Speeches
Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Home Affairs, at the Metal Industries Workers’ Union (MIWU) 27th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday, 16th August 2008, at 7.15pm at Meritius Mandarin Hotel Singapore
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good evening.
It gives me great pleasure to be with you today at MIWU’s 27th anniversary dinner. I congratulate MIWU on its growth and exemplary work as a trade union over the last 27 years.
Trade unions are all about people—workers, members, union leaders, management partners and tripartite partners. It is only through the support, cooperation and efforts of all parties that a union can continue to stay relevant today and further the interests of its members. This enables our workforce to remain strong as we continue to play a meaningful role in the development of Singapore in the 21st century.
Our workforce plays a crucial role in sustaining and growing our economy, in improving the quality of life of fellow Singaporeans and in creating a better future. We must ensure that our workforce remains globally relevant and competitive and that no one is left behind. Over the past two years, MIWU has been working hard at expanding its reach. Through MIWU2011, MIWU has extended its reach to no collars (contract workers), gold collars (knowledge workers), youths and workers from other age groups; with the objective of helping everyone to earn a better living and live a better life.
With a greying workforce, MIWU saw the need to move ahead of the new legislation that would take effect in 2012 and cater to its silver collars (mature workers). MIWU has been engaging companies to implement re-employment policies for employees to work beyond retirement age. As of end June 2008, more than 30 companies have committed to re-employment policies with the union.
I am glad that MIWU and its management partners have placed utmost priority on enhancing the employability of workers. MIWU and management partners such as NMB, Pelmec and Makino, have worked at upgrading workers through the Certificate in General Manufacturing (CGM), which provides a platform to uplift the portable industry skills of workers. With the increasing need for higher vocational skills, MIWU will continue to promote Workforce Skills Qualifications for Precision Engineering (WSQ PE) provided by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to companies.
For management partners, MIWU believes that a strong labour-management relationship is an important success factor for Union Management partnership initiatives. MIWU has been actively engaging management through various activities. These include the MIWU Management Partners Seminar and gatherings, which provide platforms for knowledge exchange and bonding between the union and its management partners.
However, our workers must not only work hard, they must also have a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. Besides workplace representation and partnership projects that help to upgrade its workers, MIWU has also organized social and educational activities such as health talks and screenings, movie screenings and “MIWU go Kai Kai” outings for members and their families to enjoy time together.
Through these activities and initiatives, members have been able to work, live and play together as a MIWU family. I encourage MIWU to continue the good work as a proactive, strong and caring union, fulfilling its mission of enhancing workers’ welfare and providing a better life for them. There is no doubt that with the continued support of all parties, MIWU would be able to continue to do its best to serve workers’ interests.
Finally, please accept my warmest congratulations on your 27th Anniversary.