By Ramesh Subbaraman
Ahead of The International Forum on Tripartism in Singapore, we talked to International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder to hear his views on tripartism, Singapore-style.
NTUC This Week: Singapore is holding an International Forum on Tripartism for Sustainable Growth and Development as part of its 50th year of independence. What is ILO’s message to this forum?
Mr Guy Ryder: We should not forget that tripartism and social dialogue contributed to Singapore’s economic and social development over the last 50 years as many studies, including those by ILO, have shown.
The example of social dialogue in Singapore was presented to the International Conference of the ILO and the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) that took place in December 2013, which was hosted by the Spanish Economic and Social Council.
Participants could see how tripartite constituents in Singapore worked together in 2008 and 2009 to craft creative responses to mitigate the effects of the financial and economic crisis and to accelerate recovery.
The Social Development Guidelines call for “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth,full and productive employment and decent work for all.”
My wish for Singapore is that you achieve this. I do hope that Singapore’s tripartite constituents will renew their commitment and pledge to resort even more to tripartism and social dialogue in the future as a tool to deal with the challenges of a very rapidly evolving world of work.
What takeaways did ILO derive from Singapore’s approach in tackling the global downturn and is there anything that member states can adopt from the Singapore story?
Singapore’s short recession spell following the global financial and economic crisis is very much a reflection of effective tripartite social dialogue.
Government and social partners were able to come together to devise a strategy that facilitated both a prompt and inclusive recovery.
Singapore’s example shows us that tripartism can be the linchpin for lasting economic recovery. As seen in Europe, member states that implemented extensive austerity measures in response to the crisis – often in the absence of social dialogue – served only to prolong and deepen the impact of the crisis. Damage done to tripartite relations may take even longer to heal.
As the Singapore story shows, nursing cohesion between social partners is a long-term commitment, but central to sustainable growth and decent work.
Why is it pertinent for ILO member states to address the short and long term issues concerning “the future of work”?
Our International Labour Conference in June this year closed with a consensus to move ahead with a major initiative on the future of work.
The initiative will bring a far-reaching inquiry focusing on four major areas – work and society, decent jobs, the organisation of work, and the production and governance of work. Following a phase of intensive debate and research, a high-level commission on the future of work will prepare a report to the ILO’s centenary conference in 2019. This exercise is expected to define how the ILO will realise its mandate on social justice as it enters its next century.
The issues of jobs, equity, sustainability, human security, labour mobility, social dialogue, which need to be tackled in the initiative, are almost by definition the key policy issues of our time.
What role do you see for small states like Singapore in helping ILO steer towards its centenary in 2019?
Singapore became a member of the ILO at its independence in 1965, and since then, the Government, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation have been active within the governance structures and work of the ILO. This shows that size [of population and land mass] is no barrier to building influence and reputation in international fora.
In Asia and beyond, Singapore is looked upon as a model, and many countries are interested in learning lessons from your successful development, in particular your social dialogue model and social protection system.
Your successful use of consensus-based tripartite action to create an effective response to the recent global economic crisis also attracted attention. Many other countries want to apply the lessons from Singapore’s successes to their own national situations.
As the ILO approaches its centenary in 2019, Singapore will have an important role to play in sharing its experiences and lessons as it tackles the changing nature of work in its own national context.
(Source: NTUC This Week)
