At the close of submissions on 23 February 2016, Singapore’s Parliament received 41 applications for the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) post.
The Labour Movement submitted the name of veteran unionist K Thanaletchimi, member of the NTUC Central Committee and President of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union.
We speak to K Thanaletchimi about her plans if she is appointed to the post.
In what ways has the Labour Movement benefitted from being part of the NMP scheme, besides having elected MPs in Parliament?
The Labour NMPs provide critical views of government policies, especially those that affect working people and their families. They speak from their heart and in meaningful ways to help shape policies with their view, comments and concerns. Workers feedback is essential as they serve as the barometer of the economic sentiments. In this regard, Labour NMPs are the effective bridge between working people and the Government to reflect the actual reality as opposed to ideals especially when policies are implemented.
What are some of the key Issues you hope to raise in the House if appointed as an NMP?
Currently, NTUC has six MPs from the Labour Movement and each of them has been raising issues concerning particular segments of the working population. However, the concerns of working women and workers and their families healthcare are also of interest to many. These are two areas I hope to focus on apart from the big picture of jobs and preparing workers for the economic transformation
You are from the healthcare sector, what are some of the core issues that matter to Singaporeans?
There is always a balance between health economics and ethics. The cost of treating to save a life is always more than the cost of preventing one from being in that lifeless state at an early age. There has been much progress made in the recent five years with concerted efforts of the Health Promotion Board and various companies who are pro-active in promoting a healthy work-life balance.
However, more needs to be done to sustain this effort as well as improve in the continuous monitoring of health progress of an individual from school to the workplace.
What are your thoughts on the future workforce and being future-ready?
We need to empower our workers to determine their lives and their future. What better way then providing them the tools such as job information, opportunities to upgrade, be well tuned to living in a SMART Nation and ensuring no one is left behind in this journey. We need everyone to have a mindset change, be nimble and adaptable. Future skills in technology will be a boon and workers must be prepared to embrace the change as new jobs are being created and old ones fade away.
Source: NTUC This Week
