Explain role of NTUC in politics

Junyang700 SG

For once, let the trade union chief do some work.

Like putting his name down in this letter.

Maybe he wrote it, but he cannot convince.. bcos he is a PAP MP himself, so the president's name added in?

Clivebenss SG

Maybe he wrote it, but he cannot convince.. bcos he is a PAP MP himself, so the president's name added in?

lack of confidence?

Clivebenss SG

THE connection between the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the People's Action Party (PAP) is a historical one and is part of Singapore's ongoing process of nation-building ('Why NTUC works closely with PAP' by NTUC president and secretary-general; Tuesday).

It would have been difficult for Singapore's evolution if the unions were fractured and run by disparate interests bent on scoring political points rather than focusing on the welfare of the country and its people.

Rather than have them as a large interest group on the outside lobbying the Government for change, a symbiotic relationship allows for labour interests to be represented and tailored within the administration.

If the PAP sees itself as a national movement, then it is logical for it to create a symbiotic relationship with the NTUC. The Democratic and Labour parties in the United States and Britain openly support union-backed candidates for high office.

How effectively those elected to political office serve the interests of the workers is another matter. In the case of Singapore, this can be worked through with greater ease than elsewhere.

The issue is not really about whether there are more labour candidates fielded in the coming general election compared to previous ones; it is whether the PAP, though in itself a non-ideological party, advocates clearly and carries out effectively policies grounded on labour and social values.

Sanjay Perera

Many benefits

'My children who were born into this stable and prosperous society may not know of the contributions to nation-building by FairPrice.'

MR PATRICK SIO: 'The symbiosis between the NTUC and PAP has benefited Singaporeans in many ways ('Why NTUC works closely with PAP'; Tuesday). Though NTUC's reply did not mention the contributions by FairPrice, I remember that as a boy living in Commonwealth Drive in the 1970s, I used to go with my parents to Strathmore Avenue's cooperative store to buy rice. Over the years, FairPrice has taken over the role of regulating prices of rice and other daily essentials. My children who were born into this stable and prosperous society may not know of the contributions to nation-building by FairPrice.'

Dual role

'Can people who wear multiple hats take an unbiased and objective stance for the Singapore worker?'

MR PIETER KOK: 'An effective labour movement should be independent of the ruling party. Suppose the PAP government wants to push through an unpopular law against the wishes of workers.

What would be the stance of NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office? Would Mr Lim act in the best interests of the Singapore worker or would he be influenced by the PAP government? Can people who wear multiple hats take an unbiased and objective stance for the Singapore worker?'

Nelstar SG

牛头不对马嘴

Question 1 not answered. - Were the positions specially created for these candidates?

Question 2 not answered. - Can senior executives of NTUC stand as opposition candidates?

Question 3 not answered. - Do MPs who work for NTUC take directions from NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, in Parliament?

Dodge Level 99

charlize SG

牛头不对马嘴

Question 1 not answered. - Were the positions specially created for these candidates?

Question 2 not answered. - Can senior executives of NTUC stand as opposition candidates?

Question 3 not answered. - Do MPs who work for NTUC take directions from NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, in Parliament?

Dodge Level 99

First day living in Singapore ?

Nelstar SG

First day living in Singapore ?

I overestimated them.

Leomanz SG

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

That make ntuc 2 b gazetted as a political party.

ntuc is projecting more of a "pap candidates' supplier" rather than a labor movement.

ditzy SG

Ha! When was NTUC ever a labour movement?!?! NTUC to most singaporeans is another supermarket. To the more savvy ones, its a political motivator.

Leomanz SG

Ha! When was NTUC ever a labour movement?!?! NTUC to most singaporeans is another supermarket. To the more savvy ones, its a political motivator.

like last time chiam st, fight w 'em in parliament abt pap's hdb's notice board all sponsor by ntuc.

he won d case,

all ntuc notice board were remove n replaced by hdb

Opposition shld lead d way on tis ntuc issue 2 get 'em gazetted too.

Clivebenss SG

NTUC is for loong term.

charlize SG

That place is the hunting ground for more ppl who can say yes.

Clivebenss SG

union of the snakes.

Nelstar SG

union of the snakes.

The champion of the snakes is borned in Year of the Dragon.

Chinese Feng Shui Master says "Most dragons have bigger appetite."

Hitman Submarine SG

ntuc should stay in the supermarket business where it really n truly belongs!

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