By Ramesh Subbaraman
He served as the Deputy Chairman of the Tripartite National Wages Council for a year before taking up the Chairmanship of NWC this year, succeeding Professor Lim Pin.
Singapore’s top banker Peter Seah is the third Chairman of the NWC since the institution started deliberations amongst employers, unionists and government officials since 1972.
Here are excerpts of his one-on-one interview, with topics ranging from NWC’s work to challenges ahead for the workforce.
On NWC’s Effectiveness
“It is not an easy formula, not an easy approach because there are inherent conflicts among the three parties (government, Labour Movement and employers). And the fact that we have been able to contribute to policies that have seen us through good and bad times is testimony that our work has enabled us to have harmonious labour relationships over the years.”
Consensus The Way To Go
"The Council’s focus over the later years has been qualitative like concepts of flexible wage. That is probably something the right way to go, once you start addressing quantitative issues, it is more challenging. It’s not just about a number but getting all three parties to work together to produce policies and programmes that will accomplish the objectives that the country needs, which is to have productivity kept at a level that keeps us competitive.”
On The NWC Chairman’s Role
"The single most important factor as to how the Council is able to operate harmoniously is this common principle that we do what is best for Singapore so that it makes the role of the Council Chairman a lot easier in that we discuss, we agree, we disagree, but when the final recommendations are made, everybody accepts what is made in the best interest of the country and everybody gains a little, loses a little."
On Progressive Wage Model
“It is a recognition that the term Progressive Wage Model in itself tells you that it is a progressive model that hopefully allows you to have better skilled workers, more productive workers who would contribute to better productivity. But in so doing, both employers and employees share this outcome, better productivity for employers and better wages for workers.”
On SkillsFuture
"The government has set aside $1 billion for all the workers to be able to train themselves. So for the workers, unions should push the message home, make use of this and other programmes to upgrade and improve your skills so that you can continue to better productivity and better your wages. To the employers – help workers to train themselves, and give them time, training requires giving time…”
On SG50 Appreciation
“It’s a special year, I would say that employers should look at their own situation and it’s a good thing, if they can afford to do something for their employees.”
Source: NTUC This Week
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