MM Lee's full speech @ NTUC's 50th anniversary dinner

MM Lee urges NTUC to help workers secure better jobs & wages
Channel News Asia
13 May 2011

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has challenged Singapore's trade union movement to keep up with the fast pace of economic transformation.

Speaking at NTUC's 50th anniversary celebrations and dinner on Friday night, Mr Lee also urged unionists to help workers secure better jobs, better wages and a better life for the years ahead.

The dinner was attended by 3,500 guests - among them, President S R Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, ministers, Members of Parliament and some 250 representatives from international trade union organisations.

The minister mentor told his audience that throughout his political career, he has always been mindful of the interests of workers and their unions.

He said: "In government, I have never forgotten that it is in the interest of the workers and their unions that we must strive for growth and development.

"In other words, growth is meaningless unless it is shared by the workers - shared not only directly in wage increases but indirectly in better homes, better schools, better hospitals, better playing fields and, generally, a healthier environment for families to bring up their children."

Looking back on his career, Mr Lee said his political life started when he represented the trade unions as a young legal assistant in 1952, when the postmen were about to go on strike.

He later won his first election easily in 1955 in the Tanjong Pagar constituency, where the postmen and dock workers were also based.

MM Lee said he was glad that since stepping down as prime minister, successive leaders - first Mr Goh Chok Tong and now Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - have adopted pro-worker and pro-trade union policies.

"One thing that has changed, said Mr Lee, is the attitude of antagonism by employees towards their employers. What's in place now is a system of fair bargaining."

This has also led to cooperation in the National Wages Council.

Mr Lee said: "This is a unique system which has served us well. It has stopped unions from being adversaries - to squeeze employers out of business.

"Instead, they have teamed up with the government and employers in a tripartite system which has brought benefits to workers, the government and employers because industrial peace creates confidence and increases foreign investments. Whenever employers make above average rates of return on capital, profits are shared."

Mr Lee said Singapore's trade union leaders have also been agents of change. They have helped workers overcome the risk of unemployment due to the increasing use of computers and other new technologies.

Computer appreciation classes were set up for workers and workers did not fear becoming redundant or have their pay reduced.

Mr Lee wishes the labour movement many more years of active work for workers and their unions, working with the government and the employers on equal terms.

He added: "You have helped to create jobs and upgrade skills for our workers to live a better life in the first 50 years of the labour movement. Your challenge now is keep up with the fast pace of economic transformation, and help our workers - young and old, professionals and rank-and-file - to secure better jobs, better pays and live a better life for many more years to come."

Mr Lee and several political leaders as well as trade unionists were also honoured for their role in the development of the labour movement in the last 50 years.

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• MM Lee
• Minister Mentor
• Lee Kuan Yew