Thee Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) has taken the first step to reach out to nursing homes in Singapore that employ close to 7,000 workers. According to the Health Ministry, there are currently 69 nursing homes here.
HSEU signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in early May 2017 with Soo’s Nursing Home Pte Ltd, which currently has 10 staff.
The signatories were HSEU’s President K Thanaletchimi, General Secretary Diana Chia and Executive Secretary Charles Ng and Soo’s Nursing Home (SNH) Director Andrew Soo Chieng Wern.
The MOU
Under the MOU, SNH will pay the annual union subscription its current and future employees.
The MOU also states that HSEU will not initiate any Collective Agreement negotiations. A collective agreement regulates the terms and conditions of employees in their workplace, their duties and the duties of the employer.
However, HSEU may raise employees’ grievances and work towards settling them amicably with management through a newly-set up branch committee.
“A lot of times the thinking is that a union means Collective Agreement, asking for high bonuses and that would jack up the employer’s costs.There are many other areas we can add value to. Today we are focusing on future jobs and future skills and HSEU has the network to help the small players like nursing homes help their staff upskill,” assures Ms Thanaletchimi.
The Outreach
The Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) Services sector is set to expand with a growing ageing population in Singapore. Workers in this sector will play a pivotal role in ensuring Singaporeans stay healthy and live fruitfully, added Ms Thanaletchimi.
HSEU hopes to bring on board more nursing homes to enrol their employees as union members.
Source: NTUC This Week
