- Of course, instead of "political flirtation", they prefer to use the nice-sounding term of "symbiotic relationship".
- Irrefutable fact: Singapore's progress stems from the contributions of ALL Singaporeans ( from entrepreneurs, managers, supervisors to toilet cleaners, road sweepers,etc,etc) and not just unionised workers!
- Strictly speaking, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is not a public/Govt body but a private membership organisation --- with its operating funds coming from the membership fees paid by union members.
- Currently, there are two Cabinet ministers (Lim Boon Heng/Lim Swee Say) doing work for the NTUC.
- Many Singaporeans have all along thought that (from its name) the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) is a trade union body --- very few know it was cleverly incorporated way back in 1977 as a statutory board under the Manpower Ministry.
SLF CEO is Nancy Teo,a former union official
SLF Minister-IN-CHARGE Ng Eng Hen
SLF Chairman Mah Bow Tan
SLF Deputy Chairman Lim Boon Heng
SLF Director Lim Swee Say
Verify: Please visit SLF website > About Us > Board of Directors and Patons - Why is SLF a public-funded statutory board trying to be a big-time Property Developer?
Two SLF mega-property projects (with many unanswered questions):
(i) NTUC HQ Building in New Downtown $400m 32-storey glass tower. Announced in 2001/Completed in 2004.
WHY such a posh building on expensive prime land for a trade union office building? Why not a functional building in a suburban location? $140m land cost said to be paid for by the SLF (out of public funds). $75m grant from the Government (Why are public funds given to NTUC, a private membership organisation?) Who actually paid for the remaining $185m ?
(ii) SLF Ang Mo Kio Town Centre Mega-Complex First conceived in 2001 as a $200m Mega-Complex (31-storey condo tower, 21-storey office bldg, NTUC Hypermart, Bus Interchange) to be jointly developed by SLF, NTUC Income, NTUC Choice Homes, NTUC Fairprice. Project faced inordinate delays (drawing anger from residents).
In 2004, SLF decided to drastically scale-down the project to "integrated shopping mall-cum-bus interchange", with project cost indicated at $340m.
Right from day one, this ambitious/costly project was mired in controversy --- being rightly criticised by Private Developers/Retailers for the way the SLF had been awarded the choice site without a competitive bidding process.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Political Flirtation with Trade Union Movement
By Mr See Leong Kit
Another NKF in action?
ReplyDeleteMy co-worker told me that her daughter knew someone ..An American civil engineer who was hired by a Singaporean Company. Her husband was paid by the company, so that he can accompany her to Singapore. He played golf everyday. Air tickets and accomodations are paid. What a fantastic foreign-talent policy!!
I know of a American university PhD educated China national who was offered a professor position in NUS. The salary offered was S$90k a year. Now, is a Singaporean with the same qualification even offered the position? In the end, the China national did not even reply NUS and got a job in California!
Our Gov said this election is very important to all Singaporean. I strongly agreed cos i m a
ReplyDeleteSingaporean it concern me but Y ?? I m not given a fair chance to VOTE ??? Can't for once the whole nation vote together br it PAP/SAP/WP or etc... Answer is "NO" again Y ??? Cos this is our GOV set and said here come the Question : DID U PICK THEM TO BE OUR GOV ? ? When I was born they are already the GOV, till today they are still our GOV but never once the GOV ask me, DO I WANT THEM TO BE OUR GOV !!! Be fair to all Singaporean if is so important the election let the whole nation vote...... What I wantfrom my GOV is to show me all they know beside just leading and 1st GOV must open their ear to listen to me cos I m a Singaporean I have my right to pick my GOVERNMNENT.
The project was SCALED DOWN and yet it COSTS MORE?
ReplyDelete