The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is facilitating the training of safe management officers (SMOs) to support businesses and workers in their operations and jobs when the circuit breaker measures are lifted.
This is aimed at minimising the re-emergence of COVID-19 community cases and helping ensure that businesses and jobs continue to function sustainably without disruptions.
Together with the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and NTUC LearningHub (LHUB), NTUC aims to train 1,500 union leaders, staff and management partners to be SMOs by end May 2020.
Training consists of a four-hour Safe Management Measures at the Workplace programme, conducted in a virtual classroom setting.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong, who is also a member of the and Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC), said: “The SMOs play an important role to support their companies in implementing safe management measures at workplaces.
“I would encourage as many as possible to undergo the training as this is very crucial to the workplace safety and health of all workers as well as our efforts to revive the economy.”
Supported by WSHC – NTUC, OTCi and LHUB said they are prepared to train at least 15,000 trainees per month to support businesses and workers, as Singapore takes a phased approach in the reopening of workplaces.
Not Just for NTUC and Union Members
Other than the 64 affiliated unions and associations, NTUC is also working with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and trade associations and chambers to bring in employers to support this initiative.
Through NTUC U SME, NTUC is also reaching out to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with some 140 SME bosses already signing up for the programme.
NTUC Director-in-charge of SMO training Steve Tan stated: “Tapping on the network of our unions initially, NTUC intends to train our union leaders and management partners in unionised companies so that they are equipped with necessary safe management knowledge to help companies reopen swiftly and safely.
