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What employers in Singapore need to prioritise to build resilience against terror attacks

Noting that terrorism is an ongoing threat, Singapore's Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad highlighted the role of employers towards the SGSecure@Workplaces programme at a seminar on 27 May.

The initiative was launched by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) with a view to develop various initiatives to equip workplaces with relevant knowledge and skills to deal with terror attacks.

As such, a three-year target was set of registering 57,000 SGSecure representatives from employers, which was achieved within the first year itself. Presently, there are over 60,000 registered SGSecure representatives.

In this speech, Minister Zaqy called on a three-fold role of SGSecure representatives: prepare and sensitise fellow employees to the terror threat by sharing information during peace time; protect their workplaces by adopting tips on protective measures; and partner the community by serving as the point of contact to disseminate information quickly in times of crisis and foster a united response.

"Beyond appointing SGSecure representatives, many companies have also taken the next important step of putting in place risk management plans that address the terror threat. Since the launch of the programme, over 11,000 companies have attained bizSAFE level 3," he cited.

Next phase of SGSecure@Workplaces efforts

Minister Zaqy cited three action items in order to strengthen the implementation of core mitigating measures:

a. First, resource materials, from a revamped SGSecure@Workplaces website and expanded range of materials available, will be made more accessible to all SGSecure representatives, including posters to print and display at the workplace. Other resources such as case studies on raising workplace preparedness, and anti-terrorism measure tips for businesses are also now available. Lesson plans fare also available for SGSecure representatives.

b. Second, existing resource materials will be customised to make them more relevant for different priority sectors. A new guide is being developed, starting with two sectors, the food and beverages, and the retail sectors. Based on research and consultations with stakeholders, it will be available in the later part of the year.

c. Third, outreach will be stepped up for workplaces where there are no SGSecure representatives. Given that many of these workplaces are in the retail malls, MOM will work with mall operators to directly engage their tenants. A small scale pilot was launched last year with Frasers Centrepoint and Asiamall to engage their tenants, from which a total of 1,600 tenants across 11 malls have been reached out to.

To this effect, CapitaLand has newly come on-board this year, giving rise to plans to reach out to the tenants in its 15 malls in the next few months.

ALSO READ: MOM's guide to train and develop your employees for times of crisis

"All of us have a role to play to build prepared workplaces and cultivate a strong and resilient business community," Minister Zaqy stressed.

"This will not be an easy journey as we will need to change the mindset many may have, of taking Singapore’s safety and security for granted. With your support, we are confident of gradually preparing our workforce, protecting our workplaces and partnering our community against the terror threat."

Lead photo / MOM

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