THE National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has concluded its #EveryWorkerMatters Conversation engagement exercise and will share its recommendations and key insights in the next few months, said secretary-general Ng Chee Meng.

More than 40,000 workers were engaged over the course of the exercise, a quarter of whom were young people aged between 17 and 25, said Ng.

In his National Day message on Tuesday (Aug 1), Ng stressed that even as Singapore celebrates its accomplishments, it cannot afford to be complacent, as much uncertainty lies ahead.

“Geostrategic tensions between rival great powers and a weaker global economic outlook are expected to impact Singapore, including our economic growth this year,” he said.

In the workplace in particular, rapid technological advancements are transforming the way people work and altering various job roles.

With this in mind, training remains the labour movement’s strategy to keep workers employable, competitive and adaptable in the future economy, said Ng.

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NTUC has formed over 1,455 Company Training Committees (CTCs) and trained more than 100,000 workers across various sectors.

The CTCs enable “win-win outcomes” for employers and workers by institutionalising workers’ training to business outcomes, said Ng. They ensure that training results in better productivity, wages, welfare and work prospects for workers.

NTUC has also expanded the Progressive Wage Model to more workers, intensified outreach efforts to “niche and underserved worker segments”, and started accepting applications for its Career Starter Lab.

“NTUC will continue championing the changing needs of our workers, in areas such as ensuring basic retirement adequacy for all workers… as well as better support for caregivers,” said Ng.