An assistant director with the NTUC who posted a racist comment on her personal Facebook page has been sacked.

In a statement on Monday, the NTUC said: "The NTUC takes a serious view on racial harmony in Singapore. We will not accept and have zero tolerance towards any words used or actions taken by our staff that are racially offensive."

It added that it fired Ms Amy Cheong, assistant director, Membership Department after establishing with her that she did post offensive comments on her personal Facebook page on Oct 7.

"Regrettably and rightly so, her comments have upset members of the public, including many union members. We are sorry that this has happened. We have counselled the staff and impressed upon her the seriousness of her action. She is remorseful and has apologised for her grave lapse of judgement. We would like to reiterate that inclusiveness remains at the heart of the Labour Movement," the statement said.

Ms Cheong, whose original Facebook post complained about the duration of Malay weddings at void decks and made derogatory remarks about Malays, said on Monday morning that she was "truly sorry" for her "stupid comment".

Her original post, directed at Malays, told them to "pay for a real wedding" and said that "maybe then the divorce rate won't be so high".

In her apology, Ms Cheong said that her comment was not a reflection of her employer. "It was my own bad judgement of which I truly regret. I certainly do not mean to distress the Malay community with my comment, I was just upset with the noise. I truly do not mean to be judgmental or critical. I am truly sorry," she wrote on her Facebook page.