UCCW WAS SET UP PRECISELY TO HELP LOW WAGE CONTRACT WORKERS
I refer to Mr Ramli Puteh’s commentary, “Nasib Pekerja Kontrak”, dated 25 June 2012. The comparison made between the Teachers' Union in Australia and the Unit for Contract and Casual Workers is not appropriate. UCCW is not a union unlike the Teachers' Union.
In 2006, union leaders saw the need to provide greater protection and assistance to an increasing number of low-wage, contract and casual workers given the widespread practice of cheap sourcing by companies here.
The Unit for Contract and Casual Workers (UCCW) was set up by National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) precisely to protect and enhance the lives of low-wage, vulnerable workers through various approaches that we feel are more effective in Singapore’s context. Even though UCCW is not a union, we complement the efforts by other unions that already represent members in sectors where there is a large number of low wage contract workers such as cleaning and security.
Firstly, cheap sourcing practices have led to wage stagnation of our low-wage, contract and casual workers. On this, we actively promote the Best Sourcing Initiative (BSI) to both service providers and buyers, so that they propose and evaluate outsourced contracts based on performance and quality and not just price. This would help service buyers receive better quality services and workers enjoy better wages and fairer employment benefits.
Secondly, we offer low wage workers advice on employment rights and work-related issues and promote fair and good employment practices among employers.
Thirdly, we encourage workers to up-skill, multi-skill and re-skill to enhance their productivity and in doing so, help push up their wages.
Fourthly, through UCCW’s outreach programmes, we want both employers and workers to contribute to the latter’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) so that they can benefit from the Government’s Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) and Workfare Training Support (WTS) schemes.
In 2011, UCCW reached out to 18,000 low-wage, contract and casual workers through ‘Better Skills, Better Future’ seminars and ‘For a Better Future’ road shows, whereby they learn more about their employment rights, the Workfare schemes, and training courses and schemes that are beneficial to them. Our members can also sign up for a group insurance scheme at only $12 per year. Additionally, 1,600 workers have benefitted from up-skilling, multi-skilling and re-skilling last year.
This year, UCCW will continue to work closely with our unions and tripartite partners to help these workers through the pushing of the BSI and Workfare schemes, and giving support to the recently announced progressive wage system.
With these initiatives in place, we hope to see our low-wage, contract and casual workers being better represented and achieving better wages and employment terms. For more information on UCCW, please visit http://www.uccw.org.sg/.
Zainal Sapari
Director
Unit for Contract and Casual Workers
