Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Afternoon.
I am pleased to join you today for the Branch Officials Recognition Awards Presentation Ceremony 2002. This is the second year that the NTUC Leadership Development Department is offering these awards to our branch officials from the affiliated unions and associations, to reward and recognise those who have made significant contributions to the labour movement.
Last year, 58 officials received the awards. This year, I am glad to announce that there are 66 recipients for the awards. This big jump in the number of recipients is a good achievement. It shows that the efforts put in by unionists working hard at the ground level are beginning to be appreciated by more people. The sacrifices you have made for the workers are not to be gone unnoticed.
The world economy is undergoing dramatic changes driven by massive technological advancements and globalisation. Externally, we face increasing competition and pressure from China as industries shift out and relocate their operations to enjoy higher cost savings. Our foreign trade and investments are also hit badly, especially after the September 11 terrorist attack that brought a worldwide economic slump. Internally, we face the continuing threat of retrenchments and structural unemployment.
Union leaders have rallied strongly to meet the challenges. In the many retrenchment exercises carried out last year and this year, union leaders at national and branch level worked hard to secure fair benefits for the members and workers. More importantly, they helped the displaced workers by arranging for retraining courses for them, and even job-matching for some. Members sometimes complain that the union does not organise many activities. But it is in times of need that the contribution of union leaders is most evident. Union leaders always the first to offer help in difficult times, and keep at it for as long as they can until the problems are solved.
In other companies, union leaders are also working hard to maintain a harmonious industrial relations climate in which disputes and grievances at the workplace are settled amicably within a win-win framework. Last year, there were about 6,100 workers' grievances among all the unionised companies. Yet, only 270 got referred to Ministry of Manpower, and only 5 were brought up to the Industrial Arbitration Court. The numbers going to MOM and IAC are so small not because there are few disputes on the ground. Rather, it is because the union leaders always seek a mutually beneficial outcome between employers and workers first, before raising the issues to the authorities.
The hard work put in by union leaders in these circumstances over the years have put our labour force in a strong position vis-à-vis our competitors. We are all part of the labour movement dedicated to serving our fellow workers. Every success we gain is a step closer to giving our workers a better life.
Today I am happy to see that our union officials at the branch level are being given their due credit. Although the pace of our economic recovery still appears to be uncertain, I believe our committed unionists will be continue to lead our workers through the difficulties that lie ahead. The road is long, the journey is rough, but together we can help our workers ride through the rough patches.
Finally, let me express my heartiest congratulations to all the 66 recipients of this year's Branch Officials Recognition Awards. I am sure you will find the incentive trip to Malacca and Kuala Lumpur an interesting and fruitful experience.
Thank you.
