In November 1969, unions in Singapore had to take a hard look at the Labour Movement and the industrial environment of the time.
Given Singapore’s impending need for industrialisation, the Labour Movement had to become an important social institution that provided a variety of services to workers, such as education, housing and financial assistance.
It had to also evolve to start participating in economic planning, rather than just be a bargaining institution.
The Labour Movement remembers this turning point as the Trade Union Seminar on “Modernization of the Labour Movement”.
To commemorate the outcomes and recommendations of the landmark seminar held 50 years ago, NTUC has curated a free-admission exhibition called ReUnion at the National Museum of Singapore.
The exhibition will run from 4 July 2019 to 10 November 2019.
Themed “Celebrating our past. Inspiring our future,” the exhibition on the history of Singapore’s Labour Movement since the 1940s and its social enterprises was designed to share and foster a better understanding of the Labour Movement’s role in society.
Visitors will get a panoramic view of the Labour Movement’s 50-year modernisation journey through stories, memorabilia and experiences.
Then-Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee addressing unionists at the Modernization Seminar, 1969.
The ReUnion exhibition was officially opened by Singapore President Halimah Yacob on 4 July 2019. Mdm Halimah was formerly with the Labour Movement for 33 years.
“The 1969 Modernization Seminar, organised by the labour movement, was a revolutionary move. Unfortunately, not many people today understand its significance or may have forgotten its impact and how it has contributed to the tremendous progress and industrial peace that Singapore has enjoyed all these years.
“It was a momentous decision which required a lot of courage and conviction on the part of the unionists as it required them to rethink their role, redefine workers’ protection in a more holistic manner beyond just collective bargaining and to take a stake in the future of Singapore,” said Mdm Halimah in her address at the opening.
The official opening was hosted by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.
They were joined by tripartite partners Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, Singapore National Employers Federation President Robert Yap and more than 100 guests comprising union leaders and tripartite representatives.
“We have done well for the last 50 years. The Government has kept its promise to the Labour Movement, and our management partners have largely been fair. Workers’ lives have improved.
“Singapore can do what we do only because there is a special trust between labour, Government and employers. Likewise, NTUC can do what we can do because of our symbiotic relationship with the PAP, which forms the Government now … But we cannot be contented and forget the lessons learnt 50 years ago.
“For the Labour Movement, we will continue as we had before, to work with our workers, members, union leaders and tripartite partners to improve our workers’ lot,” said Mr Ng.
The pair of watches gifted to Mr and Mrs Lee Kuan Yew by the Singapore Union of Postal and Telcommunication Workers (SUPTW) in 1953.
Guests at the exhibition were treated to stories, artefacts, history and interactive segments, ranging from the evolution of trade unions in Singapore to the birth of NTUC co-operatives, which today are known as social enterprises.
The displays also bring visitors on a journey to find out how Singapore established a collaborative union-Government-employer tripartite relationship, that has over the years helped workers have better wages, welfare and work prospects.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches of the late Mr and Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, presented to them by the Singapore Union of Postal and Telecommunications Workers on 11 April 1953, are also on display. There is a great story behind this gift and we’ll tell you all about it in another article.
There is also the FutureBooth that seeks to inspire visitors to reflect on what matters most to them in the collective future of Singapore.
Exhibition Details:
National Museum of Singapore, Glass Atrium, Level 2. 4 July to 10 November 2019. Opens daily from 10am to 7pm. Admission is free.
You can also log on to the ReUnion website for more information.
