DPM Heng Swee Keat Outlines Three Key Shifts to Help the Labour Movement Herald a New Era

Tripartite partners must go beyond the work they do behind closed doors and engage a broader group of Singaporeans to build a better understanding of and support for Singapore’s brand of tripartism.

Renewing the compact for workers was one of the three key shifts Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said will help the Labour Movement move forward.

Mr Heng was speaking as guest of honour at the NTUC Ordinary Delegates’ Conference on 17 November 2021.

The other shifts include the Labour Movement’s efforts in working more directly with companies and serving more workers holistically.

“We must help our people understand how the collective tripartite effort benefits Singapore and Singaporeans. We must help MNC [multi-national company] headquarters, who oversee operations around the world and face different unions in these countries, to better understand our approach to tripartism. Our Labour Movement is a partner to change, and not opposed to change,” he said.

Mr Heng said he was concerned about detractors choosing to play on the fears and anxieties of Singaporeans.

“For example, there have been calls to cut off the entry of foreign workers, in the false name of protecting the interests of our workers. But the hard truth is that we are short of workers in some sectors, where Singaporeans are less keen to take up these work, and in emerging areas, where we have not built up enough talent yet.

“By bringing in workers with the right skills, we complement our local workforce and enable our companies to compete better. When they can compete better, they can create more and better jobs for our workers,” he said.

He urged the tripartite partners to work more closely to explain the policy approach to Singaporeans, MNCs and any company that is based in Singapore or wished to locate to the country.

Mr Heng cited the example of the Modernisation Seminar that took place in 1969 where the tripartite partners worked together to explain their approach to Singaporeans in welcoming MNCs to invest in Singapore.

The approach paved the way for Singapore to ride on the wave of globalisation, benefiting generations of workers, added Mr Heng.

Working More Directly with Companies

Mr Heng also called the Labour Movement a valuable partner in working with employers to help workers succeed through transformation.

“I have often said that the fortunes of employers and employees are intertwined – better workers enable companies to be more competitive, and more competitive companies can invest in their workers and pay them better.

“A very important reason for the success of our Labour Movement is that all of you understand well that the interests of our workers are best served if our companies can succeed and grow, and can uplift their workers along this journey,” said Mr Heng.

Mr Heng urged the Labour Movement to do more to scale Company Training Committees (CTCs) to more companies, adding that the initiative has made good progress in the last two years.

He added that he is glad that the Labour Movement is working closely with the Singapore National Employers Federation and Government, including key stakeholders such as the Singapore Business Federation and trade associations, and institutes of higher learning.

Serving Workers Holistically

The efforts of the Labour Movement in championing the rights of the increasing PME and self-employed persons groups showed how the Labour Movement has stepped up to address the changes in Singapore’s labour profile, said Mr Heng.

“You must remain close to our workers, so that you can effectively represent their interests. You must continue working with the Government and tripartite employers to chart the way forward,” he urged.

Mr Heng also encouraged workers to explore using the NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP) that was launched at the ODC.

He added that he was glad that the Labour Movement has responded to the changes in learning demand.

“Much as our companies are transforming, I am glad that the Labour Movement is doing likewise, both in terms of who you represent and how you support them. I am confident that you can continue to transform to strengthen your contributions to our workers and employers,” he said.