Additional Reporting by Shukry Rashid
NTUC updated its constitution on 15 November 2017 to expand its network to represent all workers in Singapore, regardless of sector, collar, or nationality.
Some 410 delegates from NTUC-affiliated unions voted on the update during NTUC’s Ordinary Delegates’ Conference (ODC) 2017 held at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre. Almost 97 per cent of voters favoured the amendment.
Over 740 delegates and observers attended the ODC this year.
NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing said: “What the constitutional amendment means to the Labour Movement is that today, we tell the world that we will not concede our ability to organise all working people in Singapore. This Labour Movement is not about only serving some workers. This Labour Movement of ours is determined to make sure that we are a representative, relevant and strong force to represent all workers in Singapore.”
SG Chan also highlighted the importance for the Labour Movement to keep up with the needs of working people, especially when technological disruptions will result in the creation of new jobs and need for new skills.
Feedback from the Ground
Touching on the amendment, Healthcare Services Employees’ Union President K Thanaletchimi said: “The update shows that union leaders are well-equipped to go for the next leap of the transformation of NTUC. The result gives a legitimacy for NTUC to become what it needs to be to stay relevant and strong. This is to ensure all workers have better lives Singapore.”
Singapore Insurance Employees’ Union General Secretary Luke Hee said he is glad about the result of the vote.
“I’m quite happy as the delegates are progressive and we understand the importance of collective strength to do what we need to. I think the amendment is about collective strength, which I think is great,” he said.
However, Mr Hee is concerned about the details with regard to the role of unions in the expanded network.
He said: “It’s the details that matter most. How are we going to work with them [U Associates and U SMEs]? How are they going to support the core, which is the traditional union? I think those are the key parts that everybody will be anticipating. It is one thing to say that we agree that we want to organise these people into the Labour Movement, but moving forward how can they support the core functions of the union? The unions also have to be collectively engaged at a bigger and deeper level.”
