Two representatives from the Labour Movement will be part of the 30-member committee on ‘The Future Economy’. They are NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Cham Hui Fong.
The committee, chaired by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, was officially announced by the Government on 21 December 2015.
The committee will develop economic strategies to position Singapore to tackle the future by being a vibrant and resilient economy with sustainable growth that creates value and opportunities for all.
NTUC’s Concerns
ASG Cham said NTUC’s key concerns will be on how the future economy will impact jobs and the skillsets needed for workers.
“With workforce ageing and tightening of foreign workers, we need to prepare our workforce for a new and innovative economy. I hope the SkillsFuture committee will complement this Future Economy Committee by identifying the future and progressive skillsets to enable our workforce to compete globally and effectively,” said ASG Cham.
Employers’ Challenges
Also sitting on the committee is President of the Singapore National Employers Federation Dr Robert Yap.
He expressed concern over Singapore’s stagnating productivity and added that the slowing down in the workforce growth and an aging population will also put a strain on economic growth.
“I hope to contribute in areas that can help employers transform their organisations and workforce to overcome these challenges and facilitate business growth.
“Even as we chart new paths of growth, we need to spur entrepreneurship, nurture innovation, leverage regional linkages and promote skills mastery so that we are ready to take advantage of new business opportunities,” said Dr Yap.
Areas Of Focus
The committee on ‘The Future Economy’ will address various areas crucial to Singapore’s future economic development.
These are future growth industries and markets, corporate capabilities and innovation, the impact of demographics and technology on the labour force, and recommend strategies to create and re-design jobs, and equip Singaporeans with the skillsets needed for the future.
The committee aims to complete its work by the end of 2016.
Source: NTUC This Week
