Tripartism key to safeguarding jobs, incomes amid global uncertainty: Tan See Leng
[SINGAPORE] Close tripartite relations are more important than ever amid unprecedented trade tensions and a weakening global order, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in his May Day message on Tuesday (Apr 29).
The relationship between government, unions and employers is the foundation of Singapore's growth – and matters more than ever in the current uncertainty, he said.
With major economies imposing tit-for-tat tariffs, Singapore – a small and open economy – will not be spared, he said. 'As disruptions to trade and investments grow, so will the pressure on jobs and incomes.'
Supporting workers and employers
Dr Tan gave an overview of how the government is supporting both workers and businesses, and creating better workplaces.
He noted progress in uplifting lower-wage workers through initiatives such as the Progressive Wage Model and the Workfare Income Supplement scheme.
Real wages for workers at the 20th percentile grew by 5.8 per cent between 2019 and 2024, outpacing median wage growth of 3.56 per cent.
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Platform workers now get more protections, while the government is helping senior workers continue working if they wish to, with reviews of employment policies and initiatives to make workplaces more age-friendly.
For companies, the government is helping them 'transform and thrive', said Dr Tan, acknowledging the pressures that employers face in a fast-changing world.
He pointed to Budget 2025's S$400 million Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package and S$200 million top-up to the NTUC Company Training Committee programme.
On building better workplaces, new Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests have set clearer ground rules for discussions between employers and workers.
The Workplace Fairness Act was also passed earlier this year, in a major step in reinforcing Singapore's stand against discrimination, he added.
As expectations change, 'the road ahead will be more complex', said Dr Tan.
Sustaining tripartism will become increasingly challenging as work evolves and pressures from the tripartite partners' 'respective constituencies' grow.
'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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