Tripartism is Singapore’s unique competitive advantage over the past 50 years and has been one of the main reasons contributing to our nation’s transformation from third world to first. To share our story with a global audience, and let the younger tripartite representatives of Singapore obtain insights into the tripartite models of other countries and regions so that best practices may be gleaned, the tripartite partners of Singapore – namely the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) – jointly organised the International Forum on Tripartism (IFT) for the first time. About 800 tripartite representatives from over 30 countries and regions attended the forum.
International Sharing on Tripartism
Professor Sarosh Kuruvilla, who teaches Industrial Relations at Cornell University, was the first presenter and framed the context for subsequent presentations. Having conducted extensive research and studies on tripartite systems around the world over the course of his career, Professor Kuruvilla gave his views on key trends in tripartism globally, including its growth, decline, resurgence and resilience in various parts of the world.
With the context set, senior tripartite representatives from Barbados, Denmark, Ireland and Japan subsequently presented their countries’ model of tripartism and provided insights to the participants.
Keynote address of the event was delivered by the Director-General of International Labour Organization (DG ILO) Mr Guy Ryder, who was also the Guest of Honour for the event. He emphasised that effective tripartism must produce results, and underpinning the success is trust amongst tripartite parties. Other important factors include having a firm institutional base, both in which tripartism is conducted and decisions are acted.
Singapore’s Model of Tripartism
Singapore’s tripartite representatives of NTUC President Diana Chia, SNEF President Dr Robert Yap and Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck presented on how our model of tripartism was developed and evolved over the years. They shared the nation’s journey towards industrial peace and harmony in the earlier days, the push for productivity and wage reforms, overcoming challenges and building resilience, and how it will support inclusive and sustainable growth through tripartite efforts such as the SkillsFuture initiative and sectoral manpower plans.
NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing also brought up the need to nurture strong tripartite relationship through imbuing the same ethos of constructive engagement in the next generation of tripartite leaders. He highlighted that there will be cross-posting of union leaders and government officials to allow cross-pollination of ideas, and allowing them to understand each other’s concerns.
In his closing speech, Minister Lim Swee Say shared the outcomes of Singapore’s tripartism – low unemployment rate and real wage increases. Whilst tripartism has worked for Singapore, it can be further strengthened to create better jobs, better wages and good careers.
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