Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. Welcome to our May Day Dinner.
2. As you have seen in the video, we have just launched a refreshed brand for the Labour Movement. The refreshed identity helps to reflect our progressive spirit and dynamism as we strive towards greater inclusiveness.
3. While we have a new look, our core values have not and will not change. These values have stood us well through many trials and tribulations, and will continue to define what we believe in. We will continue to be working people centric by enhancing the livelihood of workers and caring for our union members and their families. We will work these values into everything we do and remain passionate in these beliefs so as to earn the trust of our workers.
4. It is this strong focus on our core values that have enabled us to do well and do good as a Labour Movement through the years. And 2007 was a particularly good year for us. However, 2008 will be more challenging. The global outlook is uncertain, with many predicting a slowdown in growth and rise in unemployment globally. Inflation and costs of living is a big concern for workers. So while we can congratulate ourselves for a job well done in 2007, we have to do more in 2008.
5. The good news is that we are starting from a position of strength. Many of our key strategies are already in place and gaining traction on the ground, from helping older workers get re-employed, to bringing women back to work and re-creating better jobs for lower wage workers. Our NTUC Social Enterprises continue to lead the way in helping to soften the impact of rising prices.
6. More importantly, we have a unique competitive advantage compared to other countries – our robust and constructive tripartite partnership. A partnership that was carefully built up over more than four decades, through the vision and perseverance of successive generations of leaders. One that has stood the test of time and tough challenges like economic downturns, financial crises and SARS. Each and every time, our strong tripartism has enabled Singapore to outperform the competition and pull ahead. With each trial, we have come out stronger and closer.
7. With tripartism being such a unique strength, we must continue to strengthen the relationship. This is why the NTUC, together with Singapore National Employers Federation and Ministry of Manpower, started the Singapore Tripartism Forum (STF) last year to strengthen and deepen tripartism at all levels. It provides platforms for a wider cross-section of union leaders, government officials as well as employers to discuss and forge consensus on issues facing workers and employers.
8. The tripartite partners are like the 3 legs of a tripod. We need all three legs to be balanced and strong in order for the tripod to be stable. Only then can we continue to forge win-win partnerships and solutions, to be both pro-business and pro-workers. Only then can we continue to take beautiful pictures of a competitive economy and cohesive society, where workers of all collars, ages and nationalities can work, live and play together.
9. At the heart of the tripartite relationship, we find that it is sustained by a network of strong inter-personal relationships. And relationships must be nurtured carefully. Just like the relationship within the family, it is not enough that we share a common outlook on life. We must find time to relax, eat and play together. We also talk about ‘less serious stuff’. We attend each other’s family functions. And so this is the case amongst the tripartite partners – We attend one another’s events, functions and celebrations regularly. We meet regularly over a meal or a game of golf. Because of this, there is a bond of trust, and we can discuss sensitive issues frankly and constructively. While we may not always agree on all things, we always commit to building win-win outcomes for all.
10. It is therefore most appropriate that tonight; we have as our Guest-of-Honour, a close friend of mine. And I believe he is no stranger to many of us in the Labour Movement. We have worked closely with him for many years, tackling tough problems along the way. Because we represent different stakeholders, the journey has not always been smooth. But, our relationship has always remained positive and constructive, with his enlightened leadership playing a key role. It gives me great pleasure to invite our Guest-of-Honour, Mr Stephen Lee, Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and President of the Singapore National Employers Federation to address us.
