The Straits Times editorial on the tripartite guidelines on flexible work arrangement (FWA) requests noted that these compulsory guidelines signalled the normalising of such arrangements in the labour landscape (The normalisation of flexiwork, April 28).

These guidelines are a step in the right direction, but they are not legally enforceable. They may be categorised as “compulsory” but remain toothless. So the question is: Are employers obliged to apply these guidelines?