Expedia and Incofood International have apologized for their discriminatory job advertisements

Expedia Inc, the online travel agency, and consultancy Incofood International have apologized for their discriminatory job advertisements after Singapore's Manpower Ministry (MOM) suggested they do so. According to The Straits Times newspaper an MOM spokesman said the ministry was informed of the ads last month by members of the public. "We engaged the companies at a senior level, informed them to remove the advertisements immediately, and also suspended their work pass privileges," he said.

In a statement titled "Expedia Sinagpore Pte. Ltd. Apologises for Discriminatory Job Advertisement", Expedia Singapore released a public apology:

"Recently, Expedia Singapore Pte. Ltd posted an employment advertisement for a position, which created the perception that the position required an individual of Filipino descent, which was not the intention. The intention was to require an individual with Filipino (Tagalog) language skills not to require an individual of Filipino descent. The company has since removed the advertisement and implemented procedures to ensure that language skills that are necessary for any position are clearly stated. The company wishes to apologize for the mistake as that was clearly not the intention. The company will give an assurance that this will not happen again. 

The company recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace and as such makes recruiting and hiring decisions based solely on individual merit and the qualifications directly related to professional competence and job requirements. The company strictly prohibits its employees and representatives from engaging in any form of prohibited discrimination in any aspect of employment including job application procedures, hiring, compensation, promotion or advancement. The company would like to affirm its commitment towards fair employment and the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices."

Incofood International Pte Ltd also apologized in their jobstreet.com.sg advertisement for an Admin Officer position by saying:

We apologize unreservedly for our earlier job posting of the same position. The company acknowledges that a discriminatory advertisement has been posted. The company gives assurance that this will not happen again going forward. The company affirms our commitment towards fair employment and supports the Triparte Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.

Some firms openly advertise positions for specific nationalities and the complaint that these firms favor foreigners over Singaporeans was highlighted in last month's Budget debate by Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who pledged to tackle such discrimination.