Tripartism to lead Singapore in facing post-pandemic challenges: Tan See Leng
AFTER working together to support jobs and improve livelihoods during the pandemic, Singapore’s tripartite partners will now tackle the challenges of the post-pandemic world, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said on Wednesday (Apr 26) in his May Day Message.
Singapore is turning the chapter on Covid-19, said Dr Tan, noting that 2022 saw growth in resident employment, improvement in unemployment rates and a decline in retrenchments.
“We must ride on the momentum to continue the transformation of our workforce,” he said.
He highlighted the Empower Pillar of the Forward Singapore exercise, led by the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Trade and Industry and National Trades Union Congress.
This is an opportunity to work with the public on renewing the social compact “to deliver opportunities and assurance to Singaporean workers at every stage of life”, he said.
The tripartite partners also intend to support Singaporeans in their careers and empower them to take personal responsibility for their journey.
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“We also strive to build a strong economy that provides good jobs for our people and an inclusive labour market where workers with different skill sets across various occupations and trades feel valued for their contributions and are able to carry out their work with dignity and purpose,” he said.
Retiring Singaporean workers should also be assured that their basic retirement needs will be met, he added.
Dr Tan reiterated several priorities mentioned by labour leaders in their earlier May Day Message.
These included skills training to prepare workers for the future economy; preventing workplace discrimination; supporting lower-wage workers; and strengthening support for platform workers in areas such as financial protection for work injuries, retirement and housing adequacy, and representation.
Another is professionalising skilled trades, particularly essential ones, to offer better salaries and progression. “Over time, if we are able to upgrade the prospects and perceptions of such jobs with more attractive career pathways, we will be able to build a more inclusive labour market that rewards mastery of skills and increase the number of locals in these roles sustainably,” said Dr Tan.
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