By everyone working together and supporting each other, it is possible for both workers and companies to enjoy business growth, which can also lead to better jobs, better skills and better wages. The recipients of the annual May Day Model Partnership Awards certainly can testify that no one can really work alone and by coming together, the sum can be more than its parts.
Today, 37 individual model workers and 67 companies and partners received the Awards for their steadfast partnerships and outstanding efforts towards up-skilling workers and shaping a resilient and adaptable workforce. Together, over 300 exemplary tripartite partners comprising workers, unions, employers and Government agencies were recognised for their initiatives in driving inclusive growth, building a resilient workforce, promoting skills upgrading and maintaining focus on strengthening the Singaporean Core.
Into its fifth year, the Awards are conferred upon model workers, companies and unions who have achieved success in three areas: a) bringing about better wages and enhancing productivity through the Labour Movement’s Progressive Wage Model (PWM); b) Increasing Job Worth through Skills Upgrading; and c) Developing a Resilient & Adaptable Workforce. To date, more than 1,200 exemplary tripartite partners have been recognised for their contributions to the transformation of Singapore’s economy through various strategies such as inclusive growth and pursuing increased productivity which have also benefited the workforce.
Through collaborations with partners from the unions, workers and Government agencies, many companies have driven productivity initiatives, embraced innovation and upgraded their workers with skills and expertise to manage more complex roles. For this, the Institutional Category Awards recognised 67 institutions and their partners, who had made outstanding contributions towards creating “Better Jobs for All”. A company example would be Systematic Laundry & Uniform Services Pte Ltd. The company had taken a proactive approach and made vast improvement in terms of productivity and job re-design for mature workers, while ensuring that they had job security and could enjoy annual performance incentives and salary adjustments.
The Individual Category Awards recognised 37 individuals who exemplified the spirit of excellent teamwork and active learning with partners such as colleagues, and employers. Employers and peers lauded that every one of these individuals overcame their limitations and prevailed over challenges at work, leading to enhanced proficiency at their jobs. For example, Mr Henry Fun Poh Seng, 64, was not daunted by his lack of competency in English and information technology and took courses to enhance his employability, leading to him gaining a new-found confidence. He is currently employed at China Railway 11 Bureau Group Corporation. (Refer to Annex A for selected stories and Annex B for a breakdown of the awards.)
“At the Awards ceremony today, all awardees have made great efforts and progress towards ensuring that there are optimum conditions to perform at their jobs, while workers have embraced the need to upgrade their skills and adapt in this dynamic environment with great support from their employers and unions. For our workforce to stay competitive and relevant so that workers can receive fair wages and good opportunities, we must continue to forge effective and strong partnerships between workers, companies, employers and unions,” said Mr Tan Hock Soon, Co-Chairman of the NTUC May Day Model Partnership Awards Organising Committee and Member of the NTUC Central Committee.
The awardees and their partners received the awards from tripartite Guests-of-Honour – Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Vice-President John Ng and NTUC President Diana Chia at the awards ceremony.
Over 600 people attended the Awards Ceremony. After the ceremony, the awardees were treated to a guided tour to the Resorts World Sentosa Marine Life Park and Maritime Experiential Museum.
