I AM curious about the role of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in politics. In recent announcements of potential candidates for the People's Action Party (PAP), I read that civil servants resigned their posts to join the NTUC.
The switch was aimed ostensibly at preparing these former civil servants to stand as PAP candidates in the upcoming general election.
I understand why civil servants cannot be Members of Parliament, but I have several questions:
In fact, it may well be unhealthy for Parliament to be overwhelmed by unionists. My perception is that there are too many MPs from NTUC in Parliament now and there may well be even more.
Ang Miah Boon
I only know ntuc ; fair price
redundancy if they are one entity.
I am surprised this letter gets published. Rather.
The role of Aunty-Lucy is quite easy.
They are less sympathetic to the opposition.
Maybe is the gahment trade union.
They sponsor PAP because they are filthy rich.
NTUC is to help the poor.
Originally posted by charlize:NTUC is to help the poor.
Originally posted by Nelstar:
Correct me if I am wrong.
If you can do it, then I ask what is NTUC for again?
NTUC have all along a "hiding haven" 4 all wanabe PAP candidates.
It should be gazetted as a political org, juz as they gazeeted TOC
Originally posted by charlize:NTUC is to help the poor.
Chief of ntuc is Mr Lim right?
Originally posted by likeyou:Chief of ntuc is Mr Lim right?
As head of a trade union, he said he is deaf to other people's comments.
Go figure.
Originally posted by charlize:Correct me if I am wrong.
If you can do it, then I ask what is NTUC for again?
It's a united congress for trading human rights to the nation's politics.
Originally posted by Leomanz:NTUC have all along a "hiding haven" 4 all wanabe PAP candidates.
It should be gazetted as a political org, juz as they gazeeted TOC
Agreed !!!
Wah Shit Times actually published this letter. Quite a lot of sticky questions but my great foresight powers tell me that NTUC will publish a very shifty reply. Heh.
NTUC, Govt and Citizens form a tripartism. This is a world's first. The greatest political theory of its kind since the days of Mao, Karl Marx and Hitler. If I'm not wrong, NTUC was a legacy of the English. It was meant to fight for the rights of blue collared workers. Today it has become a leashed hound.
Don't expect any intelligent or truthful answers.
NTUC like all Stat Boards hire a lot of people ............................
more votes for PAP only........................their families too
THE mission of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated unions is to protect and advance the interests of the workers of Singapore ('Explain role of NTUC in politics' by Mr Ang Miah Boon; last Wednesday).
Having seen militant unions disrupt growth and destroy jobs in the 1950s and 1960s, NTUC believes that a constructive brand of trade unionism and tripartism remains the best way of serving our workers.
Since 1961, NTUC has worked closely with the People's Action Party (PAP) Government to grow our economy and strengthen our society. Our low unemployment rate and steady increase in real wages have not happened by chance.
They are the direct result of this shared effort between NTUC and PAP to enable our people to have meaningful jobs and lead a purposeful life.
Labour MPs give workers a voice in Parliament and make NTUC a more effective labour movement. As labour leaders, they are responsible to the unions, members and workers at large. They express the concerns and aspirations of workers and speak up for balanced government policies that are both pro-business and pro-worker. They also work directly on measures to benefit workers, such as re-employment of older workers and back-to-work women, re-skilling of low-wage workers and upgrading of PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians).
As MPs, they are responsible to their voters and the public, and contribute actively to nation-building. Currently, three labour MPs lead the Government Parliamentary Committees for Manpower, Education, and Community Development, Youth and Sports, having been elected by their fellow PAP MPs to these posts.
How many labour MPs we have depends on the quality of NTUC candidates. Labour MPs undergo the same stringent selection process as other PAP candidates. As NTUC nurtures promising candidates for selection by PAP, we also recruit potential PAP candidates who can contribute to the labour movement. Such a two-way approach has served our workers and union members well.
On this 50th anniversary of NTUC, it is timely to recapitulate this symbiotic relationship between NTUC and PAP. Together, we are partners in nation-building.
John De Payva
President
National Trades Union Congress
Lim Swee Say
Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress
Sorry to say that the letter (as above) is a kind of popaganda...if not work with pap, work with who? Right?
Originally posted by Clivebenss:Mar 15, 2011 - ST Forum
Why NTUC works closely with PAP
THE mission of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated unions is to protect and advance the interests of the workers of Singapore ('Explain role of NTUC in politics' by Mr Ang Miah Boon; last Wednesday).
Having seen militant unions disrupt growth and destroy jobs in the 1950s and 1960s, NTUC believes that a constructive brand of trade unionism and tripartism remains the best way of serving our workers.
Since 1961, NTUC has worked closely with the People's Action Party (PAP) Government to grow our economy and strengthen our society. Our low unemployment rate and steady increase in real wages have not happened by chance.
They are the direct result of this shared effort between NTUC and PAP to enable our people to have meaningful jobs and lead a purposeful life.
Labour MPs give workers a voice in Parliament and make NTUC a more effective labour movement. As labour leaders, they are responsible to the unions, members and workers at large. They express the concerns and aspirations of workers and speak up for balanced government policies that are both pro-business and pro-worker. They also work directly on measures to benefit workers, such as re-employment of older workers and back-to-work women, re-skilling of low-wage workers and upgrading of PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians).
As MPs, they are responsible to their voters and the public, and contribute actively to nation-building. Currently, three labour MPs lead the Government Parliamentary Committees for Manpower, Education, and Community Development, Youth and Sports, having been elected by their fellow PAP MPs to these posts.
How many labour MPs we have depends on the quality of NTUC candidates. Labour MPs undergo the same stringent selection process as other PAP candidates. As NTUC nurtures promising candidates for selection by PAP, we also recruit potential PAP candidates who can contribute to the labour movement. Such a two-way approach has served our workers and union members well.
On this 50th anniversary of NTUC, it is timely to recapitulate this symbiotic relationship between NTUC and PAP. Together, we are partners in nation-building.
John De Payva
President
National Trades Union CongressLim Swee Say
Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress
For once, let the trade union chief do some work.
Like putting his name down in this letter.
Originally posted by charlize:For once, let the trade union chief do some work.
Like putting his name down in this letter.
Maybe he wrote it, but he cannot convince.. bcos he is a PAP MP himself, so the president's name added in?
Originally posted by Junyang700:Maybe he wrote it, but he cannot convince.. bcos he is a PAP MP himself, so the president's name added in?
lack of confidence?
THE connection between the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the People's Action Party (PAP) is a historical one and is part of Singapore's ongoing process of nation-building ('Why NTUC works closely with PAP' by NTUC president and secretary-general; Tuesday).
It would have been difficult for Singapore's evolution if the unions were fractured and run by disparate interests bent on scoring political points rather than focusing on the welfare of the country and its people.
Rather than have them as a large interest group on the outside lobbying the Government for change, a symbiotic relationship allows for labour interests to be represented and tailored within the administration.
If the PAP sees itself as a national movement, then it is logical for it to create a symbiotic relationship with the NTUC. The Democratic and Labour parties in the United States and Britain openly support union-backed candidates for high office.
How effectively those elected to political office serve the interests of the workers is another matter. In the case of Singapore, this can be worked through with greater ease than elsewhere.
The issue is not really about whether there are more labour candidates fielded in the coming general election compared to previous ones; it is whether the PAP, though in itself a non-ideological party, advocates clearly and carries out effectively policies grounded on labour and social values.
Sanjay Perera
Many benefits
'My children who were born into this stable and prosperous society may not know of the contributions to nation-building by FairPrice.'
MR PATRICK SIO: 'The symbiosis between the NTUC and PAP has benefited Singaporeans in many ways ('Why NTUC works closely with PAP'; Tuesday). Though NTUC's reply did not mention the contributions by FairPrice, I remember that as a boy living in Commonwealth Drive in the 1970s, I used to go with my parents to Strathmore Avenue's cooperative store to buy rice. Over the years, FairPrice has taken over the role of regulating prices of rice and other daily essentials. My children who were born into this stable and prosperous society may not know of the contributions to nation-building by FairPrice.'
Dual role
'Can people who wear multiple hats take an unbiased and objective stance for the Singapore worker?'
MR PIETER KOK: 'An effective labour movement should be independent of the ruling party. Suppose the PAP government wants to push through an unpopular law against the wishes of workers.
What would be the stance of NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office? Would Mr Lim act in the best interests of the Singapore worker or would he be influenced by the PAP government? Can people who wear multiple hats take an unbiased and objective stance for the Singapore worker?'
牛头�对马嘴
Question 1 not answered. - Were the positions specially created for these candidates?
Question 2 not answered. - Can senior executives of NTUC stand as opposition candidates?
Question 3 not answered. - Do MPs who work for NTUC take directions from NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, in Parliament?
Dodge Level 99
Originally posted by Nelstar:牛头�对马嘴
Question 1 not answered. - Were the positions specially created for these candidates?
Question 2 not answered. - Can senior executives of NTUC stand as opposition candidates?
Question 3 not answered. - Do MPs who work for NTUC take directions from NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, in Parliament?
Dodge Level 99
First day living in Singapore ?