THE mission of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its
affiliated unions is to protect and advance the interests of the
workers of Singapore ('Explain role of NTUC in politics' by Mr Ang
Miah Boon; last Wednesday).
Having seen militant unions disrupt growth and destroy jobs in
the 1950s and 1960s, NTUC believes that a constructive brand of
trade unionism and tripartism remains the best way of serving our
workers.
Since 1961, NTUC has worked closely with the People's Action
Party (PAP) Government to grow our economy and strengthen our
society. Our low unemployment rate and steady increase in real
wages have not happened by chance.
They are the direct result of this shared effort between NTUC
and PAP to enable our people to have meaningful jobs and lead a
purposeful life.
Labour MPs give workers a voice in Parliament and make NTUC a
more effective labour movement. As labour leaders, they are
responsible to the unions, members and workers at large. They
express the concerns and aspirations of workers and speak up for
balanced government policies that are both pro-business and
pro-worker. They also work directly on measures to benefit workers,
such as re-employment of older workers and back-to-work women,
re-skilling of low-wage workers and upgrading of PMETs
(professionals, managers, executives and technicians).
As MPs, they are responsible to their voters and the public, and
contribute actively to nation-building. Currently, three labour MPs
lead the Government Parliamentary Committees for Manpower,
Education, and Community Development, Youth and Sports, having been
elected by their fellow PAP MPs to these posts.
How many labour MPs we have depends on the quality of NTUC
candidates. Labour MPs undergo the same stringent selection process
as other PAP candidates. As NTUC nurtures promising candidates for
selection by PAP, we also recruit potential PAP candidates who can
contribute to the labour movement. Such a two-way approach has
served our workers and union members well.
On this 50th anniversary of NTUC, it is timely to recapitulate
this symbiotic relationship between NTUC and PAP. Together, we are
partners in nation-building.
John De Payva
President
National Trades Union Congress
Lim Swee Say
Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress
For once, let the trade union chief do some work.
Like putting his name down in this letter. 