Four house unions of statutory boards came together to organise a workshop to tackle challenges resulting from shifting work landscapes.
Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority Workers’ Union (SURAWU), Housing and Development Board Staff Union (HDBSU), Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Staff Union (IRASSU) and Public Utilities Board Employees’ Union (PUBEU) held the inaugural S.H.I.P Inter-Union Forum 2017 in Bangkok on 10–12 August 2017.
The event was attended by 75 unionists, industrial relations officers and guests from the Public Service Department.
Topics Discussed
The unions discussed the three challenges highlighted by NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing during the recent Public Sector Union-Management Gathering on 6 July 2017. These were how to remain progressive, how can union and management work together to ensure every public servant is ready for the future, and how to build the next generation of leaders.
The unions also deliberated on the rise of disruption, especially in the area of technology and new business models such as Uber, Airbnb and 3D printing.
Chairman of the organising committee George Sim, who is also PUBEU general treasurer, said: “Unlike the previous revolutions fuelled by electricity, mass production and automation, let’s brace ourselves for the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ that has impacted and will continue to impact the world on several fronts simultaneously. And needless to say, the public service is not spared either.
“With collective wisdom, the four unions have identified the importance of upskilling our workers in this age of digitalisation in public service.”
With the success of the workshop, Mr Sim added that he sees the event happening once every two years.
