Leadership Development Key to a Strong Labour Movement Nithiah Nandan Prize and book to Honour Veteran Unionist
10 November 2007
Media Release
1. The labour movement is a constructive partner in Singapore’s nation-building. Working together with the Government and employers as tripartite partners, unions help carry the ground for Singapore to overcome tough economic challenges, implement difficult policies, and enjoy continued growth and prosperity for the benefit of all workers.
2. Union leaders are key drivers in navigating the labour movement through the changing economic environment. To train and support union leaders, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has in place a systematic framework for leadership development. The Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies (OTCI) is the leadership hub of the labour movement, where union leaders undergo comprehensive training in industrial relations, employment laws and practices, human resource management and leadership development.
16th OTCI Graduation Ceremony
3. This year marks the 16th OTCI Graduation Ceremony. 126 union leaders, industrial relations officers and human resource practitioners received the Diploma in Employment Relations (DER) – 43 recipients; the Professional Diploma in Employment Relations (PDER) – 31 recipients; and the Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations (ACIR) – 52 recipients; from the Chairman of the OTCI Board of Governors Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and NTUC Secretary-General Mr Lim Swee Say, who was also Guest-of-Honour for the event.
4. Mr Lim Swee Say said, “Our union leaders are the backbone of the labour movement. They are the ones who do the hard work of speaking up for the interest of workers, negotiating between labour and management, and carrying the ground through tough policies and rough times. Theirs is a task that calls for passion, commitment and personal sacrifice. It is therefore important that we have a comprehensive system to nurture and equip them with the necessary skills for strong and effective union leadership.”
5. Mr Raymond See Hock Hin, course participant and Exco Member of the United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) said, "The Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations programme has prepared me to shoulder greater responsibilities in my union. From soft skills on leadership to hard knowledge on labour legislations and union administration, I now feel more confident to take on all aspects of union work."
Inaugural Nithiah Nandan Book Prize
6. This year’s Graduation Ceremony saw a new leadership award being instituted, the Nithiah Nandan Book Prize for the Top Unionist in the Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations (ACIR) course. The award has been instituted in recognition of the sterling contributions of veteran unionist and former Nominated Member of Parliament, the late Mr Nithiah Nandan, to the labour movement.
7. The inaugural Nithiah Nandan Book Prize went to Mr Ramanathan s/o Doraisamy, Branch Official of the United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) at Mitsui Electronics Asia Pte Ltd. “I am deeply honoured to be the first recipient of the Nithiah Nandan Book Prize. We are a great labour movement because of bold and selfless union leaders like Mr Nithiah Nandan. I have learnt many valuable lessons in this course, and I hope to be able to serve my union members with that same passion, dedication and never-give-up spirit,” said Mr Ramanathan.
8. The Nithiah Nandan Book Prize complements the Seah Mui Kok Book Prize for the Top Unionist in the Diploma in Employment Relations (DER) course. Mr Seah Mui Kok was a founder member of NTUC, a long-serving labour Member of Parliament, and NTUC Secretary-General from 1967 to 1970. This year’s Seah Mui Kok Book Prize went to Mr Haridas s/o Nadesan Govindarajan, Assistant General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE).
9. A total of nine awards were given out (Please see Annex for details). In addition, associate trainers and unions were recognized for their contributions to strengthening union leadership and advancing good labour-management practices.
Launch of “Gritty Nithi”
10. The Graduation Ceremony also saw the launch of “Gritty Nithi: The Remarkable Life of Nithiah Nandan – Comrade & Champion”.
11. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, the 140-page book chronicles the life and work of Mr Nithiah Nandan as a unionist. It charts the beginnings of his calling as a voice for workers; his indomitable spirit in tough negotiations with management; his astute leadership in urging his fellow unionists to upgrade their skills in the face of economic restructuring; his tenure in Parliament; battle with cancer; and the tributes that followed his passing.
12. “Gritty Nithi” is authored by Ms Shirley Tan-Oehler, Managing Editor at NTUC Media Co-operative Limited, and published by NTUC. Shirley, who has extensive experience in journalism and public relations, has been with NTUC Media since 2002 and is well acquainted with the workings of the labour movement. The book is based on a series of interviews she conducted with Nithiah in April and May this year, two months before his passing in June.
13. Mr Lim Boon Heng, former NTUC Secretary-General, who was Special Guest at the event said, “Union leaders do a lot, quietly. As negotiations with management, and even Government as an employer, can be sensitive, they have avoided publicity. However, the lack of publicity means that only a few know how much union leaders do, and what they have to bear. I first asked Nithiah about recording his experiences, without any immediate intention to publish, before he was struck by cancer. He was reluctant. When it was found he had cancer, I asked him again. I am glad that he finally agreed. The challenges Nithiah went through, the disputes with management - these are history. But it is of immense value to union members, and the public at large. They get a glimpse of the hard work union leaders do. I hope it will lead to better appreciation of unions by the public."
14. “Gritty Nithi” will serve as a resource material for OTCI’s training programmes. Complimentary copies will be extended to those closely associated with the labour movement. The book will also be available for purchase in bookshops in December.
Heng Chee How
Director
Leadership Development Department
National Trades Union Congress
S Thiagarajan
Director
Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies
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About National Trades Union Congress
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions in the industrial, service and public sectors representing 500,000 workers in Singapore. NTUC comprises 63 affiliated unions, 6 affiliated taxi associations, 9 co-operatives and 6 related organisations. NTUC’s objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and workers remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of workers; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC's vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, all ages and all nationalities. For more details on NTUC, please visit our website at www.ntuc.org.sg
About Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies
The Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies was set up on 1 September 1990. Its mission is to strengthen union leadership and advance the practice of good industrial relations in Singapore. OTC Institute works closely with unions and the NTUC on trade union education and training programmes. It designs and delivers programmes and activities to strengthen labour-management relations at the enterprise level. OTC Institute is the main driver of the Singapore Tripartism Forum, a strategic intiative under the LM 2011 Vision.
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ANNEX
16TH OTCI GRADUATION CEREMONY, 2007
AWARD WINNERS
Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations
Nithiah Nandan Award for Top Unionist in ACIR
Mr Ramanathan s/o Doraisamy, United Workers of Electronic & Electrical Industries (UWEEI)
NTUC FairPrice Achievement Award
Mr Ramanathan s/o Doraisamy, United Workers of Electronic & Electrical Industries (UWEEI)
NTUC Income Achievement Award
Mr Khoo Seng Kwang, Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU)
NTUC Club Achievement Award
Ms Loh Pui Chun, Staff Union of NTUC-ARU (SUN)
Diploma in Employment Relations
Seah Mui Kok Award for Top Unionist in DER
Mr Haridas s/o Nadesan Govindarajan, Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE)
Shell Singapore Book Prize
Mr Haridas s/o Nadesan Govindarajan, Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE)
Philips Singapore Book Prize
Ms Lim Shao Ping Sharon, Staff Union of NTUC-ARU (SUN)
UOB Book Prize
Mr Yip Kum Hung Matthew, Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU)
Professional Diploma in Employment Relations
NTUC Club Best Student Award
Ms Lim Wei Ching Adeline
