekers to find employment
SPS Huang highlighted a shared belief that every individual can participate in the workforce and achieve their aspirations.
He said that having a job is about more than income, as it provides a sense of identity and purpose. For renal patients, a diagnosis of kidney failure can disrupt their lives and careers, bringing physical, emotional and financial challenges. Providing them with meaningful and flexible work opportunities helps them regain self-reliance, ease financial strain and lead fulfilling lives.
For caregivers, many may have put their careers on hold to care for family members. Helping them balance caregiving responsibilities with work enables them to remain socially connected and contribute to their families’ finances. As a society, SPS Huang added, employers and the wider economy benefit from the contributions of these workers.
Progress towards an inclusive workforce
On this point, SPS Huang shared that Singapore has made significant progress in promoting inclusivity at work. In the past year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced the first Bill of the Workplace Fairness Act to address workplace discrimination, and launched the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests to help employees better balance work and personal needs.
The government has also been working closely with partners across the private, public and people sectors through the Taskforce on Promoting Inclusive Employment Practices. The Taskforce Report, published last year, is now being implemented by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable, together with other stakeholders.
Thanks to these efforts, the employment rates of persons with disabilities, women and seniors have increased by around five percentage points from 2019 to 2024.
Continuing support for atypical jobseekers
While progress has been made, SPS Huang acknowledged that more can be done to ensure that everyone can contribute to Singapore’s economy. The government continues to work closely with employers and community partners to help jobseekers with diverse needs find suitable opportunities.
Some jobseekers, especially those with caregiving responsibilities or mobility challenges, prefer to work closer to home. To meet this need, the Jobs Nearby @ CDC initiative, launched by the Prime Minister last week, will help residents find jobs within their neighbourhoods.
Others may prefer more flexibility in managing their workload. Workforce Singapore has enhanced the Career Conversion Programmes to support the reskilling of mid-career new hires and employees on flexible-load jobs. The Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests, which took effect in December last year, also encourage employers and employees to discuss and agree on arrangements that work for both sides.
The significance of the MOU
SPS Huang noted that enabling patients and caregivers to participate fully in the workforce requires more than government schemes. It calls for collective commitment from the government, businesses and citizens to build a more inclusive society. Employers and workers play an important role in shaping workplace culture, while community partners are essential in understanding ground challenges and driving change.
This is where, he highlightef, the MOU between NKF and GoodJobs is significant, adding that it reflects both organisations’ commitment to helping dialysis patients and caregivers find meaningful employment. They will organise dedicated job fairs for these groups and connect them to other community job fairs run by GoodJobs.
Beyond jobseeker support, NKF and GoodJobs will also work with employers, community partners and other stakeholders to promote inclusive hiring and strengthen the ecosystem. Under the MOU, both organisations will engage employers to encourage inclusive practices, and will host the Partners Connect Symposium in April 2026 to exchange best practices and drive further collaboration.
Building momentum together
SPS Huang expressed hope that this partnership will inspire more organisations to actively engage the community and collaborate for good. He encouraged employers and HR professionals to be understanding of the needs of atypical jobseekers and open to implementing flexible work arrangements to cater to diverse segments of the workforce.
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