The National Trades Union Congress, and its affiliated unions, association and social enterprises, is deeply saddened by the demise of your beloved wife, Madam Kwa Geok Choo. We extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family for the loss of a loving wife, caring mother and doting grandmother, who always stood as your pillar of strength and source of inspiration and comfort.
Madam Kwa’s demise is also a loss for the Labour Movement. Our sense of grief reaches back to the tumultuous years of our nation’s history, the 1950s and 60s, when the law firm, Lee & Lee, set up by you and Madam Kwa, represented unions against unscrupulous employers and helped them fight for better wages and working conditions for workers.
Union leaders of that era will remember the trials and tribulations of the Labour Movement then as it fought errant employers, communist elements and combative trade union practices. Many unions engaged you as their legal adviser to speak up for them and champion the rights of workers. The legal assistance that Lee & Lee gave to the unions then was invaluable to the building of a strong foundation for the Labour Movement of today.
Madam Kwa provided legal advice to the NTUC quietly, on a pro bono basis, never seeking credit for herself. She was also a principal drafter of the Singapore Labour Foundation Act. Her selfless service will not be forgotten by successive generations of younger union leaders.
We will also not forget Madam Kwa’s steadfast support for you and your work over the decades, and her dedication to the upbringing of your children. Her abiding love and quiet devotion behind the scenes gave you the mental fortitude to battle all odds and lead Singapore from Third World to First. For this, the workers of Singapore are deeply indebted.
The Labour Movement stands with you in your time of bereavement as we mourn the passing of an unassuming but extraordinary lady.
Yours fraternally,
|
John De Payva |
Lim Swee Say |
Lim Boon Heng |
