By Ryan Chan
It was celebrations time as NTA’s membership base grew to 20,000 members on 2 May 2015. It is a two-fold increase from June 2010, when the six taxi operators joined hands to form one national body for the country’s taxi drivers.
Joining the 350 taxi leaders at The Coliseum at the Resorts World Sentosa’s Hard Rock Hotel Singapore was Mr Lim Swee Say, the outgoing NTUC Secretary-General (SG).
NTA also had a special mention for 30 workers and organisations that have shown their support to the taxi community. They were highlighted in three key areas: vehicle workshops where workers such as technicians keep the taxis in tip-top conditions; taxi administration and daily operations; and supportive organisations who take care of the drivers’ health, wellness and safety.
Moving Forward
NTA will continue to work closely with its partners to provide better benefits and protection for taxi drivers, as well as expand its membership base. Currently, about three out of five taxi drivers are members.
“The Labour Movement has been generous in helping us (taxi drivers). With the incoming Secretary-General Brother Chan Chun Sing, I’m confident that this tradition of the Labour Movement helping all collars of workers, whether employees or self-employed will continue.
“In fact, I’m confident it will be strengthened because Brother Chun Sing has discussed with me on different occasions on what more can be done to ensure that taxi drivers and other freelancers can benefit from a whole suite of support and help that NTUC can render to them,” said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Ang Hin Kee.
SG Lim also shared that he will continue to look into the needs of taxi drivers in his new role as Minister for Manpower.
“It is the job of us as tripartite partners to take good care of you. But for us to do that, we need your support too, because unity is strength,” he said.
“… I will (continue to) work very closely with NTA to ensure that the welfare of our taxi drivers will be well taken care of.
Source: NTUC This Week
