Requests for Credit Bureau Ratings of Job Applicants and Employee by Non-MAS Regulated Employers

34 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower whether employers or companies other than those regulated by MAS can mandate, collect or demand from job applicants and employees their credit bureau ratings instead of doing their own searches.

Dr Tan See Leng: All employers are to abide by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP), which set out accepted standards of fair and merit-based employment. As laid out in the TGFEP, employers should only request for personal information from jobseekers and employees where there is a legitimate purpose for doing so. For job roles that require a high degree of trust and integrity, and control over company resources and finances, an employer may request from the jobseeker information on credit bureau rating as it would be relevant in assessing the individual's suitability for the job.

Employers may not obtain credit reports directly from the credit bureaux. Under the Credit Bureau Act, if not for the purposes of credit assessment by a member of the credit bureau, usually financial institutions, a credit bureau licensed by MAS is not permitted to provide the credit report of an individual to any third party, including an employer, without the consent of the individual.

Jobseekers and employees who face issues can approach the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) for advice and assistance. Employers may also approach TAFEP for advice if unclear.