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NTUC’s affiliated union, the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) launched a commemorative book titled Reflections, as part of their 63rd anniversary celebrations on 23 September 2022, Friday by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister of Education and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, together with AUPE General Secretary, Mr Sanjeev Tiwari and NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng. The commemorative book celebrates the work of the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers (AUPDRW) that spanned over 29 years – from its formation in 1992 to its merger with the AUPE in 2021. The book also seeks to memorialise the contributions of both the AUPDRW and daily-rated workers.
Forming a significant portion of the public sector workforce in the early days of Singapore, daily-rated workers have played an essential role in the transition of Singapore from a third world to first world country. They laid the foundations of the nation through their contributions including the building of our infrastructure and ensuring the nation’s hygiene. Reflections seeks to recognise their contributions while reminding future generations of the essential role that daily-rated workers have played in shaping Singapore’s history and nation-building efforts.
In 2021, AUPDRW merged with AUPE to form the AUPE-DRW branch. The merger took place in light of changing worker demographics and improvement in employment conditions. From its inception to its dissolution, AUPDRW played an instrumental role in championing and improving daily-rated workers’ welfare and wages. AUPDRW provided financial assistance to its members with school-going children through the Education and Training Fund and advocated lifelong learning and skills relevance. Through skills upgrading, many workers were able to successfully convert from public daily-rated workers to monthly-rated employees. The changing worker demographics also serves as a testament to AUPDRW’s dedication and successful efforts in creating better lives for workers through improved wages and welfare.
To commemorate AUPDRW, its leaders and members, as well as the contributions of daily-rated workers who have played a big part in Singapore’s nation-building and reputation as a clean city, Reflections chronicles the journey of AUPDRW, celebrating its many milestones and the challenges overcame to better the lives of daily-rated workers. The book pays tribute to the leaders and members of AUPDRW through interviews and compilation of their memories of the union. Notably, the book also includes heartfelt messages and dedications penned by Singapore President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, NTUC leaders and council members of AUPDRW.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, on the launch of Reflections said, “Since 1972, NTUC has worked closely with public daily-rated worker unions to champion workers’ interests with better wages, welfare and work prospects through various programmes and initiatives. As the needs of our workers continue to evolve, NTUC pledges to continue walking by the side of all workers and ensure their voices are heard. We will continue to champion their interests and ensure that they continue to progress and prosper, as Every Worker Matters. Through Reflections, we hope to pay tribute to all AUPDRW leaders for their years of dedication and the workers for their contributions to Singapore.”
General Secretary, Amalgamated Union of Public Employees, Sanjeev Tiwari, said, “We are proud to launch Reflections as a tribute to AUPDRW and the daily-rated workers, who are now part of AUPE’s family following the merger. The spirit and memories of AUPDRW will continue to live on in AUPE, and we will continue the good work of being a strong support for all our members in advocating for better prospects, progression, and well-being. We will also continue working closely with our tripartite partners to better our public officers’ lives and advance their welfare.”
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