4 workingfor • parliamentthisweek parliamentthisweek • workingfor 5 Changing From The Labour Point Of View With The Times more optimistic and positive. Mindset will difference is the value that resides in people ike most other Members of and competent leadership. determine whether one lands that job or not. and how we can convert that to competitive Parliament, Labour MPs spoke “We are not looking for a system which Stay positive. Be willing to take work beyond advantage. By extensively during the debate sounds good in theory but which is unsuited to your scope and be proactive in searching.” “The NTUC has been working very closely Marcus Lin on the Motion of Thanks to the our conditions and is unworkable in practice. And with many companies to put workers on SPUR Pictures by Victor Chick President’s Address given by this approach, this sort of system is what marks Heng Chee How (Skills Programme for Upgrading and LPresident SR Nathan when he opened the us out as different from many other countries.” “The recovery, when it comes, Resilience). This is a win-win strategy as hanges are afoot in Singapore’s second session of the 11th Parliament on will require Singapore companies workers acquire new capabilities while political system. The Government is 18 May 2009. taking steps to practically guarantee PM Lee proposed 3 changes to to compete ever more fi ercely companies continue to keep their skilled that there will always be opposition the system: with the survivors of the global workers. I must also commend the Government and non-partisan voices in Non-Constituency MPs Here are excerpts of what shakeout. These survivors are the for being responsive to our calls for change CParliament to allow for more diversity and plurality Instead of a minimum of three opposition MPs, it fi ttest of the lot, and the need for when it increased the absentee payroll as Labour MPs said in the of views in the crafting of policies. will be increased to a minimum of nine opposition the Singaporean worker to be not only job-ready this would help companies train more PMETs It was intimated by President SR Nathan MPs, including NCMPs, the same as the number debate that commenced on but fi ghting-fi t cannot be over-stated. (Professionals, Managers, Executives and in his President’s Address at the opening of of Nominated Members of Parliament. 25 May 2009: “Older workers would have to secure their Technical People) who earn higher pay. the second session of the 11th Parliament on It means that whatever the election results, employment through the value that they create “Companies that we worked with welcomed 18 May 2009. President Nathan had said, “our opposition members whether elected or Lim Boon Heng at work, just like everyone else. They must this move as we have seen in this recession political system is not set in stone. Singapore non-constituency members, will form at least “I had not intended to touch actively improve their job-worth and continued that more professionals are affected. But I also politics must evolve over time, as the world and one-tenth of the presently 84 directly elected on work-related issues or employment chances through up-skilling. urge the MOM to think beyond just the current our society change. It must respond to new Members of Parliament with constituencies. employment of the elderly. But “The fi rst batch of baby-boomers – those downturn and to have a more comprehensive circumstances and goals, and continue to deliver There will also be a cap of two NCMPs from any listening to Dr Lim Wee Kiak, born after the war in 1946 – have just aged past and strategic training blueprint for our workers for a better environment. good government to Singapore.” one GRC. I thought I should just briefl y 62. This is only the beginning of the bulge. This to prepare them for the longer term needs of the “But fundamentally, have we made Rising to speak for about an hour and a half mention that discrimination is a perception. means that the number of workers reaching 62 economy and to meet global demands.” the necessary change in recognising the at the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Nominated MPs If we cut the CPF contributions or we cut will swell in the coming years before reaching physical limits of our growth? Should we talk President’s Address on 28 May 2009, Prime The scheme to have nine NMPs in each wages of those who are older, it is not a peak. Companies will have to step up their Cham Hui Fong instead of economic development rather Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “As the world Parliament will be a permanent feature and necessarily discrimination. efforts to design and match suitable jobs to their “Our strong tripartism has played than growth? That is to say, has the time changes and as Singapore society continues to Parliament will no longer need to pass a motion “To have a good understanding of why older workers, in anticipation of the growing a pivotal role in enhancing the come for us to acknowledge that we can no evolve, so too must our democratic institutions. after each election to that effect. we do it, I would encourage Dr Lim Wee Kiak numbers of positions needed, year after year. industrial peace, even at times like longer grow physically forever, and that there We are moving beyond providing for the basic Currently featuring nominees from the general to engage the tripartite partners – the NTUC, “The expected enactment of the Re- this. More issues are now resolved is a physical limit to the number of people survival needs of citizens. public and six groups – business and industry, the employers and the Ministry of Manpower employment Law in 2012 will make this at the company level. Before we can accommodate on our tiny island? “We face more complex policy choices the professions, the Labour Movement, social – on the rationale for this. And there are very requirement mandatory. The choice facing 2000, there was an average of 300 disputes or “This recognition does not prevent us and we need more creative ideas for social and and community organisations, media, arts and good reasons for it arising from a seniority- companies is one of turning this requirement grievances referred to the Ministry of Manpower. from making economic progress. We can economic development. And Singaporeans want sports and tertiary education institutions – the based wage system. either into a value-add or a cost burden.” The last few years we have seen that reducing strive for a higher value economy, and better national issues to be more fully debated and they scheme will be broadened to invite nominations “We don’t want the seniority-based wage to an average of 150 per year. life, not necessarily with more things, but increasingly want to participate in this discussion, from the people sector. It will give civil society a system to discriminate against senior workers Josephine Teo “At NTUC, we survey industrial relations with better things. More fundamentally, we which is all to be encouraged. voice in Parliament and encourage civil society to in Singapore to their detriment. Let’s not look “There are few examples in the cases every quarterly. There are still issues, but may have fewer material things, but a more “Therefore, we should improve our political grow and mature further. at this as whether provisions of wage cuts world where non-corrupt parties most of the time workers will resolve them at the satisfying life nonetheless.” system to encourage a wider range of views and CPF cuts for seniors are discriminating are able to win elections to fl ush company level. Seek some understanding, forge in Parliament, including opposition and non- Group Representation Constituencies against seniors. It’s in favour of seniors.” out corrupt parties, and then to closer ties, strengthen relationship and move Yeo Guat Kwang government views. Some of the changes we’ve From the present nine Single Member clean up a corrupt system. More forward. Many tripartite guidelines have been “It goes without saying that made to our system over the years have been in Constituencies, there will be at least 12 SMCs. Zainudin Nordin often than not, the opposite happens, that is, an effective in formulating closer understanding on the current downturn has fact for this purpose, like the Non-Constituency There will also be fewer six-member GRCs and “The crux of our strong opposition wins against a corrupt incumbent, issues leading to lesser disputes. affected many Singaporeans. Member of Parliament scheme or the Nominated a range of smaller GRCs. It is meant to make foundations as a nation has and then becomes corrupt in Government. “I have full respect and confi dence in our In a time such as this, the Member of Parliament scheme. But we should the GRC scheme work better and strengthen always been, and will always “The better strategy therefore is to work workers. The determination and resilience in NTUC has been even more do more. the link between voters and their MPs. be, the strength of our people assiduously to preserve a corruption-free them is clearly seen in the many international active in helping Singaporeans in need and “I think there are many benefi ts to doing Added PM Lee: “Overall, the changes to the – the strength of their skills, political system, and to keep up a political recognitions we have gained for our excellent supporting those who may not be as badly this. It will generate more robust debate, it will NCMP scheme, the NMP scheme and the GRC of their mentality, and their will to combat culture where there is zero-tolerance for corrupt workforce.