~New research community brings together 50 labour experts and academics to tackle current and emerging labour challenges and propose innovative solutions for the workforce~
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) launched the NTUC Labour Alliance co-laB (LAB), a first-of-its-kind initiative comprising 50 members, including labour experts, academics, practitioners, and researchers from renowned institutions and universities, today at NTUC’s Labour Research Conference (LRC) held at NTUC Centre. This robust community seeks to transform insight to impact by conducting labour research and examining current and emerging workforce trends and challenges to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers.
Leveraging research to uplift wages, welfare and work prospects for workers
The LAB research community will foster closer collaboration and knowledge sharing among members to positively influence labour policies, practices, and discourses. For the next three years, LAB has identified four key research themes that will guide its efforts: Employment and Productivity; Labour in the Global Economy; Health, Safety, and Wellbeing at Work; and Emerging Labour Trends. For more information on the LAB, please see NTUC’s Media Factsheet.
These themes cover a wide range of issues faced by workers at workplaces, such as identifying future skills demands driven by technological advancements, to addressing the challenges posed by the gig economy and remote work in our increasingly digitalised economy. For full list of LAB members, see Annex A.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng shared, “I am pleased to announce the launch of the Labour Alliance co-laB (LAB) and the third volume of the Singapore Labour Journal (SGLJ), both first of its kind in Southeast Asia. As workplaces evolve, NTUC is also innovating and adapting to meet the changing needs of our workforce. Singapore’s unique tripartite partnership between unions, employers, and the government has been instrumental in these efforts. Our collaboration with academics and research institutions allows NTUC to conduct independent research and strengthen our advocacy, bridging informed and impactful policies to improve workers' lives and livelihoods.”
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay shared, “NTUC has always been committed to understanding and addressing the evolving needs of workers. The launch of the LAB is a key step in advancing our efforts, focusing on labour research and fostering collaboration among experts. LAB represents a natural extension of our mission to drive meaningful change, leveraging data-driven insights and strategic partnerships to better support workers and the future of work."
Labour Research Conference 2024
Held at the Stephen Riady Auditorium @ NTUC Centre, the fifth edition of the LRC is themed: Thriving in a Modern Work Environment. It included a series of insightful exchanges, open dialogues and candid discussions among union leaders, industry players, government agencies and academics. Participants also engaged with a curated panel of speakers who discussed how workers can balance the needs and
aspirations of employees, businesses, and Singapore, ensuring that all parties thrive in today’s evolving work environment.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng graced the event as Guest-of-Honour and officially launched the LAB together with NTUC President K Thanaletchimi; Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang; Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Vice President Alexander Melchers; and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay. The conference was attended by union leaders, industry players, government agencies and academics.
The topics that were discussed at the LRC 2024 included:
a. Bridging the Gap in the Pursuit of Sustainability: How to ensure that the transition towards a green economy is fair and inclusive and creates good work opportunities for workers.
b. Redesigning the Rhythm of Work: How Flexible Work Arrangements can be implemented to create win-win scenarios for companies and employees.
c. Navigating the Dynamics of Worker Well-Being: Sharing preliminary findings from research into worker well-being that identified key factors that impact the well-being of workers to help enhance workers’ welfare.
Singapore Labour Journal: Volume 3
Complementing these efforts, NTUC also published the third volume of the Singapore Labour Journal (SGLJ) titled: Challenge as Opportunity. This latest edition offers comprehensive research and analysis by exploring Singapore's changing work and labour landscape, while also proposing sustainable solutions to challenges.
The SGLJ features 11 articles that cover a wide range of topics including the importance of flexible work arrangements in supporting caregivers and promoting
career advancement; the adoption of technology in SMEs; an analysis of retrenchment trends in Singapore which discussed initiatives to support affected workers; and the role of tripartite partnerships in workforce training which showcased NTUC’s Company Training Committee model and more. To view the journal, visit www.ntuc.org.sg/SingaporeLabourJournal
