2015 Issue 21 partism@Work May Day Rally 2015 - Exceptional tripartism has benefitted all

The Government and unions have We are not in a revolutionary situation, tearing He thanked outgoing National Trades walked together as the nation journeyed from down, destroying and starting from scratch. We Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Third to First World, said Prime Minister (PM) are in a stable and constructive state, building Mr Lim Swee Say, who took over as Manpower Mr . on what we have achieved,” said PM Lee. Minister on 4 May 2015, for his support and Addressing the May Day Rally on 1 May PM Lee said that Singapore has an leadership in NTUC. 2015 with some 5,000 people at the Star exceptional system of tripartism where the PM Lee also urged unionists to give Vista Performing Arts Centre, he stressed Government, workers and employers work their support to the new NTUC Secretary- that no other country in the world has such a constructively together on growing and General, former Minister for Social and strong relationship between Government and upgrading the economy. He noted that all Family Development and Second Minister workers, and nowhere else has such a bond parties may not agree all the time, but there for Defence, Mr who was lasted so long. “So on May Day in Singapore, is give and take because each party trusts appointed NTUC Secretary-General and there are no angry speeches, no shouts, no the others to take a longer term view of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office on 4 May demonstrations, unlike in many other cities. collective interests. 2015. 104th Session of the International Labour Conference A tripartite delegation attended the 104th Session Dr Robert Yap; union members, employer of the International Labour Conference (ILC) from representatives and officials from the Ministry of 8 to 11 June 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. Manpower (MOM). The ILC is an annual platform where tripartite Minister Lim delivered a statement at the representatives of member states of the Conference that touched on Singapore’s International Labour Organization (ILO) meet workforce challenges and how SkillsFuture, a to discuss labour issues of shared interest. newly-introduced tripartite movement, served to The issues discussed at this year’s Conference overcome them. Minister Lim also emphasised included: small and medium-sized enterprises the role of tripartism in achieving economic and their impact on decent and productive growth and social progress. employment creation; facilitating transitions from Minister Lim, NTUC Secretary-General Chan the informal to the formal economy; and labour and SNEF President Yap also took the opportunity protection. to jointly call on the Director-General of the ILO Led by Minister for Manpower, Mr Lim Swee Mr Guy Ryder. The tripartite leaders and Director- Say, the delegation comprised NTUC Secretary- General Ryder discussed the ILO’s report on the General Mr Chan Chun Sing; Singapore “Future of Work Initiative”, and the importance of National Employers Federation (SNEF) President preparing the workforce for the future.

A quarterly publication of the Singapore Tripartism Forum Enhancements to Support PMEs On 8 July 2015, MOM announced a suite securing a job. Employers who employ eligible to their fullest potential so that they can of measures to enhance support for the mature PMEs, registered with WDA Career become the foundation of our sustainable Singaporean core of Professionals, Managers Centres and Employment and Employability business growth. At the same time, and Executives (PMEs). These measures include Institute (e2i,) will be given wage support of up Singapore’s labour market must remain requiring firms to publish the salary range of the to 40% for 12 months. flexible and open to global talent. This will job vacancy in the Jobs Bank to comply with make Singapore a vibrant economy with the Fair Consideration Framework and rejecting “We want to make sure that Singapore a competitive and inclusive workforce”. work pass applications which contain doubtful will always be a place where there is not only Dr Robert Yap, SNEF President qualifications. enough jobs but also enough good jobs to Dispute resolution mechanisms will also be ensure that Singaporeans can really realise “We look forward to working closely enhanced. All PMEs, including those not covered their full potential. At the same time, we with the tripartite partners to reach out to by the Employment Act, will be able to resolve will also spare no effort to prepare (and) to more workers who require the necessary contractual salary-related disputes through upgrade our workers ... to make sure that assistance, and for the changes to have a adjudication at the Employment Claims Tribunal. they can keep up with pace of change in the positive impact on Singaporean PMEs”. In addition, the Tripartite Mediation Framework economy”. Mr , NTUC Assistant Secretary- will also be enhanced to cover all PME union Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower General members in non-unionised companies for re- employment and employment statutory issues. Our tripartite partners have expressed Further details may be found at: http: Lastly, the Singapore Workforce support: //www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press- Development Agency (WDA) will implement a “As we move towards lean manpower releases/2015/0708-enhanced-support-for- new Career Support Programme for mature growth, we have to develop Singaporeans singaporean-pmes PMEs who may face greater challenges in NWC: Focus on Skills to Ignite Productivity Unleashing The Potential Of A Mature Workforce Growth and Sustain Wage Increases MOM, NTUC, SNEF and WDA organised the Singapore Tripartism Forum (STF) Age Management Seminar 2015 on 8 July. The Seminar was supported by the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers, chaired by Dr , Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Health and Manpower, who was also the Guest-of-Honour. In her opening address, SMS Khor highlighted the importance of tapping on the wealth of experience and skills of our older workers, who will make up an increasing share of Singapore’s workforce as our population The National Wages Council (NWC) the NWC recommended a built-in wage ages. She emphasised the need for employers Guidelines for 2015/2016, which were increase of at least $60 for those earning a to create progressive workplaces and how the released on 29 May 2015, focused on skills basic monthly salary of up to $1,100. There SkillsFuture movement will help employers in to ignite productivity growth and sustain was also recognition that the group of low- developing the skills of their workers, including wage increases. NWC Chairman Mr Peter wage workers earning above $1,100 should older employees. On that note, SMS Khor Seah emphasised that it continued to be be granted an equitable and reasonable presented the Progressive Age Management important for real wage increases to be in line wage increase and/or a one-off lump sum, Recognition to two companies namely Certis with productivity growth over the long term. based on their skills and productivity. CISCO Security Pte Ltd and The Jurong Bird Productivity improvements are needed for Given that many low-wage workers work Park Pte Ltd for their efforts in successfully wage growth to be sustainable and not erode in industries where outsourcing practices adopting age management practices such as Singapore’s economic competitiveness. are widespread, the NWC further called developing a training roadmap for new hires and providing equal training opportunities to all Companies should step up efforts to train on the employers and service buyers in employees. their workers with the skills needed to help these industries to make a special effort to The keynote speaker, Mr Victor Mills, Chief raise productivity and to develop better uplift the pay of the low-wage workers and Executive of the Singapore International Chamber career progression pathways that could incorporate NWC wage recommendations of Commerce (SICC), provided insights into how sustain wage increases for workers. On into outsourced service contracts. strategic human resource (HR) can help companies their part, unions should mobilise workers to For companies that may find it challenging overcome ageism by hiring based on attributes take ownership in acquiring new skills and to meet the recommendations, particularly such as attitude, competencies, potential and deepening their skill sets throughout their the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), skills, which are more relevant than age. careers. the NWC recommended that they consider The Seminar brought together some 300 The NWC also continued its focus on tapping on Government assistance schemes, HR practitioners and employers, who took the low-wage workers, to ensure that they such as the Quality Growth Programme to opportunity to learn about age-friendly practices, continue to benefit from Singapore’s growth. improve their productivity and bottom-lines job redesign, and good workplace ergonomics As low-wage workers have been upgrading so that their employees could also benefit as an integral part of fostering progressive their skills and increasing their productivity, from sustainable wage increases. workplaces in Singapore.

To find out more on Tripartite initiatives and free subscription of this e-newsletter, please visit the Singapore Tripartism Forum website at http://www.tripartism.sg A quarterly publication of the Singapore Tripartism Forum