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NTUC-PAP Relationship Debate: MPs Trade Barbs Over "Nonsensical" Reasons in Parliament
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Singapore, [Current Date] – The NTUC-PAP relationship debate in Parliament took a dramatic turn today, with MPs trading barbs over what some called "nonsensical" reasons for the relationship between the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
The debate, which was sparked by a series of allegations made by opposition MPs, saw NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and PAP MPs defending the relationship between the two entities.
However, opposition MPs accused the NTUC of being too close to the PAP, with some claiming that the relationship was "toxic" and "undemocratic". They pointed to the fact that the NTUC’s executive council is dominated by PAP members, and that the union’s leadership is often seen as being out of touch with the concerns of ordinary workers.
"We cannot have a situation where the NTUC is beholden to the PAP, where the union’s decisions are influenced by party politics," said Workers’ Party MP Pritam Singh. "This is not what the NTUC was meant to be – a champion of workers’ rights, not a puppet of the PAP."
In response, Ng Chee Meng accused the opposition of being "misinformed" and "sensationalist". He pointed out that the NTUC has always been independent and has fought for workers’ rights, regardless of the government of the day.
"The NTUC is not a pawn of the PAP, nor is it a puppet of the government," Ng said. "We are a trade union that represents the interests of workers, and we will continue to do so, regardless of who is in power."
The debate highlighted the ongoing tensions between the NTUC and the opposition, which has long accused the union of being too close to the PAP. The issue is likely to remain a contentious one in the run-up to the next general election.
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In the Platform Workers' Bill that was tabled in Parliament, there was a huge debate that occurred on the relationship between the PAP and the WP on the independence of NTUC and which arrangement serves the interests of workers, and the economy, the best, across the 2-days of debate from 9-10 Sept.
The PAP has argued that the tripartite arrangement has "served workers best".
My question is, "really, is that so"?
I don't necessarily agree with adversarial relations between trade unions and employers/the government.
But I don't agree with the PAP's gross absence of candour in claiming that "tripartitism" helps Singapore workers the best.
Let's look at this August 2021 advisory (https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/Tripartite-Partners-Release-Enhanced-Advisory-on-Workplace-COVID-19-Vaccination-Policies/), during the Covid-19 pandemic. In it, NTUC effectively encouraged employers to apply VDS on unvaccinated workers. That is way before the govt extended VDS to workplaces, in Dec 2021.
Of course, the link says "employers should not fire or threaten unvaccinated employees". But encouraging VDS in workplaces, and not standing up to it, is akin to a death sentence for many rice bowls.
And it created a culture where to this day, Covid vaccination related discrimination, especially against prospective employees, are still carried out. Go ask Food Republic – they openly deny employment against unvaccinated employees, even for backend admin roles. Shaw Theatres and Golden Village require only vaccinated employees, even for casual employment roles.
And where is NTUC?
When, to start with, there are good and legitimate reasons for VDS not to be imposed, and for people to abstain from taking Covid-19 vaccines? To avoid belabouring the point, my reasons for such are as expressed here (https://www.reddit.com/r/SingaporeRaw/comments/1dht3qj/mohs\_covid19\_vaccine\_rebuttal\_questions\_that/).
So, NTUC and "labour PAP MPs" should not go to parliament, and talk a great deal on how NTUC "protects workers' interests", when NTUC went along and cheerlead the social credit scheme in VDS, that targeted workers' rice bowls, via a forced choice disguised as an "option to choose".
NTUC went missing when a segment of the working population needed them most. They should hang their heads in shame over the words they said in parliament.
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