If you are a freelancer or are self-employed, you join part of a growing group that currently numbers 200,000. Given that background, the Labour Movement organised its second trade fair to support and push for greater recognition of the group as professional talents.
Highlighting this commitment, NTUC Assistant Director-General and Director, Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit Ang Hin Kee said: “The Labour Movement hopes to lend strength to the capabilities of our freelancers, and acknowledge them as professional talents. We hope to provide a platform which provides freelancers and service buyers with the required resources and contacts to further boost business and collaborative opportunities.
“At the same time, we leverage our partners who can share their expertise and experiences, to help educate the various stakeholders on fair trade and how to better make use of this growing talent pool.”
Themed ‘Fair in Freelancing’, the trade fair at the NTUC Centre on 5 May 2017 attracted more than 300 participants made up of freelancers, service buyers and service aggregators.
Promoting Fair Trade
In a special segment on Government procurement practices, representatives from the Ministry of Finance were on hand to share the considerations freelancers should take note of. This was complemented by a series of dialogues and workshops on best practices that promote fair and responsible trading between freelancers and service buyers.
When asked what fair trade with freelancers looks like, Mr Ang said: “That would see freelancers competing equally with other vendors for jobs that are being put out there. Companies and organisations that procure their services will treat them no differently from vendors, pay them no differently, and comply with rules of payment in the same way. This is something that we are working towards.”
He added that unless there is fairness in the treatment of freelancers, good quality freelancers may leave what they are doing. In the long-term, the quality of freelancers available will deteriorate.
Word From the Street
Sharing his impressions, freelance Web Developer Terence Pek said: “This is a very good development for me because it tells hirers that freelancers are an option and pushes them towards acknowledging us as a contingent workforce. Having the backing of NTUC is good because it helps us get exposure and recognition. The strength of the fair lies in networking and exchanging ideas, because that is how we grow. Having big players there brings value because we get to pick up new ideas and tips on being a better entrepreneur.”
Attending the fair for the second time as a service buyer, Managing Editor of The Fashion Collective Singapore Candy Lim-Soliano lauded the platform for bringing together reliable partners who can be trusted.
“With NTUC pulling together needful resources for players in this growing economy, we're confident that this fair provides a strategic environment that's great for businesses and freelancers to network and gain useful contacts,” she said.
Freelancers keen to find out more about the Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit here, or email fseu@ntuc.org.sg.
