MORE women are joining the workforce in Singapore. But more can be done under a tripartite approach to boost these numbers further.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, who spoke on the efforts of employers and the government at a seminar on balancing work and family, said the people's sector's important too.

Since 1988, more women have joined the workforce -- from 531,500 or 38.5 percent to 807,000 or 42 percent in 1998.

The proportion of the married women, who are working, also increased from 45 percent in 1998 to 56 percent in 1998.

But with Singapore's limited talent pool, more optimal use of its talent pool's needed.

For instance, the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board may design appropriate training programs to re-integrate married women into the workforce.

Said Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Soon, "In the Manpower 21 vision, flexible work arrangements and job re-design are major recommendations for transforming the work environment to keep pace with the increased economic participation rate of women.

"A tripartite approach is necessary if we are to balance work and family"

But, besides employers' and government's role in assisting women to balance their family responsibilities and work requirements, Mrs Yu-Foo feels support from the people sector's critical too.

This include community organisations, volunteer welfare organisations and even non-governmental organisations which can urged to do their part in providing services to support families.