The Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and the People’s Action Party Policy Forum (PPF) released on 26 August 2023 an eBook they co-published titled ‘Lee Kuan Yew and the Labour Unions — Inspirational Quotes from 100 Speeches, Interviews, and Dialogues’.
The eBook is a compilation of carefully selected quotes by Mr Lee on the important role that NTUC, unions and union leaders play in protecting workers’ interests.
It commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister and traces his journey with the Labour Movement. It covers Mr Lee’s tenure as the Prime Minister of Singapore (1959-1990), Senior Minister (1990-2004) and Minister Mentor (2004-2011).
The launch took place at the Tripartism: Past, Present, and Future event hosted by the PPF.
The publication was unveiled by NTUC President Mary Liew, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Vice-President K. Thanaletchimi, OTCi Director Jessie Yeo, former NTUC Secretary-General Lim Boon Heng, former President of Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Stephen Lee, SNEF Vice Chairman Alexander Melchers, NTUC Director Yeo Wan Ling, and Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo.
“This precious collection of 100 speeches is a treasure trove of insights into Mr Lee’s ideas and values, especially as they relate to our economy and workers,” Mrs Teo said in her opening address.
The first of a three-part dialogue series, Tripartism: Past, Present, and Future, also featured a panel discussion on the key ideas and values espoused by Mr Lee in tripartism.
Former NTUC Secretary-General Lim Boon Heng, alongside fellow panelists, talked about Mr Lee’s indelible contributions to Singapore and how his unwavering principles have empowered countless Singaporean workers and served as an enduring source of inspiration for current and future generations of tripartite partners.
They also discussed findings from a PPF survey from 28 July 2023 to 6 August 2023 that showed Singaporeans are committed to ensuring the country’s competitive advantage and their belief in the nation’s unique tripartite framework to achieve the advantage.
Click here to read Lee Kuan Yew and the Labour Unions — Inspirational Quotes from 100 Speeches, Interviews, and Dialogues.