Mdm Halimah Yacob, Mp for Jurong Grc

MDM HALIMAH YACOB, MP FOR JURONG GRC

Mdm Halimah Yacob, is a Member of Parliament of the Jurong Group Representation Constituency. She is also the Assistant Secretary General of NTUC and she is responsible for Legal Services, Women and Industrial Relations in the Public Sector.

Mdm Halimah has extensive grassroots experience in the labour movement and works closely with the union leaders, particularly as their legal advisor. Being responsible for women's affairs in NTUC, she is committed to providing better opportunities for women at all levels and in ensuring a strong voice for women in the workforce.

In 1999, Mdm Halimah was elected as a Deputy Member of the ILO Governing Body, in Geneva, Switzerland, representing the Workers' Group for a three-year term. She was recently re-elected to the Governing Body for a third term. She was also elected as the Workers' Vice-chairperson of the Standards Committee of the International Labour Conference, Geneva, in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and 2005. In 2003 and 2004, she was the Workers Spokesperson for the ILC Committee on HRD & Training.

Mdm Halimah is a member of the Economic Development Board, Housing and Development Board, Nanyang Polytechnic Board, National University of Singapore, National Environment Agency, Jurong Town Corporation, Workforce Development Agency and Feedback Supervisory Panel. She is a trustee of seven unions affiliated to the NTUC.

She is also actively involved in the Malay community. For example, she contributes to the Malay Knowledge Based Economy Advisory Committee, which was formed to better integrate the Malay community into the knowledge-based economy. In recognition of her contributions, she was conferred the Berita Harian/McDonalds Achiever of the Year Award in 2001 and the Her World Woman of the Year Award in 2003.

Mdm Halimah was educated at the Singapore Chinese Girls' School and Tanjong Katong Girls' School. She holds a Master of Laws Degree from the National University of Singapore and was called to the Singapore Bar in 1981.

Outside work, most of Mdm Halimah's time is devoted to her family. Her hobbies include reading and cooking. She is married, with three daughters and two sons. (July 2005)