On the eve of Labour Day (May 1), Petir looks at how Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party are contributing to the Labour Movement by serving as advisors to trade unions affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
MANY Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party, aside from those working in the labour movement, serve as advisors to 58 trade unions affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to support Singaporean workers. They help deepen the symbiotic relationship between PAP and NTUC.
MPs told Petir they work closely with union leaders to understand the challenges their members face. They then make policy recommendations in Parliament to address these issues and better support the well-being of workers. They also support events organised by the unions like family days and charity events and join in industry focus groups to understand employers’ concerns.
Wan Rizal: Improve teachers’ welfare and enhance workplace safety
MP for Jalan Besar GRC Wan Rizal serves as an advisor to the Singapore Teachers’ Union (STU) and the United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries (UWEEI).
Dr Wan said education and technology are fundamental to a country’s progress, and his advisory roles reflect his commitment to the well-being and advancement of workers in these sectors.
“Teachers and workers in electronics and electrical industries play critical roles in shaping our future. Leveraging my experience as an educator and expertise in human behaviour and governance, I aim to contribute positively to their professional landscapes.”
Dr Wan Rizal aims to improve teachers’ welfare, develop professional skills, and advocate for policies that support holistic education at STU. At UWEEI, he works to enhance workplace safety, advance skills training, and ensure fair employment practices.
Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: Union is doing valuable work
MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, an advisor to the Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore, said he accepted the role because “the union is doing valuable work” and “representation in large unions is important.”
Because of his legal training, Mr Zhulkarnain said he also offers legal assistance to union members coping with legal issues apart from his other duties as an advisor.
“I remember when a union member passed away, the secretariat provided the family with financial and social support. I handled legal matters and remained in close contact with them,” he said.
Important for management to understand the challenges that healthcare workers face: Tan Wu Meng
MP for Jurong GRC Tan Wu Meng has been serving as an advisor to Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) since 2023 and the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union (SMEEU) since 2017.
Dr Tan said that joining HSEU was a natural progression given his background in healthcare. He has been advocating for more support for healthcare workers, including allied health professionals over the years.
“Our healthcare workers have been overstretched during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amidst the post-pandemic backlog of care needs, our sisters and brothers in healthcare still feel the strain. With an ageing population, Singapore faces challenges in healthcare manpower,” Dr Tan said.
He added that it is important for management to continue to understand the ground situation and challenges that healthcare workers face because they deliver better care for patients when empowered and supported.
“What our nurses and allied health professionals do is essential work. Deep skills. Physical, mental, emotional labour. I have asked parliament questions on how we can better support and develop allied health colleagues,” he said.
“I have also asked the Government to do a deep review to see what more can be done. Because how we budget, how we formulate manpower policy, it is not just a question of market forces. It speaks to the values we have, what we hold dear. And to the direction and message we want to send for our society.”
On his advisor role at SMEEU, he said that with his experience as former Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry for Trade and Industry, he was familiar with the challenges that the offshore and marine sector faces. He has also proposed for the Republic to diversify its energy sources by exploring hydrogen — the transport of hydrogen is also relevant to the offshore and marine industry.
Tin Pei Ling: MPs can help unions connect with corporations to expand membership
As Advisor to the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) and Enterprise Singapore Staff Union (ESSU), MP for MacPherson SMC Tin Pei Ling said that one of the ways that MPs can help unions is by connecting them with large corporations through their contacts.
“A union may want to expand its membership so that more workers can be better protected. As MPs, we connect them with large corporations within our networks so they can discuss further,” she said.
Ms Tin recalled giving her opinion on attracting younger workers, like younger PMETs, to the union early in her term.
“I suggested the union improve its value proposition for new generations of workers, make programmes more appealing to drive membership,” she said.
Xie Yao Quan pushed for support for Progressive Wage Model which matters to security workers
MP for Jurong GRC Xie Yao Quan serves as an advisor to the Union of Security Employees and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Staff Union. He told Petir that he advocates for workers’ concerns and aspirations.
“I listen to workers’ concerns and aspirations and bring their voices to Parliament.”
Mr Xie said that workers in the security industry typically face issues such as long hours, career prospects, especially for younger workers, and lack of respect. In Parliament, he has pushed for whole-of-society support for Progressive Wage Model which matters especially to security workers.
“I have also urged buyers of security contracts to ‘buy right’, so that workers will fully benefit from Progressive Wages, even if it means buyers having to pay more,” he added.
In Parliament, Dr Tan said he has also been calling for more support and protection for delivery riders on gig platforms because he has met delivery riders in Clementi who were injured during work.
Mr Zhulkarnain said he has raised issues regarding workers’ welfare. For instance, in February, he asked whether SingPost employees would get routine training and regular updates to detect signs of drugs, contraband or hazardous materials and resources to protect workers from handling such items, considering lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) stamps detected in a SingPost Centre parcel in December last year.
Through engaging in dialogues, Mr Zhulkarnain noted that workers are concerned about technology and artificial intelligence displacing their jobs, prompting him to encourage them to leverage technology to their advantage.
“Most importantly, we must find ways to upskill our workers, raise awareness of new technologies, challenges, and how AI can assist them while ensuring they don’t fall behind the information gap,” he said.
Dr Wan Rizal said he has consistently advocated for initiatives that align with the concerns of unions he serves. These include policies that support the mental health and well-being of education sector workers, promote lifelong learning and skills upgrading for tech industry employees, and ensure fair work conditions and adequate pay for all workers.
“Going forward, I will continue to advocate for more robust work-life balance policies, integrate technology in education to reduce teachers’ workloads, and promote sustainable practices in electronics and electrical industries to ensure long-term growth and stability.”
