Representing And Protecting Our Workers

Speaking Out For Workers

The NTUC and its affiliated unions are the face and the voice of workers at the workplace. As a collective body, the union is in a stronger position to ensure that workers are treated fairly.

At the national level, the NTUC is represented in parliament, many organizations and committees. Through these channels, the NTUC speaks for workers and ensures that policies take into account workers’ interests.

Each year, the NTUC unions negotiate for wage increases, bonuses and other benefits for its workers. In 2004, the NTUC unions negotiated more than 1,000 Collective Agreements. These new agreements, as well as existing ones, covered more than 200,000 members.

Today, workers in Singapore generally enjoy good industrial relations because of the hard work of the NTUC and its affiliated unions.

Protecting Our Workers

The NTUC and its unions ensure that workers’ rights are protected under the respective laws such as the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act, etc.

At the workplace, the unions represent and assist members who face issues at work. In 2004, union leaders helped settle more than 1,500 cases of which about 90% were settled directly with management in a harmonious manner. There were also 4 cases last year referred to the Industrial Arbitration Court.

Throughout the entire process, the union leaders represented the members to ensure that they got a fair outcome.

Helping Affected Workers

In an increasingly competitive world, the NTUC unions help its members cope with the challenges of businesses’ structuring and restructuring.

In the unfortunate event of our members losing their jobs, the unions will ensure that workers are taken care of and receive retrenchment benefits to lessen any financial hardships. The NTUC unions also help the workers get back on their feet and find other jobs.

In 2004, the NTUC and its unions helped about 4,000 members, and ensured that they received retrenchment benefits. The unions also helped negotiated for additional medical coverage and special training grants for the members. Career counseling and job matching services were also offered by the unions.

Training Our Workers

To cope with the rapidly changing environment, the NTUC and its unions strongly push for workers’ training at the national level and at the workplace. The NTUC further provides direct and indirect support for workers’ training through the NTUC Education and Training Fund
(N-ETF) and the Surrogate Employer Programme (NTUC-SEP).

In 2004, NTUC supported more than 17,000 training places for course fee funding under the NTUC-SEP, and about $1.6 million has been paid out from the N-ETF.

Through NTUC LearningHub Private Limited, NTUC ensures that workers enjoy good quality training courses in language, IT, soft skills and many other areas.