NTUC and SNEF set up taskforce to protect older PMEs' employability

THE National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is setting up a taskforce to better understand the needs of professionals, executives and managers (PMEs) as it steps up efforts to strengthen relevant safeguards.

The taskforce is being set up with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and SNEF president Robert Yap will take on advisory roles in it, with NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay and SNEF executive director Sim Gim Guan leading it.

Dr Yap said: "SNEF hopes that we can develop Singaporean PMEs, especially those aged 40 to 60, that would meet employers' skills demand in the future economy. Employers should upskill and reskill their mature PMEs to enable them to contribute to their business more impactfully.

"Similarly, it is vital for Singaporean PMEs to continue to acquire relevant skills to stay employable. With a strong Singaporean core complemented by a foreign workforce, it would put Singapore in a good stead to remain globally competitive to achieve sustainable growth for the benefits of all."

NTUC is also keen to work with the government to review current policies and get more PMEs to join NTUC as a collective voice, said the labour union.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said: "We are seeing a tipping point for our local PMEs. A recalibrating of the foreign and local PME workforce is thus necessary to ensure that this group, especially the precarious mature PMEs, are well protected.

"The labour movement has been consistently advocating a strong Singaporean core and we will redouble our efforts, leaving no stone unturned especially during this challenging time. There's strength in unity. PMEs, too, can do their part by joining us so we can better understand their needs and concerns."

The taskforce will kick off operations from October. They intend to engage PMEs in dialogue and discussion for a period of six to 12 months before coming up with a set of recommendations.