The workforce has now exceeded three million, with a third being foreign workers, and this has caused a host of new conflicts that are not within easy solution.
Who is ultimately responsible for protecting the rights and interests of Singapore’s 2.5 million workers – the Manpower Ministry or the city’s only trade union body?
A cynical reply could be: No difference, since they are like different arms of the same government.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), a network of 61 trade unions and one taxi association, with 700,000 members is affiliated to the ruling People’s Action Party. It is led by a cabinet minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office. Full story
