By Ramesh Subbaraman
Mr Stephen Lee, who has worked with three Presidents and three Secretary-Generals of the NTUC, will be stepping down on 31 August 2014 after 37 years at the helm of SNEF.
His successor is Dr Robert Yap, who is currently one of the four SNEF Vice Presidents.
Mr Lee has been a staunch supporter of the NTUC ever since he began his tenure at SNEF in 1980, said NTUC President Diana Chia and NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Lim Swee Say.
“While Brother Lee’s tenure at SNEF has ended, the strong foundation he has laid will allow our strong tripartite relations to continue,” said SG Lim and Ms Chia.
Mr Lee has always been supportive of the Labour Movement’s initiatives, playing a key role in maintaining the strong tripartite partnership as well as mutual trust and respect among employers and unions all these years.
During the economic crises, Mr Lee worked closely with the unions and tripartite partners and urged management to take the lead in cutting wages to save jobs for the workers.
He was instrumental in guiding companies to focus on cost control measures and upgrading the skills of their employees during those difficult times, seeing them through the economic downturns of 1986, 1998, 2004 and 2009.
According to Ms Chia and SG Lim, Mr Lee played a significant role in garnering the support and acceptance of employers on the recent changes to the Employment Act to provide better protection for an additional 450,000 workers, including Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs).
Ms Chia and SG Lim emphasised that Mr Lee will always be a dear friend of the Labour Movement.
NTUC also looks forward to working with the new SNEF President, Dr Robert Yap, to continue the good work of advancing the interest of workers.
Said Dr Yap, “Having worked with Stephen since 2002, I appreciate his leadership role and his personal commitment to strengthening tripartism. Without Stephen at the helm, SNEF would not have become the strong and responsible group that it is today, respected and trusted by the Government, the Labour Movement and employers alike.
Mr Lee is also the longest-serving member of the National Wages Council, where he has represented the employers’ group for the past 36 years.
SNEF said Mr Lee will continue to lead the body in discussions on re-employment and be involved in the deliberations of NWC2015.
Source: NTUC This Week
