June 2011 – July 2011 seaMICA (P) 165/11/2010 Bi-Monthly Publicationvoices of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and Wavelink Co-operative MAY DAY HURRAY CONTENTS makewaves membuzz 3 Singapore – The First Asian Country 22 Celebrating SMOU’s 60th Anniversary To Ratify MLC 2006 24 Our Members, Our Future 4 Labour MPs Put Up A Good Fight 26 Coming Soon! 6 May Day Hurray 8 A Remarkable 50 years 10 Forging Networks; Broadening Horizons 12 A Hit with the Masses theIRfile WMI 13 Enhancing Training Through Bipartism 27 Training Calendar 14 CadetsPlus Addresses Rising Demands 29 CadetsPlus 2011 Adds Piracy to Its Training 16 Higher Wages Across the Board Programme 18 SMOU - Thome Seal CA 30 Wine while You Dine 19 SMOU Plays Host for Study Trip 19 Union Counterparts Unite 20 IR CURE in Action 22 Wavelink Building 75 Jellicoe Road #02-01 Singapore 208738 Tel : [65] 6396 0123 Fax : [65] 6339 5436 Website : www.smou.org.sg Working hours: 4 Mon to Fri : 9am to 6pm Sat : 9am to 1pm 24 Lighthouse operating hours: Mon to Thur : 11am to 9pm Fri to Sat : 11am to 10pm For enquiries on advertising in the SeaVoices, please call us. Tel : [65] 6390 1640 29 makewaves Singapore – The First Asian Country To Ratify MLC 2006 It’s official. Singapore has ratified the “This is something that we have been working hard towards. The first requirement of covering 33 per International Labour Organisation's (ILO) cent of the world gross tonnage has already been Maritime Labour Convention, making it achieved. So Singapore’s ratification is definitely th a major boost and a step closer to realising the the 13 ILO member state and first Asian second requirement of reaching 30 ratifications. country to do so. We look forward to its enforcement for the benefit of seafarers”. Over the past few years, the tripartite workgroup - Ms Mary Liew, SMOU Executive Secretary consisting members from the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore “This is a significant step for Singapore, as we (MPA), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Ministry commit to applying the Convention’s provisions of Manpower (MOM) and the maritime industry has held to Singapore-registered ships and ships that call extensive discussions on Singapore's response to the at our ports, as well as to achieve decent working ratification and implementation of the Maritime Labour conditions for seafarers. As a responsible flag Convention (MLC). state, Singapore had actively participated in the discussions that led to the adoption of this important With the ratification of the MLC, Singapore will now begin Convention, which consolidates and updates over taking definite steps necessary to effect legislative changes 60 ILO Conventions and Recommendations. We look in alignment with MLC provisions, minimum standards forward to it entering into force in due course.” - Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s and fair working conditions for seafarers worldwide. Ministry of Manpower in submitting the instrument of ratification to the ILO Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Manpower, Mr Hawazi Daipi made the announcement on 14 June 2011 during his speech at the International Labour Conference “Seafarers play a critical role in enabling in Geneva, Switzerland. shipping, world trade and the world’s economy. As a responsible maritime nation, Singapore is He said the ratification is a significant step for Singapore committed to enhancing and looking after the signalling a commitment to apply provisions in the wellbeing of seafarers. The ratification of MLC is Convention to Singapore-flagged ships for decent work for part of this commitment.” seafarers. He also added that the Ministry of Manpower - Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of the Maritime and will be signing a partnership agreement with the ILO to Port Authority of Singapore develop and implement a joint co-operation programme in progressive labour and workplace practices in the ASEAN region. The agreement will help strengthen co-operation “The ratification of the MLC, 2006, by Singapore, between Singapore and the ILO in enhancing human the world’s largest port State and one of the top resource management and development in the region. ten flag States, sends a powerful signal to the global maritime community. Singapore is the first At the time of the press release, SMOU Executive Secretary country of the Asian continent to have accepted the Ms Mary Liew announced Singapore’s ratification of the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights, and we all know how vital MLC at the International Transport Workers’ Federation and important this continent is for maritime trade (ITF) Seafarer’s Section meeting at Buenos Aires to great and the global economy. This strong expression of applause by the delegates of the ITF. Ranked among the leadership by Singapore sends the right message world’s top 10 largest ship registries and regarded as a to other countries to come on board to enable the reputable flag state in the world, renowned for its quality worlds’ seafarers to benefit from this Bill of Rights fleet, and backed by an efficient maritime administration, and ship owners from a level-playing field.” Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world. - Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, ILO Director of International Labour Standards, upon receiving the instrument of ratification seavoices newsletter june july 2011 3 makewaves LAbour MPS Put UP A Good Fight NTUC Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) have always served as keen voices - championing the cause of workers on numerous platforms unceasingly. Working hand-in-hand with the Labour MPs, unions and workers have long been privileged beneficiaries of their dedicated advocacy. Recently, SMOU supported its labour MPs in the recent 12th General Elections on 7 May 2011 where 12 out of 14 PAP Labour MP Candidates won seats in parliament. Among the 12 were NTUC Secretary-General Mr Lim Swee Say, former Deputy Secretary-General Madam Halimah Yacob, Deputy Secretary-General Mr Heng Chee How, former NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Mrs Josephine Teo and Assistant Secretary- General Mr Seng Han Tong. In addition to fulfilling their roles as newly elected MPs, with the Mr Lim expresses announcement of the new Cabinet on 21 May 2011, Mdm Halimah Yacob his gratitude to the residents of East and Mrs Josephine Teo will be relinquishing their secretary-general roles in Coast GRC and his NTUC to focus on their responsibilities as Ministers of State in the Ministry of friends from the Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and Ministry of Finance Labour Movement and Ministry of Transport respectively. Although both will be sorely missed by all in the Labour Movement, SMOU would like to congratulate Mdm Halimah and Mrs Josephine Teo on their new appointments and thank them for their contributions and help to SMOU over the years. Capt Robin Foo congratulating a jubilant labour MP Mdm Halimah Yacob from Jurong GRC at the Jurong West Stadium seavoices newsletter 4 june july 2011 makewaves NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and labour candidate Ong Ye Kung thanks supporters after the elections NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and present MP for Whampoa SMOU ES Ms Mary Liew congratulates and garlands SMC Heng Chee How has been appointed Senior Minister of former NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Bishan- State in the Prime Minister’s Office; while SMOU Advisor and Toa Payoh GRC MP Mrs Josephine Teo MP for Yuhua SMC Ms Grace Fu is the current Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Though labour MP candidates Mr Ong Ye Kung and Environment and Water Resources. Mr Desmond Choo were not elected, they have recommitted themselves to continuing their good work in the Labour Movement. The reshuffle will see e2i Chairman and NTUC Assistant Secretary- General Mr Ong Ye Kung promoted to Deputy Secretary-General; and NTUC Industrial Relations Department (IRD) Director Ms Cham Hui Fong Congratulating assume the Assistant Secretary-General position. SMOU Advisor While NTUC Youth Development Unit Deputy Ms Grace Fu Director, Mr Desmond Choo will assist Ms Cham from Yuhua SMC is SMOU in the NTUC IRD as its Deputy Director. President Capt Robin Foo SMOU congratulates all PAP Labour MP Candidates on their new appointments: Labour MP Designation COnstituenCy Lim Swee Say NTUC Secretary-General East Coast GRC Heng Chee How NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Whampoa SMC Halimah Yacob Former NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and current Minister of State Jurong GRC Josephine Teo Former NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and current Minister of State, Finance Bishan-Toa Payoh and Transport GRC Seng Han Thong NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Ang Mo Kio GRC Yeo Guat Kwang NTUC Alignment Director (All Nationalities, Quality Worklife) Ang Mo Kio GRC Zainudin Nordin NTUC Alignment Director (No Collar, Care and Share) Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Ang Hin Kee NTUC’s e2i (Employment & Employability Institute) Chief Executive Officer Ang Mo Kio GRC Seah Kian Peng NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Limited Chief Executive Officer (Singapore) Marine Parade GRC Zainal Sapari NTUC Industrial Relations Director (Special Duty) Pasir Ris-Punggol Casual, Contract and Low Wage Workers (CCL) GRC Alex Yam Young NTUC Head (Strategies & Planning/Youth Lab) Chua Chu Kang GRC Patrick Tay NTUC Industrial Relations Nee Soon Healthcare Services Employees’ Union Executive Secretary GRC seavoices newsletter june july 2011 5 makewaves May Day Hurray “Keep it young, keep it strong, keep it relevant and effective. That is an investment for the future. This is also a symbol of the Government’s full support The Prime Minister’s message took Although a vital part of Singapore’s for the union movement place against the backdrop of the resilience is owed to tripartism May Day Rally held at the Singapore between the unions, Government and and for Singapore workers,” Indoor Stadium to the attendance of employers, PM Lee lauded the labour some 8,500 people from government movement in particular for having urged PM Lee as he agreed to leaders, to union members, and been a key partner.