SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament from the labour movement raise diverse issues and also fight for workers “behind the scenes”, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Sunday morning (Apr 27), in response to criticism from the Workers’ Party on their role in parliament.
Mr Chan, who was the immediate past secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), was responding to media questions on the sidelines of a walkabout at Redhill Market with candidates from Tanjong Pagar GRC, Queenstown SMC and Radin Mas SMC.
On the role of labour MPs, Mr Chan said: “They have raised many questions, both internal and external, and that shows the diversity of views that they bring to the table.”
He also pointed out that these MPs fight for workers “quietly” behind the scenes, speaking with unions, companies and employers on their behalf.
“It is not just about giving a slogan in parliament or in public and things get done. Actually, it’s a lot of hard work … I think if people say anything that is different from this, perhaps they don’t really understand how our tripartite system works and the hard work is required behind the scenes,” he said.
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At a rally in Tampines GRC on Saturday night, WP chief Pritam Singh launched a broadside at NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and NTUC assistant secretary-general Desmond Choo, who are running against WP candidates in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines Changkat SMC respectively.
“The NTUC’s close relationship with the PAP ensures that the NTUC is a guaranteed trampoline for losing PAP candidates,” said Mr Singh.
He added that there were many labour MPs in parliament, so voting for two more candidates from NTUC would not make a difference.
“NTUC is a safe harbour for losing PAP candidates – just ask Ng Chee Meng,” said Mr Singh, referring to the fact that after losing in Sengkang GRC in GE2020, Mr Ng continued as secretary general of NTUC.
Mr Singh said that the two PAP candidates would probably continue to work for NTUC even if they were not elected.
The WP chief also raised the issue of the proposed sale of NTUC Enterprise to Allianz, pointing out that “not a single” PAP labour MP had asked questions about this issue.
On Sunday morning, CNA asked Mr Chan what value candidates could add if they are elected as MPs, to which he said: “Our workers, our unionists want their voice to be heard in parliament, want their interests to be represented in parliament and in the Cabinet.”
He added that when these labour representatives speak up in parliament or in Cabinet, they are taken seriously because “they are speaking on behalf of the workers, on behalf of the unionists”.
Pointing to the PAP candidates with him, Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas SMC) and Mr Eric Chua (Queenstown SMC), Mr Chan said that they are examples of “very hardworking” candidates seeking re-election.
“We hope that (residents) will support people like Eric and Melvin who will get things done for them, and not people who ask other people to get things done to them,” said Mr Chan.
