A tradition since 1999, this year key leaders from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) joined Acting Prime Minister (PM) Teo Chee Hean and Mrs Teo in visits to PSA Marine and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Appreciating Workers
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has made it point to make these visits for the past few years but this year, he is recuperating from an operation which took place on Monday, 16 February 2015.
But that did not stop Mrs Lee Hsien Loong from preparing special cookies for the workers and these together with hong baos were presented to them by Acting PM Teo during the visit.
Mr Teo said: “Many of our workers continue to work during the festive season to keep Singapore humming and to keep us safe and secure. So it is very important to come and appreciate the work that they are doing. I myself have worked on a number of public holidays myself so we always appreciate the small gestures Singaporeans show to us.”
“It is wonderful for the Acting Prime Minister and the NTUC Central Committee to come down to PSA Marine and MPA Singapore to thank workers who are on duty today, while others are spending time with their family members. We appreciate them having to work 24/7 for the benefit of the Nation,” added NTUC Central Committee Member Ma Wei Cheng.
Among the union leaders who joined Mr Teo were NTUC President Diana Chia, Secretary-General Lim Swee Say, and Deputy Secretaries-General Chan Chun Sing and Heng Chee How
Productivity Measures
Visitors were also given an overview of some of the productivity measures which have been introduced in their companies.
Acting PM Teo emphasised better productivity means better jobs.
He said: “Productivity continues to be very important. Firstly it provides better jobs for our people. It means the value of the jobs that each of our worker does is improved. Better jobs, better pay. Second, we are also in a situation where we have fewer Singaporean workers. So higher productivity means we do more with the workers we have and we need to depend less on foreign workers to come to Singapore.”
One example of productivity improvement was showcased in PSA Marine where a tugboat once operated by nine officers is now being done by two staff.
Sharing his thoughts, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How said: “When we took the tour on the tug boat, we saw a great model of productivity improvements. We learnt that it took 10 people to man a tug before and currently only two personnel are required. They have increased the value to their work, and this is very encouraging."
Source: NTUC This Week
