Workforce challenges can be solved through tripartism, say speakers at regional meeting
TRIPARTISM and social dialogue are key pillars of the global strategy to address challenges in the workforce, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, President Halimah Yacob and new International Labour Organization (ILO) director-general Gilbert Houngbo said in separate speeches at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) on Tuesday (Dec 6).
This edition of the APRM, held in Singapore for the first time from Dec 6 to 9, brings together over 500 delegates – representing governments, workers and employers – from 33 regions in Asia, the Pacific and Arab states. It is focused on human-centred recovery from Covid-19.
The three speakers at its opening ceremony highlighted issues facing the global workforce today, including Covid-19 recovery, economic slowdowns, high inflation, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty.
Dr Tan recounted that Singapore’s response to the pandemic was guided by the ILO “setting out a clear global strategy that unites (countries) with a common purpose and vision, anchored on the principle of tripartite collaboration and social dialogue”.
He noted that through tripartism – among the government, the labour movement and employers – Singapore was able to introduce job-saving measures, ensure responsible retrenchments, support displaced workers and expand skills development programmes.
President Halimah agreed: “A key reason why we were able to move quickly to address the concerns of companies and workers is the high level of trust that exists among the tripartite partners.”
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
She said that going forward, tripartism and social dialogue will be crucial in uplifting lower-wage workers through various means including the Progressive Wage Model, which raises wages in tandem with productivity growth; increasing the pace of digitalisation through support programmes and job redesign; and coping with the evolving nature of work, such as the trends towards flexible work arrangement and platform work.
In our globalised world, where capital can cross borders freely, “extreme cost-cutting measures driven by intense competition can result in a race to the bottom for wages and labour standards if left unchecked”, she said.
The ILO, as the sole tripartite agency of the United Nations, “plays a critical role in ensuring a fairer and more inclusive growth model where everyone has a stake” through setting standards and facilitating the sharing of good practices, she added.
ILO’s Houngbo noted that economic growth, employment opportunities and access to social protections continue to be uneven among groups in the region, with gender inequality, high youth unemployment rates and high levels of informal work remaining persistent issues.
The pandemic, combined with political, economic and climate crises, had pushed social progress backwards, he added.
Houngbo also said that countries that had strong labour market institutions were able to counteract some of the pandemic crisis shocks more effectively and efficiently.
“With effective pro-employment policies, more social protection, a respect for labour rights, constructive social dialogue and an enabling business environment, countries can equip themselves to benefit from the future of work.
“To advance through these turbulent times, we need to heighten our partnership with the multilateral system and work together through a social justice coalition.”
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
