Singapore will continue to reinvent its economy and redevelop its workforce in order to improve the lives of its workers and people through the use of technology, shared Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say in his speech on 8 June 2016 at the 105th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
This was said in support of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
“We recognise that technology is neutral – good for those who know how to embrace it, bad for those who stay away from it to their own disadvantage. The choice is for each nation to make.
“For Singapore, the choice is clear. Our vision is to become a ‘smart nation’. We want to embrace technology and innovation as part of our partner in sustainable and inclusive growth,” said Minister Lim.
He added that instead of being wary that technology will displace workers, Singapore challenges itself to adapt and grow with technology by implementing robotics in factories and digitising services.
Minister Lim also cited examples of how technology can be used to better the jobs of older workers, workers with families and those in the low-wage industry.
Tripartite Delegation
The tripartite delegation to the ILC from 4 to 8 June 2016 was led by Minister Lim and comprised NTUC President Mary Liew, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Heng Chee How, and Singapore National Employers’ Federation President Robert Yap.
“Working together in unity, our tripartite partners are confident that we can collectively harness the power of technology and innovation to achieve a sustainable and inclusive growth for the benefit of our workers, our people and all Singapore-based businesses,” added Minister Lim.
Preparing for the Future
DSG Heng, who sat in several bilateral meetings with overseas union counterparts as well as in various committee discussions at the conference, said that tripartite partners in all countries “must focus on preparing for the work of the future and the future of work.”
He commented: “With accelerating technological, business model, demographic and workforce profile changes, and more uncertain socio-political settings, the requirements for success for workers and the Labour Movement in the future will be quite different from those of today. And the future is not some distant possibility. It is arriving ever more quickly.
“Alertness, adaptability, lifelong learning and the gumption to take hard decisions and test out new arrangements for the long-term good will be essential ingredients. Better harness change and ride it than be a victim of it.”
