At the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference (NDC) last year, we endorsed the Labour Movement (LM) 2015 vision towards Better Jobs for All, Labour Movement for All, and Tripartism for All. This vision captures our core value of helping workers secure better jobs for better lives. This can only be achieved by a strong and pervasive Tripartism that reaches out to all business sectors, all government agencies and all unions; and a strong and effective LM that is able to represent the interests of all segments of workers. A strong foundation has been laid under LM2011 but still, more needs to be done to achieve a Labour Movement for All and Tripartism for All.

What must we do to strengthen the LM over the next four years?

Firstly, we set ourselves a target of 1 million ALL CAN, 3-GEN members by 2015. More importantly, the LM must remain representative of the changing workforce profile in Singapore, and their concerns. As Professionals, Managers and Engineers are fast becoming the ‘rank and file’ workers of tomorrow, we must actively reach out and strengthen our value proposition to them, particularly at their workplaces.

Secondly, we must continue to strengthen the pipeline and capabilities of our union leadership. At the NDC, nine of our NTUC Central Committee members flowed-on selflessly, which provided opportunities for many union leaders to step up to the Central Committee. That was a big and significant milestone. Going forward, we need to work together to strengthen the 3–Flow (Flow-in, Flow-up and Flow-on) of union leadership at all levels, from branch officials to the Union Executive Committees from Labour Leadership Lighthouse (L3) to the future generations of the Central Committee leaders.

We do this to ensure that the LM can continue to play a pivotal and influential role in national policy-making affecting workers.

A good example is during the 2012 Parliamentary Budget when the Government held a pre-Budget dialogue with the LM. Union leaders urged the Government to increase the Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates for older workers. We gave feedback that many workers in their 50s today could be just as productive as younger workers. Moreover, there is an increasing need to build up their CPF funds in order to ensure that they could retire with financial support and dignity when they eventually stop working. The Government considered, and accepted our suggestion. The increase in the CPF contribution rates for our older workers was announced during the Budget Debate. This consultative approach exemplifies how Tripartism has worked, and will continue to work in Singapore, for the benefit of our workers.

The global economic outlook remains volatile and uncertain. While our employment, unemployment and economic growth data look good right now, we cannot be complacent. There are still many problems yet to be resolved in the world economy, and these could trigger yet another severe global economic downturn. At NTUC, we are monitoring economic activities and retrenchments on the ground closely. We stand ready to provide assistance to our members and workers should the need arises. Our ability to effectively help our members to Upturn the Downturn two years ago gives us the confidence to do so again.

Happy May Day to all!