The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) honoured NTUC, Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) and Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) at the inaugural Partners’ Appreciation Event on 26 November 2021.
NTUC, CDE and MWC were three recipients out of 10 that received the MOM Valued Partner (MVP) award.
The other awardees were DBS Bank, Dormitory Association of Singapore Limited, HealthServe, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), Singapore Business Federation, Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company (SSMC), and Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) President K Jayaprema.
There were a total 300 virtual and physical attendees at the event, among whom were NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, CDE and MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang, MWC Executive Director Bernard Menon, and NTUC U SME and U Women and Family Director Yeo Wan Ling.
In his address Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said: “These awardees include our longstanding collaborators, like our tripartite partners. And of course, our new and emerging partners.
“I hope our new and emerging partners will gather momentum and gather strength. All of you have stepped forward unreservedly to work and labour alongside us. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the award recipients. You are truly our MVPs.”
MOM called NTUC a key partner that was instrumental in uplifting the lives of workers through initiatives such as the Progressive Wage Model, the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers, several tripartite clusters, and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme.
The ministry also cited CDE as one of MOM’s key partners in caring for and supporting the well-being of migrant domestic workers in Singapore since 2016.
Meanwhile, the MWC has been a close partner of MOM since 2009 in ensuring fair and progressive work practices for migrant workers in Singapore.
The awards event was introduced by MOM to recognise the invaluable contributions of its partners, which includes associations, businesses, chambers, non-government organisations, tripartite partners, and individuals.
“Amid this unprecedented year, stakeholders from all walks of life came together to ensure that Singapore and Singaporeans emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our partnerships have made an impact in improving the well-being and livelihoods of Singaporeans. MOM will continue to work closely with all partners so that collectively we can inspire new possibilities together,” added Dr Tan.
The event also featured a panel discussion with representatives from HealthServe, NTUC, SNEF, and SSMC.
The panelists shared their views on how the Government could continue to partner Singaporeans and find solutions to the challenges facing our workforce.
Dr Tan also outlined MOM’s 3C approach in working with partners to build a better Singapore. They are consult, co-create, and co-deliver.
Consult refers to connecting with citizens through wide consultation to better understand needs and concerns to gather suggestions and new ideas. Secondly, co-create means partnering the people, private, and public sectors to co-create innovative solutions to issues that concern all stakeholders. And thirdly, co-deliver refers to working closely with partners to co-deliver solutions to improve policy implementation and deliver better services to the public.
