Latest news with #MayDayRally2025
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
NTUC to push for more business transformation and workforce training: Ng Chee Meng at May Day Rally
Labour chief Ng Chee Ming speaking at the May Day Rally 2025 at Downtown East on May 1. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH NTUC to push for more business transformation and workforce training: Ng Chee Meng at May Day Rally SINGAPORE - Workers looking for jobs in the future can look forward to getting help from the labour movement's virtual career coaches and a stronger hiring network. These moves will help workers chart their career goals, training pathways, enhance their resumes and prepare for interviews, labour chief Ng Chee Meng said in his May Day Rally speech on May 1. These enhanced services for workers come as the National Trades Union Congress seeks to refresh its Job Security Council. A Job Security Directorate has been set up to coordinate and drive the push for more business transformation and workforce training, with closer collaborations with the Government, employers and organisations such as the Institute for Human Resource Professionals. The Job Security Council was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic to help displaced workers in aviation and other sectors move quickly into other jobs, said Mr Ng, who is NTUC secretary-general. More than 110,000 workers, including professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), were placed from February 2020 to November 2024. Mr Ng also announced that NTUC will be strengthening its company training committees (CTCs) to form cluster CTCs so that workers can be trained at the industry cluster level. The CTC Grant, which encourages businesses to conduct more employer-led training, will now drive transformation at the industry level. Mr Ng said the first cluster CTC was formed earlier in 2025 with ST Engineering Land Systems and SkillsFuture Singapore, and the partnership is expected to upskill over 1,000 workers across 40 small and medium-sized enterprises. Turning to the economy, Mr Ng said: 'The US tariffs have caused much anxiety and volatility.' 'The rules-based world order – in trade, and in security – is fraying. Our economy will be impacted,' he noted, adding that the 2025 growth forecast has been revised downwards to zero per cent to 2 per cent. He said that unemployment rates have already edged up in the first quarter of 2025, with trade volumes likely to drop. 'Our businesses, jobs will be hit,' he warned. Mr Ng, who is part of the national task force set up in April to help affected businesses and workers navigate the uncertainties sparked by the tariffs, reiterated NTUC's commitment to advancing workers' interests and enabling them to seize new opportunities in a changed world. In his speech at the rally held at Downtown East, he cited platform workers as an example of a 'significant breakthrough', where their interests are now better protected and represented. Under the new Platform Workers Act, which was passed in September 2024, platform workers have been designated as a distinct legal category in between employees and the self-employed. This means cabbies, ride-hailing drivers and freelance delivery workers now have better legal protection. 'Today, our vulnerable platform workers have CPF contributions, workplace injury compensation and the right to be represented by our platform work associations – National Taxi Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Delivery Champions Association,' he said. Mr Ng added that the associations have obtained official recognition from major players like CDG Zig, Grab and Tada. Amid the rising cost of living, Mr Ng pointed out that the Progressive Wage Model has helped lower-wage workers' real wages rise by close to 6 per cent from 2019 to 2024. Overall, he noted, 155,000 lower-wage workers have been impacted. Income inequality in Singapore is at its lowest since records started in 2000. On a personal note, the labour chief, who joined NTUC as deputy secretary-general in April 2018 and was elected as secretary-general a month later, said that his NTUC journey has taught him what it means to never give up. He said: 'In 2020, I felt that I had let all of you down.' 'Dealing with that setback has been humbling. But it has also taught me many good lessons. It is not our losses that define us. It is how we continue to press on and do our utmost that counts.' Mr Ng led the PAP team that lost to the Workers' Party in Sengkang GRC at the 2020 General Election. He is up against WP newcomer Andre Low in Jalan Kayu SMC in the 2025 General Election. 'This year's May Day is a little bit different for me. For the last 45 days or so, I think I have only been home for dinner twice, and I have lost about 4kg.' But every second of it has been worth it, he said, adding that it is for the 'larger purpose of serving fellow Singaporeans and workers of all collars'. Moving forward, Mr Ng urged union leaders to focus on efforts to deliver on NTUC's compact with workers for young people, PMEs, caregivers, senior workers and vulnerable workers. 'In the most uncertain world, let us continue to be strong to fight – for the good of our workers, our economy and Singapore.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore PM urges voters to re-elect his cabinet to deal with US, China
PM Lawrence Wong posing for photos at the end of the May Day Rally 2025 at Downtown East on May 1. - ST SINGAPORE: Singaporeans need to vote for candidates who have built up trust and close relationships with counterparts in the US and China, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (May 1), urging voters to re-elect his cabinet at a May 3 poll. Addressing a 1.4 million-strong labour union on the last day of campaigning, Wong warned of economic turbulence and job losses if US tariffs slow global growth. His government has warned the trade-reliant economy may face a possible recession. "We must expect more pressure on us and to navigate these pressures, it will take experience and skill. It will take people in government who have built up trust and close relationships with their counterparts in both America and China," Wong said. He said voters needed to re-elect his whole team to effectively deal with these economic headwinds. "I have backups, I have reserves, sure. But everyone knows that the team cannot function at the same level. It's the same in any organisation, and it will be so in our next cabinet if we end up with such a loss," he said, referring to the possible loss of his deputy prime minister. Singapore's ruling People's Action Party, in power since 1959, is widely expected to be easily re-elected, but there is growing unhappiness with its governance in the face of rising costs of living. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong was nominated at the 11th hour in a hotbed contest in a ward in northeast Singapore in an effort to stop the main opposition Workers' Party, which won 10 seats in the last parliament. Campaigning in recent days has zeroed in on Gan being new to the area, after an incumbent ruling party candidate called the opposition team strangers. The opposition fired back, asking if Gan was the real stranger to the constituency. Wong has thrown his weight behind Gan, calling him his "taskforce man" because Gan co-headed the Covid-19 taskforce and is now chairing the "economic resilience" taskforce dealing with the impact of US tariffs. "The key person in charge of this work is no stranger to you. He is no stranger to the whole of Singapore," Wong said on Thursday. This is the first electoral test for Wong, who took over from long-time premier Lee Hsien Loong last year as leader of the People's Action Party. Six political parties and an independent candidate have rallies scheduled for Thursday night. Parties get to fire their last salvos on Thursday before 2.76 million voters go to a compulsory poll on Saturday after a short nine-day campaign season. Friday is designated as a "cooling off" day, meant for voters to decide on their ballot, and parties are not allowed to campaign. - Reuters
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
NTUC to push for more business transformation and workforce training: Ng Chee Meng in May Day Rally
Labour chief Ng Chee Ming speaking at the May Day Rally 2025 at Downtown East on May 1. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH NTUC to push for more business transformation and workforce training: Ng Chee Meng in May Day Rally SINGAPORE - Workers looking for jobs in the future can look forward to getting help from the labour movement's virtual career coaches and a stronger hiring network. These moves will help workers chart their career goals, training pathways, enhance their resumes and prepare for interviews, said labour chief Ng Chee Meng in his May Day Rally speech. These enhanced services for workers come on the back of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) refreshing its Job Security Council to a Job Security Directorate to push for more business transformation and workforce training. The Job Security Council was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic to help displaced workers in aviation and other sectors move quickly into other jobs, said Mr Ng, who is NTUC secretary-general. Over 110,000 workers, including PMEs, have been placed from February 2020 to November 2024. He also announced that the NTUC will be strengthening its Company Training Committee (CTCs) to form Cluster CTCs so that workers can be trained at the industry cluster level. The move will see closer collaborations with the Government, employers and organisations such as the Institute for Human Resource Professionals. The CTC Grant, which encourages businesses to conduct more employer-led training, will now drive transformation at the industry level. Mr Ng said that the first Cluster CTC was formed earlier in 2025 with ST Engineering Land Systems and SkillsFuture Singapore, and the partnership is expected to upskill over 1,000 workers across 40 small and medium enterprises. Turning to the economy, Mr Ng said: 'The US tariffs have caused much anxiety and volatility.' 'The rules-based world order – in trade, and in security – is fraying. Our economy will be impacted,' he said, adding that the 2025 growth forecast has been revised downwards to 0 to 2 per cent. He noted that unemployment rates have already edged up in the first quarter of 2025, with trade volumes likely to drop. 'Our businesses, jobs will be hit,' he warned. Mr Ng, who is part of the national task force set up in April to help affected businesses and workers navigate the uncertainties sparked by US tariffs, reiterated NTUC's commitment to advance workers' interests and enable them to seize new opportunities in a changed world. I n his speech, Mr Ng cited platform workers as an example of a 'significant breakthrough' where workers' interests are now better protected and represented. Under the new Platform Workers Act, which was passed in September 2024, platform workers have been designated as a distinct legal category in between employees and the self-employed. This means cabbies, ride-hailing drivers and freelance delivery workers now have better legal protection. 'Today, our vulnerable platform workers have CPF contributions, workplace injury compensation and the right to be represented by our Platform Work Associations – National Taxi Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Delivery Champions Association,' he said. He added the associations have obtained official recognition from major players like CDG Zig, Grab and TADA. Amid the rising cost of living, Mr Ng pointed out that the Progressive Wage Model has helped lower-wage workers' real wages rise by close to 6 per cent from 2019 to 2024. Overall, he noted, 155,000 lower-wage workers have been impacted. Income inequality in Singapore is at a record low since 2000. On a personal note, the labour chief , who joined NTUC as deputy secretary-general in April 2018 and was elected as secretary-general a month later, said that his NTUC journey has taught him what it means to never give up. He said: 'In 2020, I felt that I had let all of you down.' 'Dealing with that setback has been humbling. But it has also taught me many good lessons. It is not our losses that define us. It is how we continue to press on and do our utmost that counts.' Mr Ng led the PAP team that lost to the Workers' Party in Sengkang GRC at the 2020 General Election. He is up against Workers' Party newcomer Andre Low in Jalan Kayu SMC in the 2025 General Election. 'This year's May Day is a little bit different for me. For the last 45 days or so, I think I've only been home for dinner twice and I've lost about four kilograms.' But every second of it has been worth it, he said, adding it is for the 'larger purpose of serving fellow Singaporeans and workers of all collars'. Moving forward, he urged union leaders to focus on efforts to deliver on NTUC's workers' compact for the youths, PMEs, caregivers, senior workers and vulnerable workers. 'In the most uncertain world, let us continue to be strong to fight – for the good of our workers, our economy and Singapore.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
May Day Rally 2025: 8 things Singapore will do to tap opportunities amid the storm
PM Lawrence Wong speaking at the May Day Rally 2025 at Downtown East on May 1. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH May Day Rally 2025: 8 things Singapore will do to tap opportunities amid the storm SINGAPORE – Delivering his first May Day Rally as Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong outlined how the Government and the labour movement will help Singaporeans navigate the immense challenges ahead. While acknowledging global uncertainties marked by shifting rules and higher trade barriers , he stressed on May 1 that 'it is not all doom and gloom'. 'Even in the darkest of storms, there are rays of light – new opportunities for those who are prepared,' he said. PM Wong said the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong is preparing drawer plans to help businesses and workers, and more details will be announced when ready. Here are eight other ways that Singapore is preparing to capitalise on new opportunities: 1. New workgroup to support senior employment A new tripartite workgroup will explore ways for more seniors who would like to continue to work. While some older workers may not need the income, PM Wong noted that many have said they would like to continue working, as they see work as a source of dignity, purpose and a way to stay active and healthy. He noted that the Government has been providing wage support for employers who hire older workers, and job-matching services tailored to senior jobseekers. The new workgroup, chaired by Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, will build on these efforts, said PM Wong. 2. Training committees to help workers and firms to be scaled up Company Training Committees (CTCs) will be further expanded with renewed government funding. CTCs, a labour movement initiative, bring together firms, unions and employees to identify skills needed for business transformation and to implement tailored training plans. Over 3,000 CTCs have been formed to date, benefiting more than 7,000 workers, said PM Wong. The Government committed $100 million in Budget 2022 to support the programme, and provided another $200 million in funding this year. Labour chief Ng Chee Meng said on May 1 that besides scaling up the capabilities of CTCs, NTUC will also form cluster training committees, which work with larger firms to drive transformation at the industry level and across value chains. Labour chief Ng Chee Meng delivers his opening address at the May Day Rally 2025. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG 3. SkillsFuture to support mid-career workers Mid-career workers will continue to get help through the national SkillsFuture movement to deal with the faster pace of innovation and change, said PM Wong. He noted that the Government has invested heavily in SkillsFuture to provide such workers with a substantial injection of skills. This includes the $4,000 SkillsFuture credit top-up workers get when they reach the age of 40, and monthly training allowances when they enrol in selected full-time courses from 2025. In Budget 2025, the Government announced that those who prefer to work while learning part-time will be able to receive a training allowance of $300 per month, starting in early 2026. 4. More career help for new graduates Fresh graduates entering the job market are concerned about securing a job and building their careers, and PM Wong gave his assurance that the Government will be there for them. More will be done to step up career counselling, career sessions and job matching programmes for new graduates, as well as help to secure apprenticeships and traineeships. Authorities will also have drawer plans ready to take care of new job market entrants should economic conditions worsen, he added. 5. Support for those taking less conventional career paths PM Wong noted that more young people are expressing interest in pursuing careers in less conventional pathways such as the arts, sports or media. As Singapore's economy diversifies, more possibilities are opening up in these fields. Government support for such sectors has also grown, said PM Wong. 'To our youth, I say: whatever your abilities, whatever your strengths, there will be opportunities for you, and we will help you chase that rainbow.' 6. Added help for companies to restructure and go abroad Beyond attracting new investments, the Government will support local companies to restructure and transform. PM Wong noted that some local firms, such as Grab and Razer, have already established themselves as regional or industry leaders, and more will be done to help small and medium-sized enterprises scale up and compete globally. While there is a range of government schemes to support businesses to improve productivity, adopt new capabilities, and expand overseas , PM Wong also highlighted NTUC's role in helping firms do the same. 7. Tapping into Asia's continued growth Despite global uncertainties, PM Wong said the Asian growth story continues to unfold, with many countries in the region, including parts of the Middle East, ranked among the fastest-growing economies today. Collectively, it is a large market with a rapidly expanding middle class, and PM Wong said many CEOs of multi-national firms have told him they see the potential in Asia, and are keen to do more in Singapore. 'They see Singapore as a reliable and a pro-business hub - secure, stable and trusted,' he said. 'So let's keep this going for as long as we can. That is our competitive advantage.' 8. Strengthening ties with emerging markets Beyond Asia, the Government is looking to deepen engagement with emerging regions such as Latin America and Africa. Although geographically distant, these markets recognise and respect the Singapore brand and more can be done to link up with these regions for mutual benefit, said PM Wong. 'While others see risk, we are always on the lookout for new openings and new opportunities,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Live PM Wong at May Day Rally 2025
Welcome to The Straits Times' live coverage of May Day Rally 2025 Good morning readers. Our colleagues Tay Hong Yi and Ng Wei Kai are on the ground reporting this year's May Day rally from the refreshed D'Marquee in Downtown East. Some 1,600 labour movement leaders and tripartite partners are gathering at the annual rally to celebrate workers' contributions to Singapore's economy and nation-building. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver the keynote address at 10.15am. You can watch his speech on The Straits Times' YouTube channel, and get the latest from the rally here.
