PM Lee: We Can Be Confident Of The Future

60 cents | MICA (P) 142/09/2010
7 JANUARY 2011
SIASU Belts Up
For Long Haul
p3
PM Lee: We Can Be
Confident Of The Future
S
By Marcus Lin
ingapore’s strong economic growth
middle income earners we have lowered income tax rates,
of 14.7 per cent for 2010 compared
and are building more executive condominiums to widen
to 2009's negative growth won’t be
their housing choices.
repeated anytime soon. However,
“However, the most important programmes are not
the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s
financial transfers from the Government, but efforts to
2011 projection of 4-6 per cent growth is still
upgrade our people and workers. In the long run,
commendable.
our workers can only do better and earn more
In his New Year Message, Prime Minister
through acquiring higher skills and becoming
Lee Hsien Loong said uncertainties in
more productive than workers elsewhere,
developed countries are counter-balanced
especially those in Asia who are willing to
by strong Asian growth which momentum
accept lower pay and work longer hours
should “create a favourable regional
than Singaporeans. This is why the NTUC,
environment for Singapore”.
employers and the Government have jointly
To sustain long-term 4-6 per cent
embarked on a major effort to raise our
growth is the tricky part: “We will have
workers’ productivity.”
to upgrade the knowledge and skills of
PM Lee also pointed to heavy
our people, raise our productivity and
investments in education to prepare the
competitiveness, and continually adapt
workers of tomorrow which have paid off.
ourselves and our society to the changing
More than that, he underlined the importance
world. Then we can keep abreast of events,
of leadership quality and the spirit of our
and progress and prosper even as countries
people. Singapore can maintain an edge
around us raise their game. With economic
despite
its lack of size and resources through
This is why the NTUC,
growth, we can improve the lives of our people
superior teamwork and leadership, he said.
employers and the
across the board.”
“Our system has produced strong and
Government have jointly
Nevertheless, he stressed that Singapore
effective Government, fostered national
embarked on a major
will still have to and can deal with challenges
consensus on key issues, and focussed our
effort to raise our workers’
and problems like managing the inflow of
efforts to achieve national goals. It must continue
productivity.”
foreign workers and immigrants, keeping homes
doing this, so we can maximise our collective
affordable and helping low income Singaporeans.
performance and stay ahead.
Of particular concern to PM Lee is the issue of a widening income
“This calls for leaders who deliver good policies, create
gap affecting many countries because of globalisation, economic
opportunities for the people, and rally citizens to work together for
competition and new technology.
a better tomorrow. The team must lead Singapore competently
“We are striving to ensure that the broad majority of Singaporeans today, while grooming potential successors for the future. Ensuring
benefit from growth, including lower-income, less-skilled workers,
continuing capable leadership for Singapore is a vital priority for the
and the middle group who feel sandwiched in between. Many
nation.
Government schemes give poorer Singaporeans a leg up. We have
“Success also depends on Singaporeans having the right spirit enhanced Public Assistance, introduced ComCare and Workfare,
the daring to try new things, the confidence to face fierce competition,
and implemented Additional Housing Grants for buying HDB flats. For the willingness to always give our best.”
“
25,000 Taxi Drivers To Benefit From
NTA’s ‘Drive And Save’ Scheme
2
By
Rasheedah Mahfuz
5,000 taxi drivers from all the National Taxi Association (NTA) affiliated
taxi companies are expected to benefit from the “Drive and Save”
(DAS) scheme which was officially implemented by the NTA on 1
January 2011. This comes about five months after NTA signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Comfort, CityCab,
TransCab, SMRT, Premier, Smart and Prime taxi companies to introduce the
initiative.
At the media briefing on 5 January 2011 to announce the scheme’s
implementation, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General, NTA Advisor and DAS
Working Committee Chairman Seng Han Tong said: “This DAS scheme was
launched on the first day of this month and we are happy to note that more
than 70 per cent of the principal hirers will benefit from this scheme and will
have a $15 monthly top-up in their Medisave accounts from their respective
taxi companies. We hope that
with the launch of this scheme,
more drivers will participate
and benefit from it.”
The DAS scheme, the first
of its kind for self-employed
workers, is targeted at
principal hirers to help raise
their healthcare savings and
enhance their social safety net
Left to right: Seng Han Thong, NTUC ASG; Wee
Boon Kim, President, NTA and Yee Hon Wai, VP
through a small contribution of
Fleet Operations, ComfortDelgro Corporation
at least 50 cents daily into their
Medisave accounts. In turn, taxi drivers will receive an additional
50 cents contribution from their respective taxi companies which
is equivalent to $15 a month, amounting to a total contribution of
$360 per year.
With the DAS scheme, the seven participating taxi companies
will collectively contribute more than $4 million a year to drivers’
Medisave accounts.
See Page 2
2
workingfor
• totalproductivity
From Page 1
By Nicolette Yeo and
Rasheedah Mahfuz
Taxi Drivers Learn It Pays
To Save For Health
A
t the media
briefing on 5
January 2011
to announce the
implementation
of the National Taxi
Association’s (NTA) `Drive
And Save’ (DAS) scheme,
NTUC Assistant-Secretary
and NTA Advisor Seng Han
Thong was delighted that it
improved the work benefits
of taxi drivers.
“The DAS scheme is a
tripartite effort that enhances
the social safety net of
Left to right: Lim Chong Boo, Managing Director, Premier Taxis; Teo Chew Hoon, Senior Vice President of Taxis and Commercial Business, SMRT; Teo Kian Ang, Managing
principal hirer taxi drivers
Director, Trans-Cab Services; Chan Beng Seng, Divisional Director, Income Security Policy Division, MOM; Seng Han Thong, NTUC ASG; Wee Boon Kim, President, NTA;
who are an important group Yee Hon Wai,VP Fleet Operations, ComfortDelgro Corporation; Roger Goh, General Manager, Smart Automobile and Tan Soon Chye, General Manager, Prime Rental & Taxi
Services.
of self-employed persons.
Medisave is one of the
key benefits that all working Singaporeans
and Land Transport Authority (LTA) was set
enjoy. Taxi drivers are no different from other
up in July last year and has been reaching
We want to encourage
Singaporeans and should enjoy Medisave
out to the drivers through roadshows and
our drivers to save for
contributions as well.
brochures to educate them on the benefits of
their future medical needs. We
“After several years of lobbying by the
the scheme.
are putting aside $2.8 million
various taxi associations, we are heartened
ASG Seng said that this will encourage
a year to match their Medisave
that our taxi drivers can also enjoy Medisave
more drivers to participate in the scheme:
contributions. This will be on top
contributions from the company from which
“Many taxi drivers may not be aware that
of the existing benefits that our
they hire their taxi,” he said.
with regular contributions into their Medisave
drivers already enjoy.”
ASG Seng, who is also Chairman of the
accounts, they can benefit from this scheme.
DAS Working Committee, added that the 50
We need to create the awareness that it
Yang Ban Seng, Chief Executive Officer
cents per day amount taxi drivers had to put
is good for them to cultivate the habit of
(Taxi), ComfortDelGro Corporation
Limited
into their Medisave accounts is a good starting
saving monthly so they will not only enjoy the
point but that they can opt to contribute more
Medisave top-up by their taxi company but
than the minimum amount.
also the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)
Premier is fully supportive
The DAS scheme is the first initiative by
scheme by the MOM,” he said.
of the Drive and Save
NTA since its inauguration on 26 June 2010.
Prime Car Rental & Taxi Services Pte Ltd
Scheme as we are confident
The DAS working committee comprising
General Manager Lim Chong Boo concurred:
that it will contribute to the
NTA, the seven taxi companies as well as
“Generally, the income for taxi masters has
welfare of our partners, the
representatives from the Ministry of Manpower
increased and we think it is timely to inculcate
(MOM), Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board
the good habit of regular savings.”
drivers. However, this scheme
“
“
Driven To Save More
Mr Ang Boon Koon, 43, truly understands the
importance of saving for one’s golden years.
“As age catches up, I feel it is important to plan
for the future,” he said. On top of contributing
an average of $4 to $5 daily to his Medisave,
the Comfort driver also intends to participate in
the `Drive And Save’ (DAS) scheme.
“I’ve been contributing to my Medisave
account through the company’s internal
saving scheme. However, under that scheme,
the company does not co-contribute to my
Journalists
Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
muneerah@ntucmedia.org.sg
NTUC Media Co-operative Limited
Chairman
Noel Hon Chia Chun
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The NTUC This Week Team
Managing Editor
Shona Tan-James
shonatan@ntuc.org.sg
Chief Executive Officer
Seng Han Thong
senght@ntuc.org.sg
Executive Editor
Marcus Lin
marcuslin@ntucmedia.org.sg
Managing Director
Shona Tan-James
shonatan@ntuc.org.sg
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Nicolette Yeo
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Chief Operating Officer
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Naseema Banu Maideen
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Senior Executive Designer
Mohamed Nasuhar Soeyoeti
soeyoeti@ntucmedia.org.sg
Rasheedah Mahfuz
rasheedah@ntucmedia.org.sg
Contributor
Vanessa Teo
Medisave account. With the DAS scheme,
I’m able to save more now. As I contribute
regularly, it is not necessary for me to fork out
an additional $15 but I might choose to do so
in order to save more.”
Mr Ang added that the DAS scheme is
“very helpful to taxi drivers as it can help to
lighten their financial burden and protect future
savings. Contributing a small amount daily in
this manner is better than giving a lump sum
per year which can be a heavy burden.”
Executive Editor (Chinese Section)
Ho Seo Teck
host@ntucmedia.org.sg
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karenewong@ntucmedia.org.sg
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can only be sustainable if they
are supportive. Therefore, we
encourage all of them to support
the scheme and make their
contributions to their Medisave
Accounts. Premier’s joint
contribution will help our drivers
to secure their future because it
provides some savings to look
after their medical needs.”
Lim Chong Boo, Managing Director,
Premier Taxis Pte Ltd
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totalproductivity • workingfor
SIASU Belts Up
To Ride Ups And Downs
3
The newly elected union leaders of Singapore Airlines Staff Union will work in stronger unity to better serve their members.
By
Naseema Banu Maideen
W
ith improving business climates,
workers of Singapore Airlines
Staff Union (SIASU) are cruising
at a high altitude. But even in
these good times, “there could
be unexpected air turbulences” and thus they
were reminded to “continue to fasten their
seatbelts” by NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee
Say.
When SG Lim made these reminders at
the union’s ninth Convention of Delegates on
31 December 2010, he said: “Fasten seatbelts
is different from tightening your belts, because
when your business is good, you can obviously
expect more bonus and gain sharing. But,
continue to fasten your seatbelts. The best
way, in case of unforeseen air turbulences, is
to continue to improve skills and innovation to
ensure that Singapore Airlines will always be
among the best in the world.”
He also lauded the outgoing Executive
Committee’s steadfast leadership in building up
of Labour-Management Relations: “Union and
management have worked closely together to
preserve capacity and capability to enable to
keep Singapore Airlines fully intact. My message
for the incoming Executive Committee is that
over the next four years there will be many
challenges facing the union, company and
workers.
“On SIASU’s part, you need to find ways to
ensure that you are flexible and responsive in
moving forward and facing global competition.
On the part of management, you have to be probusiness and at the same time do not forget to
be pro-worker. Give workers responsive rewards
when they truly deserve it. So, if the union can
be pro-worker and yet pro-business, and if
the management can be pro-business and yet
pro-worker, I believe as we continue this win-win
partnership between the Labour Movement and
the management that together we can ensure
that SIA will continue to grow.”
Moving ahead, SG Lim said the airline
industry will have ups and downs and that SIASU
must continue to work with the management to
ride out these ups and downs.
Added Cham Hui Fong, NTUC Competency
Director for Industrial Relations: “Over the last
three years, SIA and SIASU have gone through
some turbulent times. We have also gathered
to discuss on the directions ahead on Labour
Movement 2011 in 2007 and we will do a
stock-take this year to keep a check on how we
have progressed and at the same time, explore
on how we can better serve the workers and
company.”
The newly elected leaders of SIASU are
determined to “uphold strength, stamina and
spirit that have underpinned the success of the
union as well as uphold the trust and confidence
of members in tackling the challenges,” shared
SIASU Vice-President Rathakrishnan s/o
Sinnappan.
On this note, he also said: “The role of
every member in the Executive Committee is
to serve all members in the union fairly. Conflict
and dialogue can be used to positively help
the Committee to determine the best route
forward and use the best strategies to serve the
membership as we have the best interests of the
membership at heart.”
SIASU’s Newly Elected
Executive Committee
President
Tony Sim Yew Tiong
Vice-President
Vernon Lim Siew Peng
Vice-President
Abirajan s/o N Uthirapathi
Vice-President
Rathakrishnan Sinnapan
General Secretary
Logannaathan
Executive Secretary
Gregory De Silva
Treasurer
Joseph Ho Yuk Ngee
Assistant General Secretary
Daniel Chew Choon Huat
Assistant General Secretary
Ho Fook Seng Raymond
Assistant General Secretary
Danny Wong Chin Kuend
Assistant Treasurer
Patrick Chua Yong Wah
Committee Member
Kennady Monsul
Committee Member
Haleem Khan Suratee
Jamanludin Onnmd
Jumadi Abdullah
Davidson Daniel Jeyasingham
Lee Siok Choo Magdalene
M Gajendran
Mohd Ikram B Abd Raheem
Francis Tan Boon Chong
Roslan Haron
Kader Maideen s/o Nathervana
Ranjit Piyasiri
Trustees
V M Rajoo
Sidney Sin Chee Kuen
Chua Choon Hiong
Unity Is Strength
“
We have learnt valuable
lessons from past leadership
that will guide us in serving the
current membership. We will work
together to plan for the future to best
serve all our members in strong
unity.”
Tony Sim, SIASU President
Serving All Equally
“
Our immediate aim is to
negotiate for a good Collective
Agreement for our members as
the previous Collective Agreement
expired in December 2010. We will
also focus on negotiating for better
service increments for workers in
all our branches as business has
started picking up well. We will
also look into building up better
communication channels between
the union’s Executive Committee and
our members.”
Rathakrishnan s/o Sinnappan, SIASU VicePresident
Being Pro-Worker And ProBusiness
“
We will take stock of the everevolving challenges that lie for
our workers and we will also work
towards improving their livelihoods.
We will think of ways to raise their
working lives to greater heights.
Moving forward, I am confident that
the new leadership will work with
various management personalities in
the SIA Group to garner the support
for enlightened attitude towards
a pro-business and pro-worker
environment.”
Logannaathan, SIASU General Secretary
workingfor
• totalproductivity
NTUC Choice Homes’ Privé
EC Receives Strong Response
P
By Marcus Lin
rivé, the first
executive
condominium
(EC) in Punggol
by NTUC Choice
Homes Co-operative
Ltd and its joint venture
partner CEL Development
Pte Ltd, is more than 50
per cent sold.
The five per cent
quota set aside for
second-time applicants
was fully taken up on the
first day of sales on 10
December 2010. Secondtime applicants will be able to purchase available
units from Monday, 10 January 2011.
NTUC Choice Homes CEO Ms Margaret
Goh said: “We are delighted with the strong
response for Privé. It fills a much needed gap for
the sandwiched-class Singaporeans and offers a
wide choice of accessible and affordable quality
housing with private condominium facilities."
Privé has been designed to realise the theme
of ‘Green Living by the Waters’ and is the first
EC to be awarded the PUB Active, Beautiful
and Clean (ABC) Waters Certification. It was
also awarded the BCA Green Mark Gold Plus
Berita Harian Names
UPAGE’s Nazir In
Top 50 List
U
standard where buildings are evaluated for
their environmental impact and performance.
The development is housed in four
17-storey towers with choices of apartment
configurations from 2, 2+study, 3, 3+study
and 4-bedroom units, as well as 3 and
4-bedroom suites.
Benefits for union members include
55,000 LinkPoints, fridge and washer if they
purchase a unit.
Privé is located within Punggol Central
and is a short walk from Punggol MRT Station
and the new Punggol Waterfront Centre.
nion of Power
and Gas
Employees
(UPAGE)
exco member
Mohamad Nazir Sani (right),
who is also in Young NTUC, has been identified
by the Malay language daily newspaper Berita
Harian in its list of 50 Malay individuals who are
expected to colour/influence in 2011. In the 25
December 2010 issue, Berita Harian reported this
in its list:
“Mohamad Nazir Sani, 36 years old, Technical
Officer, Senoko Power Limited. Active in the effort
to pull participation of youth workers in the union
movement, Nazir is also an NTUC representative
in the Executive Committee youth wing PAP.”
In an e-mail to colleagues, Mr Nazir said: “I
would like to extend my thank you to UPAGE
for giving me the opportunities all these years
to serve in the Labour Movement. Without all
those opportunities, I would not have been able
to contribute and shine in my passion for the
workers. I believe all of you have played a part in
this news.
“Once again, thank you so much. To be
identified is a BIG challenge, but I always believe
that with the leadership guidance by all of you
success is within reach.”
Passing Skills
From One
Generation
To The Next
T
Story and picture by
Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
he shortage of skilled manpower in
the aerospace industry continues to
be a challenge. To address this, ST
Aerospace and Singapore Industrial
& Services Employees' Union have
embarked on a new initiative for older employees
to pass on their skills and experience.
The 'ST Aerospace Mentoring Programme
for Mature Employees' is a 92-hour training
programme customised by NTUC LearningHub
Private Limited to equip older workers with
the skills to be mentors to their younger
contemporaries. The pioneer batch of the
course was made up of 15 employees from ST
Aerospace, aged from 50 to 68 years old.
Speaking at the Certificate Presentation
Ceremony on 10 December 2010 at the ST
Aerospace Technical Training Centre, ST
Aerospace President Chang Cheow Teck
(pictured, fourth from right) shared that about 10
per cent of the company’s workforce is above 50
years old, many of whom are in supervisory and
The pioneer batch of graduands of the 'ST Aerospace Mentoring Programme for Mature Employees' course with guests from ST
Aerospace, SISEU and NTUC LearningHub.
highly-skilled positions.
It is therefore crucial to tap on their skills
and valuable experience. He added that this
mentoring course would equip participants with
the necessary foundation skills to guide and
mentor the younger staff. For 12-and-a-half days,
the participants not only learned mentoring skills
but they were also exposed to management
and team building skills through the Singapore
Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ)-certified
modules, such as WSQ Build Team Relationship
and WSQ Support Team.
50-year-old participant Cheah Chuan Hin
shared: “The course covered a lot of aspects
in handling and communicating with the young
generation. We learned about their behaviour,
hobbies and likings, even about the Internet and
Facebook.”
Such a comprehensive curriculum has
allowed participant V. Tamby Raj, 61, a better
understanding of handling his mentoring role in a
proper way. “It also helps our Generation X and Y
colleagues to improve in their work performance
and knowledge about their work,” he said.
The mentoring option at ST Aerospace is
a positive step towards re-employment. SISEU
General Secretary Lim Kuang Beng (pictured,
third from right) added that it will pave the way for
the workers to be re-employed and identify how
older workers can add value to the company.
The union also looks forward to encourage and
work with more companies to be re-employment
ready.
NTUC LearningHub Industry Skills Director
Suresh H Punjabi (pictured, second from left)
added that as organisations prepare for the reemployment legislation, the training provider will
continue to help companies to train their older
workers for new responsibilities, such as coach
or mentors.
YNTUC 2020
4
totalproductivity • workingfor
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Many will regard NTUC membership as equivalent to any other card
that only provides mercantile benefits, such as discounts, points
accumulation and more. However, in its almost 50 years of existence,
the NTUC membership card has given much more than mercantile
benefits to its members. Ms X is one who has benefited from NTUC’s
support, and will like to share her story below with readers.
By Vanessa Teo
Case Study: Ms X returned
from maternity leave in May
2010, only to find out that her
salary increment was postponed
to June 2010 instead of April
2010 as with the rest of her
colleagues. However, an
employee’s annual increment is
tied to work performance for the
year 2009, and Ms X did serve
for the whole year of 2009. Ms
X felt that this policy is unfair as
it penalises employees for going
on maternity leave during the
salary review period January to
April, even though they have
served the relevant period of
time. And thus, Ms X wrote in
to the Aunt Iris forum, NTUC’s
online advisor.
Her situation then took a turn for
the better.
5
Ms X’s Testimony: “It was challenging to find
answers from the web, friends, or colleagues
specific to maternity-related issues in Singapore,
and most information are rather general and
relate more to maternity leave. Since the
questions I had were very specific, I saw that
getting direct advice from the union will be
more valuable. Even though the union did not
intervene in my case directly, they have however
played an important role in assuring me that I
have a case to make, and this helped me to
press on.
“I’ve also received calls from the union to follow
up on my matters. As a typical Asian, I did not
want to blow the matter out of proportion in fear
that I will be labeled a trouble-maker. I was not
after the monetary losses, but it was the urge to
seek for fair treatment that pushed me out of my
comfort and ‘coward’ zone. Having an assuring
voice and a patient listening ear was key to me
then.”
Ms X’s Learning Experience: “I used to regard going to
a union only when I am retrenched or require employment
assistance. However, through this incident, I learnt that
we should regard the union as a supportive organisation
that provides us with both information and support on
employment-related issues. There are many employment
matters that are not convenient for discussion with your
direct superior or HR, but the union can provide a new
avenue for consultation and support.”
Ms X’s Words Of Thanks: “It’s a shame that I am not able
to name those who have helped me in my pursuit as I first
received help through the Aunt Iris forum. But I am thankful
for those who came to my help, supported me emotionally,
and provided me with the necessary information. I also
wish to thank the Tripartite Alliance on Fair Employment
Practices (TAFEP) which answered my questions patiently.”
The Verdict: Ms X got back her salary increment in full.
High Safety = High Productivity
“
By Raymond Goh
It is important that every
worker sees the importance
of contributing to a safe and healthy
workplace. No idea is too small and
it's precisely the eyes of the workers at
the shop floor that identify areas where
safety or working environment can be
further enhanced. SISEU is pleased to
help facilitate today's learning journey
for our NTUC WHS members and hope
it has been a fruitful and eye-opening
experience for all.”
S
Admin Secretary, NTUC WHS Committee
T Aerospace’s commitment to aviation
and workplace safety is key to its success
as a leading industry player today. The
NTUC Workplace Health and Safety
(WHS) Committee, led by Vice-Chairman
Ameer Hamzah and Alignment Director for
NTUC Quality Worklife Yeo Guat Guang, was
privileged to learn some of the company’s safety
approaches and programmes in a company visit
on 13 December 2010.
Mr Quek Gim Chuah, Quality Director, shared
that the Company’s strong focus on safety and
productivity is instrumental to achieve a high level
of work performance. He said: “We have adopted
an integrated approach with emphasis on total
employee involvement. With this approach, we
are able to align everyone to our drive towards
achieving high workplace safety and productivity
standards.”
While we have seen crane and lifting-related
accidents happening in some industries over the
years, ST Aerospace has successfully maintained
zero workplace accident in lifting operations for
many years. The Company was able to achieve
this through its emphasis on a strong safety
culture.
It is not only about putting in place robust
and effective management systems and
processes. The Company has also gone the
extra mile to design employee engagement
programmes to promote effective sharing
and learning as well as provide platforms to
encourage team and individual participation
in continuous improvements. These include
the Kaizen Programme, Quality Action Teams,
WSH Improvement Teams and Staff Suggestion
Scheme.
The Committee was impressed with the
Company’s practical approach in engaging
and inculcating a sense of ownership in each
employee to ensure safety and quality work.
Innovative programmes such as Focus Month,
Good Show Awards and highlighting of unsafe
work norms are some examples.
In addition, the employees participated in
more than 250 continuous improvement projects
and raised more than 7,000 suggestions for
safety and productivity improvements annually.
Some of these projects and suggestions have
resulted in innovative workplace safety solutions
such as the nitrogen tank transporter, a safer
process to unlock sleeve spindle locknut and the
Super Puma Helicopter’s Tail Boom stand cum
Trolley.
The learning journey rounded off with a
site visit to the Super Puma Helicopter’s Tail
Boom Stand cum Trolley. This equipment,
one of the winners of WSH Innovation Awards
Lim Kuang Beng, Singapore Industrial &
Services Employees’ Union General Secretary
2010, has made the removal and re-installation
of the Helicopter’s Tail Boom safer and faster.
By eradicating the risk associated with lifting
operations, the operation can be now be
completed by three employees in two hours as
compared to seven employees in eight hours in
the past.
Shared NTUC WHS Committee ViceChairman Ameer Hamzah: “We are grateful to
both the management of ST Aerospace and
Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’
Union (SISEU) for arranging such an informative
session. ST Aerospace has clearly demonstrated
how we can raise productivity by addressing
workplace safety and health (WSH) concerns.
So far we have been on a number of learning
journeys to companies from different industries.
It is an important part of our `Safety Delegate’
programme to provide the committee members
with insights to many best practices and the
latest developments in WSH.”
6
workingfor
• totalproductivity
WDS Gets On-Site
and On Track
N
By Naseema Banu Maideen
TUC Women’s Development
Secretariat (WDS) is constantly on
the move to uncover more effective
and innovative ways to bring more
women into the workforce. In this
pursuit, newly initiated on-site job interviews
have taken the lead in guiding job seekers on
making sound decisions in deciding on taking
up job offers.
NTUC WDS worked with employers
in the retail, food and beverage as well as
hospitality sectors to conduct these sessions
from September this year. Both employers
and job seekers have benefitted from these
arrangements.
Said Miss Nuruljannah Arshad, 23, one of
the job seekers who participated in the most
recent on-site recruitment exercise at Trichokare
Private Limited’s newly-opened outlet at Century
Square on 7 December 2010: “It was a different
experience from other job fairs because we
were given an opportunity to experience our
future work environment. This helped in better
preparing my mindset for what the job has
to offer.” She was offered a customer service
position on the same day of the interview and
started work the same week.
Madam Tan Le Kheng, 48, was another
successful job applicant who
accepted the job offer for a
receptionist. “Walking right into
the retail store for an interview was
refreshing and at the same time gave
me a realistic outlook of where I will
be working at. This also helped in my
decision in taking up the job,” she
added.
Madam Susan Ng, Human Resource
Executive at Trichokare Private Limited said
collaborating with NTUC WDS has made the
company’s recruitment process speedier and
more effective. “We have explored various
methods of recruitment such as online job
portals, holding our own recruitment fairs at
shopping malls and through newspapers.
Now, by partnering with NTUC WDS, we have
benefited in several ways. With job seekers
coming right to our site, we are able to brief
them with better ease and are able to make
better use of the time that we spend on the
recruitment exercise,” she shared.
She added that the positive responses
from this first on-site recruitment exercise will
see more collaborations on more recruitment
exercises with NTUC WDS to meet manpower
needs in other outlets in the coming year.
“
In order to enhance the
chances of a good job match
for our women job seekers, we have
to continuously explore new and
innovative strategies such as the
on-site job interviews. The benefit of
this approach is that job seekers can
have sight of the actual work site as
well as to work around employers'
unavailability to interview job
seekers at other sites. The objective
is to break the bottlenecks so that
matching of employers and job
seekers can be done faster and more
effectively.”
Halimah Yacob, NTUC Deputy SecretaryGeneral and NTUC Women’s Development
Secretariat Alignment Director
e2i Creates
Another Degree
Of Opportunity
N
By Vanessa Teo
TUC’s e2i (Employment and
Employability Institute) values every
opportunity to help its jobseekers
increase their employability, be it
through organising talks, running
upgrading courses or simply giving advice to
jobseekers who need it. And thus when they
saw the window of opportunity to help creative
professionals and freelancers in the arts and
creative industries, they jumped at it and worked
with Six Degrees to organise a networking
seminar that took place on 24 November 2010.
The seminar aimed to help address the
challenges faced by creative professionals and
freelancers, such as their lack of awareness of
training programmes as well as a community
network to share resources and experiences.
Shared NTUC’s e2i Deputy Director Ang
Li May: “NTUC’s e2i started working with
partners in the creative community this year, to
outreach and bring professional development
opportunities to the creative professionals. Our
main focus is on placement and professional
development, which will enable the creative
professionals to
build on their skills
necessary to secure
assignments and
jobs, as well as
to build up their
portfolio.
“The collaboration between NTUC’s e2i and
Six Degrees has created a new platform for
creative professionals and freelancers to greater
awareness of training programmes, industry
knowledge, networking opportunities, as well as
having a community network to share resources
and experiences.”
One of the attendees who benefited from
this session was Graphic Designer Mr Tan
Thye Chuan, who saw the opportunity to get
in touch with experts in the industry beneficial
to him. “For a start, this workshop is a good
exposure for people who do not know what
happens behind the scenes in creating mobile
applications and games. The application and
game market is up and rising now that there
are so many people using iphone, and it’s great
“
Moving forward, NTUC’s
e2i and Six Degrees will
continue to organise the expert
networking series on a quarterly
basis, focusing on topics and
sub-sectors relevant to the
creative industry.”
Ang Li May, NTUC’s e2i Deputy Director
that NTUC’s e2i and Six Degrees are increasing
awareness in this area,” said Mr Tan.
NTUC’s e2i’s collaboration with Six Degrees
started in early 2010, and NTUC’s e2i has been
funding for some programmes facilitated by
Six Degrees. This is the second of such joint
networking seminars organised for the industry
players.
8
workingfor
• totalproductivity
FDAWU Puts Premium On Education
By Marcus Lin
A
total of 337 children of Food, Drinks
and Allied Workers' Union (FDAWU)
members received scholarship and
study grant awards worth $60,700
on 17 December 2010 at NTUC
Centre.
Guest-of-Honour at the presentation
ceremony NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and
FDAWU Executive Secretary Heng Chee How
urged the recipients to seize the educational
opportunities and “continue to work hard, learn
fast and do well in your studies”.
DSG Heng said: “Singapore has always
focused our investments for the long term
as this is critical for the continued success of
Singapore and Singaporeans. A good education
is perhaps the best of these investments as
there is no better favour than to help another be
educated as far as his or her potential permits.
“For students who are present here today
to receive your scholarships or bursary awards,
you are very fortunate. Singapore’s system
of meritocracy ensures that all have equal
opportunities to quality education.
“The unions through these awards help
ensure that few are denied these opportunities.
The knowledge that you acquire today will
enable you to ride the wave of the knowledgebased economy of tomorrow. When that
Some of the lucky FDAWU members’ children pose with (3rd from
left) FDAWU General Treasurer Alex Sim, (6th from left) FDAWU
Vice-President Doreen Chui, (far right) FDAWU Executive Secretary
Heng Chee How and (2nd from right) FDAWU General Secretary Tan
Hock Soon.
happens, do not forget to contribute in
meaningful ways, to society and your parents
who have nurtured you.”
Some 280 of the recipients together with
their proud parents were present to collect their
awards. One happy FDAWU parent was Mr Soh
Key Heng whose four children received study
grants. He said: “This event is very beneficial
and I always look forward to it. I have come
for this event at least three times and am very
“
A good education is
perhaps the best of
these investments as there is
no better favour than to help
another be educated as far as
his or her potential permits.”
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and
FDAWU Executive Secretary Heng
Chee How
happy that my four children have benefitted
from it. The FDAWU staff are also very friendly”.
Interestingly, the two MCs for the ceremony
were scholarship award recipients themselves.
They were 11-year-old Muhammad Asyraf bin
Kasmani and 12-year-old Sen Fong Ling.
Delivered! On Time
Solutions To
Manpower Problems
Tripartite Partners Make
Newsvendor Industry More
Attractive
By
Nicolette Yeo
D
From left to right: SNDA President Tay Hua
Ngee, NTUC ASG Seng Han Thong and
Hong Kin Chai, President of the Malaysian
equivalent of SNDA (Persekutuan
Persatuan Persatuan Pengedar Pengedar
Suratkhabar Malaysia).
espite being in an era dominated
by online media, newspapers
continue to maintain a stronghold
on Singapore readers. This is why
the newspaper distribution trade
remains important in the country.
Like many trades today, it faces the
challenge of attracting and retaining local
workers. This was disclosed by NTUC Assistant
Secretary-General Seng Han Thong who
was the Guest-of-Honour at the Singapore
Newspaper Distributors Association (SNDA)
70th Anniversary Dinner on 25 December 2010.
ASG Seng, who is also SNDA’s Advisor,
said that to this end the Tripartite Workgroup
formed by representatives of NTUC, SNDA, the
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Singapore
Press Holdings (SPH) have raised the salaries
of newsvendors and improved their working
terms and conditions. SNDA also underwent
a branding exercise to raise the overall image
of newsvendors. These efforts have paid off
as more Singaporeans were recruited into the
newsvendor workforce last year.
SNDA President Tay Hua Ngee added
that the association will also be stepping up
tripartite communications with the Government
and the unions to “relook the problems our
community faces and to address it”.
ASG Seng also noted that SPH has
heeded the Labour Movement’s call to be
Cheaper Better Faster. Together with SNDA, it
is in the process of semi-automating its press
operations which are, in turn, ramping up the
productivity of the newsvendors.
“For example, vendors with fewer workers
can make use of insertion machines. This
will help reduce their pressure to get workers
to meet delivery deadlines,” said ASG
Seng. “Moving ahead, SPH will put in place
newspaper vending machines in areas where
there are lower subscription orders. This is so
that more workers can be deployed to deliver
newspapers to areas with higher subscription
orders.”
totalproductivity • workingfor
Two Unionised Companies Get
Esteemed Int’l AARP Awards
9
T
By Marcus Lin
wo unionised companies, Healthcare
Services Employees’ Union affiliated
National University Hospital (NUH) and
the Public Utilities Board Employees’
Union affiliated PUB, the national water
agency, had the distinction of receiving the AARP
International Innovative Employer Award.
Presented by Minister-In-Charge of Ageing
Issues Lim Boon Heng on behalf of the Council
for Third Age on 15 December 2010, NUH and
PUB were honoured for being among 15 of the
world’s best employers in adopting innovative
human resource and workforce practices to
engage older workers.
He said that the re-employment approach
decided by the Government for workers over 62,
as recommended by the Tripartite Committee
on Employability of Older Workers, and which
legislation would be implemented from 2012 is a
viable strategy.
“Re-employment provides greater flexibility
for both employers and employees than
raising the statutory minimum retirement age.
It allows employer and employee to work out
an arrangement that takes into consideration
their respective needs. For employers, reemployment allows them to tap on a pool of
experienced employees while still maintaining
cost competitiveness.
“For employees, they can be re-employed
on a different job and on different terms and
conditions. This provides employees with the
opportunity to work longer so that they can
continue to contribute to their organisation, earn
(From right) PUB
Director, Human
Resource, Lawrence
Tan; Minister-InCharge of Ageing
Issues Lim Boon
Heng; NUH Director,
Human Resource,
Clara Wee; and
Council For Third Age
Chairman Gerard Ee
at the AARP awards
presentation.
a regular income and build up more funds for
retirement.”
Minister Lim highlighted a Ministry of
Manpower 2009 survey indicating that 92 per
cent of employees reaching 62 during the
year ending June 2009 were allowed to work
beyond the age of 62. Also, the 2010 Labour
Force Survey said the employment rate for
older residents aged 55 to 64 rose to a new
high of 59.0 per cent in 2010, after holding
steady at 57.2 per cent the past two years
during the economic downturn.
“This shows that employers recognise the
contributions of older employees and are hiring
and retaining the older employees.
“I am also happy to see that 91 per
cent of unionised companies - or
1,047 companies - have committed
to re-employment. Out of this, 488
companies, or about 50 per cent, have
adopted a HR policy to re-employ
older workers.”
Among other age-friendly employment
practices, PUB sends mature employees for preretirement consultations one year ahead of their
retirement age of 62, covering re-employment
arrangements, re-training opportunities, pay and
benefits, health and financial management. NUH
invests in hardware and technology to help older
workers with physically challenging tasks.
FairPrice To Set Up Shop In Vietnam
W
ith over 250 stores in Singapore,
NTUC Fairprice Co-operative
Limited has already made
its mark locally. Now, they
are hoping to do the same in
Vietnam.
On 20 December 2010, Fairprice inked a
joint venture agreement with the Saigon Union
of Trading Co-operatives Limited to set up a
chain of hypermarkets in Vietnam. Due next
year, the hypermarkets will boast an extensive
array of products, including local, imported and
FairPrice housebrands.
Through the partnership, FairPrice will be
able to tap on the economies of scale, existing
loyalty programmes and large customer base
of Saigon Co-op’s network of supermarkets to
grow the brand in Vietnam. FairPrice will also
have an additional source of supply to offer
Singaporeans more choices.
The joint venture will also be greatly
beneficial to Saigon Co-op as they stand to gain
a wider range of food products, competitive
prices and better accessibility.
Chairman of NTUC FairPrice Ng Ser Miang
(Front row) NTUC FairPrice Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Kian Chew (left) and Saigon Co-op Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Hoa inked a joint
venture to build a chain of hypermarkets in Vietnam. Witnessing the signing ceremony is NTUC FairPrice Chief Executive Officer (Singapore)
Seah Kian Peng (second from left) and NTUC FairPrice Chairman Ng Ser Miang (fourth from left) together with senior management staff of
NTUC FairPrice and representatives of Saigon Co-op.
said: “As co-operatives, we share the same
philosophy to put the interests of our customers
high on the agenda of our business approach.
FairPrice has been moderating the cost of living
in Singapore for the past 37 years and we are
keen to share our experiences with our friends
in Vietnam.
“As the leading retailer in Vietnam, Saigon
Co-op already has a strong customer following
and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the
consumers in Vietnam. We are proud to be a
partner of Saigon Co-op and we look forward to
learning the culture and business environment in
Vietnam.”
10
engaging
3,800 Children ‘Invade’ Parents At Work
T
By Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
he school holidays are a fun time for
children, and for some their schedule
of activities includes a special visit to
their parents’ workplace! Launched in
June 2009, the ‘Little Ones @ Work’
programme by NTUC Women’s Development
Secretariat (WDS) gave 3,800 children the
chance to spend a day with their parents at
work and get a sneak peak at mommy’s and
daddy’s workplaces across 101 companies.
To help employees strike a better balance
between work and family, NTUC WDS
spearheads the programme in partnership
with management and union partners. Since
the pilot series in December 2008 where 200
staff and 100 children participated, there has
been encouraging response and a significant
growth in participants. In 2010, more than 60
companies committed to the programme with
more than 2,000 participating children in a
single year.
The programme gives children the
opportunity to appreciate and understand their
parents’ jobs and help parents bond with their
children. At the same time, it also helps the
employees feel a stronger sense of belonging to
the company.
“
NTUC WDS has undertaken
many initiatives during the year
in a bid to actively promote work life
balance and encourage employers
to offer more family-friendly
programmes to their employees. We
are glad to see that the ‘Little Ones
@ Work’ programme has been wellreceived by companies and we have
received encouraging feedbacks
on the programme. Going forward,
we hope to extend this programme
to more companies and continue to
witness its growth.”
Halimah Yacob, NTUC Deputy SecretaryGeneral and NTUC Women’s Development
Secretariat Alignment Director
Parents and children enjoying the view from the 50th floor of the Pinnacle@Duxton.
A Peak Treat
It was a top-of-the-world treat for about
80 children when they tagged along with
their parents to work at the Housing and
Development Board (HDB) in November 2010.
As part of the ‘Little Ones @ Work’ programme
jointly organised by the HDB Corporate
Development Department, HDB Staff Union and
Club HDB, the children had the chance to visit
the Pinnacle@Duxton.
It was an exciting experience for the children
aged between 7 to 12 years old as they enjoyed
the scenic view from the skybridge on the 50th
floor. “It was very high and I could see the sea!”
said seven-year-old Nur Asyuraliyana, who was
there with her mother Nur Rashiqah Mustafa.
An Assistant Administrative Executive and a
HDBSU member, Madam Nur Rashiqah also
found the event to be a good opportunity for
her daughter to know more about her job in the
office.
This was what HDB Corporate Development
Director Randy Lim has hoped to achieve
through ‘Little Ones @ Work’. "Through this
event, we hope to create an opportunity for our
staff's children to catch a glimpse of what their
parents' workplace is like, and have a better
Nur Rashiqah Mustafa and daughter Nur Asyuraliyana.
appreciation of what they do at work. I believe
that this will enhance the bonding between
them and their children," he said.
HDBSU President Michael Koh also
applauded the effort to diversify the
programme for ‘Little Ones @ Work’. He said:
“In the past, the child had a chance to visit
their parents’ workplaces. I am glad this year
the organising committee have arranged for
the children to visit the Pinnacle @ Duxton
which is the tallest HDB building.”
The children and parents also took a tour
around the HDB Gallery to know more about
the organisation’s history over the last fifty
years.
A Day Of Fun And Bonding
For the first time, Parkway Holdings Limited participated in ‘Little Ones
@ Work’ for its hospitals and clinics in four sessions on 3, 8, 9 and 17
December 2010. More than 102 children and their parents from Parkway
Shenton clinics, Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Parkway
East Hospital enjoyed fun activities for a day.
Mrs Ma Concepcion Nillo, a staff nurse at Gleneagles Hospital’s Maternity
Ward, brought her three children aged 12, 9 and 3 years to the event. She
said: “As I work long hours, I am not able to spend as much time as I would
like with my children.”
Recognising this, Parkway’s Human Resources Senior Vice President
Ann Yong hoped that the ‘Little Ones @ Work’ initiative will help provide a
platform for families to come together for meaningful parent-child bonding
activities and build the foundation of a family-friendly culture at the company.
With help from the Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers' Union in
terms of logistics facilitation and union members’ volunteerism, the inaugural
event proved to be a success. SMMWU Vice-President and Branch
Chairperson of Parkway Goghari Sibilisuraya said: “The feedback we receive
from the ‘Little Ones @ Work’ were very positive. By bringing their children
and introducing them to their parent’s work environment, it makes them
understand their parents better.”
Physiotherapist Abdul Kader Ansari introducing the Gleneagles Hospital's rehabilitation facility
to the children.
engaging
11
Famili First Club Is A Fit Way To Bond
W
By Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
ith the opening of the second
Famili First Club at Block 62
Dakota Crescent, Madam
Pauline Foo, 58, and her
daughter Madam Celest Foo,
33, have a good reason to stay fit. Living in the
same block as the club, they find it convenient
to make their way down as a family not only to
keep up with their fitness routines, but also to
spend time with each other. Madam Celest Foo,
who also brings her young daughter to the club,
said: “We don’t have to travel very far to the
gym and we can motivate each other when we
exercise.”
A collaboration between NTUC Eldercare
Co-operative Limited and Dynaforce
International Private Limited, the Famili First
Club is the second 3-Generation Family Fitness
Club following the first one at Punggol South in
2009. The official opening of the family-friendly
gym on 11 December 2010 was celebrated
with an open house as part of the Dakota InterGenerational Wellness Day, where Member of
Parliament and Adviser to Marine Parade GRC
Lim Biow Chuan (pictured, second from right)
was the Guest-of-Honour.
He said: “The opening of this second family
gym, less than a year after the first, shows the
success of the family gym concept in meeting
the community’s call for sustainable ways to
promote active aging, inter-generational bonding
and combat obesity.”
As a healthy lifestyle resonates with all
generations, the inclusive approach of intergenerational bonding through health and
fitness also allows families to understand the
aging process. “Family is always first line of
care. Bonding is important for filial piety and
doing things together is the starting point for
them to understand and be involved in the
aging process,” said NTUC Eldercare General
Manager Lim Sia Hoe (pictured, first from left).
The Famili First Club features five stations -
U Family Parents And
Babies Boogie To Bond
By Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
L
Pictures by Episode Photography
ady Gaga and Ke$ha were blaring out
of the speakers at Zouk on a weekend
as revellers took on the dancefloor and
podiums under the strobe lights with
a free flow of drinks. But this is a party
unlike any other. For three hours in the afternoon
of 19 December 2010, the club turned into
a party hotspot for children as part of NTUC
Family Development Unit’s first ever 'U Family
Baby Loves Disco!'.
225 children up to seven years old,
including 40 babies less than a year old, danced
away to Mambo, R&B and Top 40s tunes at the
Christmas-themed party. The children were also
treated to balloon sculpturing, face painting and
other games and activities when they needed a
Games Bike, Easyline Circuit Workout, Indoor
Rowing, Wii Sports Games and Outdoor
Freeplay - to encourage families to workout
together by competing against each other or by
themselves. The game element in the exercises
makes it fun for children as well as adults.
From a health perspective, Chairman of
Dynaforce International Jimmie Lee (pictured,
third from right) explained that as endorphins are
released during exercise, it makes individuals
feel good, making it an ideal time for bonding.
break from dancing.
NTUC member Sherees Koh brought her
children aged three, five, and seven to the event
and found it to be a refreshing experience. “It
is something new for the children to enjoy,” she
said.
The event was also a platform for families to
bond as described by NTUC Alignment Director
(U Family) Toh Hwee Tin: “The 'U Family
Baby Loves Disco!' is really cool. The hippest
nightclub was transformed into a safe and fun
entertainment place for kids. Parents chilled out
with a cocktail while their kids danced merrily
and such afternoon dance parties connect
families to one another as they share common
interests.”
12
engaging
12 ‘
’ Make A Date
To Vie For Top Idol
By Andrea Ng
A
Senior Executive, NTUC Club Marketing & Communications
fter four grueling rounds of competitions which saw impressive singing
and spectacular showmanship from some of the Labour Movement’s
most dazzling individuals, the 12 grand finalists of the U Fame Awards
10/11 have been revealed.
Talents from eight unions - The Singapore Manual & Mercantile
Workers’ Union; Healthcare Services Employees’ Union; Food, Drinks and Allied
Workers’ Union; United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries; Singapore
Technologies Electronics Employees’ Union; Singapore Teachers’ Union; Sembawang
Shipyard Employees’ Union and Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore will be
battling it out in the grand finals at D’Marquee, Downtown East on 22 January 2011.
At the semi-finals held at Scarlet City over a month ago, 24 contestants
representing 15 unions vied for a spot in the final 12. The 24 hopefuls were chosen
from a total of 317 contestants from 39 unions in the earlier auditions, preliminary
rounds and quarter-finals, proving that they really can sing! However, only half could
advance to the grand finals, and it was a joyful relief for 12 contestants when the
results were announced.
They gave their all in stellar performances that included songs from English rock
to Mandopop, Malay ballads to Hokkien evergreens. UWEEI representative Ms Susan
Teo couldn’t have put it better: “What sets this singing competition apart from others
is that it is a multi-racial, multi-lingual competition. I’m not restricted in my song
choices, which means I can choose an English song this week and a Malay song the
next.”
Ms Teo, who was approached by her union to join the U Fame Awards, has so far
belted out songs in English, Malay and Hokkien. Her heartfelt rendition of the theme
song from hit Taiwanese drama serial `Taiwan Tornado’ earned her a spot in the semifinals. Another contestant, Mr Leveeh Ian Pastor was egged on to participate by his
union, HSEU, as well as his employer, the Institute of Mental Health. He did HSEU
proud during the semi-finals and got the crowd cheering to his near-perfect version
of `This Is The Moment’ from the Broadway musical `Jekyll and Hyde’ which has been
performed at the Olympics twice.
Mr Christopher Ang Chee
Tiong, 33, SMMWU
Mr Leveeh Ian Pastor, 33,
HSEU
Mr Leon Lim Choon Keong,
27, SMMWU
Ms Namira Binte Jamil, 25,
FDAWU
Ms Susan Teo Soon Kiang,
56, UWEEI
Mr Sany Supait Rohman,
45, STEEU
Mr Rozaimi Abd Raitim,
25, STU
Mr Kamsari Bin Jalil, 44,
SSEU-Sembawang
Ms Azleeha Binte Mohamed
Salleh, 28, HSEU
Mae Lorraine Feliciano
Ybanez, 25, HSEU
Muhammad Redza Bin
Abdullah, 24, SMMWU
Tan Jee Ming Nelson, 29,
UTES
Young UWEEI Holds Bash With A Bang
By
Sabrina Liow
Industrial Relations Officer, United Workers of Electronic
and Electrical Industries
T
he youth chapter of United
Workers of Electronic and
Electrical Industries held its
annual bash with a bang on
20 November 2010 at the
Arena. This event also doubled as the
union’s recruitment drive. A total of 110
new members were recruited, which is
the highest figure for any recruitment
event in UWEEI. This is also the highest
recruitment figure recorded at a Young
UWEEI bash. Some 600 participants
turned up for this event.
Said Young UWEEI Chairman and UWEEI
Executive Council Member Jason Lee: “Our
annual bash has been Young UWEEI’s signature
event since its inception six years ago. We
always have an overwhelming response for this
event. We look forward to collaborating with
other youth chapters in the future to continue
engaging the younger generation of union
members.”
This was also the first year that UWEEI
practised price differentiation for members and
non-members, with members enjoying $5 off
the non-member rates of $15. The event was
funded by Young NTUC’s Seed Funding, which
is a funding to support youth chapters in the
Labour Movement to organise events to engage
young members.
The union also channelled more efforts on
the publicity of the event by heading down to
companies to create awareness of
the event through posters, targeting
especially at specific groups such
as employees from the Philippines
and India who enjoy dancing and
partying. All the participants who
turned up soaked well in the Arabian
theme of the night.
Shared Mr Ramanathan
Kumaran, Branch Official, Terasaki
Electric Corporation Limited: “This
was the first time that my members
and I have participated in Young
UWEEI’s bash. The programme was
very entertaining, and many guests
took the effort to dress up which
added colours to the event. As workers, we are
always hard at work, and such events provide
us a chance to have fun and enjoy at a very
affordable price. We will definitely participate in
other future events by Young UWEEI.”
Young UWEEI hopes to reach out to new
groups of young members who have never
joined these bashes before by organising a
bigger and better bash for next year, celebrating
UWEEI’s 30th anniversary.
就业辅导计划
13
就业辅导
惠及1万7000名工友
未经训练，不知从何开始接受训
练；受过一些训练，想要学习更多技
能；受过专业训练，想要寻求更好的
就业机会。无论是属于上述哪个类别
的求 职者 和工友，全国职 工总会 合
约工友及散工单位都能指引他们通
过最相关的渠道，提高他们的就业能
力。
去年，职总合约工友及散工单位
共举行了25场就业辅导计划（EIP），
惠及1万7000名合约工友及散工，并
为其中700人提供培训。今年，该单位
将更积极地向这群在经济上属于弱势
群体的工人伸出触角。
寻找适当的培训课程
4 6岁的刘先生 是 孺 廊 小 学的校
工，因想学习新技能和新知识，因此
在2010年12月4日前往职总就业与职
能培训中心寻求援助。最终，他通过
职总合约工友及散工单位的就业辅
导计划找到答案。
经过辅导后，刘先生报名参加就
业工作坊（ASK），除了学习沟通等软
技能外，他也调整心态，面对经济景
观改变带来的挑战。
刘先生说：“我希望继续参与其
他培训课程，以找到一份保安业的工
作。我曾从事电子业，被裁后必须调
整心态接受一份低工资的工作。通过
培训及就业与职能培训中心的帮助，
我 希望能拥 有 更 好 的生 活。”接下
来，刘先生将接受电脑技能的评估，
并会参与保安业相关的培训课程。
每个工友都有各自不同的培训需求。我们
仔细地评估每个人的需求，以确保给予他们最适
当的指导，改善他们的生活。
— 职总合约工友及散工单位署长再努丁
协助工友精益求精
虽然瑟维根（40岁）上过的培训
课程包括就业必备技能制度（ESS）、
职能训练营（EC）及专业服务鉴定课
程（CSP），但他依然渴望继续学习。
目前，瑟维根正在待业，他具备保
安业的经验，也不介意从事技术领域
的工作。为瑟维根进行评估的工作人
员劝他报名参加就业工作坊，他也可
出席就业与职能培训中心定期举行的
职业预览。
瑟 维 根说：“学无 止 境，我有信
心，通过不断地学习，我能在技术领
域找到一份工作。我在机械配件方面
有一定的工作经验，通过职总就业与
职能培训中心和合约工友及散工单
位的指导，相信我会成功的。”
指引正确方向
59岁的阿诗玛原本也准备报名参
加就业工作坊。不过，经过合约工友
及散工单位一对一的评估后，她拥有
了全然不同的机会。
由于 拥 有 较 好 的 学历及 工作 经
验，合约工友及散工单位推介阿诗玛
参加就业与职能培训中心举办的执行
人员工作坊。该工作坊的培训内容有
别于专为普通员工及求职者设计的
就业工作坊。
阿诗玛也受邀出席就业与职能培
训中心举办的专业人士职业预览。她
说：
“他们建议好几个行业，包括幼教
业，但我对行政工作比较感兴趣。他
们听取我的意见，并邀请我参加相关
行业的职业预览。我很庆幸，在寻找
新工作的时候能得到帮助。”
将技能代代相传
新加坡宇航业持续面对熟练员工
短缺的挑战。为了解决这个问题，新
加坡科技宇航和新加坡工业与服务
业雇员联合会推出一项新倡议，让年
长员工将自己的专业技术和经验传承
下去。
这个92小时的“新科宇航年长员
工导师培训课程”由职总恒习有限公
司设计，旨在让新科宇航的年长熟练
工友掌握担任导师的技能，负责指导
较为年轻的同事。首批完成培训的新
科宇航员工共15人，年龄介于50岁至
68岁。
结业典礼于2010年12月10日在新
科宇航技术培训中心 举行，新科宇
航总裁曾昭德在致词时指出，公司约
10%员工的年龄在50岁以上，其中多
人身处主管及高技能岗位，因此，借
16-20.indd 13
助他们的专业技能和宝贵经验是非
常重要的。
曾昭德表示，这项培训课程让学
员掌握必要的基本技能，去引导和指
导年轻的同事。在长达12天半的培训
课程中，学员不单学会“指导徒弟”
的技巧，也通过劳动技能认证课程，
掌握管理和建立团队精神的技能。培
训课程还包括如何运用互联网及社
交网站与年轻一代沟通。
61岁的拉杰表示，这个内容全面
的培训课程让他学会如何正确地引 “新科宇航年长员工导师培训课程”的首届毕业生与出席结业典礼的嘉宾合影。
导年轻的同事。他说：
“培训还有助
为，该培训课程将为重新雇佣铺平道
职总恒习工业技能主任苏雷什也
于公司X世代和Y世代的同事改善工
路，也确认年长员工可以如何为公司
表示，当各企业为重新雇佣法令做好
作表现及对工作范围的认识。”
增值。接下来，工会希望能和更多公
准备之际，职总恒习将继续协助这些
新科宇航的“师徒”制是迈向重
司合作，鼓励他们为重新雇佣做好准
企业培训年长员工，让他们具备肩负
新雇 佣的积极 步骤。新加坡工业与
备。
导师等新任务的技能。
服务业雇员联合 会秘书长林光明认
1/6/11 2:30 PM
14
职总平价合作社
职总平价
进军越南市场
职总平价合作社在新加坡取得骄
人成绩，拥有超过250家店面。现在，
该合作社进军越南市场，准备在异国
大展拳脚。
2010年12月20日，职总平价和西
贡贸易合 作 社签 署合 资协议，在越
南设 立 连锁大 型 超 级市场，售卖各
种商品，其中包括职总平价的自家品
牌。
通过这项合作，职总平价得以借
助规模经济、现有的忠诚计划及西贡
合作社超市网络的庞大客户群，在越
南建立品牌。此外，职总平价也能开
拓新的供货源，为国人提供 更多选
择。同样的，西贡合作社也能获得不
同种类的食品及具竞争力的价格。
职 总平价 合 作 社 主 席 黄 思 绵
说：
“作为合作社，我们拥有同样的
理念，即经营方针皆以顾客的利益为
先。在过去37年里，职总平价放缓了
新加坡生活费的上涨率，我们希望能
与越南的朋友分享这个经验。”
他说：“西贡合 作社是领先越南
市场的零售商，拥有庞大的客户群，
并深得越南消费者的支持。能够成为
他们的合作伙伴，我们很自豪，并期
待能够学习越南的文化，以及熟悉当
地的营商环境。”
职总平价总裁陈建秋（前排左）和西贡合作社主席阮玉和（音译）签署合资协议。
劳资政协作
突破派报业瓶颈
在新加坡劳资政三方的努力协
作下，派报业通过招募更多派报员及
引进半自动化作业程序，突破人手短
缺的瓶颈，以达到更好、更快、更有
效益的目标。
新加坡派报同业公会于2010年12
月25日欢庆成立70周年。全国职工
总会助理秘书长兼新加坡派报同业
公会顾问成汉通在致词时指出，报业
公司和报贩的关系密切，报章肩负传
达讯息的重任，但如果没有报贩，读
者就无法阅读到新闻，反之亦然。他
说：
“报贩近年来面临人手短缺的问
题，在人力部、报业控股、派报同业
公会及职工总会组成劳资政三方工作
小组后，终于取得一些成绩。”
首先，报业公司和派报同业公会
合作，提高派报员的工资待遇，并改
善员工的福利，联手改造行业形象，
以吸引求职者投身派报事业。自去年
展开形象改造工作以来，派报业已成
功招募更多派报员。
同时，报业公司也审视其编辑部、
16-20.indd 14
印刷部及发行部的作业程序。在整合
了内部同仁及派报同业公会的意见
后，引进半自动化的作业程序，取代
旧有的方式。此外，报业公司也在订
户较少的地区设置售报机，抽调员工
到人手最短缺的地区工作，提高了员
工部署的效率。
成汉通说：“回顾 这一年来的改
革，成绩令人欣喜，但我们绝对不可
以因此而自满，报业还面对新媒体的
竞争，报贩也因为部分订户的流失而
烦恼，劳资政三方还须要继续合作，
迎接前所未有的挑战。”
新加坡派报同业公会会长郑 锴
受访时也呼吁同业继续顺应时代的
变迁而做出改变，以更好地迎接未来
的挑战。
新加坡派报同业公会庆祝70周年
纪念之际，马来西亚派报同业公会总
会也同时庆祝30周年纪念。这次是两
国派报同业公会相隔13年后，第二次
联合举行周年纪念晚会，约500人出
席当晚的宴会。
报贩近年来面临人手短缺的问题，在人力
部、报业控股、派报同业公会及职工总会组成劳
资政三方工作小组后，终于取得一些成绩。
— 新加坡派报同业公会顾问成汉通
新马派报同业公会联合举行周年纪念晚会。左起：郑 锴、成汉通、马来西亚派报同业公会总
会长韩庆祥。
1/6/11 2:30 PM
全国德士师傅协会
15
天天驾，日日存
加强自雇人士社会安全网
自“天天驾，日日存”计划展开以来，已有
超过70%的德士师傅享有该计划的好处。只要他
们定期存款入保健储蓄户头，德士公司就会为他
们每年填补180元，因此全国德士师傅协会希望
计划展开之后，能吸引更多德士师傅定期储蓄。
—全国德士师傅协会顾问成汉通
成汉通（中）与黄文金（右四）和人力部及德士公司的代表，在记者会上宣布“天天驾，日日
存”计划正式推出。
“天天驾，日日存”计划是全国
德士师傅协会于2010年6月26日整合
以来，以更强大、更一致的声音，为提
升德士师傅福利落实的首个措施。从
2010年7月开始，人力部、公积金局、
陆路交通管理局、全国德士师傅协会
及7家德士公司的代表就组成“天天
驾，日日存”工作委员会，并积极通过
路演及传单向德士师傅传达该计划的
好处。
按此计划，租车师傅每天为保健
户头填补至少5毛钱，德士公司就会
为他们填补5毛钱。一年下来，每名
租车师傅的保健 户头就有至少3 6 0
元。这么一来，不仅能确保德士师傅
有能力支付家人和个人的医疗护理费
用，通过保健储蓄存款赚取4%的利
息，符合就业补助计划资格的德士师
傅还可享有多达1800元的就业补助
金。因此，全国德士师傅协会及其劳
资政协作伙伴呼吁所有德士师傅定
期填补保健户头，以从“天天驾，日
日存”计划受惠。
计划获得热烈支持
胜达德士有限公司总经理吴坤成
说：
“从长远来看，这项计划能帮助公
司的德士师傅增加保健户头的储蓄，
因此我们给予百分百的支持。”
全国德士师傅协会会长黄文金也
指出，每天储蓄5毛钱是德士师傅能
够负担的款项。由于这项计划能有效
地鼓励德士师傅定期储蓄，因此得到
许多德士师傅的大力支持。目前，已
有超过70%的德士师傅从“天天驾，
日日存”计划受惠。
康福德士有限公司的德士师傅翁
文坤（43岁）就表示，随着年龄的增
长，为未 来 做 好准备 是 重要的。他
说：
“在这项计划推出之前，我已通
过公司内部的储蓄计划定期填补保
健户头。有了这项新计划，将有助于
增加我的保健户头储蓄。”
本地公司获颁
“国际创新雇主奖”
设有工会的新加坡国立大学医院及
公用事业局，因采纳创新的人力资源
与雇佣做法聘请年长员工，获美国退
休人员协会（AARP）颁发“国际创新
雇主奖”。全球共有15家公司获得此
奖项。
公用事业 局 在员工 达 到 6 2岁退
休 年龄的前一年，就让他们接受退
休前辅导，内容包括重新雇佣事宜，
再培训计划，薪酬福利，健康与财务
管理。新加坡国立大学医院则投资
硬件与科 技，协助年长员工进行 耗
体力的工作。2010年12月15日，负责
人口老化问题的总理公署部长林文
兴代表活跃乐龄理事会将奖项颁给
16-20.indd 15
这两家公司。
林文兴表示，于2012年正式生效
的重新雇佣法令是可行的政策。与提
高最低法定退休年龄相比，重新雇佣
为雇主和员工提供更大的灵活度。双
方可根据各自的需求做出安排。
他说：
“对雇主而言，重新雇佣让
他们得以在保持成本竞争力的同时，
继续借助资深员工的经验。对雇员而
言，则可以在不同的雇佣条件下担任
不同的工作，让他们得以继续留在职
场，为公司做出贡献，并赚取固定收
入，储蓄更多退休基金。”
林文兴强调，根据人力部2009年
的调查报告，在2009年6月达62岁的
员工当中，92%得以继续留在职场。同
时，2010年劳动力调查报告也显示，55
岁至64岁年长员工的就业率也从前两
年经济低迷时的57.2%上升至59%。
他说：
“这显示雇主肯定年长员工
的贡献，并正在聘请及保留这些老员
工。我也感到很高兴，91%设有工会
的公司已承诺落实重新雇佣计划。其
中50%已制定重新雇用年长员工的
人力资源政策。”
1/6/11 2:30 PM
售价60c | MICA (P) 142/09/2010
2011年1月7日
与2009年的负增长相比，新加坡经济于2010年取
得14.7%的强劲增长，是在短期内不会历史重演的异常优
异表现。根据贸易与工业部的预测，我国今年的经济增长
率虽只有4%至6%，但仍值得表扬。
李显龙总理在其新年贺词中说，虽然发达国家的经济
充满不确定，但增长势头相当强劲的亚洲经济应会“为新
加坡创建一个良好的区域环境”。
不过，要长期维持4%-6%的经济增长仍是相当棘手
的。他说：
“我们必须提高国人的知识与技能，提高我们的
生产力与竞争力，让国人和我们的社会适应不断改变的世
界。这么一来，我们就可以掌握事态的发展，即使周围国
家面临挑战，我们依然可以持续进步与繁荣。随着经济的
增长，我们可以全面改善国人的生活。”
从长远来看，我们的
工友必须通过掌握更高的技
能，具备更高的生产力来赚
取更高的薪酬......这也就是
为什么全国职工总会、雇主
及政府必须携手合作，以努
力提升工友的生产力。
— 李总理
不过，李总理强调，新加坡仍然面对一些挑战，例如：
处理外籍劳工和移民涌入的问题，让屋价维持在合理水
平，以及帮助低收入的新加坡人。李总理最关注的，是因
全球化、经济竞争和新科技导致收入差距扩大的问题，而
许多国家都受该问题影响。
他说：
“我们努力确保大多数新加坡人从经济增长中
受惠，包括低收入、低技能的工人，以及属于夹心层的中
收入社群。许多政府措施给予较贫困的新加坡人援助。我
们加强公共援助，推出社区关怀计划和就业奖励，以及额
外公积金购屋津贴。至于中收入社群，我们降低所得税，
并建造更多行政公寓，扩大他们的住屋选择。”
“不过，最重要的措施不是政府给予的财务援助，而
是提升国人和工友的技能。从长远来看，我们的工友必须
通过掌握更高的技能，具备更高的生产力来赚取更高的薪
酬，特别是当其他亚洲国家的工友愿意接受更低的工资，
以及更长的工作时间。这也就是为什么全国职工总会、雇
主及政府必须携手合作，以努力提升工友的生产力。”
培养优秀接班人
李总理也指出，大力投资于教育，为明日的工友做好准
备是值得的。此外，他也强调了领袖素质和国民精神的重
要性。虽然国家面积小，又缺乏天然资源，但正因为拥有
卓越的团队精神和领导力，因此新加坡依然可以保持其竞
争力。
他说：
“我们的系统产生了强大有效的政府，在主要课
题上达成共识，并集中力量实现国家的目标。我们必须继
续这么做，以最大限度地提高我们的集体表现，保持领先
地位。”
“因此，领导者必须提供良好的政策，为国人创造机
会，号召国人一起共创美好的明天。这个团队必须能够在
有效地领导新加坡的同时，培养有潜质的接班人。确保新
加坡持续拥有英明的领导层，是至关重要的优先事项。”
李总理也指出，
“能否成功，也取决于新加坡人是否拥
有正确的精神，即大胆尝试新事物，有信心面对激烈的竞
争，以及愿意竭尽所能将事情做好。”
德士师傅未雨绸缪
由全国德士师傅协会 推出的“天天驾，日日存”计划
于2011年1月1日正式推出，我国7家德士公司预计每年将拨
出超过400万元填补租车师傅的保健户头。这是首个在行业
层面为自雇人士推出的储蓄计划，该计划不但鼓励7家德士
公司属下约2万5000名租车师傅定期储蓄以未雨绸缪，更重
要的是，它加强了新加坡自雇人士的社会安全网。
全国职工总会助理秘书长兼全国德士师傅协会顾问成
汉通表示，
“天天驾，日日存”计划是劳资政三方协作的成
果。他指出，保健储蓄是所有新加坡工友享有的主要福利之
一，德士师傅无异于其他新加坡人，因此也应享有同样的福
利。令人鼓舞的是，经过好几年的游说，德士师傅终于享有
德士公司为他们填补保健户头的福利。
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天天驾，日日存
加强自雇人士
社会安全网
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