Mr President,
Last year, I spoke about how the Singapore tripartite partners took on a slew of measures such as the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience, Jobs Credit scheme, and the “Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower” etc to ride out the severe economic downturn.
Tripartite Efforts Paid Off
I am happy to report that our tripartite efforts have paid off with the economy on the mend. The Singapore economy rebounded strongly in the 1st quarter and is expected to grow by 7-9% this year after registering a 2% contraction last year. While the downturn may be technically over, as an export-oriented country, we are on the constant watch as the world economy limp along to a slow and painful recovery. The business environment will get tougher as the low-cost economies become better and the more advanced economies become more cost competitive. Creating decent jobs and strengthening social protection especially for the vulnerable groups such as older workers and casual and contract workers will have to continue to remain as high priorities in Singapore.
Cheaper, Better, Faster
The Singapore labour movement’s solution to the challenges ahead is to embark on a journey of being “Cheaper, Better, Faster” to help improve the global competitiveness of our companies and to benefit workers in Singapore. To be “cheaper” means to increase productivity and efficiency to deliver products and services with more value for money. To be “better” means being innovative in providing better quality and choices to consumers. To be “faster” means to be more responsive and customer centric to consumers who expect better and faster services. What we are aiming for is a workforce that is more productive, better skilled, and able to respond faster to economic trends. Only then could we ensure there is sustainable employability for our working people.
True to the spirit of tripartism, our social partners have also been roped in on the journey towards a “Cheaper, Better, Faster” economy.
- The government has geared up efforts to enhance productivity for workers across all levels. With effect from next month, under a 3-year long “Workfare Training Scheme”, some 90,000 low wage workers will be encouraged to upgrade their skills through training so that they can improve their employability, upgrade to better jobs and earn more. This “Workfare Training Scheme” is to complement the “Workfare Income Supplement Scheme” introduced in 2007, which encourages older low-wage workers to work by supplementing their income and retirement savings.
- Employer groups such as the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also expressed their support on the drive to be cheaper, better and faster and would be encouraging bosses to take the lead and work with the unions.
Ratification of Convention 144
Tripartism has been the cornerstone of Singapore’s harmonious industrial relations since 1969, when the labour movement decided to opt for cooperation rather than confrontation with management. Time and time, our model of tripartism was put to test as the nation underwent two recessions. Each time, tripartism has not failed us and helped us emerged stronger. The Singapore National Trades Union Congress (SNTUC), on many occasions, has been requesting the government to ratify ILO Convention No. 144 on Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards), which is a Priority Convention. We are thus very pleased that our government has announced its intention to ratify C144 at this ILC. Although we are already in full compliance with this convention, nevertheless, the ratification of this important convention will affirm the tripartite partners’ resolve to continue to walk the path of social dialogue in line with ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.
Decent Work for Domestic Workers
Lastly, the SNTUC welcomes the timely discussion on “Decent Work for Domestic Workers”. As a major receiving country of migrant workers, the labour movement appreciates their contribution to Singapore's development and is concerned about their welfare. Way back in 2003, the SNTUC has set up the SNTUC Migrant Workers Forum (MWF) and worked with the government and NGOs to improve the welfare of foreign domestic workers and migrant workers in general. In 2009, the MWF was elevated to a higher level when it joined forces with the SNEF to form the Migrant Workers Forum and a Migrant Workers Centre was set up to be a one-stop centre to look into the welfare and needs of all migrant workers. The SNTUC remained committed to continue improving the lives of all workers. On this note, I wish you all a fruitful conference. Thank you.
