By Ramesh Subbaraman
Singapore has been able to maintain its security and standing in the world arena because the country has good diplomats and leaders who talk sense, command respect and defend Singapore's interests abroad.
Speaking at the National Day Rally 2015 at the ITE College Central, Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong cited Manpower Minister and former Labour Chief Lim Swee Say as one such leader.
Singapore at ILO
PM Lee noted that Minister Lim Swee Say attends the International Labour Organization Conference (ILO) in Geneva every year, now as Manpower Minister and previously as Secretary-General of the NTUC.
PM Lee recounted that during a dinner hosted by ILO’s Directaor-General Guy Ryder, many labour Ministers shared the problems they faced in their countries. These included slow job growth, youth unemployment, stagnating wages and widening income gap.
Sensing the dismal mood, Minister Lim decided to turn the discussion to focus on solutions and not problems. He acknowledged that all countries faced the same 3 "D" challenges – Jobs Deficit, Skill Deficit and Quality Deficit.
Everyone at the ILO dinner nodded in agreement.
Then Minister Lim said all countries wanted the same 3 "F" – Jobs of the Future, Skills of the Future and Careers of the Future.
He concluded that the solution was to strengthen the 3 Ps – partnership between the government, unions and employers.
Minister Lim also shared about Singapore's unique tripartism approach during the ILO dinner.
A Mood Change
PM Lee recounted at the Rally that when Minister Lim had finished, the mood in the room at the Geneva dinner had been lifted.
Everyone was discussing solutions and the Director-General of the ILO rounded up the discussion and proposed "3 Cheers to Singapore".
Mr Lee stressed that Singapore must maintain this quality of leaders, strengthen the economy and defence to hold our own with the outside world and to work with others to advance the nation's interests.
