Despite losing his parliamentary seat at this year’s General Election, members of the NTUC Central Committee lends its unanimous support to NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.
This was announced by NTUC President Mary Liew, on behalf of the NTUC Central Committee, on 14 July 2020.
NTUC clarified that while its secretary-general has always held the position of Cabinet minister since 1980, the positions are independent of one another.*
Ms Liew said: “As we head into more challenging times ahead, we remain resolute in our mission to help workers. Brother Ng Chee Meng has over the last two years pushed for many good initiatives for workers and this is work that must continue. We stand in solidarity as we continue this journey together.”
In a Facebook post, Mr Ng said that he has stepped down as a member of parliament and will soon be stepping down from the Cabinet.
“However, I will continue as the secretary-general of NTUC and fulfill my elected role in NTUC. I will continue to serve workers who have given me their trust and I remain undeterred as the day I first joined the Labour Movement – to be alongside our workers and to be their voice.
I am humbled and honoured by the strong support and encouragement from my sisters and brothers in the Labour Movement, in particular that of the NTUC Central Committee,” he added.
Ms Liew added that Mr Ng has played an instrumental role in pushing forth various initiatives to help secure workers’ livelihoods.
He has, for one, helped bring both union leaders and employers together to champion workers’ training at the institutional level through the setup of company training committees (CTCs).
He has also helped match some 12,000 workers, displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to new roles through the NTUC Job Security Council.
In a separate statement issued by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), its President Robert Yap recalled an incident when Mr Ng showed great tenacity to maximise workers’ benefits while still addressing the concerns of employers.
“I am confident that the tripartite partnership in Singapore will remain strong with Brother Ng Chee Meng as the secretary-general (SG) of NTUC. I look forward to continue working with the NTUC led by SG Ng, and the Government,” said Dr Yap.
NTUC Central Committee member and Amalgamated Union of Public Employees General Secretary Sajeev Kumar Tiwari said that he fully supports Mr Ng for his hard work and commitment to the Labour Movement. He added that the setback should not disrupt Mr Ng’s good work for all workers.
Meanwhile, NTUC Central Committee member and Union of Security Employees General Secretary Raymond Chin said: “Mr Ng has strong support from the workers. He has earned our trust, and with his leadership, I believe he can bring both the Labour Movement and NTUC further.”
AUPE Vice-President Noorfarahin Ahmad said: “Looking at the initiatives that Brother Ng Chee Meng has introduced for the workers is testament that he has every worker’s interest at heart.
“With the support and backing of the union leaders and members, his involvement in the Labour Movement moving forward will be a true representative of the workers’ voice and will showcase a strong tripartite alliance for Singapore.”
*Editor's Note: The position of NTUC secretary-general is decided once every four years at the national level. This happens at the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference, where union delegates elect a 21-member NTUC Central Committee (CC) to oversee the work of the Labour Movement. The Central Committee members then nominate among themselves the president, secretary-general, the secretary for financial affairs (treasurer) and vice-presidents among other principal office bearers.
