Strike averted after unions get aviation firm to correct retrenchment process
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For those who did the CSR compre, here can be a good idea on how it is not so easy for companies to exploit workers in Singpapore. Other than the tight labour laws, there is also the Workers Union (NTUC) representing and fighting for the welfare of the workers.
Then there is this characterisitc feature of Singapore: The Tripartite Alliance involving the MOM (govt), workers union (NTUC) and the employers. As seen in the above link, the Tripartitle Alliance - with its interevention by the govt -- is the reason why employers cannot just retrench workers and ignore their welfare. The Tripartite Alliance serves to bring the three major stakeholders to the table to work out a feasible solution to all. Workers thus need not fear knowing that the NTUC and the Govt are behind them. The Govt even has the tradition of putting their own cabinet minister to helm NTUC, the latest being Ng Chee Meng, till he lost his seat in recent election....but he is still the labour chief, with the backing of the govt.
But note that there are criticisms of the Tripartite Allaince structure. With the labour union coming under the control of the govt, there are fears that govt may not always put the welfare of workers as their top priority, as the govt's priority is the WHOLE Singapore, not just the workers. A case in point is how the govt continues to resist the impostion of a minimum wage in favour of a progressive wage, coz the minimum wage will make Singapore less attractive to investors as labour cost will increase. Without the minimum wage law, employers are actually free to 'exploit' workers in the sense hiring them under low wages, esp for foreign labour.....So the tripartite Allaince may actually prevent and inhibit the NTUC (labour union) from doing its work properly -- looking solely after the benefits of workers without other distractions and concerns.....You want to know that singapore is one of the rare democratic countries where the labour union is too cosy with the govt for comfort....
For those who did the CSR compre, here can be a good idea on how it is not so easy for companies to exploit workers in Singpapore. Other than the tight labour laws, there is also the Workers Union (NTUC) representing and fighting for the welfare of the workers.
Then there is this characterisitc feature of Singapore: The Tripartite Alliance involving the MOM (govt), workers union (NTUC) and the employers. As seen in the above link, the Tripartitle Alliance - with its interevention by the govt -- is the reason why employers cannot just retrench workers and ignore their welfare. The Tripartite Alliance serves to bring the three major stakeholders to the table to work out a feasible solution to all. Workers thus need not fear knowing that the NTUC and the Govt are behind them. The Govt even has the tradition of putting their own cabinet minister to helm NTUC, the latest being Ng Chee Meng, till he lost his seat in recent election....but he is still the labour chief, with the backing of the govt.
But note that there are criticisms of the Tripartite Allaince structure. With the labour union coming under the control of the govt, there are fears that govt may not always put the welfare of workers as their top priority, as the govt's priority is the WHOLE Singapore, not just the workers. A case in point is how the govt continues to resist the impostion of a minimum wage in favour of a progressive wage, coz the minimum wage will make Singapore less attractive to investors as labour cost will increase. Without the minimum wage law, employers are actually free to 'exploit' workers in the sense hiring them under low wages, esp for foreign labour.....So the tripartite Allaince may actually prevent and inhibit the NTUC (labour union) from doing its work properly -- looking solely after the benefits of workers without other distractions and concerns.....You want to know that singapore is one of the rare democratic countries where the labour union is too cosy with the govt for comfort....
posted by Dark Shadow | 1:19 PM
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