In Singapore, Labour Day is celebrated on 1st May in honour of workers and their contributions to the country. As workers continue to contribute to the gradually recovering economy, 2021 also marks a significant year for the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as they celebrate 60 years of protecting the rights of workers.
Centered around the theme of this year’s May Day Rally – Every Worker Matters, here are 5 important takeaways we learned from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s address.
#1 Ensuring Responsible Retrenchments & Helping Workers Find Employment
NTUC played an important role in supporting workers through COVID-19. Unavoidably, many workers lost their jobs when Singapore’s economy plunged into recession due to the pandemic in 2020. NTUC ensured that retrenchments were carried out in a fair and responsible manner.
To help workers get back on their feet, union leaders took an extra step in supporting and helping affected workers and employers fully utilise the various government support schemes – the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS), Jobs Growth Initiative (JGI), and the Self-Employed Income Relief Scheme (SIRS).
Read Also: Guide To Understanding The Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) For Companies Hiring Local Workers
For instance, the NTUC’s Job Security Council directly helped more than 28,000 workers find new jobs, as well as provided financial support through the NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19).
#2 The Pandemic Has Accelerated Digital, Automation, And Sustainable Trends Across All Sectors
COVID-19 has accelerated trends such as digitalisation, automation, and sustainability. PM Lee mentioned that Singapore has to get ahead of these trends to seize opportunities and create new and better paying jobs – as old ones disappear.
For instance, many hawkers who did not see the need for digitalisation were forced to bring their business online during the circuit breaker period. Today, more than 1,300 hawkers offer some form of online delivery (eg, hopping onto food delivery platforms) and more than half of all hawkers have adopted e-payments.
Circuit breaker has also led companies to re-think their business model and adopt automation. For example, Pet Lovers Centre is now coping with a surge in online purchases during circuit breaker with a new system to track inventory and by upgrading its warehouse with a new automated storage and retrieval system, with support from Enterprise Singapore (ESG).
In terms of sustainability, PM Lee cited Sunseap – a clean energy solutions provider based in Singapore that is installing one of our largest floating solar farms in the Straits of Johor off Woodlands.
Usually done by foreign workers, the company (faced with a manpower crunch due to the pandemic) had to redesign the job and train young Singaporeans to take up new jobs such as solar technicians and engineers.
#3 The Government Will Take Measures To Cater To The Needs Of A Diverse Workforce
Singapore’s workforce profile has evolved over the years. The proportion of PMETs has increased from slightly over 50% of our resident workforce a decade ago to about 60% today, while the number of gig workers has more than doubled compared to 3 years ago. The population of older workers, given that Singapore is rapidly ageing, has also grown significantly.
To cater to the needs of different groups of workers, the NTUC has formed over 600 Company Training Committees (CTCs) to work with firms to identify capability gaps, co-create new jobs, and train workers for them. Workers can also tap on the various government schemes for support.
#4 Singapore’s Unemployment Rates Are On A Gradual Decline; GDP Likely To Exceed 6% In 2021
The collaborative effort between the government and the unions to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on Singapore’s economy saw success. Compared to 2020, unemployment rates have declined in 2021 – a positive sign for the rest of the year.
Despite MTI’s earlier forecast of a 4-6% GDP growth, PM Lee also mentioned that unless there’s a setback in the global economy, Singapore’s GDP is likely to exceed 6% in 2021.
#5 Singaporeans Must Work Together With The Government To Fight COVID-19 To Avoid A Second Circuit Breaker
Despite having contained the spread of COVID-19, Singapore’s fight against the pandemic is far from over. In his speech, PM Lee urged Singaporeans to not let their guards down against the virus. He added that both Singaporeans and our economy will face a “major setback” should Singapore enter a second circuit breaker.
“I hope Singaporeans work with us, and not let down our guard. It is not time to relax yet. This is a marathon. Let us keep jogging and keep ourselves safe,” said PM Lee.
(Cover image credit: Lee Hsien Loong’s Facebook page)
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