Singapore has topped the 2015 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) with its recognitions for raising national awareness of land compliance with employment laws.

According to the Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the country clinched first place in the “Promoting Whole Government Approaches in the Information Age" category for the Asia-Pacific region.

The award will be given to the MOM and the Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) for their efforts to bolster employment initiatives through the Work Right programme.
Launched in September 2012, the programme aims to ensure that workers, particularly economically vulnerable groups like low-wage workers, receive their basic employment rights as stipulated by law.

The initiative has benefited more than 42,000 Singaporeans as of April 1, more than half of which were low-wage workers. These workers currently enjoy their statutory entitlements such as timely salary payments, CPFB contributions or overtime allowance payments.

Minister of Manpower Lim Swee Say pledged to further increase the efficiency of public services from policymaking to practical measures.

The United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.-VNA