60 cents | http://www.ntucthisweek.org.sg | MICA (P) 295/10/2007 23 MAY 2008 Pg 8 Pg 12

Labour Movement Supports Model Workers Pg Win ‘The Year In Pg E!hub@Downtown East Incentive Trip 4 Singapore In Cartoons’ 7 NWC Recommendations This Festival Is For

By Jansen Yeo o one can accuse the National Trades Union time as part of the May Day celebrations, aimed to bring the Congress to be all work and no play. The new NTUC “U” brand to a wider audience. Labour Movement had gone out in full force to It was also an event for the workers of Singapore, engage the public over the weekend of 17-18 helping them understand the Labour Movement better, May 2008, turning Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City, fi nd out more about the benefi ts of union membership and Ninto a hive of activities. The U Festival, organised for the fi rst simply have fun with their family and friends. And where better to attract the crowd than in the heart of the city at Orchard Road. Driven by NTUC’s Membership Department, The U Festival U Festival also saw the was a big hit participation of NTUC’s Social because the staff’s Enterprises such as NTUC “hard work had made Club and NTUC Fairprice it all possible. They as well as Young NTUC and endured working nEbO. under the hot sun “We wanted to showcase and sacrifi ced their the different aspects of the weekends to make this Labour Movement,” said U Festival a success.” NTUC Competency Director (Membership) Ryan Cheong. Fang Chin Poh There was plenty of fun U Festival Organising Committee Co-Chairman and games at the festival for everyone. The more active and adventurous ones took up the Hole-In-One Golf Challenge and rock wall climbing; families had a go at guessing the value of groceries at the U Price It Right station; there was a touch of zaniness with the human bowling game, Zorgball; and the children were having a good time at the Ball Pit while their parents were busy signing up for union membership and with other interest Now What Is Going On Here... NTUC Secretary-General groups. Lim Swee Say takes a It was a Labour Movement team effort which saw the U quick peek at one of the games played at the U Festival. Festival attracting a crowd of about 50,000 visitors over the two days.

Pictures by Alvin Toh

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TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 1 55/22/08/22/08 12:29:3212:29:32 PMPM festival•special 3 What Were Doing

We signed up with U Family because of the attractive offers of “fun-fi lled activities, exclusive promotions and privileges. We really enjoy the carnival atmosphere here at U Festival. This event is really for the working people of Singapore.

Yap Yeow Chong, 41, with his family at the U Family station. How Do I Get Out Of This?

Child Prodigy At Work.

Becoming Too Immersed In His Fun Apparently.

k At F1 Glory. Queuing For A Crac

My husband and I signed up as NTUC Members so that we can accumulate LinkPoints and enjoy rebates “whenever we do our grocery shopping at NTUC FairPrice supermarkets. We’re also interested in signing up for training and skills upgrading programmes at subsidised rates. More importantly, we trust the NTUC brand. It’s been around for very long.”

Fatima Zahida (left), 39, signing on the dotted line with her husband.

It’s the fi rst time we’re organising the U Festival. It’s an inclusive event for “workers of all collars, ages and Tiger Woods’ Newest Challenger. nationalities. The response has been tremendous; the hot weather has not deterred visitors to have a look at what the Labour Movement has to offer for workers of Singapore. They are our target and we want them and their families to enjoy themselves thoroughly. This festival is for them.”

Tan Chai Kun (sixth from left), Chairman, U Festival Organising Committee

. Are You Sure If I Push This Button, More People Will Sign Up As NTUC Members? Snakes And Ladders Game sist The Giant Even Adults Can’t Re

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 3 55/22/08/22/08 12:30:4812:30:48 PMPM 4 caringfor • maydaymodelworkerAwards

NTUC Media Co-operative Limited Chairman Seah Kian Peng [email protected] Chief Executive Offi cer Seng Han Thong [email protected] Chief Operating Offi cer Alvin Wong Pek Kin [email protected] A Trip of I The NTUC This Week Team Managing Editor Shirley Tan-Oehler [email protected] Deputy Editor Low Wee Poh [email protected] Senior Journalist Marcus Lin [email protected] Journalists Jansen Yeo [email protected] Naseema Banu Maideen [email protected] Roshini Mohan Krishnan [email protected] Executive Editor Ho Seo Teck (Chinese) [email protected] Journalist Wong Teck Tian (Chinese) [email protected] Art Director Edmund Seah [email protected] Executive Designers Mohamed Nasuhar Soeyoeti [email protected] Charles Chong [email protected] Resident Photographer It was a pat on the back of the Alvin Toh Sales 208 May Day Model Workers by Joseph Loh [email protected] the Labour Movement. In addition Jimmy Lim [email protected] Mike Chew to recognition with a May Day [email protected] Chris Seng Model Worker award, these [email protected] Anabel Lim deserving workers were treated to [email protected] Sam Gan an incentive trip to Bangkok and [email protected] Gena Ang [email protected] Pattaya. As the trip served as an Subscription Jenny Liau insight to the rich cultural heritage [email protected] Publisher of Thailand, it also was a time NTUC Media Co-operative Limited Address 1 Marina Boulevard #14-01 NTUC Centre Singapore 018989 for these model workers to share Phone 62360555 Fax 65381068 Printer Times Printers, Singapore A Hearty Welcome valuable experiences of their jobs The NTUC Family Directory NTUC Switchboard 62138000 and build camaraderie with one Customer Centre 62138008 Business Centre 62138811 another. They each returned with [email protected] Community Development 62138201 more inspiration to continue to Social Enterprises A Sweet Welcome... Childcare 63919233 The fi rst trip to a shine as model workers. Club 65829876 (Chalet Reservation) bee factory marked 65891666 (Banquet Sales) a sweet welcome to Choice Homes 62138822 Thailand. ElderCare 62138000 Fairprice 64560233 Foodfare 67570330 Healthcare 67440068 Income 63462663 LearningHub 64166611 We made new friends, exchanged Link 62235225 ideas and learnt new things. We Media 62360555 Thrift & Loan 65347360 will work better and we will never stop Affi liate Serving One here. Thanks to NTUC for making this trip a RTRC Asia 62924844 Another... Authentic “ © Copyright 2008 Thai meals were successful and memorable one.” The publisher owns the copyright to all tastier with good photographs and articles in this publication. company. Lisut Ahzahari Noordin, Gardener, Jurong Bird Park No photograph or article may be reproduced in part or in full without the consent of the publisher.

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 4 55/22/08/22/08 12:31:4712:31:47 PMPM maydaymodelworkerAwards•caringfor 5 f Inspiration

We learned a lot about Thai Culture, tasted delicious Thai cuisine, “and experienced the Thais’ hospitality spiced with their beautiful smiles. As model workers, we must also serve with such pride.”

Gary Haris, Security Manager, KH Security Agency Private Limited

Immersing In Thai Culture

Getting In Tune... This is what we call hands-on- Saying It The Thai Way... Some simple lessons experience. on local greetings. A Thai Beauty Within Transformed Into In Deep Thoughts... Shoppers are spolit for Minutes... Participants had a chance to choice with a wide spread of Thai delights adorn Thai costumes and accessories at at the Local Products Market. Wat Arun. For More Good Times...ha Moments temple. of prayers at the Four Face Budd Building Stronger Bonds

Letting It All Out... These well-deserving participants full of Thai ipants shared warm rocked the dance fl . These are bags A Toast For Good Work... Partic oor. d. Happy Bargains.. experiences as they dine fl avours for loved ones at home. Refreshing Retreat With Nature The Chao Phraya River is the ‘vein’ of the city in Bangkok. Cruises and river “taxis ferry locals and visitors providing a chance to take in some of the stunning temples. The group explored the ‘klongs’ - the canals that are home to the famous fl oating markets of the city, where it was a chance to appreciate Thai homes and gardens.”

Ruth Tan Mui Cheng, Co-Curricular Programme Executive, Educare Schools Services Private Limited nake charmer and . Model worker, s Settling In With Nature... A breatht A Little Animal Kingdom.. aking cruise by the Choa Phya Canal Part of refreshed both mind and soul. Bambi.

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6 commentary Rising Costs Many Ways to Skin the Beast

by Jessie Yeo

Be it growth dividends, Workfare he past few weeks Income Supplements or appeared to be most “employers’ one-off special eventful to many in lump sum payment, the Asia. With rising prices trick in coping with the of rice, cooking oil, rising costs of living lies not fuelT prices, many were hit by in such one-off payments higher costs of living. Many took alone. A prudent lifestyle to the streets to protest against and discretionary savings the increasing costs of living whenever possible are while others put pressure on better and more sustainable their government to do more to way of coping with not just help them cope with the infl ation. the rising costs of living And along came the cyclone in today, but rising costs of Myanmar and then the earthquake living in the long run.” in Sichuan, China. Asia had indeed been plagued with problems and the uncertainties ahead worry many of us. In Singapore, with the volatile external environment, we are also not spared from the rising Steady Hands… NTUC President John De Payva (left) and Professor Lim Pin at the NWC press conference. costs of living and that seemed to be the topmost worry of most recently. It is In the spirit of NWC, wage increases Though the heightened infl ation is a cause therefore not unexpected for workers and union over the years had been pegged closely to of concern for all, we must not forget that our leaders alike to anxiously await the announcement company and industrial performance. During government has put in place measures such of the National Wages Council guidelines for bad times, there will still be companies reaping as the Goods and Service Tax offsets, Growth 2008/09; with the hope that the NWC would good profi ts and similarly during good times, Dividends and Workfare Income Supplement include in its guidelines recommendations to help there will still be some companies doing badly. to help us. NTUC and its unions are also doing workers cope with the rising infl ation. The varying models of wage settlements in their part by giving out “U-Stretch” vouchers, The NWC announced its guidelines for unionised companies aptly refl ect the “creativity” scholarships, book grants and hardship grants. 2008/2009 on 16 May 2008. On the whole, it is of employers and unionists; be it just dollar All these help to cushion the rising infl ation in a balanced guideline and yet another testimonial quantum built-in wage increase, dollar quantum some way. of our strong tripartism, balancing the interests or/and percentage increase, one-off lump sum or Be it growth dividends, Workfare Income of the country, employers and workers. Some vouchers in lieu of a lump sum. The wide ranging Supplements or employers’ one-off special lump workers may lament that NWC could have settlements also refl ect the varying performances sum payment, the trick in coping with the rising announced a stronger recommendation for of companies and industries. costs of living lies not in such one-off payments employers to help cushion infl ation. This is The relationship between employers and alone. A prudent lifestyle and discretionary popular but certainly not sustainable because employees is likened to a social contract. The savings whenever possible are a better and more high wage increase without productivity gain spirit of goodwill, faith and trust is embodied in the sustainable way of coping with not just the rising would erode competitiveness and lead to us contract. Either party will reciprocate in response costs of living today, but also the rising costs of “chasing our own tails”. Some employers, on to the action and reaction of the other party. In living in the long run. As a country, we have done the other hand, may be upset that despite the companies where workers have tightened their well. Our strong tripartite relationship has helped uncertainties ahead, NWC did not call for a wage belts to help companies tide over diffi cult periods, us ride through many storms. Let us continue freeze. This, again, is not palatable as it would it is only appropriate for employers to reward their to be ”same, same but different” and be “better, lead to a lose-lose outcome. On balance, the workers fairly when the company is doing well. betterer and betterest”. recommendation of paying dollar quantum to Only then would workers be willing to tighten their benefi t low-wage workers and paying rank and belts again when the next downturn comes. Last fi le workers a one-off special lump sum would year was a good year and the fi rst half of 2008 also achieve a more desirable outcome for both recorded good performances in most companies parties. and industries. Employers must therefore not We Have Moved While it is premature to predict the “leverage” on the uncertainties ahead to cut back From 2 June 2008, the United wage settlement for this year, based on past on workers. Irresponsible employers who do so Workers of Petroleum Industry years’ track record, we can expect a large will be seen as breaching their social contracts will operate at number of settlements staying close to the with their employees and henceforth, cannot 37 Tessensohn Road Singapore 217658 recommendations of NWC. Last year, 40 per expect goodwill from workers when the need cent of unionised companies paid built-in wage arises. By the same token, workers who have Tel: 64660266 Fax: 64685404 increase with a dollar quantum. This year, with been rewarded fairly when the company is doing Email: [email protected] the emphasis by NWC, we certainly hope more well, must be prepared to accept a lower wage Website: www.uwpi.org will do so. increase if the company is doing badly.

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 6 55/22/08/22/08 12:33:1812:33:18 PMPM re-employmentofolderworkers•workingfor 7 The Luxury Yacht ADVANTAGE!

rand Banks Yacht Limited, a luxury Old ladder with narrower steps Ladder with widened steps Grand Banks formed a task group to yacht maker, is one Lev oversee the ADVANTAGE! project early of the branches of last year. This task group comprised the the Shipbuilding union branch offi cials, representatives Gand Marine Engineering of the safety committee and human Employees’ Union. Founded resource department. The task group in Hong Kong in 1956, the had worked in close consultation to company started its operations implement the changes to help the here in 1969. It has designed, workers do their jobs better and raise the developed, built and exported productivity of the company. over 5,000 luxury yachts to markets around the world. The project involved: • Levelling of a sloping ground to Grand Banks has 292 make it easier for the workers to employees. Half of its workforce move materials around. is aged 50 and above. Many have been with the company for up to • Widening the steps of ladders used 40 years. for mounting and dismounting The company has tapped yachts. on the ADVANTAGE! funding to improve the workfl ow on the shop • Improving the design of storage fl oor. The improvements have not platforms into three parts. only benefi tted the older workers but have also helped to raise the productivity of its workers.

Be Connected And Win ‘The Year In Singapore In Cartoons La Volume 1’ By Iskander Go to NTUC This Week Online at www.ntucthisweek.org.sg to get the latest labour news and updates and win 10 autographed copies of the ’The Year In Singapore In Cartoons Volume 1’ by Iskander. Answer the questions and post it to:

NTUC This Week You have been tickled pink by his cartoons including “The Year In Singapore In Cartoons Volume 1” Contest “Life With U” in this newspaper. Meet Cartoonist 1 Marina Boulevard, #14-01, Iskander in person. He will demonstrate how cartoons NTUC Centre, Singapore 018989 are made! Come to the World Book Fair, at Suntec Convention Centre, Level 4. Cartoonist Iskander will Terms & Conditions give free cartooning demonstrations at his very own · Only 1 form per person. booth EVERYDAY from 31 May to 7 June 2008! Come · Incomplete forms will be disqualifi ed. join the fun. Admission is free. · All forms must reach us by 9 June 2008.

NTUC This Week “’The Year In Singapore’ Cartoons” Contest Question 1: Name 1 of the “traits of a good unionist” mentioned in the Life With U cartoon series. Answer 1: ______Question 2: Name 1 topic mentioned in the videos posted on http://ntucthisweek.org.sg/ . Answer 2: ______Question 3: Name the fi rst organisation listed under the NTUC Family Directory. Answer 3: ______

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TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 7 55/22/08/22/08 12:33:3712:33:37 PMPM 8 workingfor • nwcrecommendations Labour Movement Strongly Backs NWC Guidelines

Here Is The News… NTUC Central Committee members (from left) Ameer Hamzah, Teo Yock Ngee, Secretary-General Lim Swee Say, President John De Payva, Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How, Vice-President Cyrille Tan and G Rajendran at the dialogue session with unionists right after the NWC announcement.

recommendations that err on the side of caution taken into account Government measures like the by and are tempered with measures to give workers, $3 billion assistance package this year, ongoing Marcus Lin particularly low wage ones, a competitive edge. NTUC initiatives, a strengthened Singapore dollar Increasing skills and productivity; getting the and the company’s ability to pay. concept of re-employment on the fast track; So as not to slay the goose that lays the golden he National Trades Union Congress getting more older workers and women back in egg, Professor Lim said that any built-in wage has come out strongly in support of action; giving low wage, contract and informal increases will have to be sustainable with a variable the National Wages Council guidelines workers a better deal and entrenching a fl exible component as otherwise they will eat into the long- for 2008/09 announced on 16 May wage system all came under the spotlight. term competitiveness of the economy. There are no 2008 that has been accepted by the NWC Chairman Professor Lim Pin hopes the hard and fast rules as companies’ performances Government,T and which guidelines underscore recommendations will address both the economic and business prospects vary from company the importance of economic competitiveness uncertainty and the issue of rising infl ation: “In all to company, sector to sector. The key word is and an upwardly mobile workforce. Factors such these deliberations, we are guided by the spirit sustainability and companies can extrapolate from as the 2007 economic performance, labour of tripartism which involves some give and take, past years’ performances to arrive at a middle market conditions, productivity, wages, infl ation, understanding and common purpose.” To help ground. Singapore’s cost competitiveness, the uncertain workers cope with the rising cost of living, the The worst thing, Professor Lim said, is to push economic outlook and high infl ation in 2008 were NWC also proposed a one-off special lump sum up wages to keep pace with high infl ation which taken into consideration. payment to rank-and-fi le workers, with more for will in effect infl ate infl ation. As things are, the cart is With wary eyes fi rmly cast on the uncertain low wage workers who are the most hard done before the horse as productivity growth has lagged economic horizon and overhanging infl ation, by and for whom dollar quantum wage increases behind wage increases the last two years when the the NWC rolled out a set of broad-based would be best. The actual amount would have reverse is ideal over the longer term.

Not all For the one- The companies off lump sum recommendations are doing well or want payment, I think it are very reasonable to give, but whatever “really depends on and considerate. It “ “ one-off special lump how the company is has taken into account sum payment they give doing and union and various factors in the to daily-rated workers management must labour landscape and the will help very much agree. Something current situation affecting as they do not get the that is fair for the workers. Individual unions same benefi ts as other employees and also from the various sectors workers.” the employers so will have to work out with that they can sustain in the long the management how they P. Ganesan run and also be responsive when can translate all this into tangible and President, Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers times are better.” complete adjustments for the workers

Jason Lee Seh Kiat based on the recommendations.” Executive Council Member, United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries Freddy Lim Kah Chin President, Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority Workers’ Union

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9

We support sustainable wage increase which is built in. The total wage which “includes the variable component Alo Ha Ha Ha for the whole year must refl ect the performance of the company and is acifi c Beach Hotel Federation of Labor and Congress therefore responsive. At the same in Hawaii has of Industrial Organizations (AFL- time, special care is taken of the been ill-treating CIO), and several Japanese low-wage workers with help like the and threatening its labour organisations, including one-off special lump sum payment workers to prevent Zenkowan (All Japan Dockworkers and NTUC initiatives as they are Pthem from joining the International union), Japanese Trade Union harder hit by the infl ation.” Longshore and Warehouse Confederation (RENGO), Service RENGO, International Union Heng Chee How, Union. More than 30 workers NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and have lost their jobs. A community of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, NWC Member boycott of the hotel was called Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco late last year, which has gained and Allied Workers’ Associations- NWC’s the support of Hawaii leaders, Japan Coordinating Council (IUF- Recommendations lawmakers, educators and JCC), and International Transport unions, the national American workers’ Federation (ITF). In Brief Tripartite Partners • Push for productivity improvement through innovation, job re-design and stepped-up training of workers via the enhanced Continuing Education and Training Masterplan. • Implement re-employment policies and systems of older workers beyond age 62 by adopting the Tripartite Advisory on Re-employment of Older Workers before legislation in 2012. • Step up efforts to help low-wage, contract and informal workers contribute to their CPF to improve retirement adequacy and to benefi t from the Workfare Income Supplement and CPF LIFE.

Employers • Grant built-in wage increases commensurate with the companies’ performances and business prospects so that such increases are sustainable, and with greater use of the variable payment component. • Step up efforts to enhance wage fl exibility so as to be able to make quick adjustments to wage cost in line with changing business conditions. • Consider giving a one-off special lump sum payment to rank-and-fi le workers, with heavier weightage for low-wage workers. • Give tax-deductible top-ups to workers’ especially low-wage workers’ CPF accounts. Include a dollar quantum for built-in wage increases as well as variable bonus payments to help low-wage workers more. • When outsourcing, adopt the Tripartite Advisory on Responsible Outsourcing Practices and best sourcing practices, and award contracts based on performance rather than headcount to help low-wage contract workers. • Recruit from a large pool of people who are not working especially women aged 55 to 64. • Tap on the ADVANTAGE! And Flexi-Works! Schemes for fi nancial assistance in recruiting, retaining and re-employing older workers.

Workers • Encouraged to work longer and prepare themselves for re- employment.

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 9 55/22/08/22/08 12:35:0112:35:01 PMPM 10 workingfor • changesinntucincomebonusstructure Bonus Re-Structure Does More Good

By Caroline Fernandez, Head Public Affairs, & Ken Ng, Chief Actuary, NTUC Income What does “Bonus” refer to in a life insurance policy?

Prior to purchasing a life policy, a customer is given a benefi t illustration. This shows what he could expect to receive when the policy ends.

A policy ends when a policyholder surrenders the policy, when a claim is made under the policy or when the policy matures.

The benefi t illustration shows a guaranteed sum, as well as a bonus which is indicated as a non- guaranteed sum.

The bonus in turn is made up of an annual bonus and a special bonus. In the illustration, the two are shown collectively as a single non-guaranteed amount.

hen NTUC Income Insurance 30%-120%. This bonus structure has long been Annual bonuses are given to policies every year Co-operative Ltd announced in widely accepted as prudent and a best practice, and this is topped up by special bonuses when the April this year the revised bonus and adopted by the insurance industry in policy ends. structure of life insurance policies Singapore as well as most insurance companies commenced from 1993, it was around the world. Wto protect the long-term fi nancial interests of its The bonus re-structure will give NTUC ups and downs in the investment markets. A policyholders. Income more fl exibility in its investment strategy. more resilient NTUC Income will better protect It is part of changes refl ecting its new Specifi cally, it will allow the insurer to invest our investment in NTUC Income, thereby corporate philosophy of pursuing commercial in assets which give higher returns, such as enabling NTUC and the unions to continue our excellence while always placing people at the equities. The overall higher investment returns will role as responsible shareholders.” heart of every decision-making process. While be distributed back to policyholders. In fi xing the rate of the annual bonus, modernising, its social purpose to keep insurance NTUC Income has assured its customers that NTUC Income looks at the average returns of affordable, accessible and sustainable for all over the next 12 months, policyholders will not investments over a 5-10 year period and not the remains. be adversely affected by the bonus restructure. returns of just one year alone so as to try and At the recent unveiling of NTUC’s new logo, In fact, by increasing the special bonus in 2007 ensure that policyholders get a consistent bonus NTUC Secretary-General Mr Lim Swee Say said: NTUC Income was able to give policyholders distribution over the years. “Any organisation has to keep up with the pace of a higher overall bonus for the year. The special For example, it is generally accepted that change to remain relevant. We cannot relax and bonus will continue to increase next year. investment returns in 2007 were good. However, become complacent. As Singapore continues to NTUC Secretary-General Mr Lim asked: The investment markets performed well mainly in the change, the Labour Movement must continue to fi rst question is how this change would benefi t our fi rst half of 2007. By the last quarter of 2007, update and upgrade.” workers who are policyholders. The answer is: the investment markets had become extremely Though referring to the LM2011 vision, Mr new bonus structure allows greater investment volatile as a result of the sub-prime mortgage Lim’s view encapsulated the rationale behind fl exibility. This will allow NTUC Income to strive loans crisis in the United States. NTUC Income’s strategies since February 2008 for higher returns and thereby greater benefi ts for The trend continued in early 2008 by which to modernise and professionalise the 38-year- the policyholders in the long run. time some of the gains in 2007 had already been old insurance co-operative by embarking on a The second question is how this change reversed. The investment outlook continues to be vigorous review of every aspect of its business. benefi ts the unions who are shareholders of highly uncertain. Under such volatile conditions, it In a nutshell, NTUC Income revised its bonus NTUC Income. The answer is: this change in would have been imprudent to increase bonuses structure by reducing the annual bonus by 1% bonus policy will result in a fi nancially stronger on the sole basis that the returns for 2007 were and increasing its special bonus from between NTUC Income, which can better withstand the higher than in recent years.

I hold several policies with NTUC Income. It The Labour Movement has always been about changing with has always taken care of my needs. I remain the times. While an individual may prefer the old structure, confi dent that the new management will continue to the interest of all the policyholders is more important. And when the do“ what is necessary to look after my needs and that “group benefi ts, the individual benefi ts, too. As members, we have full of my family.” confi dence in the management team and we strongly support the move of NTUC Income because it is acting in our best interests.” Lim Chen Beng, 57, a policyholder with NTUC Income for 20 years Cyrille Tan, NTUC Central Committee Vice-President and United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries General Secretary, who is also a policyholder and union shareholder

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 1100 55/22/08/22/08 12:35:4112:35:41 PMPM 12 funfor •e!hub@downtowneast New Kid On T Downtown East, with its Escape Theme Park, Wild Wild Wet, Costa Sands Resort and a multitude of food choices, has always been an obvious choice for union members and their families to spend quality leisure time at. With the opening of E!hub@Downtown East, they will be further spoilt for choice in terms of entertainment options. Built at a cost of $70 million, E!hub will expand the leisure and entertainment options for union members and their families at Downtown East. The construction of E!hub took less than two years, from groundbreaking on 28 September 2006 to the opening of E!hub and the tour of its premises by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 27 April 2008.

November 06

By Jansen Yeo

June 06 Completed E!hub

E!hub@Dowtown East will feature some exciting new offerings guaranteed to knock the socks E!hub is NTUC Club’s off its visitors. Even PM Lee had a bid to provide good time when he visited E!hub “more affordable quality leisure and entertainment to union on 27 April 2008. members, workers and their families. This • eXplorerkid Family Park new kid on the block Singapore’s largest indoor family is also the new block park is a massive 35,000 square for the kids, the youths feet of fun with 11 play areas and and the active agers space for parents to relax while from all walks of life. their children play. We hope E!hub will further engage and • nEbO City entertain everyone as A one-stop integrated youth we work towards an entertainment outlet which all inclusive Labour includes Zone X and Cathay Movement.” Cineplex.

Yeo Khee Leng, • 25-Metre Ferris Wheel Chief Executive Offi cer, NTUC Club • 32-Lane Bowling Alley

• LED Lights On The Building Exterior Programmable to display a multitude of colours and designs.

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 1122 55/22/08/22/08 12:35:5412:35:54 PMPM e!hub@downtowneast•funfor 13 n The Block

24 August 07

2 March 07

pleted E!hub

Pictures by Alvin Toh and Jacky Ho

TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 1133 55/22/08/22/08 12:36:5812:36:58 PMPM 14 moments

Young UWEEI Targets New Members Firers Watch Your Front… Young UWEEI’s Paintball Public Offi cers Challenge 2008 unearthed several talented marksmen as 16 teams slugged it out for bragging rights to be paintball champions. Held on 10 May 2008 at Orchid Country Club, Recognised this event attracted 80 participants, of which eight were Recruit And Rejoice… The Amalgmated Union of new members who signed up through this event. Public Employees wasted no time to sell the benefi ts of membership at its recruitment booth during the fi rst-ever Public Service Week. Held from 14 May to 20 May 2008, the key events included Star Service Awards and Public Service Carnival. AUPE Deputy General Secretaries Noor Shyma and Yeo Chun Fing as well as NTUC industrial Relations Public Service Representatives Eugene Lim and Sanjeev Tiwari took part in the treasure hunt aka MRT Trail.

Great Start To A Healthy Win-Win Partnership… A The Healthcare Services Employees’ Union and National Healthcare Group held its fi rst union-management meeting on 14 May 2008. The union leaders led in the discussions of their adopted Dragonboats: Silver Collar, Uth! Movement and Gold Collar Dragonboats. NHG Deputy Chief Human Resource Offi cer Jacqueline Chin said the Group is clearer on where the union is heading in the next three years and can contribute to the realisation of the targets set for the various dragonboats.

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TTWW 223May08Final.indd3May08Final.indd 1144 55/22/08/22/08 12:38:2212:38:22 PMPM 优势计划 15

PP15-20.indd15-20.indd 1515 55/22/08/22/08 11:01:3411:01:34 AMAM 16 评论

PP15-20.indd15-20.indd 1616 55/22/08/22/08 11:01:4411:01:44 AMAM 英康花红结构 17

PP15-20.indd15-20.indd 1717 55/22/08/22/08 11:01:5811:01:58 AMAM 18

PP15-20.indd15-20.indd 1818 55/22/08/22/08 11:21:4511:21:45 AMAM 工资指导原则 19

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