With his trademark bushy moustache, a love for golf and a reputation as a man of few words, Brother Lim Kuang Beng, 60, has been quietly discharging his duties as NTUC Secretary for Financial Affairs.
He has been doing so from the last NTUC National Delegates’ Conference (NDC) in 2011 before stepping down at this year’s NDC in support of smooth leadership succession.
He has seen it through while doubling up as the General Secretary of the Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) since 1996.
Brought into the union fold as an Internal Auditor for the SISEU Executive Committee in 1990, he became an Exco member in 1993 before rapidly becoming 1st Assistant General Secretary in 1995 and then General Secretary in 1996 till today.
In the process, he has helped SISEU grow into one of the largest unions in Singapore with more than 70,000 members after registration in 1981 with 3,600 members. It was a matter of time before Brother Kuang Beng got elected into the NTUC Central Committee at the NTUC NDC in 2003, re-elected in 2007 and re-elected again and elected NTUC Secretary for Financial Affairs in 2011.
In that time, he has served in many committees, panels, councils and boards – all the way from youth committees to long stints in the Industrial Arbitration Court Employees Panel and the National Wages Council. He was also a member of the National Productivity and Continuing Education Council.
A forward-looking and caring leader, Brother Kuang Beng worked with the ST Aerospace management to pioneer the flexitime scheme, convert casual contract workers to direct employees who can enjoy a stable income and benefits of full-timers.
Additionally, he played a key role in implementing the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) among SISEU branches during the 2008/09 global financial crisis.
“It has been a very challenging and rewarding journey for me. The experience and knowledge I learnt will help me to pass it on to younger union leaders. I hope it will inspire them to take up higher office. I want to thank the Labour Movement for giving me the opportunity to serve.” - Lim Kuang Beng
More information on NTUC's new Central Committee can be read here
