'We are making real progress for workers': Tan See Leng in May Day message
"We are making real progress for workers - especially those with lower incomes," he said in his May Day message on April 29.
He noted that workers' real wages at the 20th percentile grew by 5.8 per cent - a figure that is faster than the median worker's at 3.56 per cent. "This reflects years of steady effort through the Progressive Wage Model, Workfare and joint efforts with unions and employers to raise standards in a sustainable way," he said.
He added that Singapore is "among the first in the world" to provide protection for platform workers. Under the Platform Workers Act, cabbies, ride-hailing drivers and freelance delivery workers now have better legal protection.
On workplace safety, he said Singapore's workplace fatality rate in the last five years averaged around 1.1 per 100,000 workers, "putting us amongst the best in class".
He added that the lowest major injury rate was achieved in 2024.
In his May Day message, he took the chance to thank tripartite partners - the National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation - for their solidarity through the years, highlighting contributions such as the new Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment and NTUC Company Training Committee Grant.
"And most significantly, Parliament passed the Workplace Fairness Act earlier this year, reinforcing our stand against discrimination."
He added: "We must keep improving our workplaces. An engaged and productive workforce begins with workplaces that are safe, fair and inclusive."
Dr Tan, who is also part of the national task force set up to help affected businesses and workers navigate the uncertainties sparked by US tariffs, noted that Singapore's small and open economy will not be spared.
"We face unprecedented trade tensions and a breakdown of the rules-based international order. Major economies have imposed new tariffs, with more retaliation expected."
He added that as disruptions to trade and investments grow, so will the pressure on jobs and incomes. But it is in these times that tripartism and unity must be sustained, to anchor Singapore through uncertainty.
Dr Tan said that as "pressures from respective constituencies" grow, sustaining tripartism - the three-way relationship between employers, unions and the Government - will get harder.
Noting that tripartism is the bedrock of Singapore's economic progress, he stressed that this "foundation matters more than ever".
"But true partnership is not measured in calm, but in how we hold on through the storm. We must sustain tripartism not because it is easy, but because it works."
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