Labour Movement proposes Veteran Union Leader K Thanaletchimi for Nominated Member of Parliament

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has submitted our nomination of veteran union leader Ms K Thanaletchimi to the Special Select Committee of Parliament, for nomination by the Committee for appointment by the President as Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). Sister K Thanaletchimi (aged 50) is an Elected Member of the NTUC Central Committee and President of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU).

Sister Thanaletchimi was elected as President of the National University Hospital Employees’ Union (NUHEU) at the age of 30 in 1996. She was the driving force behind the merger of NUHEU and the Healthcare Corporation of Singapore Staff Union (HCSSU), which led to the successful formation of HSEU in 2006. As a selfless leader who always puts the interests of others above her own, Sister Thanaletchimi is passionate and dedicated in resolving issues concerning workers, such as in the areas of re-employment, pro-family work practices and skills upgrading. She played an instrumental role in pushing for and working with management partners on efforts to create job opportunities for Singaporeans in the healthcare industry through work redesign initiatives.

Over the years, Sister Thanaletchimi has built good rapport and working relationships with tripartite partners through her various representations on national-level committees. To effectively represent the interests of workers of all collars, ages and nationalities, she currently sits in various NTUC committees representing diverse interests ranging from industrial relations, working women, mature workers, to membership, sports and the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute.

As a champion for all working people in Singapore, NTUC strives to take better care of our workers, be fair to them at the workplace and help them grow for a better future. Should Sister Thanaletchimi be selected as a NMP, the Labour Movement would have an additional voice who would speak up for workers’ interests and welfare in Parliament. She would be the eleventh union representative since 1992 to be nominated for appointment as an NMP. Please see Annex A for the list of former NMPs from the Labour Movement.

Ms Mary Liew
President, National Trades Union Congress and
Chairman, NTUC Nominated Member of Parliament Selection Panel Committee

Ms K Thanaletchimi

Response to NTUC’s Nomination as NMP               

On the Labour Movement’s nomination, Ms K Thanaletchimi said:

“In my view, a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) should be someone who is passionate about serving others and who will always remain true to his/her purpose and beliefs. He/She should be someone who can feel the heartbeat and pulse of the people whom they serve so as to be an effective voice especially on issues concerning Singapore’s society and collective future.

 In this regard, should I be appointed as an NMP, I will continue to advance the interests of all working people on issues that matter most to them, such as jobs and cost of living, with a special interest and emphasis on women and improving healthcare affordability. I am motivated to push for these changes and improvements that will result in better skills, better jobs and better wages that would ultimately result in better lives for working people of all collars, all ages and all nationalities.

I am thankful for the trust and confidence that the Labour Movement has in me, and am truly humbled with this opportunity to be nominated as an NMP. If I am appointed, I look forward to contribute in a real way, in playing a small yet meaningful role in the shaping of policies that would affect our working people, for the good of the nation and Singapore’s future.”

Full story on NTUC This Week is available here.

Current Designation and Organisation 

Work Experience 

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