He may have been quite clueless about the good work that the Labour Movement has been doing for workers before being recruited into union work in 2013.
But today, Wilson Ong Wei Sin, 31, is doing his part to champion workers as a vice president of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU). He has held this position since 2015 after he was approached by the union to play a bigger role. HSEU currently has some 42,000 members.
The assistant manager with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) shares with NTUC This Week his focus areas and concerns for workers.
NTUC This Week: What are the areas you are looking at in your union work today?
Wilson Ong: An area that I am more interested in is the welfare for workers, like grants and schemes for members who may need financial assistance as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. In HSEU, I am involved in activities which include planning for bursary events, CSR activities like volunteering at nursing homes. I believe that through these activities, our union members can do good and at the same time be involved in the union’s activities and be connected to the Labour Movement. As an extension, I also serve in NTUC’s Care and Share committee and represent the Labour Movement in REACH’s [the lead agency in facilitating Government efforts to engage and connect with citizens on national and social issues] supervisory panel.
Q: With the challenge of recruiting 9,000 more workers for the healthcare industry, what are some of the immediate priorities for HSEU?
A: We will focus on career progression, skills upgrading, job redesign and preparing our workers for technological innovation. Currently, HSEU is involved in the Education and Domestic Services sub-committee of the Future Economy Council to provide feedback and organise focus group discussions with its members, industry players and the Ministry of Health to address challenges such as manpower, productivity and innovation for the healthcare sector.
Q: How would you convince younger workers to consider healthcare as a career?
A: I feel that the misconception towards healthcare [careers] has gradually shifted in the last few years. Younger workers today are seeing healthcare as a sunrise industry that provides opportunities to care for patients and clients. The work to encourage them remains challenging but I encourage younger workers to give it a shot should they have a calling and compassion to serve. There are definitely ample opportunities for career development and progression. Personally, although my degree was not related to healthcare, I have since completed my further studies in public health in order to contribute more to my work.
Q: What is the best part about being a union leader?
A: I gain happiness and joy in being able to advocate for workers’ rights, connect with my union members and other union leaders, and take advantage of learning opportunities in the course of my union work. I come from a modest family and I understand how bursaries and grants go a long way to help members tide over their hardships.
Source: NTUC This Week
