1 The Singapore workforce profile today is changing fast. There will be more Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) as better educated and younger residents join the workforce. The PMEs today will become the rank and file workers of tomorrow in the knowledge-based economy. Recognising this, the Labour Movement (LM) sees the need to reach out and represent the PMEs too. A PMEs Alignment Team, head by Mr Patrick Tay, Director (Legal Services Dept and PMEs) of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), was set up by NTUC to expand its outreach to PMEs through various initiatives and programmes.
2 NTUC launched a book entitled "Workplace Rights for the Busy Executive" this evening. The book was a result of feedback gathered by the LM from the union leaders and members as the LM intensifies its outreach and engagement with the PMEs. This also marks the start of a series of initiatives, programmes and efforts that the LM plans to implement as it reaches out and connect with the PME members and the PMEs at large in Singapore.
3 The book not only serves as a guide to the PMEs to help them better understand their employment rights at the workplace as provided by law, it will also help to raise awareness among the PMEs on the various services provided by the LM such as workplace advisory and workplace representation. The LM hopes that the book will also give the PMEs a greater understanding of the tripartite mediation mechanism. Launched in February this year, the tripartite mediation mechanism is a channel for PME members to seek redress and assistance on workplace issues.
4 “Workplace Rights for the Busy Executive” was written and edited by the NTUC Legal Services Department, with inputs and feedback from unions, union leaders and Industrial Relations Practitioners and PME members. The book is written in a simple and reader-friendly format, free from technical legal jargon, thereby allowing the reader to easily understand its contents. It arms the PMEs with the basic knowledge of their legal rights and obligations as employees.
5 Besides the printed copies of the book, there will also be an online version of the book made available to all NTUC members in January 2012. All union members can access the e-book by logging on to the NTUC U Portal. An e-book is also in the pipeline for members to upload via mobile application.
6 The book was launched by Mr Patrick Tay, Director (Legal Services Dept and PME) of NTUC, witnessed by the Secretary-General of NTUC, Mr Lim Swee Say, together with about 150 union leaders, tripartite partners and PME members. At the launch, guests from the legal fraternity - Mr Ravi Chandran, Associate Professor, NUS Business School and writer of numerous employment/labour related law books used by law and non-law students and practitioners and Mr George Cooper, Partner of Regional Employment Law/Workplace Relations of International Law Firm, Blake Dawson, shared their responses to the book as well as their experiences and invaluable advice on employment issues faced by PMEs. The book was also endorsed by Mr Ang Cheng Hock, Senior Counsel and Partner of Allen & Gledhill LLP.
7 Mr Patrick Tay said, “The launch of this book is a pivotal milestone in our (NTUC) outreach to PME members and PMEs in general in Singapore. As the Labour Movement moves ahead towards our vision for Labour Movement 2015 (LM2015), we hope to outreach and connect to make a positive difference to this ever-increasing segment of our workforce.”
8 "This book is a handy guide for busy union members like me as it provides me with a quick overview of what are our workplace rights as a PME," said Mr Ng Hee Heng, 42 years old, Group Treasury Manager.
9 The launch of the book is one of the many initiatives that the LM introduced as it intensifies its outreach to PMEs. As LM2011 draws to a close and we embark on LM2015, NTUC will strive to enhance its outreach to expand the scope of representation beyond the rank and file workers of today to include the ‘rank and file workers of tomorrow – the PMEs’ in the knowledge based economy.
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