Baktee
16 July 2016 – With the uncertainties that come with the global economic situation today, union branch officials play a crucial role in helping members understand the issues that affect them.
This was said by Singapore Industrial & Services Employees' Union (SISEU) Council of Advisors Vice-Chairperson Matthias Yao in his address to more than 200 delegates at the opening dinner of the union’s four-day Pre-Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference (Pre-QDC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Mr Yao cited Brexit and the South China Sea tensions as examples of uncertainties that may affect Singapore.
“The uncertainties today are far longer in their effect and far slower in creeping up on us that we don’t even feel it. It’s like a long-term illness that slowly comes upon us without us realising it. And by the time it hits us, it may be too late,” said Mr Yao.
Global Situation
If the global economic situation turns negative, trade and business will be affected, added Mr Yao.
Mr Yao said: “We cannot change what is about to happen. But for us, the growing of our membership and the focus on the Labour Movement and its tripartite relationships are things we can do.”
He added that the unions are in the position of drawing up measures to assure workers of their future.
Conveying the Message
According to Mr Yao, changes in technology will inevitably affect jobs and it is therefore important for branch officials to convince their members to take up upskilling and training in order for them to remain relevant.
Mr Yao also said the things that the branch delegates discover, learn and discuss at the Pre-QDC can be brought back to their members and they, as union leaders, are in a good position to inform their members of the current situation.
“You are able to choose how you want to convey your information to make it more sensible for all of your members. Therefore, it is important that we have this gathering for us all to learn together,” said Mr Yao.
17 July 2016 – The second day of Singapore Industrial & Services Employees' Union’s (SISEU) Pre-Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference (Pre-QDC) saw more than 200 branch delegates come together to chart the union’s direction for the next four years.
Coming in the form of a workshop, discussions included membership growth, leadership renewal and the improvement of bipartite and tripartite relations.
“Cascading down SISEU’s key message to our branch officials is a key step to align everyone towards the same direction. This can make our objectives achievable. Every idea counts,” said SISEU Assistant General Treasurer and CGG Services Singapore Branch Delegate Mohammad Sophian Rafiai.
Setting Targets
The four-year plan include a target of achieving 100,000 members, having 450 branch officials who are passionate and committed to SISEU, and increasing employers’ understanding of the Labour Movement and the value add unions bring.
One branch delegate who participated in the discussions was Ms S Kamlah of Chiyoda Singapore. Ms Kamlah believes that SISEU can achieve its objective if those who are still in school are educated about unions and the work they do.
“We must start early. If we do this, our workers will already be familiar with unions and how we work even before they enter the workforce,” said Ms Kamlah.
Preparing for the Future
Commenting on the reason for holding the workshops, SISEU Executive Secretary Sylvia Choo said: “As SISEU is an omnibus union with several sectors, we need to come together to share and brainstorm as different branches may face different challenges. We don’t want to run the risk of isolating our members. Because of the technological changes and disruptions in certain industries, we need to prepare ourselves well.”
The findings of the discussions for SISEU 2020 will be put forward to branch delegates for adoption at SISEU’s QDC on 26 August 2016.
18 July 2016 – Branch officials from Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) met up with their Vietnamese trade union counterparts at a learning journey to the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) as part of SISEU’s Pre-Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
VSIP is a flagship project initiated by the governments of Vietnam and Singapore and was officially declared opened in 1996.
The learning journey saw the branch delegates learn, understand and discuss the similarities and differences between the Labour Movement of the two countries.
Textile and apparel manufacturer Esquel Garment Manufacturing, electronics equipment manufacturer Foster Electric and VSIP Facility Management Services hosted the delegates.
Some of the topics discussed were union membership rates, the way the union takes care of its members, and the retirement age of the two nations.
Similar Needs
Esquel Garment Vietnam (EGV) Trade Union was established in 2001 and currently has 5,000 members. Protection and the benefits of workers are still top priorities for the union.
The union believes in an open communication channel with all its members. It holds monthly meetings with them to understand their issues and have suggestion boxes for management to get feedback.
On salaries, EGV Trade Union said: “Salaries are important to any worker, and our priority is to ensure that our workers are fairly treated. We are always open to discussions with the company to speak on the labour conditions and we always cooperate to resolve issues.”
It added that the union cares not only for its members but also their families. Similar to its Singaporean counterparts, the union provides scholarship awards to members’ children and often organises family activities at the workplace.
New mothers also enjoy six months’ worth of maternity leave and the company, working together with the union, has provided nursing rooms for new mothers.
SISEU representatives also toured the company’s facilities dedicated to the workers. These included the gift shop where workers receive a 20 per cent discount on all items and a canteen that serves free lunch.
Visit Takeaways
“The visit was a good opportunity for our union leaders to have a chance to see how other unions organise their activities, particularly countries in the ASEAN region. There are many common features in our outreach, but at the same time, we have to adapt to the local circumstances.
“In the case of Singapore, the challenges are now at a different level. We are looking at how to equip our members with the skills the economic transition that is taking place so they can be prepared for our future economy. In today’s context what our members want us to do is to help them be future ready,” said Senior Minister of State at the Prime Minister's Office Josephine Teo, who joined the learning journey.
Turbine Overhaul Services branch delegate Martin Chua said that the visit opened his eyes to the realities facing “Singapore’s sunset industries” such as manufacturing.
“I didn’t know the VSIP has grown so fast and so far. Many companies are moving out of Singapore to countries like Vietnam due to costs. The world is evolving and we need to upgrade ourselves to do new things. We need to make provisions for ourselves. This is what we as union leaders will bring back to communicate to our members back home,” said Mr Chua.
