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NTUC reshaping to be more pro-worker, pro-citizen
Labour chief Lim Swee Say says NTUC is moving towards a more pro-worker stance in the light of a full-employment economy. --PHOTO: BT
SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say has outlined the new focus of the Labour Movement - to ensure Singaporeans come first in local employment, while maintaining the country's competitiveness and pro-business stance.
He said beyond full employment, citizens want better jobs.
His comments came as the Labour Movement undergoes a re-shaping exercise, ushering in new leaders.
Mr Lim said this year's General Election has shown full employment is not enough to satisfy the aspirations of Singaporeans.
With the current tight labour market, he said the focus would shift to helping Singaporeans find better employment.
"Given the full employment situation, I think it's only natural that Singaporeans expect that more can be done to enable them to take on better employment in Singapore," Mr Lim said.
"Low-wage workers want higher wages. For PMETs (professionals, managers, executives, technicians) they want better and faster career advancement and so on.
"I think this is only natural, and this is something the Labour Movement recognises and accepts."
Noting ground sentiments that "Singaporeans should come first", Mr Lim said more must be done to protect all segments of workers -- and not just rank-and-file workers, but also mature workers, women returning to the workforce, and PMETs.
He indicated foreign labour policies may have to be tweaked.
One of the suggestions brought up was setting a cap on foreign PMETs.
"To avoid the situation whereby certain industries (or) companies are overly dominated by foreign PMETs... some unions suggested introducing some dependency ceiling for PMETs," Mr Lim said.
Another suggestion thrown up by unions was giving higher access to foreign workers to companies who hire mature workers, or to firms that are committed to improving the skills and productivity of locals.
Mr Lim said being pro-business and pro-worker is not "mutually exclusive" and neither should come at the expense of the other.
Mr Lim stressed that these ideas are not cast in stone, and the Labour Movement wants to engage the public and businesses in debate to reflect their concerns.
This represents a new direction for the Labour Movement - greater transparency over policy formulation.
Mr Lim said while many Singaporeans may be familiar with the various policies, they may not know the rationale behind them.
A third aspect of re-shaping the Labour Movement is to broaden the pace of change.
Mr Lim said outreach to the non-unionised sectors must be increased to get them on board as early adopters of new policies.
Mr Lim also announced new leaders at the NTUC.
Mr Ong Ye Kung has been promoted to deputy secretary-general, replacing Madam Halimah Yacob.
"I think the key is still raising productivity first, and second, having an understanding with employers that when companies do well, and productivity goes up, they must have a formula and have a way to share the gains with workers," Mr Ong said.
"I think that's the most sustainable way to ensure that workers' lives improve."
Meanwhile, Ms Cham Hui Fong takes over from Mrs Josephine Teo as assistant secretary-general.
In an email reply, Ms Cham said she's "humbled" by her new appointment and will "work closely with unions and union leaders to further the interests of the Labour Movement and workers".
Minister for Manpower Tharman Shanmugaratnam welcomed the new leaders at NTUC.
In a statement, Mr Tharman said he and his team at the ministry look forward to working closely with the NTUC team and employers.
-CNA/wk
Chao cheebye Anti-U-C now then talk about focusing on jobs for Singaporeans. Before election, why bo chup? Can trust a union headed by gahmen and its cronies? Can?! The only union in the world to be headed by gahmen? :oIo:
SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say has outlined the new focus of the Labour Movement - to ensure Singaporeans come first in local employment, while maintaining the country's competitiveness and pro-business stance.
He said beyond full employment, citizens want better jobs.
His comments came as the Labour Movement undergoes a re-shaping exercise, ushering in new leaders.
Mr Lim said this year's General Election has shown full employment is not enough to satisfy the aspirations of Singaporeans.
With the current tight labour market, he said the focus would shift to helping Singaporeans find better employment.
"Given the full employment situation, I think it's only natural that Singaporeans expect that more can be done to enable them to take on better employment in Singapore," Mr Lim said.
"Low-wage workers want higher wages. For PMETs (professionals, managers, executives, technicians) they want better and faster career advancement and so on.
"I think this is only natural, and this is something the Labour Movement recognises and accepts."
Noting ground sentiments that "Singaporeans should come first", Mr Lim said more must be done to protect all segments of workers -- and not just rank-and-file workers, but also mature workers, women returning to the workforce, and PMETs.
He indicated foreign labour policies may have to be tweaked.
One of the suggestions brought up was setting a cap on foreign PMETs.
"To avoid the situation whereby certain industries (or) companies are overly dominated by foreign PMETs... some unions suggested introducing some dependency ceiling for PMETs," Mr Lim said.
Another suggestion thrown up by unions was giving higher access to foreign workers to companies who hire mature workers, or to firms that are committed to improving the skills and productivity of locals.
Mr Lim said being pro-business and pro-worker is not "mutually exclusive" and neither should come at the expense of the other.
Mr Lim stressed that these ideas are not cast in stone, and the Labour Movement wants to engage the public and businesses in debate to reflect their concerns.
This represents a new direction for the Labour Movement - greater transparency over policy formulation.
Mr Lim said while many Singaporeans may be familiar with the various policies, they may not know the rationale behind them.
A third aspect of re-shaping the Labour Movement is to broaden the pace of change.
Mr Lim said outreach to the non-unionised sectors must be increased to get them on board as early adopters of new policies.
Mr Lim also announced new leaders at the NTUC.
Mr Ong Ye Kung has been promoted to deputy secretary-general, replacing Madam Halimah Yacob.
"I think the key is still raising productivity first, and second, having an understanding with employers that when companies do well, and productivity goes up, they must have a formula and have a way to share the gains with workers," Mr Ong said.
"I think that's the most sustainable way to ensure that workers' lives improve."
Meanwhile, Ms Cham Hui Fong takes over from Mrs Josephine Teo as assistant secretary-general.
In an email reply, Ms Cham said she's "humbled" by her new appointment and will "work closely with unions and union leaders to further the interests of the Labour Movement and workers".
Minister for Manpower Tharman Shanmugaratnam welcomed the new leaders at NTUC.
In a statement, Mr Tharman said he and his team at the ministry look forward to working closely with the NTUC team and employers.
-CNA/wk
Chao cheebye Anti-U-C now then talk about focusing on jobs for Singaporeans. Before election, why bo chup? Can trust a union headed by gahmen and its cronies? Can?! The only union in the world to be headed by gahmen? :oIo:
